A Prayer for Trees

Regan O'Callaghan December 15, 2019

”This tree has seen countless things. People have sat under its branches for many years sharing food, friendship, love and tears. It heard their whispers and laughter. Today in love it has listened to you dear one and it gives thanks for you reaching out and trusting. This tree will honour what you have asked it to do. Sit with your friend for a while. This tree has much to share and will never forget you beautiful one. “

Text written in San Luca de Barrameda, Spain 31st October 2019.

Artwork drawn in Long Island, U.S November/December 2019.

Video created in London, U.K. 2019

All content is © Regan O’Callaghan 2019 and may not be reproduced without permission.

Visual Diary 2018 - 2019

Regan O'Callaghan October 19, 2019

A collection of images from my visual diaries. I often try and do a sketch or painting a day when I am on an art residency. This collection includes diary entries from my time in Peru, Greece, Spain and the U.K.

The Receding Shadows

Regan O'Callaghan September 15, 2019

The Receding Shadows

Doors can creek when you want silence to dwell an honest floor answers with a loud signature within each subtle footstep

close the door and inhale deeply the scent of youth surrounds an intimate connection a salute to the unseen

you move toward the window an early morn’ painting framed by inner thoughts you try to open but it will not budge locked and chained by one breathless moment

a tap on the shoulder you turn to see the empty room just the warmth of silence and the truth from the unknown

window now opens with ease the morning breeze hugs it bathes you floating in sweet lavender tides where fears wash away leaving the nearing days smile and utopian kisses

tomorrows voice shall forever echo through the chambers of your mind you crawl out onto the alter morning mist softly settles allowing sunbeams to warm the soul

the tree’s silhouettes dance upon freshly cut lawns and yawning garden sheds light your cigarette the flame dances upon the joy of dawn smoke rises past the fortress a gift for J

close your eyes feel the presence making light your journey the sweetest never end…. In the distance church bells ring out religion’s eternal heartbeat as parishioners flow the vain you open your eyes to see his smile as the shadows gently recede.

Poem © Cal Athan 2019

Photo credits Regan O’Callaghan.

Dedicated to C,C,E,M,J,R,A

Song of Creation

Regan O'Callaghan September 4, 2019

"Our message is simple allow the universal song of love and creativity to flow in all places and be heard by all things. Even the rocks will respond. The birds of the air, the tallest trees, the tiniest organisms, all will sing and rejoice. The hardest of hearts will be softened and the densest, darkest forces of hate redeemed. This song is eternal. This song will never be quelled. You dear child must sing this song more loudly and more often. Let the tune of the heavens reverberate throughout your being dear beautiful child."

Saint Saviour

Regan O'Callaghan July 23, 2019

A number of years ago I was based in a studio at Saint Saviour’s Church Pimlico. One year the Church Council and Rev. Matthew Woodward commissioned me to write an icon for the church and it was completed and dedicated this Easter. Here is a description of the icon.

The nails of the crucifixion are being carried off by the rose vine. They no longer pierce and maim but are being transformed by the creative power of the Divine. The arch is based on the front entrance of Saint Saviour’s Church. In this icon it is the entrance to the tomb. Above Jesus’s head is a crown of thorns which has also been redeemed. Jesus’s hands are held out as if to say “look these hands which have been stretched and deformed by torture still bear the marks of that torture”. In the Gospel of John, Mary Magdalene goes to embrace the risen Jesus when she recognises him outside the tomb. He says to her ” Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father”. I understand this as meaning Jesus is still in a period of transition. The flowing patterns or Koru on his robes begin to show the change from linear masculine lines of dogma to creative shapes and patterns more associated with the feminine. A balance between the two states of being reflecting the true likeness of God.