June Volume 6

In this issue..

• Artwork from my studio

• Vesica Piscis “Sacred Mother”

• Discounts & Discontinued Courses

Artwork from my studio.

From My Studio 365 Painting

Project We are in week 22 of our 365 Painting project I’m enjoying the process of exploring shape and line in various relationships to each other. Also because, for the most part restricting my color palette many challenges are presenting for me to dig deeper to explore new ideas and spatial juxtapositions

Many of you are exploring this project along with me, the idea that we will have 365 unique paintings at years end is ultimate motivation!

Artwork By Robyn McClendon

Artwork By Robyn McClendon

VESICA PISCIS

“A Symbol for the Sacred Mother”

Vesica Piscis is a geometric shape that consists of two overlapping circles with the same diameter, creating an almond shape in the center. The name comes from the Latin words for “fish bladder,” as the shape resembles the structure of a fish bladder.

In ancient times, the Vesica Piscis was a sacred symbol with various spiritual and religious meanings. It was used in art and architecture, representing the union of heaven and earth, the feminine and masculine energy, and the creation of life. The symbol was also associated with the goddess Venus and was used to depict her in different cultures.

It is a symbol that represents the interconnectedness of all things. Its shape is formed by two overlapping circles, and the space where they overlap is called the Vesica.

We see this with the imagery of Madona and child. This is a predominant depiction of this sacred union in Christian iconography. Until brought to your attention you may have never thought about the shape.

Many Sacred Mother cultures use this symbol and often just the oval to represent the womb, the Sacred origins of life, even the egg shape being derived from this same geometry in the form of the orobous or cosmic womb.

Here are a few cultural references to the use of the Vesica Piscis:

1. Christianity - The Vesica Piscis is an important symbol in Christian art, particularly in depictions of Christ. The two overlapping circles represent the intersection of heaven and earth, and the divine and human natures of Christ.

2. Celtic mythology - The Vesica Picsis is a common motif in Celtic art, often representing the union of two opposites. In Celtic mythology, the symbol is associated with the goddess Brigid, who was worshipped as a deity of healing, poetry, and smithcraft.

3. Hinduism - The Vesica Piscis is a significant symbol in Hinduism, where it is known as the Sri Yantra. The symbol is used as a tool for meditation and is believed to represent the unity of the divine and the universe.

4. Ancient Egypt - The Vesica Piscis was used in ancient Egyptian art to represent the goddess Nut, who was associated with the heavens and the cycle of rebirth. The symbol was also used in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

5. Geometry - The Vesica Piscis is a fundamental shape in geometry, representing the intersection of two circles with the same radius. It has been used in architectural design, art, and religious symbolism for thousands of years.

SACRED MOTHER Cont..

Also, The association between fish bladder and the sacred womb may be due to the fact that the fish bladder was once believed to have medicinal properties and was used in traditional medicine to treat female reproductive issues. Additionally, some cultures may have viewed the bladder as a symbol of fertility and creation, similar to the womb.

Mathematically, The Vesica Piscis is a shape formed by the intersection of two circles with the same radius, creating a space in the middle that resembles a fish. It has been used in sacred geometry to represent the union of opposing forces.

A well known example to the Vesica Piscis is In the Chalice well lid design, a spear or a sword bisects these two circles, there is a legendary connection to the protective forces of the Knights of the Round Table and the Sacred Feminine in older traditions.

This leads me to also think about and reference the Cathars as a group of people with rich traditions in Europe prior to the religious wars whose connection to the Sacred Mother can be found outlined profoundly in their Book of Love

For example they held a recognition of the feminine principle in the divine – God was both male and female. The female aspect of God was Sophia, “wisdom”, this belief encouraged equality of the sexes in Cathar communities.

Artwork from Sacred Mother Book Project

I’m excited to be a part of this amazing Retreat and among an Amazing line-up of Artists...this will not disappoint and the EARLY BIRD SIGN UP is NOW!

PLEASE JOIN ME HERE!

Over the next three months I’ll be offering deep discounts on my courses as bundles, these are courses that I will be discontinuing and no longer offering, Each month a new set of courses will come available for enrollment. I will send out a quick email reminder with the links. So take note of your bundle wish list so that you don’t miss this chance to acquire a great deal!

As I’m discontinuing many courses to usher in new projects, I will still be on YouTube and my Patrons can find me sharing my “behind the scenes” studio projects! Those things will not change. Also any courses that have already been purchased or will be purchased you will have full lifetime access. Once the courses are retired they will not be available for future purchases.

Exclusive Deals on courses that will no longer be available!!!

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS in

June

June

Offering #1

Gelli Printing Master Class Bundle

$165 ($490 Value)

Shop Here

Includes 2 Master Class Courses:

• Large Scale Paintings W/ the Gel Plate

This workshop will help you think outside of the dimensions of your plate so that you can use familiar techniques to create a large scale painting that is, for example, 4 by 4 feet, or even scroll length. You will learn to work as big as you wish. You will learn to use the plate as a mixed media tool, rather than an end-all tool. In this master class, we will look at this process from the perspective of a painter. We will use paintbrushes and other mark making tools. We will use paper sizes of approximately 24 X 30 inches. Incorporating new and existing Gel Prints in to the collage process, over printing, & building up rich textures with stencils, stamps, paint brushes and other mark making tools. These techniques will result in a finished piece of art with a complex, lush and richly informed surface. This course includes two pre-recorded sessions and a replay of a live session.

• Gel Printing Fabric to Book Structure W/ Encaustic Wax Book Covers

I have designed this workshop as a truly unique Master class in this series because who wouldn’t want to go deeper into printing on fabric with the Gel plate? We will work with different fabrics all designed to ultimately culminate in a finished book structure. We will be creating an uber juicy & thick book with covers collaged from gelli printed fabrics we’ve made and thennnn…. drum roll please….cover with encaustic wax!!! Yes, Wax! Using, eco friendly non toxic beeswax, we will use the encaustic wax on our book cover and boards and experiment with using the wax on some of the fabric pages in our books as well.

Offering #2

Ebook Bundle $13 - ($40 Value)

Shop Here

Includes 4 Ebooks:

• Boro Bundle Book

• Kuba Cloth Images Ebook

• Gelli Prints Using Oils Ebook

• Gelli Print Backgrounds Ebook

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS will be available in July & August

Over the next three months as the bundles become available for enrollment I will send out a quick email reminder with the links. So take note of your bundle wish list so that you don’t miss this chance to steal a great deal!

July

Offering #1

Gelli Printing & Collage Series $110 - ($325 Value)

Includes 8 Courses:

• Intro to Collage

• Collage with Gelli Printing Techniques

• Grunge Photo Prints and Collage Ideas

• Eco-Dyeing and Staining

• Gelli Printing with Oil Paints and Oil Sticks

• Gelli Printing with Watercolors and Spray Inks

• Gelli Printing with Stencils

• Gelli Printing on Fabric

Offering #2

Book Bundle $50 - ($150 Value)

Includes 3 Courses:

• Tamashi Bundles to Book

• Transforming Gel Printed Envelopes into a Travel Journal

• File Folder Book Tutorial)

August

Offering #1

Hearth Codes Bundle $65 - ($195 Value)

Includes 2 Courses:

• Hearth Codes Beginnings

• Hearth Codes

Offering #2

Color Theory Bundle $45 - ($135 Value)

Includes 2 Courses

• Color Theory for the Gel Plate

• Gel Plates Meet Color TheoryA master Course for Gelli Lovers