Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 101: The Power of Symbols

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Hirschten’s new book, "The Alchemy of Symbols: How to Use the Power of Images to Transform Your Life."  People use symbols to highlight what is important to them and manifest what they want to see. In this uplifting book, Hirschten explores the psychology of symbols to inspire anyone who wants to thoughtfully incorporate them into their life. In this book you will learn how to use images to help clarify your hopes and dreams. Whether you want to select a symbol for your next tattoo, painting, or sacred altar the Alchemy of Symbols will give you many ideas to work with. Part self-help and part encyclopedia, this book offers a fresh perspective on the meaning behind symbols.

Purchase a fully illustrated copy of the Alchemy of Symbols at: 

https://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Symbols-Power-Images-Transform/dp/B0CFZGXQGC

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/.

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 100: An Introduction to the New Book, The Alchemy of Symbols

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features an excerpt from Hirschten’s new book, "The Alchemy of Symbols: How to Use the Power of Images to Transform Your Life."  People use symbols to highlight what is important to them and manifest what they want to see. In this uplifting book, Hirschten explores the psychology of symbols to inspire anyone who wants to thoughtfully incorporate them into their life. In this book you will learn how to use images to help clarify your hopes and dreams. Whether you want to select a symbol for your next tattoo, painting, or sacred altar the Alchemy of Symbols will give you many ideas to work with. Part self-help and part encyclopedia, this book offers a fresh perspective on the meaning behind symbols.

Purchase a fully illustrated copy of the Alchemy of Symbols at: 

https://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Symbols-Power-Images-Transform/dp/B0CFZGXQGC

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/.

Art Inspiration: Branching Out

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "Living with fear stops us taking risks, and if you don't go out on the branch, you're never going to get the best fruit." -Sarah Parrish   The Orange Tree, Hirschten, 2023, Available at the Studio Between naps with kitties here at the studio we are painting up a storm! I've been painting fruit and foxes, experimenting with painting light in a new way.  Fox in the Sun, Hirschten, 2023, Available at the Studio  Robert, one of our Painting Club regulars, finished up a gorgeous painting the other day.... If you'd like to learn how to paint landscapes with depth and atmosphere join us for Landscape Painting starting next week...   Landscape Painting - 4 Weeks, Wednesdays August 30-Sept 20  6-9pm  $220 In this 4-week class we will create a variety of landscape paintings while learning basic contemporary impressionist techniques.  We will enrich our painting skills by focusing on how to create atmosphere, realistic perspective, and a well-balanced composition.  Advanced and beginning students welcome.  All materials provided.   Learn to Draw - 7 Weeks, Wednesdays October 4- Nov. 15, 6-9pm  $320 Are you interested in learning how to draw?  In this class we will learn many techniques for drawing so that you can gain control over your artistic projects.  Drawing can be a meditative process that can help you to focus your mind and appreciate the beauty in subtle details.  Together we will do exercises to learn to notice the patterns of our world and create dynamic designs. All materials provided. Create Your Visionary Life Plan -  2 Weeks, Saturdays Oct 21 – Oct 28  1-4pm  $110 In this unique class we will create vision board collages and journal in a notebook that will become our life plan.  Part art class and part self-help we will answer questions that will help guide us into our next stage of life.  Together we will support each other as we cover a wide variety of topics such as our dreams, ideal day, vacation plans, career, relationships, and health. Pulling it all together we will create concrete action plans. All materials provided. I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! (It is almost finished!!!) Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material.

Art Inspiration: Opposites Attract?

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "Always think of the universe as one living organism, with a single substance and a single soul." -Marcus Aurelius  (Translation: Seize the Day and Seize the Night!) I've been thinking about how we tend to divide everything into opposites like day and night, man and woman, good and bad.   Peachy Keen, Available at the Studio When I create a painting like the peaches above, it is easiest if I divide the object into light and shadow.  This helps me to create the colors and draw it accurately.  But in reality the peach is one object.  It can be easier to label things... to simplify everything into opposites. While this mode of thinking can be useful to a point, helping us to sort out our world, it can be limiting.  (This is most dangerous when we label people as "good or bad" rather than clearly seeing the whole person.) In order to see the whole picture we have to let go of divisions and "think of the universe as one living organism."  Mary Lou William's Song: Night Life, Available at the studio Harmony can only come when a chord is struck.  In music this is when different tones sound together.  In symbolism it is when both opposite elements, like yin and yang, are honored.  To have peace, to heal we must have union.  Years ago on the dry, desert island of Paros Greece I came across this sign... Following it I found a lush tropical oasis.  A valley held moisture creating a wet, steamy environment perfect for butterflies to flourish.  THOUSANDS of butterflies flittered around me.  Everyone walked slowly and in silence as if it was a cathedral. Within every desert there is an oasis, a spot where life can grow.  The oasis is part of the desert.  To have peace we must open our eyes wider to view the whole picture and accept it as it is.   I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! (It is almost finished!!!) Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material.    Join us for upcoming art classes at the studio:   Landscape Painting - 4 Weeks, Wednesdays August 30-Sept 20  6-9pm  $220 In this 4-week class we will create a variety of landscape paintings while learning basic contemporary impressionist techniques.  We will enrich our painting skills by focusing on how to create atmosphere, realistic perspective, and a well-balanced composition.  Advanced and beginning students welcome.  All materials provided.   Learn to Draw - 7 Weeks, Wednesdays October 4- Nov. 15, 6-9pm  $320 Are you interested in learning how to draw?  In this class we will learn many techniques for drawing so that you can gain control over your artistic projects.  Drawing can be a meditative process that can help you to focus your mind and appreciate the beauty in subtle details.  Together we will do exercises to learn to notice the patterns of our world and create dynamic designs. All materials provided. Create Your Visionary Life Plan -  2 Weeks, Saturdays Oct 21 – Oct 28  1-4pm  $110 In this unique class we will create vision board collages and journal in a notebook that will become our life plan.  Part art class and part self-help we will answer questions that will help guide us into our next stage of life.  Together we will support each other as we cover a wide variety of topics such as our dreams, ideal day, vacation plans, career, relationships, and health. Pulling it all together we will create concrete action plans. All materials provided.