Visions for New Artwork. Series 1. Original Art. Original Photography.
I give myself time and space to reflect.
I care for my temple. I eat simply. I breathe deeply.
I open my heart. I care for myself. As I care for other beings.
I give myself permission to delve deeply into the ‘Winter of my Soul.’
I declutter my mind. I acknowledge that ‘I am a beautiful Soul.’
My Spirit has trust that life will continue to regenerate.
And I allow time and space to expand. ~Ally.
Source: The Heart of Immortality. Earth ♥︎ Sand ♥︎ Water ♥︎ Ice.
Building assemblages using glass to seperate layers was not an entirely new idea for me. I first used glass in The Waterfall of Life: Fifteen years ago now.
And working on a new piece for the Collaborative Art Journey #22 in July last year, I once again used glass for this purpose.
Starting New Artwork.
For some reason, not totally unknown, I find it extremely difficult to settle into actually DOING new artwork.
One of my challenges is that I always have many ideas all clammering for attention. And I love so many different mediums. So where to start?
Sharing these thoughts now with my Steemit friends, is my way of clarifying them for myself, as well as letting the Universe know:
I AM going to start new artwork and that I AM open to any guidance you may be able to give me NOW. ~Ally.
I'm slowly edging towards starting: Just in doodling with charcoal and pastel at the moment and having dabbled with coloured pencil and acrylics a short time ago.
After taking in @sunscape's New Moon Energy Guidance: I know more deeply that I've been edging towards new work for the past six years, and most likely for a lot longer.
Creative. Collaborations. Soul.
Connections. Artistic passion. Inspired by Spirit. ~Colette Baron-Reid.
Queen of Fire was the third card ~ It virtually moved towards me. And once again the message of the card I'd selected really rang true for me:
This energy you are walking in at the moment is due to all the introspection that you have been doing over the past few years. You have done the hard work of examining your thoughts, beliefs and released any judgements concerning many of your life events.
And the affirmation:
I co-create with others, dedicated to a vision of achieving the highest good of all.
For new works, that in miraculous ways.
Are already on their way to coherence, include:
- 1. New Ephemeral Art:
Infinity Smiles was the first stage, a detail of the whole flatlay that I'll be sharing soon.
This photograph shows one of the later stages.
This simple flatlay heralds work that will feature representations of land, sea, air and fire as landscapes, embraced by the Infinity symbol.
Works will be both assembled in my studio from natural materials and arranged in the natural environment.
- 2. Infinity and Eternity Symbols in more Traditional Art forms:
I've started drawing this symbol. Initially in small drawings with pencil, but it wasn't long before I could feel the rhythm of the symbol as I drew ~ Like a gentle swaying from side to side. A lot here to be explored: Drawing with movement.
- 3. New Flower of Life:
The Crimson Seed of Life was my first flatlay incorporating the Seed of Life.
I created many different variations of Everlasting Spiraling using the same Crimson Seed of Life design.
I've had a natural affinity with the Flower of Life and Seed of Life for eons and have known my new work in both ephemeral art and drawing would somehow incorporate this ancient symbol. ~Ally.
The new series will incorporate the Seed of Life in collage in all the colours of the rainbow with different patterns and arrangements.
In my next article: Visions for New Artwork. Series 2: I'll clarify my thoughts about other new work that will incorporate:
- Obelisques.
- Feathers and Butterflies.
- Water and ice as my medium.
Photography: ©Alison Lee Cousland.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 Mark II.
Processing: Lightroom.
You are really appealing to the art explorer in me. I am in several photography classes at the moment and the profound effects are never ending. I like the way you create. great job!! tip! .30
GREAT
Photography is such a broad area to explore. So many areas to delve into deeply. I went back to art school several years ago to learn photography after becoming interested in collage. Slow at understanding the technical side of it, but loved experimenting with double exposures etc.
There's so much you can learn in photography by pushing the boundaries and learning from the 'Greats of Photography' as well as seeing contemporary photography exhibitions. Some I've seen here in Sydney ~ Almost like large paintings with such amazing colour.
Love iPhone photography. Great for online imagery, but I don't think it can be reproduced with the same magnificence as digital or film photography.
I've loved working with mediums and areas that aren't considered to be 'Art' with a capital 'A' and make them my Art. Maybe eventually others may see what I do as Art too. But if they don't, that's OK too.
REALLY appreciate the tip Rebecca. It's so encouraging to feel your giving and take it as a symbol of my work having a wonderful future. 🙏
Hi @allyinspirit! You have received 0.3 SBD tip + 0 SBD @tipU
from @rebeccabe :)
@rebeccabe wrote lately about: Consciousness Is Not Ai. Feel free to follow @rebeccabe if you like it :)
Tipuvote! - upvote any post with with 2.5 x profit :)
I love that creation with the orchids and the white flowers. It’s one of my favorites. It is so delicate. The glass gives it such an interesting dimension. When I worked as a staff photographer at an agency, I used to have assignments to shoot using layers of glass.
just be in the receptive mode of my soul by doing what makes me feel good NOW, and eventually it will lead me to another activity that makes me feel great NOW, and so on....
well that's my process when I feel a bit lost about what should I do now ? (painting ? drawing ? which materials, tools, theme ?) and then I realize there is nothing I should do,
instead, the path is unfolding at each moment and there is no right or wrong, there is only what I'm feeling and my choice to feel good...so my question then evolve and becomes what would make me feel great just now ?
I Love your Nature collages, you are outdoing yourself in them, it's your unique style ;-)
I'm eager to see your drawings but I think you don't have to force anything if it is not the right moment..you have to feel it and let it flow ^_^
That is such beautiful advice Barbara. I too feel my way and wait for that impulse that says... it is time in this moment of now. Ideas can loom around in the head for ages and then, it all comes together in the heart.
Exactly ! and when we sort of force them, it is not satisfying and frustrating ...
When there is good momentum, things are falling in place in a cool and easy way ^_^
I know the truth of this too @sunscape.
Often ideas come while I'm drawing, for extending that particular drawing or for another drawing again.
From my 'doodles' in pastel, so far I've learnt that my 'creative muse' loves the way colours can blend together with pastel and that different papers are better for blending than others.
That pastels on sandpapered and textured papers, made specifically for pastel are best left unblended, so that the background is left to show through. Apparently, this allows the light of the pigments to be reflected.
Whereas pastels on smooth drawing papers will blend with smudging ~ But then they'll need fixative. More about ideas coming from the heart in my next answer to you. 🦋
Wonderful suggestions Barbara.
I'm wary of all the shoulds that constantly vie for my attention and know that it really is up to me to select the medium that I love ~ At any particular time.
I do love working with natural materials and letting what I've always called, my 'creative muse' play and arrange them so that THEY are happy. I get a feeling for where particular fragments want to go. Who they want to be with or if they want to be left alone. And when they are in the 'right place' I have a sense that they are smiling.
And I love drawing ~ Once I'm in the middle of a drawing the feeling is magnetic. I know, you know this feeling when you are in the middle of drawing and painting.
I loved charcoal when I was at art school. And although I don't have a lot of experience with pastels, there is something about the softness of pastel that I love ~ Images of those foggy, blurred and muted horizons with just a little suggestion of detail really attract me.
You are so right about not forcing myself to draw because if it is to be, there will be a right moment to begin.
I've started with pastels ~ Just smudging and drawing the infinity symbol with different cloured lines, yellow and purple till it turned VERY muddy. I've been looking at a few videos just to see how different people work with pastel. Some artists smudge and blend while others lay colour side by side. Trying both methods.
Thank YOU so much Barbara.
Very nice photography @allyinspirit :)
Nice artwork, one of the traits of a gifted person actually. And thank you for all your encouraging words. Regards.
Alison, your creative ideas are so magical indeed. I too love the seed of life, the flower of life and the infinity symbol. I use them in my crystal grids and have now come to feel how the seeds of life flow from my inner most being. It is such a beautiful dance, the act of creation. Your art reflects the inner beauty that is infinitely flowing through you. What a glorious Oneness you share with the Universe. Resteemed
Thanks so very much @sunscape. Your words are a balm to my spirit. And I love the connection we both share with the Seed of Life, Flower of Life and the Infinity/Eternity symbol.
I've always loved the design of the Flower of Life. The harmony it embodies. But it was only when it came in a dream that it started really calling to me to work with it in some way.
I feel that the Seed of Life and the Infinity symbol will come together now in what I'm doing ~ Whether that be in assemblage or drawing. What I don't know is HOW. And that's where the head can have a field day trying to work it all out. 👩🏻🎓
To explain my 'Head search' and 'Heart waiting' approach.
At the beginning of 2010 I was 'given' an idea for a work. And as the idea unfolded I realized that it was incorporating every art form I'd worked with for virtually decades. It then took 2 years to design, experiment and make, and then install that work. (Will share in Part 2.)
That was 6 years ago now and since then I've worked with photography, ephemeral assemblages and with water and ice.
What I'm referring to, when I say I'm waiting for the idea/concept, is not so much the idea for just one drawing or painting, or even a series, but the concept for another major artwork that will embody all that I have learnt from the ephemeral arrangements. And even though I haven't been working with traditional mediums, I have the feeling that drawing will be required in this overall concept.
But one step at a time ~ And I really hear what both you and Barbara are saying and I too always wish to work in this way. 🌀
I will be waiting with great anticipation to see your creative work. I just love what you have to share with us all. It just permeates my being when I see the magical vibes coming through with such beauty and grace.
Fantastic my dear. I've been waiting for your spectacular work. Thank you. Kisses my sweet friend :))
Beautiful spell. Luxurious beauty and innocence. Gentle palette of colors.
Forms and media, materials, beautiful! Inspiration for many ...
I enjoy your stories, @allyinspirit. I like your exceptional, specific work.
Oh yes!! I have been waiting for a post with your beautiful art!! ❤💕❤