Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 108: Finding Peace

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Hirschten’s new book, "The Alchemy of Symbols: How to Use the Power of Images to Transform Your Life."  People use symbols to highlight what is important to them and manifest what they want to see. In this uplifting book, Hirschten explores the psychology of symbols to inspire anyone who wants to thoughtfully incorporate them into their life. In this book you will learn how to use images to help clarify your hopes and dreams. Whether you want to select a symbol for your next tattoo, painting, or sacred altar the Alchemy of Symbols will give you many ideas to work with. Part self-help and part encyclopedia, this book offers a fresh perspective on the meaning behind symbols.

Purchase a fully illustrated copy of the Alchemy of Symbols at: 

https://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Symbols-Power-Images-Transform/dp/B0CFZGXQGC

On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives.  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: Memories

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it." - L.M. Montgomery  The Wreath Maker: A Memory from San Miguel de Allende Themes weave in and out of my life.  One recent theme has been memory.    The Smell of Roses in Cottage Home I have been touching base with a number of old friends lately... friends like Melissa and Luke who I hadn't seen in over 20 years.  It has been funny what we each remembered and forgot. Places where our memories of each other overlapped or gapped.   Kitty in the Garden Why is it that some memories fade and others become precious stones that we hold on to?  The Dawn of a New Brain by Lori Lee Andrews My friend, the artist Lori Lee Andrews, just created a series of artwork about the human brain.  Her mother has dementia.  She has been thinking about memory and how our miraculous brains are structured.  The Reflection I created this painting during the Covid quarantine time.  Do you see the reflection of me in the vase?  Seeing this painting brings me right back to that feeling of being in alone, in the safe little cocoon of my house.   I've realized that many of the objects I own are little slices of memories.   Ladies by the Fountain in San Miguel When I look at items like this painting or my grandparent's nativity scene, memories are refreshed within me.    My grandparent's nativity scene Objects often become talismans that preserve our memories.    These photographs reminded me that my sister and I went with my grandfather to cut down our Christmas tree in 1986. My father had died a few weeks before. I had forgotten that detail. When we create artwork, take photographs, or bring out the holiday decorations we enshrine the images with our memories. We distill the big picture of our lives down into tiny drops.  A lot can be held within one image. What do you want to remember and how can you preserve it?  As we enter the new year, how do your memories affect your future decisions? May your next season be merry and bright and may you create many new happy memories.    Happy Holidays!