The Art of Paul Nemeth

Who is Me?
My history, at least my occult history, is somewhat ambiguous. I'm not sure if I have ever been a practitioner of occult workings, and some may say that is a rather silly thing to admit taking into account my artwork. However, it is honest. Occultism seems to me something that involves 'groups'. I have never belonged to a group. It also seems to involve the passing down of 'secrets' and rituals. I have never had such things given to me. I may have read considerably on the subject, but that hardly makes me an occultist now does it? I may read philosophy, it doesn't make me a philosopher.
I can't deny I have pursued psychic phenomenon rather more deeply, and in the process developed certain skills concerning that particular form of energy. Nonetheless, I am rather sceptical of the whole thing one calls Occultism and it seems to me to involve a whole lot of pretentious, deluded gibberish. I would equate it in many cases to a higher form of religion.
Aside from my interest in such matters, I ran and sang in a moody rock band for seven years 'Tammuz', and then seemed to develop the seven- year-itch. 'Dumuzi Awakens' and 'Yezidi' were the two CD albums I rather enjoyed writing; the former rooted in the mythology of dying and rising gods, the latter being concerned with the epic tales of the fallen angels / Watchers of the ancient middle east.
My seven-year-itch was directed at my lack of direction, and so I turned to university to point the way, which, over the last three years, it has. I am currently studying Comparative Religion, soon to be converted to Philosophy.
But don't mistaken me for being religious merely because I am studying religion. I find I always end up studying the things I understand the least.

Ben Fernee adds. The pictures are unframed, pastel on A1 size paper and are not currently for sale unless a viewer does feel particularly enthusiastic about acquiring one in which case the artist has indicated that he will endeavour to dream up a price

The Images

'Crowley and the Dream'

'Crowley and the Dream' is based on an actual dream I had several years ago when I was involved with people who had 'contacted' Crowley in some way. Being sensitive myself, mixing with these people brought me into contact with that energy form also, or at least that's one way of understanding it. How ever one understands it, the dream was lucid and clear. Within the dream I ran downstairs to open a blurred glass front door, and when I opened it Crowley (or at least that's what I was told later, for I had never seen an image of him before then) stood towering over me. His head was much bigger and dome-like than I painted it and his eyes darker, larger. He held his hand out to me, the one that wasn't carrying a black umbrella, and then he drifted backwards down the path. I was mesmerised and couldn't help but follow. The background environment melted away. I was locked within my mind in a way, but managed to release enough energy to break the trance. Then I woke up, as the saying goes. I had a lot of trouble at that time. Physical phenomenon such as the brightening and bursting of light-bulbs, and a strange droning noise plagued me for months. Zarathushtra and Shemyaza finally disposed of him. Good riddance.

The Shaman

'The Shaman', although he may not be a Shaman at all in the real meaning of that word, was inspired by the finds in the Shanidar caves in the middle east. The bones of broken wings of carrion birds alongside the skulls of goats, how could I not be inspired? Early 'angel' culture? Or merely a cult involving the ritual adornment of certain animals? The goat skulls could have served as a replication of the long faces of the Watchers found in ancient texts.But that could be a long shot.

The Ancient Master

'The Ancient Master' is based upon a pencil sketch I did whilst in the presence of a medium who claimed to have a Chinese master as a guide. Before I knew it I had drawn something automatically, and was told it was an ancient master. What did I know? I then expanded the drawing into this painting. You may find it odd that it is placed in Egypt. However, something about it seems correct. That is all. Look closer, and spot celestial symbolism.