Connection, artmaking and this beautiful planet
Introduction by Arden Henley
I knew the artist who wrote this poignant invitation into artmaking as a young woman several years before the journey she describes in this article. Her invitation reflects a broader GTEC conviction that artmaking has an integral part to play in the creative work of making the more beautiful world we know in our hearts is possible. Inviting the viewer into the art making process joins the psychiatrist/painter, Diane de Meschino, the poet, Scott Lawrance, our partners at the Climate Museum in New York and many others in an evolving genre that awakens us to our connection to one another and to the planet.
Inviting the viewer into the art making process
By Su Schnee
I first learned about death when I was six years old and my grandfather died. One day I was sitting on his bed, and we were talking. And the next day he was gone. I didn’t understand it but I remember it. And then in my early 20s I lost two babies. The ultrasound showed that I had a bicornuate uterus which is also called a ‘heart shaped’ uterus. I was born this way. The doctor said not to try to have another baby because I could lose my life and lose the baby. My husband Daniel pleaded with me not to get pregnant again. We can adopt we said. We will offer our artworks, and our work building an art centre and community as an offering of care and love such as we would have offered our children. We sent this intention out into the world.
At the time we lost our babies, I was in my early 20s and learning about Buddhism. I liked Buddhism because it had common sense values such as being patient, making effort, practicing loving kindness, and using wisdom. In Buddhism we chant the Heart Sutra. The Heart Sutra describes connection and interconnection, and practicing loving kindness and compassion. I have spent the last 50 years exploring this topic to learn what it means to be connected. I have discovered that being connected is an invitation to let go and relax, be vulnerable and courageous.
Hiding a Heron in the Moonlight, oil on canvas 2025, suschnee
35 years later at the age of 56, Daniel was unexpectedly on his deathbed knowing he was going to die from a medical error. The doctor said his death would happen within the next 10 days. Daniel asked me to be his spiritual guide and lead him to his last breath. I said yes. We were immersed in an intensely profound time. Once during those days Daniel looked up at me and said “I’m so sorry I didn’t give you children because now I’m going to leave, and you will be left all alone.” The air was sad. We locked eyes. “Let’s focus on this beautiful medicine mandala we are manifesting together now,” I said. Daniel said, “Will you promise me that you will continue to make your art after I am gone?” Yes. I will use the heart shape of the bicornuate uterus that prevented us from making children and transform it into the Heart Sutra. It will be an offering to all the children of the world. I will continue our Heart Archive offering genuine love into the world. Founded on a culture of peace. We smiled together, and I promised.
When Daniel released his last breath, an insight popped into my mind: “Who will I be from this moment forward until my last breath?”
On the day that Daniel died the surgeon called me on the telephone and said to me “I am so sorry sometimes we damage people.” I didn’t know what to say but I could feel his heart.
I continued my art practice after Daniel’s death. It was not easy, but I had promised him. This is what I want to leave behind when I die. I want to take care of nature and all beings. I want to practice loving kindness and treat people the way I want to be treated.
Blue Heron Lifts her Long Wings, colour pencil on paper 2024, suschnee
All my artworks are created with these ideas in mind. Buddhism calls this mind the bodhisattva mind. Bodhisattva means to care about others, to care about Mother Earth and all beings. To fulfil that vow, I create artworks with a mind of love and send them out into the world with an offering of love, joy, beauty, peace.
Wanting to be connected at the heart is very simple and clear. It just feels good. Helping each other feels good. The intention behind it is simply passing on love. I love painting. I love meditation. I love nature. I love this planet. I love the world. I extend that love out to everyone and everything. I paint artworks because I love painting.
As I experienced losing Daniel, my heart broke open. I remember standing in the parking lot of the hospital and everything was bright and light was shining everywhere. My heart was completely broken and now I could understand what others were going through.
I could step into their shoes. I knew what it felt like. Step into another person’s shoes. No one wants to suffer. Everyone wants to be happy.
Stepping into somebody else’s shoes I could see how we are all connected. We are not separated, even though it feels like we are in our individualistic society. I have since learned that we are wired through our DNA to yearn to be connected. None of us wants to be separated, we want to be connected together.
Blue Heron with Branch, colour pencil on paper 2025, suschnee
That is the inspiration behind sharing my artmaking process. Sharing my process is an invitation to connect heart to heart. It is vulnerable, and it is beautiful. I have learned that to be happy and optimistic no matter what happens, is revolutionary.
And the times that we live in are calling for inspired action!
Blue Heron
Blue Heron Standing on a Rock at Dusk, oil on canvas 2024, suschnee
One evening, I witnessed a blue heron standing completely still on a rock at dusk in the middle of the ocean.
Twilight’s magic light created a contrast of ethereal beauty equal to Blue Heron’s mysterious presence. I was struck by the profound moment which reminded me of the quote I have framed on my wall, from my teacher, Shōgaku Shunryū Roshi:
“The most important point.
Is to accept yourself.
And stand on your two feet.”
Suddenly an insight dropped in: I realized that meditation, was the highest form of “being.” That meditation is “what we are” not “what we do.” Suzuki Roshi’s quote was describing the acceptance of “being” the “light of awareness.” Blessed with the presence of Blue Heron’s poise and undisturbed attention, I began to paint and draw the Blue Heron series to symbolize the awareness of being beauty, joy and peace.
About the Artist and Author
Su Schnee’s art name is suschnee. She grew up, and attended art school in Vancouver, B.C. Su co-founded Oboro, an artist centre in Montreal, where she was Artistic Director for more than 30 years. She currently lives and works in Vancouver.
https://suschnee.ca/
Feature photo credit: Su Schnee, Find the Heron series of photos.
All images in this article are published here with permission from the artist.