Tag: witches

Witches: art journal magic

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New online art journaling class!

Photo by Victorya Gorbatikova on Pexels.com

They surround us at this time of year, as Samhain approaches… Stirring cauldrons, perched on broomsticks, wrinkled, old, green faced. Where was this iconic image born? How did she evolve from Wise woman to cackling caricature?

We are going to research, revisit and reclaim the Witch.

Perhaps she was a woman of power; an herbalist, a midwife, a seer. Often she was denigrated and demonized, tortured and murdered by slanderous neighbors, clergy and kings… We will look at the history and persecution in our past. We will seek inspiration in the icon of the witch as it has evolved. We will work with goddesses of the witches, their tools, their familiars. But we will end our study reveling in the myriad transformations of the witch in contemporary art and pop culture as we reclaim the icon!

Are you drawn to this archetype? Are you a witch yourself? Then join us in circle to be inspired by our predecessors as we reclaim the Witch! See the video below for more information!

  • 5 Chapters in this tale of retelling. Divided into 10 lessons over 10+ weeks…
  •  13 weeks overall – time built in for holidays…
    • 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 ZOOM live demo each lesson: for  a chance to connect, have a Q& A session, see new techniques in progress. ( Recorded and emailed if you miss it) Dates TBA.
  • Schedule – START DATE October 19th. 
  • Closing ZOOM call January 11th, 2027 
  • Pricing: $110 before October 1st. (after that price goes up to $130.) 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! Subject line: Witches class!
  • 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: witch trials, torture…)
  • *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.
  • Yes, this course welcomes all experience levels. No, you do NOT need to know how to draw.  
  • 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 5+ 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! (Jen.davies.reazor@gmail)

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!