Danger Zone One

The following is an except from Revolution Evolution, an underground publication that covers alt-politics, independent news, the arts, drug culture, and various counterculture movements.

PAINTING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
By Styler Hatch

“My goal has always to reach a deeper perception of reality, one not restrained by the waking, everyday world,” explains Vye Engles. “In my mind, that’s the true meaning of art—to go beneath the surface, explore your innermost self, and venture to the farthest recesses of your consciousness. Sometimes, to do that, you need a little help.”

For Engles, that help comes in the form of consciousness-altering drugs. A young artist in her early twenties, Engles’ art has been featured at major exhibits and galleries around the world. However, unlike her mainstream contemporaries, Engles employs a wide variety of psychoactive substances while she paints.

“They call it an altered state of consciousness, but I prefer to say it’s an accelerated state of awareness,” Engles insists, adding that she has painted under the influence of stimulants that include Sydust, Nucaine, Rapture, and Aphrosia. “I’ve found each one brings out something new in my art. Sydust usually leads to more abstract pieces, while painting on Nucaine is an entirely different experience. The art is more frenetic, wild…” she pauses, giving it some thought, then smiles, “…free.”

Engles is far from the only artist to use drugs while painting, but some find their powers of concentration affected by the experience, unable to transfer the images from their subconscious to canvas. Others, like Engles, can use a stimulant to produce career-defining works.

“It’s a way to create without reservations,” Engles claims, “without your consciousness getting in the way and telling you to stop or second guess yourself. I usually find it to be enlightening but, on occasion, it can be unpleasant. You never know how your brain will react to certain drugs, especially hallucinogens. That’s why the wide majority of artists avoid it.”

Pleasure drugs are Engles’ stimulant of choice, which she claims brings out her most creative instincts. Aphrosia is her usual preference, but she has experimented with Rapture on several occasions.

“Moon Dancer, my piece that won the Soverby International Art Award, was actually painted while I was on Euphoria,” Engles reveals. “It was the first and only time I ever tried E—and I only took a drop or two, even diluted it, because I was worried how strong that stuff is.”

“It’s difficult painting on Euphoria because you really lose control, but I found the results more rewarding than both Aphrosia and Rapture.

Despite Moon Dancer earning her the renowned Soverby Award, Engles claims that she plans to avoid Euphoria in the future, and is cautious about experimenting with more dangerous substances.

“I never use drugs recreationally, only when I paint,” Engles says, adding that she is always painting. “I do two, sometimes three paintings a day.”

Danger Zone One. Story by Midnight. Art by Salaiix.