Ladybirds, Mystic Beetles, & Jellyfish
Invertebrate Art for the Soul
A Couple of Announcements:
Art Happenings with the Boulder Arts Association
TOMORROW: First Friday Celebration with Belly Dance Quick Sketching Friday July 4th Performance at 4:30pm
Envisioning the Dream Free Vision Board workshop Tuesday July 8th 6-8pm
Both events hosted in the BAA Studio 2810 Wilderness Pl, Suite C, Boulder CO
Save the Date for Summer Art Markets
Denver's Magick Maker Market July 19th, August 16th, and September 6th
BMoCA Summer Art Market during the Boulder Farmer's Market August 23rd
Denver Zine Fest September 14th
Bugs are cool.
Do all artists go through a phase where they become enchanted by the ancient and mystical wonder of invertebrates? I feel like it was only a matter of time before I came to this conclusion myself and it has arrived. Welcome to Bug Magick Summer here on Invoked.
Or perhaps it’s simply the summer heat connecting me to the Fire Magick of the Invertebrate world. I watched a video about insect paintings from the 15th century artist Joris Hoefnagel. In his collection of amazingly detailed paintings of the natural world, titled the Four Elements, he grouped insects into the Ignis folio- Ignis for fire. 🔥
Whatever the case may be, i'm flowing with the tiny and mysterious world of Beetles and Jellyfish for the time being.
Here are my first three creations and ideas for more insect art to come.
A Ruby Infused Bishy Barney Bee
The Ruby Ladybird is a beacon for Luck, Inner Light, and Finding the path to Success as you define it.
My Grandmother called Ladybirds Bishy Barney Bees, a strange Norfolk folk name. Working with my ancestors has been a key theme of my ritual and art making this year. It has mostly manifested in the explorative creation of Vision Rivers instead of Vision boards throughout each Moon cycle. As I completed my workings with the River Hart from Crondall in England, the oldest known location of my Granny's family tree, Ladybird floated into my life. I was compelled to create an art object to symbolize this guide entering my life, to place with my Vision River and Goddess figure. A Paper Doll was the inspirational choice. I shared in my monthly update over on Patreon about my current obsession with Paper Dolls if you want to dive into that story some more. I was in complete and utter flow while making this little paper bug, so much so I decided to make another for my magickal mail club.
A Mist Guardian Beetle
The Mist Guardian Beetle watches over the threshold, sitting in the mist-filled magick of Liminal Spaces.
Sacred Play is a major part of my art practice. Letting my inner child take the reigns and create brings peace and humor simultaneously into my studio. Dedicating my time to creating a blue beetle paper doll felt slighlty absurdist but also filled me with total delight. I am in the midst of creating a Magickal Ecosystem, bringing the messages of the insect realm to life with movable, tangible, experiential dolls.
I want to make a whole rainbow of Beetle Paper Dolls to adorn my altar and fill my life to the brim with the mysterious messages of the beetle realm. In the Dream Arc Beetle and Ladybird invite facing fears of Success and being Ordinary. Spending time in the mythos of Beetle is leading me to unknown frontiers in my art practice, new and unexpected corners of creativity.
What happens when you create for the joy of it, without knowing where it will lead?
For me it apparently leads to creating playful and sacred paper dolls! If you missed the June Perks of Patreon you can still collect these two Beetle Paper Dolls for your own altar or Paper Doll Menagerie. They are now available as a print at home download on Patreon.
I want everyone to have the opportunity to collect the complete menagerie of Paper Doll Beetles so I am releasing them in pairs as a print-at-home download.
Print each beetle and place them on your Altar, gift to friends, or create with Children (or you inner child) for an afternoon of bug-filled delight. My son loves these little creations as much as I do.
Go Freely - Jellyfish Mixed Media
Although technically not an insect, Jellyfish are still part of the world of Invertebrates and feel entwined with this same theme of facing fears, discovering new pathways, and expanding the messages of my inner mythos. I chose to create a Jellyfish for the upcoming BAA group show, Red/White/BlueYOU which opens tomorrow with a First Friday Celebration at the Wilderness place studios.
Any time I go to an Aquarium I am enchanted by the slow motion glide of the Jellyfish tank. Tuning into that gentle motion through paper and color was a challenge. In the end I find the fluid forms of the paper are an exciting contrast to the sharp color palette of red and blue, a palette I rarely work with.
I think for an upcoming theme for my Patreon, in accompaniment to a fresh issue of 52 Ripples, I will create a Jellyfish Paper Doll. I envision the movement brought to the tendrils of the Jellyfish through the play of the Paper Doll will add even more enchantment to the art.
I have visions of making Praying Mantis, Bee, Dragonfly, Octopus, Snake, and so many more wondrous creatures into Paper Dolls!
Would you welcome a new creature to your altar? What being is calling to you?
Speaking of 52 Ripples...
In July we are exploring the POND & Turtle Magick In the Creative Coven on Patreon 🐢
52 Ripples is a Zine diving into the majesty and wonder of Water.
This month Featuring Art & Poetry from Guest Contributor Jeanne Kipke of the BAA
Zine Club patrons receive monthly Magickal Mail, Access to the Zine Archive, and Digital Goodies!
Drop into the water magick this month by becoming a Patron:
Khindness - Secret Content $3.33 / month will receive a Pond Themed Ritual, access to hundreds of posts, and the monthly update
Khindling - Magickal Mail $5.55 / month will receive a Turtle Paper Doll with original watercolor art by yours truly.
Khaleidoscope - Zine Club $15.15 / month will receive 52 Ripples Zine vol IV: POND, filled with art, magic, and inspiration.
Thank you for Reading and Supporting INVOKED
If you enjoyed this post check out another:
A Solstice for Gratitude with RUBY
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I have two free events with the BAA in July plus a New Moon Gathering on Wednesday!
Bees
Call to me