Artist Fallon Rabin
Congratulations to Fallon Rabin for earning her place as a Finalist in the Boynes Artist Award 8th Edition [Young Artist category]!
Who are you?
At a young age, I have been on "One Simple Mission" to protect wildlife, nature, and the need for coexistence between humanity and nature. Born and raised in Southern California, I am an intensely dedicated nature lover who paints/sculpts from my imagination, nature, and spiritual experiences. I create art for a purpose, to foster my mission. Throughout my life, I have practiced spirituality, reiki healing, and mindfulness.
Since the age of eight, I have volunteered with non-profits including Heal the Bay and Bring the Elephant Home. In 2019, I partnered with Wim Hof the Iceman and Bring the Elephant Home in Thailand, to organize a 5-day fundraiser/art installation to save elephants. Featuring 30 participants from 17 countries united to build the body of an elephant.
My environmental initiatives and community service efforts have earned me accolades from the mayors of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Thousand Oaks at the age of 16. In 2019, in response to my DAPL portfolio, I was awarded a merit scholarship to study art at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I graduated with my BFA in May 2022. My Universal Soul Connection Series was on view in the SAIC Spring 2022 Undergraduate Exhibition. Shortly after, in June 2022, I was invited to showcase my Universal Soul Connection Series at Gary Spivey Spiritual Retreat and Gallery showing in Star, North Carolina. In September 2022, I displayed my new Soul Connection Series Part 2 at Gary Spivey Spiritual Retreat, having my second Solo Exhibition. In January 2023, I was invited to Las Vegas to showcase my recent Soul Connection work at Gary Spivey's one day seminar.
“Soul Connection Through the Eyes of Gary Spivey”
Oil on Canvas
By Fallon Rabin
This painting embodies love, appreciation, overwhelming joy, gratitude, aww, connection to the divine, and the creator of life. Through the perspective of a spiritual healer named Gary Spivey, I have shown a glimpse of heaven where our souls came from.
What inspired you to utilize painting as a medium?
Using painting as a medium to express my thoughts and visions allows me to “paint” a whole picture for what I see in my mind's eye. The versatility of paints and the textures/colors help me to convey my messages to the world. It provides me with all the tools, and yet it is just one tool being used. Painting is simple and complicated as a medium all at the same time.
I love the versatility of it and its ability to express so much emotion in just a single stroke. My parents bought me my first easel for my 6th birthday. I learned to paint before I learned to use any other medium, so I guess for me it just comes naturally. It’s like breathing.
How would you describe your work?
My work is unique and original. Painting/sculpting from my imagination, visions, meditations, and personal experiences with the world. My work is visionary, abstract at times, realistic, and has some surrealistic qualities as well. I don’t fit into any one box or category because my work is always evolving just as humanity and mother nature do. Whatever my heart and mother nature (always intertwined together as one) calls me to make artwork about, that's what determines my next series of work. Sometimes I find it difficult to keep up with the amount of callings I get for subject matters to bring to light and share with the world. I strive to bring awareness and shed light on subject matters that I feel need our help the most.
“Soul Connection #2 - Through The Elephants Eye”
Oil on Canvas
By Fallon Rabin
This painting represents the universal language of love that can be understood through the eyes by connecting us to the soul. It is through the soul that we can deeply connect with one another. I have been exploring the realm of eye contact and how that connection brings love and coexistence between humanity and nature.
Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your finalist work?
This painting represents the universal language of love that can be understood through the eyes by connecting us to the soul. It is through the soul that we can deeply connect with one another. I have been exploring the realm of eye contact and how that connection brings love and coexistence between humanity and nature. If we take time to just connect with all living things on the planet then we wouldn’t have this disconnect that we have today in our society from ourselves and from nature. This painting reminds us to love all living creatures deeply and to take time to appreciate them.
There would be no human and elephant conflict if we all connected with them and appreciated their presence. It is my hope that through seeing this painting of the Wim Hof and elephant soul connection, that you too will become intoxicated with the soul connection to the elephants and help us to create coexistence between humanity and the elephants.
Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating "Soul Connection #1"?
In my opinion there aren't technical steps to follow or guidelines because it's about what sets your heart and soul on fire. If you're doing that in your work then others are bound to feel that passion in your work as well. That's how I determine what subject matters to convey through my work. If you're not passionate about your work then there is no meaning or point to making it in my opinion. I trust my heart to guide me and quiet the mind in order to follow the right path aka the heart's path.
“Soul Connection #1 - Through The Eyes of Wim Hof”
Oil on Canvas
By Fallon Rabin
Feel the soul connection between Wim Hof and the elephant. The deep appreciation, joy and love in his eyes for the elephant. The coexistence between nature and humanity. This painting represents the universal language of love that can be understood through the eyes by connecting us to the soul.
What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?
I hope to communicate through my work the importance of coexistence between humanity and nature. We are one with each other and must work together for the survival of humanity and nature. We can coexist with one another and we must continue for the entire ecosystem to thrive. Humanity and nature are interconnected on a soul level and through consciousness.
People have the power to be the change in their local communities and advocate for wildlife, and for Mother Nature. I want people at the very least to feel something through my art and care about something greater than themselves. To inspire others to give back, and appreciate every living being on the planet. Spread love, harmony, and gratitude for existence with the world. My work is not the solution, but rather the start to a conversation on what is, and a glimpse into the possibilities for what could be our near future. We must come from the heart, united as one.
Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?
I have had many learning experiences as an artist and as a human being. The one that stands out the most is to never give up, even when you doubt your capabilities. Sometimes during or before a project starts, my dreams and ambitions for it can become overwhelming. Having faith in my abilities as an artist has been a transformative process, as I feel myself learning to let go of any doubts or fears. Once I trust my body and quiet my mind, that’s when I feel the flow of the magic happening. The art will speak for itself and guide my intuition, telling me what direction to take until it feels right. Trust yourself and you will be pleasantly surprised at what you can achieve, if you give yourself the chance to do so.
“Power of Water”
Oil on Canvas
By Fallon Rabin
Part of The Power of Water Series to help Heal The Bay a non profit organization in Santa Monica California. They do a lot of amazing work to help protect marine life and preserve our oceans and local watersheds.
Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?
My biggest success in my opinion was being able to help others through my artwork. One example of this is when I partnered with Wim Hof the Iceman and Bring the Elephant Home in Thailand to create a 5 day fundraiser and art installation to help save the elephants. I created a life size elephant head with hemp and North American sticks and brought it with me to Thailand to have the 30 participants from 17 different countries unite to help me build the rest of the body on site at Sam Phraya Beach Thailand. Together we showed our love to help protect elephants is a global concern and of worldwide importance. We raised 30,000 euros to help Bring the Elephant Home establish solutions to the human and elephant conflict. I also created merchandise of my related artworks to donate the proceeds 100% to Bring the Elephant Home.
What projects are you working on currently?
Currently, I have a few projects going on simultaneously. One of which I am particularly very excited about. It’s a series of works that focuses on my past and current impressionable moments with animals I have helped or connected with on my path.
What is your dream project or piece you hope to accomplish?
My dream is to help protect and preserve as much nature and wildlife as possible through my artwork. While simultaneously helping humanity to connect/coexist on a soul level with nature. One way I would like to accomplish this is by partnering/doing a residency with the National Parks one day with my artwork.
Completed Elephant Installation
Sculpture
As a finalist, do you have any advice for artists who want to submit to awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?
The best advice I can give is honestly to follow your heart and enter into the competitions that will help connect you to the audience that will appreciate your artwork's message. You will in my opinion never be steered wrong. It’s not about winning. It's about sharing your passion with others, and if it’s meant to be then it will be. Keep going even if you don’t win, be willing to adapt, and evolve in your mindset, and your work.
Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists/photographers, what is your advice?
Speaking from experience, find a space to make work and dedicate as much time as you can to your art practice. While also setting aside some time to really research why you want to make the work and how it can help/affect others. Find your passion and what excites you on a deeper soul level, because chances are that's what your purpose is. Don’t let the opinion of others, including awards, steer you away from your inner calling.
To view more of Fallon Rabin’s work