Palm Springs Magazine
Artist Tori Influenced By Out-of-Body Experience
A Near Death Event Catapults Artist to New Focus in Work.
Tori is currently exhibiting in Palm Springs Celebrity. As she explains. her influences extend somewhat beyond both art school and the history of art. but somewhere- beyond infinity... I cannot recall a time in my life that drawing and painting were not beckoning me. The first paid commission came at age fifteen and the first one-woman show in the San Francisco Bay Area introduced thirty works was at the age of twenty-two. While studying fine art techniques in various disciplines. I slowly acquired . consistent collectors.
A near-death experience the following year began my journey in looking past the surface of nearly everything in my life. As 1 was growing on both spiritual and creative levels, it has been interesting to watch my artistic growth and life experiences reflected on canvas. I was 23 years old (1979) and bad been dealing with a medical health issue for over 18 months. often going to an emergency room by ambulance. The staff there bad come to know me, and my emergency status fairly me well. most bad left the ER to get med's and my charts, etc. While Laying on the table, it felt like I 'snapped' out of my body and was suddenly looking over the scene below me from a comer of the room. which now seemed to not have a ceiling, as it felt very 'open' from above and behind ·me· ... very bright white & warm. but slightly out of focus. |
I did not recognize for quite some time, that the person on the ER table was me. It felt like I was just an observer of someone else's emergency situation. 1 kept looking around the room, trying to understand why I was viewing this. bnt also having this feeling of a presence 'behind' me. It felt very much like I bad a physical body. I experienced the feeling of sitting Indian style. legs crossed under me with both elbows resting on my knees, and my bead resting in my hands. very casually watching what was going on below. somewhat ambivalent and detached.
I would get the feeling of being drawn by the other energies! personalitieslbeing from behind me. and I kept looking over my shoulder to acknowledge them. fd smile and feel comforted by their presence but would return my focus then to the scene below. This happened a number of times, and each time the draw to go to them was stronger.
Suddenly the body on the table then went into total distress with convulsions, and it took my attention back to the scene below. I conceotIated on it, and remember thinking. ''Wow. they are REAILY in trouble down there:· Only then did I realize that it was me laying on the table.
Now the conscious mental processes started... How could I be there and HERE? Wby was I not afraid orfeeHng pain'! What could I do or say to prove to the people in that room later that I was "out here"? Who was beckoning me from 'behind me". What WAS behind me? I looked over my shoulder again, and saw vague forms of energy bodies emerging from a cylinder/tunnel type shape of intense bright light. .. and I wanted to go just see who or what itlthey were, but I kept being drawn back to viewing. the scene below. It seemed like this continued 3-4 times.
The last time I refocused on my body on the table, I kept thinking how amazing it was to feel the 'body' I was experiencing in this different dimension .. .I tried to control it as well. Changing my position. moving to another part of the room to get a different perspective. The energy bodies always seemed to be behind me no matter where I went. I looked around the room. trying to find something to conclusively prove later that I had seen the room from this vantage point ... a dust ba11. or ANYTHING left 1aying on the tops of the cabinets to validate my experience. As I watch the ER staff return and start managing the convnIsing body on the table. I saw them hold me down and insert the IV's. The room took a few big spins and I woke up hours later in an Intensive Care Unit.
As this was the late 70's ... there had not been mucb written on the subject nfNDE or OBE, so it took mucb effort to research. Raymond Moody was one of the few pioneers at the time, and I was working closely with the physicists at Lawrence Livermore Labs and NASA (as a visual artist contractor when I was having all these health problems) so I rnn right to them for answers or explanations. These scientists so surprised me with their varied observations, explanations and interpretations that it has sent me on a lifetime of research into the subject. I have continued to wolk with recreating the OBE through meditation, and have had some success.
My experience led me to he in communication with Betty Eadie (Embraced By The Light author) and was invited to spend some time with her at her home in Seattle to discuss our experiences in depth. The painting "Presence of Angels 1" (and 2) were a result of that conversation. These paintings are large (5 feet wide) and reflect her experience of the angels as being 'larger than life'.
These experiences have directly influenced some of my work. For instance, a work called "Surrender" is an attempt to present the feeling of peace and transcendence of an OBE. I added candles in the foreground for those who could relate to it more from a meditative effort, without the benefit of knowing a NOE. The painting "Manifestation" was also a result of my experience. reflecting a concept I felt impressed to understand from my experience- That energy transforms to matter and, through some sort of spiritual transformation, drifts out to impact the physical world and then has the ability to transform back to non-matter (ethereal at some level) and to continue this cyclic pattern ... but with some guidance or influence so to speak.
I was raised without a strong religious influence or foundation. which I feel has helped me to accept the experience without trying to make it fit into some religious doctrine. Both of my parents were cutting-edge type science/research oriented. I had always had precognitive dreams as a child, and a psychic sensitivity. that until much research into these matters. never had understood or had validated. My intuition and ability to 'connect' with others in mind/spirit seems above normal, whether as a result of this NDE / OBE experience I am not sure ... but it is very real
It is truly a life altering experience like no other. Those that have been 'on the other side' all seem to have a major shift in the attachment to this earth/physicality those others do not possess. I no longer have ANY fear of death, and those alone causes one to live life differently than most. I think: I approach life allowing the opportunity for more serendipity and less attachment to the physical.
With the lack of available literature or resources of the time. it bas led me to some wonderful people who have helped me to understand my experience. Now that the subjects has tons of books and references of case studies, it does seem that there are some common elements to the experience, but individually. there seem to be many nuances, and those with strong ties to a particular religious doctrine. seem to have experiences that fit more to their belief systems of their life experiences.
I had come to be able to paint anything I could see or visualize in a fairly photo-realistic manner. At a point when I was feeling personally fractured and trying to get back to basics in my life, this too showed dramatically in the work and I began breaking down the elements. A new style e~ during this time with hold free line-work.. This style gained recognition from New YOlk to SF, and attracted recognition from Manhattan Art Magazine and new collectors in Tokyo.
I began collaborating with recognized photographers. directing shoots with a specific eye toward the end result bein~ subjects of my paintings. Regional and international private collectors maintained their interest, making it difficult for me to hold a body of wOlk available for shows, so I was not yet on the gallery radar screens. I continued my studies under specific artists where I explored techniques and materials, contributing greatly to my skill level. I owe much to the many amazing mentors and teachers who have come into my life. personally. professionally. and creatively. Their encouragement has helped me define who I am creatively, which Cm finding to be a lifelong process. I feel I have a few bodies of serious work behind me that have helped me to grow as an artist. I have painted under the names of Victoria Moore. Tori Richards. and ocassionaly just Tori, which became my nickname in my early 20's, and now my creative alter ego from time to time. You can view her works at Palm Springs Celebrity Art Gallery. 512 South Palm Canyon. Palm Springs, CA.
- Johnny BlueStar: 2006
I would get the feeling of being drawn by the other energies! personalitieslbeing from behind me. and I kept looking over my shoulder to acknowledge them. fd smile and feel comforted by their presence but would return my focus then to the scene below. This happened a number of times, and each time the draw to go to them was stronger.
Suddenly the body on the table then went into total distress with convulsions, and it took my attention back to the scene below. I conceotIated on it, and remember thinking. ''Wow. they are REAILY in trouble down there:· Only then did I realize that it was me laying on the table.
Now the conscious mental processes started... How could I be there and HERE? Wby was I not afraid orfeeHng pain'! What could I do or say to prove to the people in that room later that I was "out here"? Who was beckoning me from 'behind me". What WAS behind me? I looked over my shoulder again, and saw vague forms of energy bodies emerging from a cylinder/tunnel type shape of intense bright light. .. and I wanted to go just see who or what itlthey were, but I kept being drawn back to viewing. the scene below. It seemed like this continued 3-4 times.
The last time I refocused on my body on the table, I kept thinking how amazing it was to feel the 'body' I was experiencing in this different dimension .. .I tried to control it as well. Changing my position. moving to another part of the room to get a different perspective. The energy bodies always seemed to be behind me no matter where I went. I looked around the room. trying to find something to conclusively prove later that I had seen the room from this vantage point ... a dust ba11. or ANYTHING left 1aying on the tops of the cabinets to validate my experience. As I watch the ER staff return and start managing the convnIsing body on the table. I saw them hold me down and insert the IV's. The room took a few big spins and I woke up hours later in an Intensive Care Unit.
As this was the late 70's ... there had not been mucb written on the subject nfNDE or OBE, so it took mucb effort to research. Raymond Moody was one of the few pioneers at the time, and I was working closely with the physicists at Lawrence Livermore Labs and NASA (as a visual artist contractor when I was having all these health problems) so I rnn right to them for answers or explanations. These scientists so surprised me with their varied observations, explanations and interpretations that it has sent me on a lifetime of research into the subject. I have continued to wolk with recreating the OBE through meditation, and have had some success.
My experience led me to he in communication with Betty Eadie (Embraced By The Light author) and was invited to spend some time with her at her home in Seattle to discuss our experiences in depth. The painting "Presence of Angels 1" (and 2) were a result of that conversation. These paintings are large (5 feet wide) and reflect her experience of the angels as being 'larger than life'.
These experiences have directly influenced some of my work. For instance, a work called "Surrender" is an attempt to present the feeling of peace and transcendence of an OBE. I added candles in the foreground for those who could relate to it more from a meditative effort, without the benefit of knowing a NOE. The painting "Manifestation" was also a result of my experience. reflecting a concept I felt impressed to understand from my experience- That energy transforms to matter and, through some sort of spiritual transformation, drifts out to impact the physical world and then has the ability to transform back to non-matter (ethereal at some level) and to continue this cyclic pattern ... but with some guidance or influence so to speak.
I was raised without a strong religious influence or foundation. which I feel has helped me to accept the experience without trying to make it fit into some religious doctrine. Both of my parents were cutting-edge type science/research oriented. I had always had precognitive dreams as a child, and a psychic sensitivity. that until much research into these matters. never had understood or had validated. My intuition and ability to 'connect' with others in mind/spirit seems above normal, whether as a result of this NDE / OBE experience I am not sure ... but it is very real
It is truly a life altering experience like no other. Those that have been 'on the other side' all seem to have a major shift in the attachment to this earth/physicality those others do not possess. I no longer have ANY fear of death, and those alone causes one to live life differently than most. I think: I approach life allowing the opportunity for more serendipity and less attachment to the physical.
With the lack of available literature or resources of the time. it bas led me to some wonderful people who have helped me to understand my experience. Now that the subjects has tons of books and references of case studies, it does seem that there are some common elements to the experience, but individually. there seem to be many nuances, and those with strong ties to a particular religious doctrine. seem to have experiences that fit more to their belief systems of their life experiences.
I had come to be able to paint anything I could see or visualize in a fairly photo-realistic manner. At a point when I was feeling personally fractured and trying to get back to basics in my life, this too showed dramatically in the work and I began breaking down the elements. A new style e~ during this time with hold free line-work.. This style gained recognition from New YOlk to SF, and attracted recognition from Manhattan Art Magazine and new collectors in Tokyo.
I began collaborating with recognized photographers. directing shoots with a specific eye toward the end result bein~ subjects of my paintings. Regional and international private collectors maintained their interest, making it difficult for me to hold a body of wOlk available for shows, so I was not yet on the gallery radar screens. I continued my studies under specific artists where I explored techniques and materials, contributing greatly to my skill level. I owe much to the many amazing mentors and teachers who have come into my life. personally. professionally. and creatively. Their encouragement has helped me define who I am creatively, which Cm finding to be a lifelong process. I feel I have a few bodies of serious work behind me that have helped me to grow as an artist. I have painted under the names of Victoria Moore. Tori Richards. and ocassionaly just Tori, which became my nickname in my early 20's, and now my creative alter ego from time to time. You can view her works at Palm Springs Celebrity Art Gallery. 512 South Palm Canyon. Palm Springs, CA.
- Johnny BlueStar: 2006