Tag: inspiration

Warrior Women Art journal class.

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Resist. Persist.

Warrior women who fought fiercely for their beliefs; women who have resisted and persisted in the midst of horrors; women who have valiantly forged new paths for themselves, and for us…

This class is for all women, in camaraderie and sisterhood. * We are struggling to hold our heads above the raging storm as our rights, our bodily autonomy, are very citizenship is threatened. As I do – I turned to my art journal to process, and to draw inspiration from those who have gone before me and weathered their storms…

So over the next 12 weeks, travel through time with me, from the Ancient eras to the present day. Each lesson will highlight a handful of women; some more “active” fighters, others more “passive” yet all passionate and courageous and remarkable.

  • 6 lessons – 12 weeks. Lessons are emailed on Mondays – and include private video tutorials, and PDF’s of information, images, and inspiration. Your access to these videos does not expire! 
  • There will be a Facebook live demo each lesson: for  a chance to connect, have a Q& A session, see new techniques in progress. ( Recorded and posted in the FB group if you miss it) Dates TBA.
  • Schedule – START DATE March 31st. Last lesson June 9th.
  • Optional closing ZOOM call Monday June 23rd.  
  • Pricing: $80 – Invoices will be emailed via PayPal, and can be paid via credit card.  
  • Sign ups: Email me at Jen.davies.reazor@gmail.com to join! PLEASE USE THE EMAIL YOU PREFER FOR CLASS! Let me know whether you prefer an invoice or would like to pay me directly via PP/Venmo. (Or PM me if we are connected on social media) 

Questions:

  • Yes, this course is open to all ages, teen and up. ( There will be some light cursing and tough topics due to the subject matter. ie: violence to women, #metoo, rape, abortion…) 
  • Yes, this course welcomes all experience levels. No, you do NOT need to know how to draw. (See video) 
  • Supplies list – whatever you have? More info given at sign up! 
  • What if I miss a lesson? Pick up when you can, on current lesson. You can cycle back later on your time frame. 
  • Facebook group is OPTIONAL as we all have different social media limits. But I can best support and provide feedback if/when images/pages are shared with me. 

My YouTube channel has 2+ years worth of weekly art journaling videos if you would like a sampling of my materials, style, etc. These aren’t lessons I am teaching per se, but my own play and explorations on the page. 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS! I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TO THE PAGE – AND HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME!

*While men are more than welcome to take this class, I ask that they do so with a willingness to listen and learn, since their experiences may vary greatly due to gender, the patriarchy, and “traditional” cultural norms.

New art journaling class: Girl Power!

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My original plan was that my Fall art journaling class would be themed for and inspired by Witches, in history and in pop culture. I have decided to postpone that class until next year, for a few reasons… wanting to dive deeper into my research than time this Summer allowed, and current events.

With the election ramping up here in the US – we are facing unprecedented challenges and division. As a woman, I am angered, horrified, worried, ( the list goes on) about the recent law changes and rulings that are systemically removing a woman’s body autonomy, her rights regarding her own body, her medical treatment, and her ability to make her OWN decisions. ( Don’t get me wrong – I am shocked and horrified about many things…) But it was from that female body, female perspective, and feminist outlook that this class was born.

Themed in colors, this class be inspired by the baby girl pink of Barbie and of Pussy hats. The Blue of the radical academic Blue Stocking society, and Suffragette white. We will close with purple, a suffragette color, and a color symbolizing bipartisanship. Here are my free flowing thoughts on the topic:

  • 4 lessons – 4 weeks. Lessons are emailed on Mondays – and include private video tutorials, and PDF’s of information, images, and inspiration. Your access to these videos does not expire! 
  • There will be 2 Facebook live demos – for  a chance to connect, have a Q& A session, see new techniques in progress. ( Recorded and posted in the FB group if you miss it) Dates TBA.
  • Schedule – START DATE Sept. 23th. First lesson Monday September 30th. Last lesson October 21st.  
  • Pricing: $45 – Invoices will be emailed via PayPal, and can be paid via credit card.  
  • Sign ups: Email me at Jen.davies.reazor@gmail.com to join! PLEASE USE THE EMAIL YOU PREFER FOR CLASS! Let me know whether you prefer an invoice or would like to pay me directly via PP/Venmo. (Or PM me if we are connected on social media) 

Questions:

  • Yes, this course is open to all ages, teen and up. ( There will be some light cursing and tough topics due to the subject matter. ie: violence to women, #metoo, abortion…)
  • Yes, this course welcomes all experience levels. No, you do NOT need to know how to draw. (See video) 
  • Supplies list – whatever you have? More info given at sign up! 
  • What if I miss a lesson? Pick up when you can, on current lesson. You can cycle back later on your time frame. 
  • Facebook group is OPTIONAL as we all have different social media limits. But I can best support and provide feedback if/when images/pages are shared with me. 

My YouTube channel has 2 years worth of weekly art journaling videos if you would like a sampling of my materials, style, etc. These aren’t lessons I am teaching per se, but my own play and explorations on the page. 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS! I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TO THE PAGE – AND HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME!

Retelling the tale… a new art journal class

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Retelling the tale – aka Misunderstood women of Greek myth.

After a hiatus of a few months… months of hectic work, festival, training the energetic puppy, and the like… I am back! I realize how much I need my art journal practice, both in a casual format for my self, and my health, and also in a more structured practice, divine gift other inspirations that myths hold. I am energized and excited by the research – and how it inspired and informs my work – both in my journal and in the ceramics studio.

This class I wanted to focus on women. As we (my former students and I) are coming from a year of goddess focused inspiration and devotion; I wanted to turn to our sisters, our peers, from the Classical world. Women whose names we may know from the myths, from history, from the writings of men in the past. Women whose tales are multilayered, whose journeys are myriad. Women who deserve a deeper investigation into their stories, a retelling with a modern lens, reclaiming their herstories with a feminist filter in place.

Pandora. Medusa. Ariadne. Cassandra. Psyche.
Princess, prophetess, priestess, daughter, sister, lover, wife.

If you are new to my online art journal classes here is the structure and format. As well as information on the theme and my teaching style! (If you are a veteran – dates and details below.)

  • 5 lessons – 10 weeks. Lessons are emailed on Mondays, twice a month – and include private video tutorials, and PDF’s of information, images, and inspiration. Your access to these videos does not expire! 
  • There will be 2 Facebook live demos per month – for  a chance to connect, have a Q& A session, see new techniques in progress. ( Recorded and posted in the FB group if you miss it)
  • Schedule – START DATE January 7th. First lesson Monday January 8th. Ending mid March.
  • Pricing: $65 – (that is only $6.50 a week – about the same as a fancy coffee!) Invoices will be emailed via PayPal, and can be paid via credit card.  
  • Sign ups: Email me at Jen.davies.reazor@gmail.com to join! Let me know whether you prefer an invoice or would like to pay me directly via PP/Venmo. (Or PM me if we are connected on social media) 

Questions:

  • Yes, this course is open to all ages, teen and up. ( There will be some light cursing and tough topics due to the subject matter. ie: assault, rape, war, slavery, torture… it’s all in the myths!)
  • Yes, this course welcomes all experience levels. No, you do NOT need to know how to draw. (See video)
  • Supplies list – whatever you have? More info given at sign up!
  • What if I miss a lesson? Pick up when you can, on current lesson. You can cycle back later on your time frame.
  • Facebook group is OPTIONAL as we all have different social media limits. But I can best support and provide feedback if/when images/pages are shared with me.

My YouTube channel has 2 years worth of weekly art journaling videos if you would like a sampling of my materials, style, etc. These aren’t lessons I am teaching per se, but my own play and explorations on the page.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions! I look forward to getting back to the page – and hope you will join me!

A few of my reference materials! Amidst the holiday decorations…

Eye spy… May’s theme

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To see clearly… to look within… eyes as the windows of the soul… fest your eyes, apple of your eye, cry your eyes out. Birds eye view, eyes in the back of your head, give someone the eye, catch someone’s eye… Public eye, Bull’s eye, Private eye…

The list goes on ad finitum. And that doesn’t evens tart with the famous quotes! ( Although I have added a few at the end of the post.) The topic this month is so versatile,and has such a rich history – I barely knew where to start. So Art history and myth it is!

First – a rabbit hole of research: Who actually said: “The eyes are window of the soul.”? The Internet will tell you everything from Shakespeare to the Bible. But I did find this at Idiomorigins.org :

Let’s dive in with the Surrealists first, shall we? There are so many famous eyes that come to… my Mind’s eye! Here are a few!

Glass Tears by Man Ray, 1932
The False Mirror by Magritte, 1928
The Eye of Time by Dali
The Eye by MC Escher, 1946
Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash
  • The Nazar is the amulet/charm we often refer to as the Evil Eye – but it his meant to ward off that very thing! A nazar (from Arabic ‏نَظَر‎ [ˈnaðˤar], meaning ‘sight’, ‘surveillance’, ‘attention’, and other related concepts) is an eye-shaped amulet believed to protect against the evil eye.
  • A typical nazar is made of handmade glass featuring concentric circles or teardrop shapes in dark blue, white, light blue and black, occasionally with a yellow/gold edge. “The bead is made of a mixture of molten glass, iron, copper, water, and salt, ingredients that are thought to shield people from evil.”
  • “According to Turkish belief, blue acts as a shield against evil and even absorbs negativity.”[2] In the Middle East and the Mediterranean, “blue eyes are relatively rare, so the ancients believed that people with light eyes, particularly blue eyes, could curse you [one] with just one look. This belief is so ancient, even the Assyrians had turquoise and blue-eye amulets.”
  • A Nazar battu (Hindustani: नज़र बट्टू or نظر بٹو) is an icon, charm bracelet, tattoo or other object or pattern used in North India and Pakistan to ward-off the evil eye (or nazar).[1] In Persian and Afghan folklore, it is called a cheshm nazar (Persian: چشم نظر) or nazar qurbāni (Persian: نظرقربانی).[2] In India and Pakistan, the Hindi-Urdu slogan of Persian origin Chashm-e-Baddoor(Persian: چشم بد دور) is used to ward off the evil eye. (Sources from Wiki)
Wedjat amulet with cobra
Shard of faience, painted with Eye.
Amulet with eye and goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet
  • The Eye of Horus, wedjat eye or udjat eye is a concept and symbol in ancient Egyptian religion that represents well-being, healing, and protection. It derives from the mythical conflict between the god Horus with his rival Set, in which Set tore out or destroyed one or both of Horus’s eyes and the eye was subsequently healed or returned to Horus with the assistance of another deity, such as Thoth. The stylized eye symbol was used interchangeably to represent the Eye of Ra. Egyptologists often simply refer to this symbol as the wedjat eye.
  • The Eye of Horus was equated with funerary offerings, as well as with all the offerings given to deities in temple ritual. It could also represent other concepts, such as the moon, whose waxing and waning was likened to the injury and restoration of the eye.
  • Horus was represented as a falcon, such as a lanner or peregrine falcon, or as a human with a falcon head. The Eye of Horus is a stylized human or falcon eye. The symbol often includes an eyebrow, a dark line extending behind the rear corner of the eye, a cheek marking below the center or forward corner of the eye, and a line extending below and toward the rear of the eye that ends in a curl or spiral. The cheek marking resembles that found on many falcons.

Eye miniatures, also known as lover’s eyes, cropped up across Britain around 1785 and were en vogue for shorter than half a century. As with the royal couple, most were commissioned as gifts expressing devotion between loved ones. Some, too, were painted in memory of the deceased. All were intimate and exceedingly precious: eyes painted on bits of ivory no bigger than a pinky nail, then set inside ruby-garlanded brooches, pearl-encrusted rings, or ornate golden charms meant to be tucked into pockets, or pinned close to the heart.

As objects, lover’s eyes are mesmerizing—and bizarre. Part-portrait, part-jewel, they resist easy categorization. They’re also steeped in mystery: In most cases, both the subject whose eye was depicted and the artist who painted it are unknown. What sparked their popularity? Why had they faded so quickly from use? And why portray a single eye, as opposed to a whole portrait? Whether they were meant to be secret, if the relationship was illicit; or just a steamy smoldering “for your eyes only” glance… they are exquisite miniatures! ( source: Artsy.com)

Further reading:

Quotes (from Brainy Quote)

  • “Eyes speak all languages…” R. W. Emerson
  • “When I know your soul, I will paint your eyes.” A. Modigliani
  • “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” T. Roosevelt
  • “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” M. Proust
  • “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.” A. Einstein

Its all in your hands…

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Photo by Supriya S on Unsplash

As a creator, a working artist – it IS all in my hands. They are the tools of my sculpting, painting, crafting and creating. I am grateful to be able to work with my hands – in creative fields. From teaching art – and seeing the satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment that ripple over a student’s face… to creating art and feeling the pride in my work, the ability to express myself in clay, paper, metal, beads.

Its something that is deeply rooted in me. I have a hard time sitting with still hands. When I relax, I doodle. When I am on vacation – I have a travel sketchbook. There is an increased awareness and appreciation that I feel when I am making as I travel…

Hands are our primary tools. They create, work, construct, build. They control, rend, dismantle, destroy. They heal and comfort and console. They speak and emote, they pray and communicate.  According to Aristotle, the hand is the “tool of tools.” In general it is strength, power and protection. However, it can just as easily mean generosity, hospitality and stability; “lend a hand”. It is used in gestures of greeting and friendship (shake hands).

Let me present a few illustrative hands, may they inspire you to take it to the page!

The Hamsa hand:

The hamsa (Arabic: خمسة, romanized: khamsa) is a palm-shaped amulet popular throughout North Africa and in the Middle East and commonly used in jewellery and wall hangings. Depicting the open right hand, an image recognized and used as a sign of protection in many times throughout history, the hamsa has been traditionally believed to provide defense against the evil eye.

Khamsah is an Arabic word that means “five”, but also refers to images of “the five fingers of the hand”. In Jewish culture, the hamsa is associated with the number five because of the five fingers depicted on the hand, and because the word khamsa is cognate to the Hebrew ḥamishah (חֲמִישָׁה), which also means “five.” ( Wiki)

The Palmistry hand:

Palmistry – practice of fortune-telling through the study of the palm. Also known as palm reading, chiromancy, chirology or cheirology, the practice is found all over the world, with numerous cultural variations. Those who practice palmistry are generally called palmists, hand readers, hand analysts, or chirologists. It is ancient and archetypal; with roots that tie it to Hindu astrology and Roma fortune telling.

Traditional Mehndi designs:

Mehndi is a form of body art and temporary skin decoration from the Indian subcontinent usually drawn on hands or legs. They are decorative designs that are created on a person’s body, using a paste, created from the powdered dry leaves of the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis). Traditional usage would see elaborate designs on a woman’s hands and feet n preparation for her wedding. Pop culture assimilation has Henna designs available at the beach every summer….

Image credit: https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/body-art/henna-tattoo.htm

Famous hands in art:

1. Cava de los Manos 2. Leonardo da Vinci, M. C. Escher 4. Michelangelo Image Credits and article.

Further inspiration: Pinterest

Further reading:

So this month – on my Weekly Spark videos – let me work with my hands – and create work of hands! Tune in here.

And stay tuned – more posts coming. I’d love to hear what you think – here or on You Tube!

One step at a time….

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Hello! tap tap tap… is this thing on?

Journal page – early 2020.

September 1st. I just never know what year it is anymore. Time is meaningless – yet it slips through my fingers. I just wanted to stop by – and say that I do have plans to rejuvenate this blog. With Social media becoming more and more advertised and polarized – I want to post on a place that is mine, and free from issues. I hope you will join me here.

I recently advertised my art journal classes on a friends podcast – Dawn Hunt/Cucina Aurora ” Conversational Witchcraft. If you are here because you followed her link thread – thank you and Welcome ! There will be a new limited edition art journaling video for you! Coming soon – it will be emailed to any new newsletter subscribers from now til Samhain!

I work in many materials and mediums – from clay to beads to gems to paper, and I invite you to stroll through my galleries of images. I exhibit at arts festivals and faerie festivals in the Mid Atlantic region. But its my art journaling classes that have really taken flight since 2020.

The special free sample lesson will be a video demonstration/tutorial and a resource packet – all themed with the goddess of the lesson. Stay tuned – and I thank you in advance for your patience!

Kwan Yin – from “Goddess Guides – a yearlong journey” art journaling class.
Oak themed spread from my intro class – “Sparking Creativity”

Goddess guides – a year long journey

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My newest online art journal class is starting soon!

I am so excited to introduce my new online Art Journaling class! This is a theme near and dear to my heart, and a journey of exploration and inspiration that I have wanted to take for years.

My classes are open to all levels of experience. We will collage, and make marks…. and utilize image transfer techniques. I want to foster a practice of exploration and expression, or play and process! I have included a video with my approach to the theme – take a look below… 

Here are the details! 

  • 12 months – 24 lessons. Lessons are emailed on Mondays, twice a month – and include private video tutorials, and PDF’s of information, images, and inspiration. Your access to these videos does not expire! 
  • There will be 2 Facebook live demos per month – for  a chance to connect, have a Q& A session, see new techniques in progress. 
  • 1 ZOOM call/month. Optional – but a chance to connect, to chat, to build community. These will be on a floating schedule. Planning a year out is near impossible! 
  • Schedule – START DATE March 6th. First lesson Monday March 7th. 
    SPRING: March – May
    SUMMER: June – August
    FALL: Sept – November
    WINTER: Dec – February. 
  • Pricing: $65 per quarter/season – that is 6 lessons a season! Each quarter is priced individually. You are welcome to customize the year to your schedule, and pay as you go. (Invoices will be emailed via PayPal, and can be paid via credit card. )
  • If you prefer to sign up for the entire year, you have 2 payment options: 
    • Option A- a single payment of $240 and a free gift
    • Option B – 2 payments of $120 and a free gift.  
  • Sign ups: Email me at Jen.davies.reazor@gmail.com and I will invoice you. Please select a payment option…. (Or PM me if we are connected on social media) 

As to materials and class supplies – stay tuned! More info to come!

Thank you for your interest! Please don’t hesitate to email or message me with any questions! 
Jenny

Are you new to my Art Journaling classes? Are you interested in “Sparking Creativity” my intro class? No worries! I am preparing it for an online teaching platform – and it should be ready in the Spring. The goddess class is open to all levels – so if it sounds interesting to you, please don’t hesitate! ( If you are receiving this newsletter – you will get notified when SPARK is ready! 

Croeso! Welcome to Wales

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Part of my heritage is Welsh. The Davies name/blood on my paternal side held on tenaciously amidst the German and Irish, waving the surname like a flag. I have always been called to this aspect of my diverse Celtic heritage. So last holiday season the family started planning an epic trip. My family has had its fair share of grief and trauma in the last year and a half. So this trip was much needed – to celebrate life, and be together, and get a feel for the country of our ancestry.

To me – and for the writing here – I will treat Wales as its own country. While it is officially part of the UK, it has its own language, and strong independent cultural identity. The fact that the latter has survived amidst great prejudice and pressure to assimilate is remarkable to me. (Wales lost its last prince in 1282 when Edward I defeated Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Then became part of the UK in 1535, early enough in UK history that you don’t see Wales represented in the UK flag, nor in the coat of arms. * See below )

  • yes, everything IS connected
  • taking notice…

Our trip started in early July ( the irony of landing in the UK on July 4th was not lost on any of us) and the 7 of us flew in from Delaware, Texas, New Mexico… Landing in Manchester and heading to Ruthin Wales. I was traveling solo – sadly my spouse had to work New job= no real leave time…. But I got to hop of the train in Warrington to have coffee with Caroline!

Me and Caroline! Long distance friends and blog colleagues.

Caroline and I are both artists and writers for Art Elements blog. We have known each other for like 8 years? And this was our 2nd in person! She and I share a love of myth and magic, and hours passed in the blink of an eye and a few sips of latte. Then I was on the train – headed to Flint Wales with lunch – thanks to C! Although the windows were dirty, the view still made my heart happy.

Can I just take a second to appreciate al the bilingual signs all over Wales?! This (below) was at the tiny, gritty train station… where I waited for a taxi able to take me the rest of the way, a good jaunt, too Ruthin.

Ruthin Castle, parts dating to the late 1200’s. Served as a research hospital in the 1920’s. Now a hotel, spa and wedding venue.

When I arrived – I had a few hours to myself. I set off to explore the grounds, and walk in to town.

Can I tell you how exciting it is to stay in a castle? Current structures date from 1826 app.
I want to paint this. I want to sculpt this. I want to do a series of prints….

Also on the grounds of Ruthin Castle is a Gorsedd stone circle. These circles are constructed for the ceremonies of the National Eisteddfod. The Ruthin circle was constructed in 1973, commemorating Ruthin hosting the festival. While it is a modern circle – walking amongst standing stones as tall as me, in the morning dew and mist, was a magical experience.

Headed into Ruthin
Window at Nantclwyd y Dre. Wales’ oldest dated timbered house – 1435. Sadly it was closed while I was in town.
Gorgeous patterns and history everywhere. And this one had recently sold!

Now – true to form I am always looking for myth and magic. SO I present Maen Huail – where folklore says King Arthur ( yes, that King Arthur) beheaded the giant Huail. While the stone has been moved in town, from outside the bank to now outside a pub, it remains in the town center, and well marked! ( information here and here.)

Ruthin is a really charming market town. People were exceptionally friendly – and even more so when we told them about our trip. That we ranged in age from Dad at 81 to my nephews at 5 and 9. That we were “Davies” and interested in the land of our heritage, even though we weren’t conducting research. And our attempts and pronunciation and a few Welsh word – patiently well received.

The Ruthin Craft Centre was on my list of “I-hope-I-can-go-there” places. And it did not disappoint! Galleries, local artists work in the shop, artist residency studios, and classrooms – this place was hub of arts and learning. My sister and I went to see the exhibit by Primmy Chorley. ( see the image below for a quote on her work.)

  • a carpet of paper flowers
  • learning vocabulary

One thing we had planned while based in Ruthin was a day trip to Rhosllanerchrugog. (Rhos – moor. Llanerch – glade. grugog – heathery. “Moor of the Heathery Glade”). We didn’t have a destination in mind specifically, so we did a drive through town. Rhos was a minion town, and seemed to be in a bit of a decline/hard times… We opted to continue on…

The afternoon was spent exploring the defunct Mineral lead mine, and lunch at Llandegla. Llandegla is a trout fishery, with a stunning camping area and a wonderful cafe. The boys fed some trout – and we ate some too. My obsession with elderflower started here…

Diolch! As in – thank you for reading the first installment of this amazing trip. More to come – stay tuned.

Scotland represented by unicorn, red lion rampant, thistles. Ireland represented by harp, shamrocks.

Delighted in Dorset…

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Part 1 of 3.

This  January I spent a magical week in and around Dorset visiting my friend Lesley Watt. 

If you know me or are familiar with my work, you may be aware of the currents of magic, myth and folklore that run through all I do… So this trip was part vacation, part art retreat, part creative interlude. It was restorative, invigorating, inspiring, and immensely fulfilling. The creative seeds planted this one week will grow all year…

But for now – let me share a few ( or many!) images with you.

The village of Burley IN the New Forest. ( Day 1)

The New Forest was established in 1079 by William The Conqueror. ( Yes, THAT William the Conquerer.) In villages throughout the NF, “Commoners” or residents hold the same rights to access/grazing/resources as their early Medieval predecessors. The New Forest ponies roam free, and are loosely managed by the “verderers”. The town of Burley has numerous ties to witches in history, namely Sibyl Leek and Gerald Gardner…

The New Forest itself – with its history, landscape, biodiversity… has captured my imagination. I have been starting to read up and work with images inspired by the Celtic Tree alphabet – so this dovetails in rather nicely. Although I was there in Winter, the gorse and broom were blooming. The ponies were wearing their shaggy coats – and as you see a gorgeous blue sky appeared.

Corfe Castle. ( Day 2) 

Again – Norman in historical time period. ( I DO like OLD stuff.) Begun by William the Conqueror in 1090; finished by his son Henri I in the early 1100’s. These majestic ruins command the skyline, and its placement as a fortress is evident!

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Im sure there are sprites and pixies living in that tree.

The gentle hike up to the castle and the village was like walking into a fairyland. So much free, mosses and lichens, a stream cascading… And you arrive in Corfe Castle village.

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Rather timeless when cars aren’t pictured…

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The ruins are not overly protected. Visitors are trusted to act and tread carefully. I was enamored with all the unobstructed views.

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There are currently ravens nesting high up in the tower wall. And a flock of jackdaws kept us company.

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This. As lino print. As weaving. As ceramic tile. This!

Then a fabulous lunch… and one more historical marker.

This made me chuckle, incredulous. This stone marks the millennium of a regicide. And even that was 40 years ago!

We left Corfe Castle – and drove back towards Bournemouth via the Isle of Purbeck and Studland Bay. ( Isle of Purbeck as in Purbeck stone of which Corfe Castle is built.) Weather was cooperating – so we did a little beach combing on Knoll beach… I could see white chalk cliffs and even the Isle of Wight in the distance.

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Time to head home after a stunning inspiring day. Then THIS happened:

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That late afternoon light!

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Again – so much inspiration here!

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Greens in January made me so happy.

The third day was a day spent at home, in the studio! Sketching, collaging, and working on my travel journal. ( Stay tuned for that.) Then to the pub for a proper Sunday dinner. A cute pup, a delicious Dorset cider, and Yorkshire pudding ( not pictured.)

Stay tuned for the next installment that includes magic, alchemy, camaraderie, and more!

 

 

Goals for the Year…

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( This post was originally published on Art Elements blog)

Hello all – I hope your 2018 dawn broke in whatever fashion you desired! We went out to a concert on New Year’s Eve Eve with friends and had a blast. On the last day of 2017 I got a good nights sleep and rang in the morning with coffee, and lots of it. Then I proceeded to start cleaning the studio. Did you see Niky’s post this week? I can SO relate to that…

So studio is being reclaimed. Organizing, decluttering, displaying treasures to free up space on my work table. Now I want to look forwards. 2017 was a year I was happy to say goodbye to… aside from the greater world situation/trauma/news/horror I had some personal challenges, and family issues that were , well – upheavals.

I have a renewed sense of “Live life to the fullest” and as such sat down to make a top 10 list for the year: 

My “Birch” page as I study the Celtic tree calendar.

1. Jump start my art journal practice. This is a project I an renewing this year for the third in a row. Last year I made it halfway through the year, before stress derailed me. And that was an improvement from the prior year! Im working large, IMO, in a 11 x 14″ spiral bound mixed media sketchbook. There will be watercolor, collage, drawing… whatever I want! This is a practice for me alone, and while I may share some spreads on my IG, I can play and be messy, and do art therapy, and no one needs to see. Im taking a yearlong class called Moonshine with Effy Wild ( of Journal52 and Life Book) and so far love the themes and prompts presented.

so many books!

2.Read. In the last few years of living this creative entrepreneur’s life, my reading levels have plummeted. I work all day in the studio, at my part time job, in the “work” ceramics studio… and only read after i crawl in bed. Yeah, < laughs> that doesn’t work out so well. I have a growing pile of mythology, women studies, fairy tale analysis, art and technique books which ARE work related. So I CAN read during the work hours….

3. Play. This past year I was stuck in a rut of production. I started the year strong, and spent the summer and fall making new work just in time for the next show. Needless to say, I didn’t have the time to try new things, to play, to experiment. And I felt stagnant creatively. This year I am working part time at the fabulous Sarafina Fiber Arts “Art House“. The environment and the product are very conducive to creativity. I want to felt and bead and sculpt. I want to try polymer mosaics. I want to do larger tile pieces. I want to do another series of goddess figures… See?

4. Planners and mindfulness – Yes this one seems to not go together… I treated myself to the Desire Map planner by Danielle LaPorte. Part daily planner, part woo woo, part daily positive affirmations. Filling out a day’s page in the morning over coffee keeps me organized, yes. But mindful as well. And reminds me to take care of myself…

5.Health and happiness. This one really needs no explanation. As I mentioned earlier – family health issues. Health is prioritized! Mental health, meditation or the like, down time. Hydration! Healthy eating. I am trying to shift my mindset of preparing dinner from a chore, to a mindful daily ritual. Think good music, and bocking the time in so I am not so rushed.

Mythical creatures! Witchy cauldrons!

6. Overhaul my tile inventory. As in retire old designs! Design new tiles! And sketch them… I have a few molds that are worn out and need to be done. I have SO many tile designs in my head – I am trying to get them on paper and start sculpting! My first arts festival of the year is in May – and I want to debut mythical creatures. As always I will have mythic themes, gods and goddesses, and I am developing a new line inspired by the comforts of home. Think coffee, books, pets, tea… What would you put on the ” Comforts” list?

But I have to be practical as well – some designs will be custom order. Others – the most popular designs – will go with me to shows. I plan a series of smaller tiles for the 4 elements that can be purchased singly or as a group….

And if there are new tiles there will be new pendants to correspond!

labradorite, sawing out script, tray of to-do’s!

7. Metals – metals were my first love in art school. I sincerely adore sawing complex things with my jewelers saw. So why aren’t I doing more?! As I established myself and my business; applying to shows… ceramics was the best category in which to place my work. Tiles, shrines, pendants… But in my heart I am a mixed media artist. So more metals? Yes, please!

simple, but so versatile

8. Linoleum printing. I used to teach it in school. Lesley and I did a print making art camp a few years back… You may have seen prints I was playing with for our 2017 “Keep your Sanity” challenges… During 2017 I took a few online classes with the Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic. For the fairy tales course I did a series of lino prints – I wanted to do something not in my normal mediums, and play a bit. I found that it was a great exercise to encourage me to draw more, and I find the carving rather Zen. The goddess and Little Red Riding Hood pieces pictured above? The goddess image correlates with a tile a sculpt, and I am thinking the wolf may be translated into clay soon! I like developing ideas and translating them into different media!

small but completely sufficient

9. Travel. Starting the year off with a trip to the UK! Art camp with Lesley! And  – actually meeting my dear friends of the UK branch of Art Elements… IN PERSON! But after that extravaganza… my desires are simple. Time with the husband and the dog, time in nature. The picture above? Our tiny 14′ travel trailer. She is adorable. We have no plans yet – but now as we are snowed and cold – that’s the time to make them!

10. Friends, family and community – Spending quality time with the people I care about. Not letting the job get in the way… and that means online friends and community as well. Taking the time to comment and start a conversation instead of blindly clicking “like”. Spending less time mindlessly scrolling, but quality time touching base with friends that are far away. Video calls to watch my little nephews antics… Stop what you are doing and hug someone today!