Art Inspiration: Cats and Crows

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"Invisible threads are the strongest ties."  -Nietzche

  New Studio Logo! T-shirts are now available!  

One of the first times I came to visit my art studio I met my realtor there on a cold winter evening.  I was excited to potentially buy the property.  It ticked off a lot of boxes for me.  It had a garden, plenty of windows, street parking and it was zoned for business or residential use. I felt worried though that my favorite students would think it was located too far away from where they lived. I was currently renting a studio space that was closer to many of them. I knew that when a business is relocated, they often lose customers. 

When we arrived, I was surprised to find that in the large trees across the street were hundreds of crows.  Perched up in the branches they cawed and fluttered around. Moving together as a group they migrated from tree to tree down the little stream that runs through the neighborhood.  I felt delighted to see such an overwhelming congregation of birds.  The experience reassured me that tribes move together, that it is within the instincts of birds and humans to move as one.  I saw this encounter with the crows as a comforting sign that my art community would migrate to the new space.  I bought the studio, and our art community now continues to thrive and grow within it. 

So when I think of mascots for the studio I think crows AND OF COURSE CATS!

 Doogie wouldn't want to be left out!

So when I was cooped up during 2020 I painted on our cabinets cats and crows....



  
And now I made a new logo for us using the cabinet design. 

For a limited time you can order Studio t-shirts and stickers here!

(Yes- I created the design in Photoshop.  If you want for me to create a design for you the commission order form is here.)

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS
Since I had to find that crow photo I stumbled across my first photos of the studio.  If you love a good Before and After photo session check this out....
  Before
 After
 Studio Before
 Studio After
 Kitchen Before
 Kitchen After
 Dining Area Before
 Dining Area After

I called us Studio Alchemy because the ancient alchemists were all about transformation.  And boy have we transformed!!! Whew

Now let's take a moment to laugh about it...
 Order your t-shirt here!  

May you grow toward the light and as always...

 Choose Peace, Prints available here


I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! 
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material. 


Would someone you love be inspired by this message?  Feel free to share   

Art Inspiration: Friendship

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 



 
I remember a few years ago having recurring nightmares that I was in a theater with a crowd of people, then I suddenly remembered, "Covid!!! Oh no!  I shouldn't be here!"  Then I would frantically run out of the building. 

Fear dominated my longings for connection then.



But now I am feeling SO THANKFUL for the support of my friends.
 
  Cat 

In our art community we cheer each other on!



We gather together and give each other the confidence to find our voices, to break the silence and say all that we are longing to say.  

"Give me an ear and I will give you a voice."  -Gibran



And sometimes we just need to be goofy together too!  To "move energy" as Katie and I say.


  Studio Alchemy Tshirts now available!

If you would like to join us  our July Painting Club starts this Thursday.  

Now is a great time to bring a friend!  I am offering a July Buy One, Get One Free Special.  

May you grow toward the light and as always...

 Choose Peace, Prints available here


I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! 
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material. 


Would someone you love be inspired by this message?  Feel free to share   

Art Inspiration: By the Light of the Moon

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

“It is rather exciting to write by moonlight.”   - Dodie Smith

You are invited! 
 
Join us for the group art show "By the Light of the Moon"

Where: The Studio Alchemy Art Gallery, 1116 E. North Street
When:  First Friday, June 2, 2023  6-9pm

  Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Hirschten, 30" x 40", $450

We hope to see you there!


In other news I have been given the honor of being the Maker-in Residence at the Ignite Studio of the Hamilton East Public Library from May-August!



I will be teaching Learn to Draw Landscapes, Flower Painting, Abstract Workshops and workshops for children on Puppet Making and Kamishibai story illustrations. Classes are free but you must register.  Registration opens 2 weeks before each class.  Sign up here 


At our first abstract painting class we had a blast!


 
The Studio Alchemy Podcast just celebrated its 99th episode!  On this episode I interviewed Bio Artist Maria Medina-Schechter about how she works with all natural materials to build her unique sculptural art.



Studio Alchemy will be fairly quite this summer because of my residency program but you can join us for these upcoming classes...

June Painting Club  4 sessions, Thursdays, Pick 1-4pm or 6-9pm $20 per session

Abstract Collage Workshop June 3rd, $48

Perfume Making Workshops June 17th, $29

AND!!! We will be hosting a special art class taught by Victoria Williams!


Find out more here

 The Moon's Wave, 20" x 20" Hirschten $160
 
May you grow toward the light and as always...

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 99: Bio Art with Maria Medina Schechter

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features in interview with Bio Artist Maria Medina-Schechter.  Using only living organic materials Maria creates sculptural paintings that reflect the patterns and beauty of the natural world.  find out more about her work at: https://www.t6dh.com/

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: We are Climbing Jacob's Ladder

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "We are climbing Jacob's Ladder.  We are brothers and sisters all." -Pete Seeger For the Religion, Spirituality and the Arts program we studied the Jacob's Dream story and created an amazing variety of artwork.   Join us Friday night 6-9pm at the Harrison Arts Center in the Underground Gallery for the reception! Here are a few of the pieces I made for the show...  Meeting in Heaven, Hirschten In the biblical story of Jacob's Ladder, Jacob dreams of ascending toward heaven.  Even though God promises to watch over him and his family, Jacob tosses and turns from side to side, facing east and west.  The idea of the angelic realm enters his mind, yet he remains afraid.  Angels, helping hands, are there to life him up to higher spiritual realms but Jacob is not ready.  He sticks with what he knows.  He remains on familiar ground.  He keeps dreaming.   If Jacob had let go of his fear, perhaps he would have climbed the ladder to heaven.  Hidden angels would have assisted him up.  If Jacob had chosen to ascend, what would he have found at the top? Divine light or the graceful perfection of nature?  It is only by choosing to climb and by accepting assistance can we hope to be redeemed. Join us at the studio for these upcoming events... May Painting Club  4 sessions, Pick 1-4pm or 6-9pm $20 per session Dream Sharing Group  May 21st, Free Abstract Collage Workshop June 3rd, $48 Perfume Making Workshops June 17th, $29 AND!!! We will be hosting a special art class taught by Victoria Williams! Find out more here  The Piano Player: The Maple Leaf Rag, Hirschten We fill the void of silence with music and the arts.  Notes rise and fall through the air creating a harmony of colors.  If you want to climb up out of the darkness listening to music is one of the quickest ways to ascend.  Each scale creates steps lifting you higher.  This is what Leonard Cohen called "the minor fall and the major lift."   May you grow toward the light and as always...  Choose Peace, Prints available here

Art Inspiration: The Sound of Music

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-   The Piano Player: The Maple Leaf Rag, Hirschten, 3' x 4', 2023, $600 One of my favorite challenges is to attempt to depict music with painting. I have always visualized notes as waves of colors that float up and down, high to low.  Hamilton circa 2017 This large abstract I made while listening to ♫♫ Alexander Hamilton ♫♫  Hail Poetry 2015   And this was inspired by the Pirates of Penzance Other Upcoming Events at the Studio Abstract Dynamic Design Workshop this Sunday 1-4pm In this workshop we learn how to make strong compositions and create our own unique piece.  An excellent class for beginners! Perfume Making this Saturday at both 1pm and 4pm! And of course May Painting Club  And I am full!  My cup is overflowing.  The Overflowing Cup 2023 May you grow toward the light and as always...  Choose Peace, Prints available here