ABOUT THE METHOD
Vedic Art® was founded by the Swedish artist Curt Källman (1938-2010). The seed of Vedic Art was sown many years ago when Curt began his inner journey to find an undemanding and free way of expressing himself on the canvas.
An important part of the method is “The Seventeen Vedic Principles of Art and Life”. Curt Källman learned the names of the Principles in 1974 by the renowned Indian meditation teacher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1918-2008). Curt Källman developed the content and pedagogic approach of the Vedic Art method during the 1970s-1980s.
The Vedic Art method was founded in 1988 by Curt Källman in Sweden. The word “Vedic” originates from the Indian Sanskrit word “Veda” which means knowledge or wisdom. The fundamental view of Vedic Art is that we all have great creative power and knowledge within ourselves from birth. Painting is an important tool to unfold these inner resources so that they can be used in a concrete way in life and in arts. The only way to access the content of the Vedic Art course and the Seventeen Principles is to attend a Vedic Art course held by a Vedic Art teacher. The method requires no prior knowledge. Everyone is welcome!
THE SEVENTEEN PRINCIPLES
The Seventeen Principles are the heart of the Vedic Art method. The names of the Principles originates from an unknown oral tradition in the Indian Veda philosophy. In 1974, Curt Källman learned the Principles and used them as a source of inspiration for developing the Vedic Art method. The Principles constitutes, together with the creative exercises in the foundation course as well as the unique approach of Curt Källman, the core of the method.
THE CREATIVE ADVENTURE
The creative activities/exercises in the foundation course “opens the inner seeing” and are following the Seventeen Principles. The creative activities are freely designed by Curt Källman with inspiration from traditional and modern western art tradition from the Renaissance onwards. They are developed or adapted to focus on artistic freedom, the creative process and human life.
THE UNIQUE APPROACH OF CURT KÄLLMAN
Artistic freedom, the creative process, integrity and the connection between the creative process, life and personal development are all parts of the essence of Vedic Art.
ART AND LIFE
During the courses we receive tools to explore our creative expression. We often feel that we ourselves develop alongside our painting and that we experience a deeper sense of unity between ourselves and our art. It becomes a deeply personal meeting between creator and creation. The Principles have often been described as a map or a compass for our personal creative journey.
CREATE BEYOND THE THINKING MIND AND INTELLECT
Artists throughout all times have longed for expressing their own individuality and convey their own inner truth in their art. The Creator wants to be able to express our innermost self. When we create effortlessly, it is easy to forget about time and space. We become more present in the here-and-now and begin to express ourselves. A journey has begun towards finding our own creative expression. It is more about opening the creative “seeing”, rather than training the hand’s abilities. Beyond all limitations, knowledge, beauty and joy awaits.
FREEDOM IN CREATIVE EXPRESSION
The Vedic Art method does not promote any specific painting style, but instead it helps the participants of the course to find their own personal expression. No teacher will judge or make any demands on us during a Vedic Art course. We can develop at our own pace and find our own way to relate to the creative process. We can come to a course without ever holding a brush before. And we find that we can actually express ourselves!
Curt and Johannes Källman
”The seventeen Vedic Principles of Art can be used as a navigation map on our journey along the river of the history of art.We start from a point of silence and one day we reach the ocean of boundless dynamic creativity inside ourselves.To study Vedic Art is to study one’s personal self in a relationship with the great cosmic self. Our inner driving force sets us in motion and guides us step by step into seeing how nature works.We begin to remember how to express ourselves from within, and we dive deeper into the creative process. This leads into expansion on all levels, both in art and in our lives. In Vedic Art it is not necessary to teach
anyone how to paint– instead it is the way to remember how it happens.”
~ Vedic Art founder, Curt Källman ~
Vedic Art Method in Ireland
Vedic Art has been brought to the Emerald Island by Lorelai I. Dali in late 2012, with first courses taught in February 2013. Since then Lorelai has taught numerous courses and workshops in Vedic Art Foundation and Continuation Levels during stationary courses in Ireland and retreats in Portugal. She has also trained new teachers that host courses in Ireland and abroad – see Teachers page for more details. Since 2020 Lorelai is also teaching courses online, with Swedish Vedic Art School’s permission.
