Nicholas Kirsten-Honshin

Nicholas Kirsten-Honshin’s art and poetry are a reflection of his experience with ancient Eastern spiritual practices and the philosophies of Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and ancient Mesoamerican cultures. His work is a mythic amalgamation of ancient healing practices and the present trends in spirituality, science, and nature, resulting in a true fashion of Eastern and Western art.

Honshin sees art as a form of spiritual quest. Using painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, and poetry as tools, Honshin’s intention is to communicate the unity of consciousness and life of all things in the universe.

Honshin’s artwork is a message from a pure heart – reflected in the grace and humble honor of his painter’s name “Honshin” which means the original mind is the heart. This name was given to him by his father Daiensai, who was a renowned artist and ordained Buddhist Monk, after receiving approval from two Zen Masters in Japan.

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Honshin started painting at the age of five and by the time he was 17 he was gifted both in the arts and sciences. Deciding to dedicate himself to the art and the energies of creativity through his paintings and poetry, Honshin set out to first study at the University of Washington. From there, he traveled and continued his practice of art and meditation, often in isolation and seclusion in the wilderness areas of the Southwest.

Honshin first began in the gallery business in Seattle, Washington. As the director the the Kirsten Gallery, he dedicated over 35 years to representing over 65 artists. After finding that the time was right to carry on his journey, Honshin found himself in Sante Fe, New Mexico. There, he spent many years studying more of the native art techniques and histories that have come to embody many of his works. It wasn’t until Honshin moved to Sedona, Arizona that he found his home and co-founded two galleries in the Tlaquepaque Arts Village. Honshin’s legacy of over 50 years of continued commitment to the promotion and support of the artistic community has further deepened and elevated the importance of the arts.

Today, Honshin is known internationally for his art and poetry, which serve as a mirror for the healing beauty and interconnectedness of all people and cultures in the universe. He continues his journey in art and sciences living in Sedona, Arizona with his wife and business partner/owner Krystal Kirsten. Together they operate their two galleries - The Gallery of Wholeness, Harmony, and Radiance, and The Ascending Spirit Gallery – located in Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village.

Honshin’s Partnership with Thích Nhất Hạnh

Honshin’s fine art has a direct connection to Zen Buddhism, which he has studied and practiced since 1964. With each peaceful painting he creates, Honshin writes powerful words of poetry that delve into the deeper meaning of his imagery and symbolism behind each figure. The insightful poetry offers the observer expressions of interconnectivity, meditation, mindfulness and enlightenment.

Since 2001, Honshin’s fine art paintings have been partnered with the gentle words of wisdom of the revered Buddhist teacher and peace activist, Thích Nhất Hạnh.

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese monk, poet and global spiritual leader of peace. He has opened monasteries worldwide, including Plum Village in southwest France which welcome practitioners of all ages, backgrounds and faiths to learn and explore various forms of meditation.

He has traveled the world spreading his case for peace and the end of war. On one of his excursions to the U.S. in 1966, he met fellow peace activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 and who honored Thích Nhất Hạnh as, “an Apostle of Peace and Nonviolence”.

Various charitable programs were founded by Thích Nhất Hạnh in which peace workers went into rural areas to establish schools, build healthcare clinics, and help rebuild villages. As a learned scholar, he taught comparative religion at Princeton University, and lectured in Buddhism at Columbia University.

He is fluent in French, Chinese, Sanskrit, Pali, Japanese and English, in addition to his native Vietnamese and has written a plethora of bestselling books on mindfulness including “Present Moment Wonderful Moment, Mindfulness Verses for Daily Living,” upon the cover of which Honshin’s artwork was featured.

Honshin’s graceful paintings, infused with transcendental and archetypical symbols unify naturally with Thích Nhất Hạnh’s meditational teachings and is an inspirational influence for people worldwide. Presented within the gallery’s selection of unique prints, calendars and date books, many are guided on their own spiritual journeys by this gracefully combined art and words, to practice the principles of compassion, love, kindness and the joy of living in the present moment.