Thursday, March 7, 2024

Art Inspiration: Emerson's Nature Essays

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"Nothing is quite beautiful alone."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 Emerson's View of Nature, Acrylic on Canvas, 36" x 36," Hirschten, $400

I was assigned to redesign a book cover for a class I am taking with the School of the Art Institute Chicago.

I chose Emerson's Essays on Nature....


This classic collection of essays shares the thoughts of Ralph Waldo Emerson on the sacred spirituality of nature. In the beauty of nature he found wisdom that he could apply to his life. He believed this wisdom to be a greater authority than traditional church doctrine.  

  What a rebel!!!                       

When these essays were written they revolutionized the role of individual people in religious organizations. He viewed nature as the ultimate healer and unifier.  He viewed God, nature, and humanity not as separate entities but as a unified whole. 

  Check out this first edition.  So steampunk!

He stated, "The reason why the world lacks unity and lies broken and in heaps is because man is disunited with himself."

To unite with creation you must, "find something of yourself in every great and small thing. The mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common."



So many beautiful covers have been created over the years....


And have you heard of the transcendentalist eye? 

This creepy cartoon was made in 1838 to illustrate this section of the Nature essay ...

"I feel that nothing can befall me in life, no disgrace, no calamity, which nature cannot repair.  Standing on bare ground, my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space- all egotism vanishes.  I become a transparent eyeball."

Inspired by all of this I made a new painting for my cover design...



"The eye is the best composer, so light is the first of painters.  There is no object so foul that intense light will not make it beautiful."

If you need a graphic design I am now taking illustration and website design commissions

Please keep me in mind for your future projects!
 


Join us for upcoming art classes at Studio Alchemy.... 
 
   
and more!  See the whole list of classes here


   
Our latest Studio Alchemy Podcast episode features an interview with holistic spiritual counselor, Laura Rain!



May this message inspire you!  Feel free to share ❤

Monday, March 4, 2024

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 113 Interview with Holistic Spiritual Counselor Laura Rain

 


Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features an interview with holistic spiritual counselor Laura Rain.  Laura offers private sessions with individuals and couples as well as her new holistic healing circle support group.  She is a public speaker, an ordained minister and the author of the book, Not from Here: A spiritual misfit’s guide to finding purpose and belonging.  Find out more about Laura’s work at: https://www.holisticspiritualcounseling.com/

 


On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker.  Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/.





Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 112 Creating Sound Immersion Music with Michelle Qureshi

 


Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features an interview with musician, Michelle Qureshi.  We chat about her creative process and improvisation. Find out more at: https://michellequreshi.com/


On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker.  Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/.



Monday, February 5, 2024

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 111: Exploring Place with Mixed Media Artist Luke Buchanan

 



Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features an interview with mixed media artist Luke Buchanan.  We chat about our friend, Jackson Griffin, place and memory, what is beautiful and ugly, and finding a job you actually enjoy.  Find out more about Luke's work at: https://www.instagram.com/lukebuch/


On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker.  Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/.




Monday, January 29, 2024

Metamorphoses: a new experimental class!

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"As wave is driven by wave
And each, pursued, pursues the wave ahead,
So time flies on an follows, flies and follows,
Always, forever and new.

What was before is left behind; what never was is now;
And every passing moment is renewed.

Be assured, there is no death- no death,
But only change and innovation.  The sum of all things remains the same."

- Ovid, The Metamorphoses

 Persephone and the Pomegranates by Addie Hirschten

Ovid wrote a collection of myths called the Metamorphoses in the year 8CE.

 Daphne Transformed by Addie Hirschten

The tales are all about change.... how the characters of the ancient Roman gods and goddesses changed.

Ultimately Ovid was writing about how change is inevitable.    

 Surrender to Growth by Victoria Williams Steen

My artist friend, Victoria Williams Steen, have both made paintings inspired by the Metamorphoses myths.

AND we will be teaching a very special class together on the subject in March!

In this unique experimental class, we will create mixed media collage pieces inspired by stories found in the ancient Roman book of myths, Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Each session will start with a story, a meditation and a surprising project! 

Join us!  Register Here

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Join me for other upcoming classes...

 
 

and more!  See the whole list of classes here


Also!  If you are north of town I will be teaching Perfume Making at Schoolhouse 7 in Fishers February 24th.

More new episodes just release of the Studio Alchemy Podcast!  An interview with Sabrina Ward Harrison, an innovative and successful mixed media book writer.  
  

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 110: Mixed Media Journaling with Sabrina Ward Harrison

 


Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features an interview with mixed media writer, Sabrina Ward Harrison.  Find out more about her work at: https://www.sabrinawardharrison.info/


On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and self-help techniques.  Each episode includes stories and reflections to inspire you to transform your life.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a.k.a. Vita, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker.  Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/.


Thursday, January 11, 2024

Art Inspiration: How to make decisions with the help of the stoics!

 


Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life."
- Marcus Aurelius

 Oranges in the Sun, Available

Do you have trouble making decisions?  I STRUGGLE with this!  



When I have a big decision to make I tend to sit on the fence weighing pros and cons for far too long. 

Sometimes these decisions are small.... like should I make this painting more realistic or should I keep it soft?


Or should I add another color to this painting?  (This is using a new process for me!  I created a wallpaper of the musical score then painted on top of it.)


 
Decisions about paintings are so SMALL, so easy and satisfying.

When making bigger decisions I look to the wisdom of the ancient Greek stoic philosophers.  



Make clear decisions THEN take action! 

Stoics suggest that you should look, not to emotions, but to logical reasoning for guidance. 



Never blame others for your fate but take fate into your own hands.



They guide us to be optimistic, use logic, and be decisive.  

As we enter this new year may all of your decisions be easy!

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Join us for upcoming classes at the studio...


 
 

and more!  See the whole list of classes here

Oh!  And listen to the latest Studio Alchemy Podcast episode, an interview with my old friend, sexuality writer Jera Brown.
  
 


  Need even more philosophy?  Read this!