Showcasing local art since 2003

Enka

portrait of artist Samuel Enka


I am greatly concerned with physically manifesting a direct experience of the spiritual in my work. I seek to break through past representations of the spiritual in art by bringing the process to a new level of awareness in which making art is stripped of its political, emotional and intellectual motivations; what remains is a pure language. Pollock said, "I am Nature" to that I reply, "I am Spirit."

Latest Writing from Enka

Phenomenological learning by means of the vicarious learning experience


Contact Enka
wiseenka@yahoo.com

Artwork


Encaustics

3D

Paintings

The process involving the making of my non-objective work on paper and specifically encaustic is strictly intuitive. Twenty years ago I began by using it as a method to warm up before attempting large-scale canvases in acrylic and oil, however, in time this process became more satisfying. In a light, trance-like state of awareness (which has now become second nature to me) I make these works. No thoughts, words, symbols, sense of time or emotions come into my awareness -- just a pure language manifested from the place of intuition. Intuition is the language of Spirit. The unusual titles of the works are derived from the first thing that comes into my head as soon as the work is done, uncensored, and are only occasionally linked to the work itself.

Enka

Education and Licensure

Northeastern State University. -- B.A. Fine Art emphasis
Oklahoma University. Norman
University of New Mexico

2011 CNM - Alternative Teacher Licensure Program, graduated with honors

Level 1 New Mexico teaching license with endorsement in visual art

Experience

2011 Volunteer Art teacher for Community Outreach Program for the Deaf and Native American Pow Wow for the Deaf Community
2006-2011 Visual Arts Educator for La Academia de Esperanza and Desert Hills Youth Facility
2010 volunteer at the Albuquerque Group Deaf Home
2007-2010 Constructed backyard art studio from foundation to roof, floor area width 16' x length 34'. Built wood burning kiln for ceramic and portable foundry for bronze and aluminum utilizing high alumina cement and vermiculite
2005  Studied with and class monitor for Leo Neufeld at the Harwood Art Center
2005  Worked with sculptor Jesus Moroles to finish installation at the Veterans War Memorial in Albuquerque, NM
2004  Studied lithography with Oklahoma regionalist artist Charles Banks Wilson, Fayetteville, AR
2004  Studied Granite sculpting with Jesus Moroles at the Fall Arts Institute, Lone Wolf OK
2003-2004  Apprenticeship bronze casting with Patrick Synar at Southeastern Bronze, Tahlequah OK
2003-2004  Studied southeastern style Native American pottery with Cherokee potter Jane Osti
2002-2004 Numerous student shows, one-man exhibitions and Sr. show at NSU Tahlequah, OK
2002  Award for best environmental art, NSU Tahlequah, OK.
2001-02  Volunteer art teacher for the Tahlequah Public School system
2001  Two exhibitions at the Brillig Works, Boulder CO.

Other Items

1999  Group show Axis Mundi Arts, Boulder, CO.
1992-95  Owner operator of Enka Fine Art Studio and Gallery. Taught continuing education class: “Creativity in Art” for NSU. Studied with Cherokee Artists, Robert Lewis and Murv Jacob, Kiowa artist Cliff Doyeto. Tahlequah, OK.

 

I have posted a second biography for a particular reason. For many years I have studied and practiced with some of the most erudite and powerful intuitives/ healers on the planet. I now intend to integrate my insights, wisdom and abilities into my art practice in a manner that reveals a direct experience of spirit that is palpable, rather than to make art which only describes an intrinsic imperative occurrence. This Bio is way to validate my intent toward this new direction and the research it will incur.

Skills Specific Biography Concerning Spiritual Interests

2007 to Present I have discontinued traditional spirituality practices in favor of discovering more potent and precise methodologies; specifically, merging art with a direct experience of spirit in a profound phenomenological practice
2007 Taught Tai Chi at La Academia De Esperanza. Albuquerque, New Mexico
2003-2007 Worked with spiritual healer David Thompson (Berkley Psychic Institute graduate and a beautiful man with the soul of a laughing Buddha) in the Albuquerque area in private practice reading and healing.
2003 OSLEP- Oklahoma Scholar-Leadership Enrichment Program, weeklong intensive seminar: “Religious Differences and Questions of Faith” at Oklahoma University.
2002-2003 Healers Apprenticeship Intensives at Mt. Shasta, California with M. Tamura. Graduated
2000-2002 Boston Mass. Tai Chi, kickboxing Training. Featured reader for the Unicorn Bookstore, Arlington Mass
1998-2000 Psychic Horizons Center, Boulder, Colorado. Meditation, spiritual healing and intuitive awareness training. Director Mary Bell Nyman
1998 Hua Tuo Dao-in Chi Kung training at Naropa University. Boulder, Colorado
1996-1998  Chi Kung meditation, Karate Kyushu Jitsu (art of pressure point fighting), Kickboxing and Taoist energy theory/studies at Longmont martial arts center, Longmont Colorado, instructor Russ Novel
1993-96 Tai Kwon Do studied in conjunction with Northeastern State University and the Kinney/Murphy karate association --Trained for 12 years in youth to be a Christian minister