Artist’s Statement

Renee Blank

May 2021

I am fortunate and grateful that in 1997 I attended a workshop in Intermodal Expressive Arts (EXA) given by Markus at the Open Center in New York City. Markus's teaching and personal style along with the content and pedagogy of EXA appealed to my sensibilities. I continued with his three-year training program and hoped one day I would return again to nurture my soul with the work that Markus is bringing to us.

Studying EXA has been helpful to me in my professional life as a visual arts teacher in New York and with my personal artwork. In a nutshell, I would say EXA taught me that there is always a way out or around any challenging or difficult situation. "Change a thought, move a muscle." " Switch tanks." " Name it. Claim it. Aim it." " Breathe, relax and let it go." these are just few suggestions of Markus’ I have found effective and useful in my work and life.

As a result of my trainings with Markus, I've noticed a major shift into a deeper, more intimate involvement during the art-making process which is reflected in the presentation here of my most recent watercolor and drawing series that I've named Innerscapes. I found myself entering into a very meditative flow state where intuition and spontaneity lead me into my decision making. Working this way for me is a relaxing and healing experience. The images created are always a surprise.