An Ocean of Calm
In the midst of our busy lives, Ocean of Calm is an immersion of art and music for you to enjoy a calm, relaxing and tranquil experience.
"A really unique experience, the highlight of my week. Beautiful music and paintings, highly recommended." - James
It all began with a daydream, when I lived and worked in Tianjin, China as a Primary Music teacher. I had an idea of creating 19 big paintings of sea and sky scapes and of me playing the piano, guitar and singing in the middle of a room with people being immersed in the sound and what I would come to call Ocean of Calm paintings. This experience would nurture a calming, relaxing and beautiful environment, focusing on the science of sound, brought together with beautiful words, prayers and positive affirmations to enable physical and emotional sensations (think shivers and tingles!)
When we moved back to the UK, a friend unexpectedly gifted me a big piece of wood. I painted the first of 19 paintings then it all fell together (well, with a lot of hard work!) The Horsebridge Arts Centre in Whitstable loved the idea of an immersive experience for well-being and positive mental health and gave me six days over the Christmas and New Year period in 2019/2020 to exhibit. The results were astounding!
An immersive experience for all
During the experience, I either improvise melodies or sing words that are beautiful, empowering, positive and nurturing. In the launch of an Ocean of Calm, many people came to experience a break out of their busy day and to feel the sense of tranquility and calm, if only for a few moments although some stayed for a full hour or longer. Whilst I had a wonderful book full of feedback and testimonials, I also spoke to many participants who told me that they could not put into words what they were feeling… that it was often mystical or a spiritual experience for them and other-worldly. They felt held, loved and nurtured.
Here are some highlights from my first ever Ocean of Calm, at the Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable in Kent.
"Very moving! I was immersed in the most glorious acoustic, sensory experience with feelings of hope, sparkle and joy" - John C
"A deeply moving, calming experience, thank you!" - JH
"Beautiful voice, lovely experience, it was like having a spiritual massage." Paula
"The world needs more of this - an Ocean of Calm indeed! I travelled from Oxford to experience this as the artist/performer is my lovely daughter!" LB
"Absolute honour to be part of something so magically heart-warming and good for the soul - thank you!" Hannah from the Horsebridge
"Silk for the ears, a transcendental journey into the firmament..." Clive
"The right moment to listen, look and think. What glorious playing!" G
"A really unique experience, the highlight of my week. Beautiful music and paintings, highly recommended." James
"Paintings moved and grabbed me inside them as I listened to the most heavenly voice. At one point, the whole room turned into a white cloud of nothingness. I could see nothing else but white and my spirit slowly traversed in the paintings and tooks me into a trance mood of spiritual compunction with my surroundings." Enis