Art Inspiration: The Sacred Circle

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- “The life of man is a self-evolving circle, which, from a ring imperceptibly small, rushes on all sides outwards to new and larger circles, without end.” - Emerson Carschenna Stone Carving, Switzerland The circle is a shape that is found in artwork from all cultures. Why are people drawn to this symbol? Why is it so appealling? From Carl Jung’s Red Book For me, the circle symbolizes wholeness. It feels complete and satisfying. In progress painting of The Legend of Conla’s Well Ireland, Hirschten Laura Watts wrote, “Through mandalas (circle art), we are seeking to find the wholeness that lies at the core of us, the stillness that always remains no matter what storms may surround us.” From Carl Jung’s The Red Book The Swiss psychologist Carl Jung drew circles everyday as a meditative practice. He noticed that each day his circle reflected his mental and emotional state. He believed that the circle symbolizes the soul. So what do you think? Why is the circle so universally appealing? For the next three months we will be exploring this theme in our Creative Circle meetings! The Creative Circle is our new online version of Paint Club. In it we gather twice a month to create artwork, look at images from art history and discuss philosophical topics. In this group we commit to our creative practice by showing up to work together. In the Creative Circle sessions we …. Meet 2 Sessions per month on Zoom- Thursdays 7-9pm Share our current projects Look at inspiring artwork based on a theme Create warm up exercises in our art journals Work silently for 20 minutes on our individual projects to get our creative juices flowing Listen to myths, poetry and other readings on the theme to spark discussions while we work Have opportunities to ask for feedback on our work (So that members always feel respected we only make helpful suggestions if it is requested.) Every three months we focus on a theme. OUR NEXT THEME: The Sacred Circle Session Dates: January 23 and 30, February 6 and 20, March 6 and 20, 2025 Register Today: You can register here for $40 per month subscription. This option is a reduced rate of $20 per meeting and will only be open until January 22nd 2025. You can cancel your membership at any time.  In the future registration will only be open for three month blocks at a higher price. Over the years I found that painting with the group helped to jump start my art projects in a way that nothing else can. There is a power in working together! “The one thing which we seek with insatiable desire is to forget ourselves, to be surprised out of our propriety, to lose our sempiternal memory, and to do something without knowing how or why; in short, to draw a new circle. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” - Emerson The Eclipse Prints available here  May this message inspire you! Feel free to share

Art Inspiration: The Motion of the Ocean

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- “The great renewer, Nature, makes form from form and nothing ever dies.” - Ovid Always and Forever New, Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 36” I knew this would happen! Being so close to the ocean has inspired me. My parents didn’t want this large map of Pamlico Sound so I decided to make it a collage painting… I found some amazing images from magazines from the 50s to incorporate. Who said things were boring back then? Beautiful nudity oh la la I also added words from one of my favorite poems of all time by Ovid…. From Ovid’s the Metamorphoses: TheTeachings of Pythagoras Book 15 The sea’s great surges sweep my boat on, All of my sails are spread! I tell you nothing is permanent in all the world. In all creation nothing stays the same, everything is in endless flux, Each wandering shape is a pilgrim passing by.   Time is itself a river in constant motion, A rolling stream – and streams can never stay, Hours flow by like water as wave is driven by wave, And each, pursued, pursues the wave ahead, So time flies on and follows, flies, and follows, Always and forever new. What was before Is left behind; What never was is now; And every passing moment is renewed.   Not even the elements are constant. Earth is dissolved into flowing water, Water is dissolved into air, and air thins to fire. Fire thickens to air again and air condenses to water. Water can compress to solid earth. The great renewer, Nature, makes form from form and nothing ever dies. Be assured there is no death but only change and innovation For the sum of all things remains the same. Isn’t it amazing how even though Ovid wrote those words 2,000 years ago his vision of nature aligns so well with what we know scientifically today? Everything is constantly changing and renewing. I imagine that when I die my body will decay to grow into something new… this is reincarnation on a very real physical level. There is something so hopeful about Ovid’s view of the world. In it we don’t need to be afraid of change. We can find comfort in it. The Moon’s Wave Prints available here  New Online Class Announcement! The Studio Alchemy Paint Club is now the Creative Circle! After I moved, our regular Paint Club members requested that we start meeting online so we are making it happen!  Our first session on January 16th will be free so that I can explain the new format and folks can get a feel for it. Our theme will be "A Tapestry of Color." Come with your favorite art materials to work on your projects and the surprise prompt. This group is perfect for you if you want fresh ideas for projects and want motivation from a supportive group of fellow artists. I hope that you will be able to join us!   Register here for the free session

Art Inspiration: Making a Home Inside Myself

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- I have a new favorite poem that brings me so much comfort! Here is the beginning of it… (Read the whole poem in Julia Fehrenbacher’s book, Staying in Love) This poem speaks to how we often look outside ourselves for shelter and comfort, but we can find true peace from within. I’ve started a painting about the poem. Even though it isn’t quite finished I wanted to share it with you…. (My in-progress painting of “The Most Important Thing” Poem) This poem is especially appealing to me at the moment. As many of you know, I recently moved to North Carolina but I haven’t bought a new house yet. I’m in a strange in-between “liminal” space. I may not have found my new physical home yet, but I have the “home inside myself” where I can always take refuge. What lights your inner flame? What brings you that deep sense of peace that Julia refers to in her poem? (Collage from my life plan.) When I created my New Year’s Plan last year I wrote … And I gave myself permission to… For me the deep sense of peace has come from letting go of the need to prove myself to others. Every year I create a fresh life plan. I answer a series of questions that help me to clarify what I want to do in the coming year. This year you can join me in this process New Year’s Day! Upcoming Online Class: If you want to clarify your goals join us for the New Year's Reset Online Workshop!    This is not an art class but a fun and surprising brainstorming session. Together we will get our ideas out of our head and onto paper so that we are ready for a fresh start. $29 If you want to you can add collage images to your New Year’s Reset Questions. Like a vision board these images help me to clarify my heart’s desire. One of the things my mom, daughter, and I have dreamed about was visiting Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas time. We finally did it! As we enter the new year may you feel empowered to make your dreams reality! Happy Holidays Taking a Winter Walk Prints available here  May this message inspire you! Feel free to share