Art Inspiration: Before and After

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."  - Reinhold Niebuhr, The Serenity Prayer     There are few things in life that I find as satisfying as good before and after pictures.   They show how powerful we humans can be.  We can transform our spaces!  We can make the change that we want to see. BUT there are of course many things in life that we have no control over.        Before and After of a Painting I recently reworked I realized recently that part of my love of cleaning, redecorating, organizing and yes even painting stems from a desire to control things.  It just feels so good to make things prettier. I'd like to embrace the "courage to change the things I can."  And come to peace with what I can't. There will be many aspects of the coming year that we will not have control over.  We can however control how we react to things.  We can control what we will learn, how we will grow.   I recently created a free online mini class called the Magic of Visualization.  I hope it brings you inspiration and helps you feel empowered. May you grow toward the light and have a Happy New Year  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

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 94: Climbing Up

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features a discussion on the symbol of the ladder representing climbing to the best versions of ourselves.

On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and new age 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/. Take online creativity classes at:  https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/courses

The online Visionary Life Plan Course is on sale until January 6, 2023.

Receive 70% off the class by entering promocode NEWYEAR2023 at checkout.

Register here: https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/p/visionarylifeplan

Read or listen to the book, “Start Selling Your Art: A Guide to Starting an Art Business” on Amazon and Audible. 

Art Inspiration: Climbing Up Jacob's Ladder

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"All the people of the earth will be blessed through you." 
- Genesis 28, The Story of Jacob's Dream

 If Jacob Climbed the Ladder 
 
A few weeks ago I noticed that a young man and woman had created a homeless encampment under a bridge near my house.  I asked them to please be careful because water often floods the spot.  The man said that they would just be there temporarily.  The place they had been staying before had bad people who they didn't want to be around anymore.  "Some people are just terrible," he said.  I said, "alright," and he said, "Bless you," several times.  Later that day I created a map to the local shelters and gave it to them with some granola bars.  

They were there off and on for a couple of weeks.  Then one morning a bunch of cop cars showed up.  The young man was found dead.  I watched them drag his body up out of the ravine in a body bag.  It was strange and horrible that his body sat on the sidewalk for a few minutes on the same spot where I had spoken to him.


He has now been identified as an eighteen year old runaway named Braxton McGuire. I didn't realize he was so young.  His family came to visit the bridge after the horrible task of identifying his body. They had been looking for him since March visiting homeless encampments all around the city.  Several times they found people who had recently seen him.  Apparently drugs contributed to his demise.  This has opened my eyes to exactly how evil drug addiction can be.

Could he have climbed up the ravine and asked for help?  Like the story from Genesis of Jacob dreaming of the stairway to heaven, could he have climbed up out of the darkness but chose not to ascend?

One of the pillows at the young man's encampment reads, "All roads lead home for the holidays."  I believe that it is a sad reminder of how gathering with loved ones can help support us in this darkest time of year.  I met his family and I'm sure they would have welcomed him back with open arms.

 Jacob's Ladder

If any of you my friends are ever at a low spot, I hope you know that I would love to lend you a helping hand.  I created this piece, Jacob's Ladder, for the Religion, Spirituality and the Arts class where we have studied the Jacob's Dream story this year.  When asked to imagine what an angel climbing the ladder would look like I decided that it would take the form of hands that are there to help lift someone up.  Having gone through this experience with Braxton I now see my own paintings in a different way. I wish I had helped him more. I hope it inspires you to climb up and ask for help if you need it. And to give as much help as you possibly can.

May we all lift each other up this coming year.

May we each choose to climb up out of the darkness toward the light.

And may Braxton rest in peace.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 93: You Get What You Pay For

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features a chat about how the quality of materials and how workers are treated will affect the final outcome of a project.

On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and new age 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/. Take online creativity classes at:  https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/courses

The online Visionary Life Plan Course is on sale until January 6, 2023.

Receive 70% off the class by entering promocode NEWYEAR2023 at checkout.

Register here: https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/p/visionarylifeplan

Read or listen to the book, “Start Selling Your Art: A Guide to Starting an Art Business” on Amazon and Audible. 

Art Inspiration: Visualization

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-   The Kitten, Sold During this time of year I love reflecting on what I have done and making plans for the future. Relaxing and dreaming like my new cat, Orangina.... To do this I use visualization techniques, create vision boards, and a Visionary Life Plan to clarify my dreams.   To share these techniques with you I created... To sign up for this free online class register at:  https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/p/th... ​ In addition the online Visionary Life Plan Course is on sale until January 6, 2023. Receive 70% off the class by entering promocode NEWYEAR2023 at checkout. Register here: https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/p/visionarylifeplan I have collected MANY magazine images over the years to create my vision boards.  Many of them are vintage images.   If you'd like to create vision boards using my collection I'd love for you to join me for the in-person New Year's Vision Board Workshop December 31st or January 1st.  I have just a couple of seats left in each class. In 2023 we have many new  art classes at the studio!  If you are looking a unique gift to do with a friend consider signing up for a class. 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.