What Happens to Art once it is sold...stories about the journey which keeps unfolding ....

"Window to the Soul" - Book Art, Encaustic and Mixed Media, 2009

"Window to the Soul" - Inside, Book Art, Encaustic and Mixed Media, 2009

Well, a funny thing happened to me a few weeks ago....I was preparing for the "Beyond the Cover", Beeswax meets Mica, Altered book, Encaustic Assemblage, a 3-day long summer art playshop....and I decided to stop into one of my favourite antique shops in Guelph, Chat Noir.....

I had to come back several times, as it wasn't opening until 11 am, and it was only 10 a.m...so I did some errands, came back but it still wasn't open....Yet something kept pulling me to wait..and not dash back home, which was a half an hour north,...I needed to get into the store....For some reason there was a VERY STRONG pull to wait.....I thought it was for some delicious finds for new work....antique finds or so I thought....So I went off to do some more errands..then came back....

Finally at 12:30 the store opened...I asked the owner if I could come in though he was still setting up as I had to be back and had been waiting to get in...found some really cool things for my mixed media art work...but along with the finds I also found "Window to the Soul" my very own art work (above images)....At first I was taken back...as I had sold this work back in 2009 at a collective gallery I belong to....it was odd to see it here...and even more odd was the gamut of emotions I was feeling....

I went home after this,  reflecting at what the Universe was telling me...and discovered a few interesting messages.   First that our work after it leaves us has a journey to take and stories to unfold, sometimes or always, way beyond our control....It was interesting that this book was calling me back...and this preceded by a few days the of teaching a great summer intensive on making encaustic mixed media books to a great group of students....I decided I needed to buy it back.....

So I went back two days later and bought it to keep it with me a little longer...and it was great to share with the students.

The second message I got from this, was to not 'hold so precious' our work, to value and respect it yes, to share it and trust the unfolding journey it will have...it will find its way to others sharing its message and beauty wherever it goes...and this one needed to be seen again by the Chat Noir's customers and to find me again.  I have decided I will hold onto it for a while and see what else and other wise things I might get from this book and the story that needs to unfold....

And once again it will find its way to someone else that needs to have it....

Interesting to me is how art resonates and shares even years after their birthing.....

Cultivating - Wakefulness

"Cultivating", Encaustic Mixed Media, 12 x 12, 2011

Detail  below.  On exhibit at the Whitestone Gallery, Guelph, ON. 

"Everything supports wakefulness if you are willing to let yourself be awakened by tenderly yet consistently connecting through your senses.  Everything. But it requires a brave heart, and a mind that sees the folly in clinging...to anything."

Recently, I lost my father, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, it has been a very surreal journey since that day...I never really know what the day will bring...There are ebbs and flows of emotions, and some days for sure are harder than others, for really no apparent reason...it isn't an anniversary, it isn't even a grey and gloomy day...but today of all days the sun is shining..yet cheer is vacant...

I do know even this is impermanent..and another day will bring another set of emotions..So today, I chose to write another story for myself, one of gentleness, non-expectation to create..."those burdening thoughts of I have to create, I have deadlines to meet"...I chose instead to putter, to be easy, share an ice cream with my daughter after school, walk by the river, look over some books, and I found a lovely gift....

A book called .... "The Heart and the Bottle" by Oliver Jeffers...it is a children's book about a little girl who marvelled at the wonders of the world, the night sky, the curiosities of the world...until one day she was faced with something that took the wonder away...so she chose to bottle up her heart, to protect it from the pains....until one day she realized she needed her heart...and another little girl younger than her was able to help her find it again...it reminds me of this piece I created recently during this time...called "Cultivating"..it has within it bottles that contain some magical wonders of the universe..a glittery butterfly wing, seed pods that give life, sparkle beads, ancient hindu text, all of which remind me of my ancestors...All of which I chose to capture in a moment, in this time ....for me it is like holding onto the treasures of our good memories....but knowing I still have to let my heart feel all of it...vs. clinging to it 

I loved this book of 'hope' and human resiliency.

The Winner is.....

Recently, I announced that I would do a random draw prize for any one who answered the following two questions, which was put forth to any students from the year 2009, as a way to say thank you for your support of my growing creativity business and your belief in the services it provides:

1. Which encaustic tool is my most favourite tool as of late?

2. What is the main philosophy I share with regard to art and creativity, and the process of art making?

The answers are:

1. The encaustic iron, which my friend Andrea Bird sells out of her encaustic supply online store at www.waxworksencaustic.com - check it out.

2. The answer to number two would be any of the following responses, which many of you mentioned:

Non attachment to outcome

Healing process

Fun

Trust and be free and try it and see

Do what makes you HAPPY : )

Practice non attachment to outcome

All of which would be the essence of the what I like to share and what the process of painting with the encaustic medium has taught me over the last four years.....

So for those of you who answered any of the above to either of the questions your name was placed into a random draw and the winning name drawn from the magic hat is: Caitlin - who wins a gift certificate value of $85.00 from Supria's Designs services/workshop or product.

This is just a small way to thank you all for your support of "Supria's Designs" as it was launched two years ago and the joy it brings me to share creativity with others....

wishing you all well over the holidays and a wonderful blessed new year, 2010.

Caitlin, email me so I may arrange a way to get you your gift certificate.

New Altered Book - Window to the Soul

Front Cover, Window to the Soul, Encaustic Mixed Media Altered Book, 2009

First Inside page, Window to the Soul, Encaustic Mixed Media Altered Book, 2009

Final page, shadow box, Window to the Soul, Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 2009

This is a book I recently completed for an upcoming show, unfortunately, it was not accepted...but I still love it and wanted to share it with you all...I am truly enjoying the encaustic mixed media collage with the altered book medium. I guess you win some and loose some..this is the nature of being a full-time artist..and the rejections are a reality..makes us stronger and for me anyway, finding joy in what I do regardless is truly the essence of the journey. A strong reminder in the intentions behind our creative souls...enjoy your creativity.

New Work at the Whitestone Gallery for the month of September

"Preservation", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 7 3/4 x 11, 2009

"Joy Prayer", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 10 x 10 x 2, 2009

"Gratitude Prayer", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 10 x 10 x 2, 2009

"See the Rivers Flowing", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage with shrine, 8 x 8, 2009

"Bloom Wonder", Encaustic Mixed Media Collage with shrine, 8 x 8, 2009

For the month of September, this new work will be displayed at the Whitestone Gallery in Guelph. If you happen to be in Guelph pop in for a visit. Solo artist for this month is Vickie Martin, presenting "Presence". Whitestone Gallery is located at 80 Norfolk St, Guelph.

"Hope is a Birdsong" 4 x 6 x 2, Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 2009

"Sing to Me", 4 x 6 x 2 Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 2009

Birdsong brings relief to my longing.

I am just as ecstatic as they are, 

but with nothing to say!

Please, universal soul, practice some song,

or something, through me!

Rumi

These are a couple of new works amongst more that will be shown and sold at the Globe Studios Art Show and Sale on May 1, 2, 3rd.   Enjoy the birdsongs today as I am.

Brightening my day in play and creativity - new pieces available on etsy

"Brighten My Day", 5 x 5 Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, Original Work

"Zenith", 5 x 5 Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, Original Work

"Forever Art Today", 5 x 5 Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, Original Work

"Song in the Spring", 5 x 5 Encaustic Mixed Media Collage - Original Work

New pieces available on my etsy, check it out...Original Encaustic Mixed Media Collage, 5 x 5 pieces, ready for framing.  These were inspired by my creative and playful muse this week, inviting play and joy and in anticipation for Spring.

Time to Stop for Chai