with Tracy Beuchler from the Be Brave Stu

W A T E R

A N A R T I S T J O U R N E Y I N T O T H E C R E A T I V E P R O C E S S

T H E B E B R A V E S T U D I O

Water! It is in our human DNA to love the water, we need it, we are born from it. It has a power so strong it can take away anything that gets in its way, yet it brings with it a beauty that is awe inspiring.I followed the stream of my thoughts and it led me to pools, tide pools. I wanted to explore, just like when I am at the Ocean, explore all the cracks and creatures that live and die in these tide pools. Pools are round, luckily, I had on hand round substrates, also took apart some round trays to give me some larger tide pools. I was thrilled with the way this stream was flowing, everything was coming together. I knew I wanted to make the sea creatures out of sequins and beads, stitched with love. As I worked lots of feelings would wash over me, the circle of life especially, life begins in these pools, just like a womb, just like this new beginning I am on.Unfortunately, the circle can only begin when you have an ending, this can be difficult, but it is what it is.Salmon, the fish are a great example of this, they spawn in shallow water and then finish their cycle of life.I also explored using different products together, molding paste, ink, crackle paste, metallic paint and resin, for that real watery effect and glue to attach the stitched sea creatures. My vision turned out just as I wanted, when I look into these tide pools, I can see my reflection, I do like what I see, I am worthy of happiness. The feeling of Abandonment has been a common thread throughout my life, the mythological water being, Undine, a water nymph who becomes human when she falls in love, but is doomed to die if he is unfaithful, talk about fear of abandonment. Her story reminds me that I am in control of my own destiny, no one can sail this ship for me. That is what led to the painting “Reflection” working through the tide pools, I began to sense a feeling of abandonment lurking in those cracks, I needed to explore another element in the water, the freedom, the journey to newfound adventures. I started the painting the evening of the full moon, it was so big and bright, and I thought about how it would be reflecting on the water and how the moon controls the

Tide Pools 1 & 2 24” Wood panels, Acrylic paint, ink, moulding paste, resin and embellishment

Reflection 36” Stretched Canvas, Acrylic paint and embellishment

tides, high tide would free the creatures in the pools, returning them to the deep water. I love the stories in the painting, the kite is symbolic to me, thanks to Mitla, Mexico, it pulls me forward releasing joy and my adventurous spirit. The moon reflecting into the dark water is a beckon of hope and the ship is my journey to my destiny. Circle of Life.

I absolutely loved being in Water, I felt immersed in it. It brought me back to my why, why I am an artist and why I want to share this lifestyle with others, so they too can feel the freedom by jumping in the water. New beginnings.

Tracy Buechler is a Canadian contemporary mixed media artist, art educator and creativity coach. Being drawn to art to express her own experiences she discovered that a curiosity and a common yearning for all things creative and soulful drive us to live our most inspired lives. "I make art every day, I teach with a joy that brings beauty from sorrow, my spirit soars watching others light up connecting to their own creative practice, and I build communities. "

www.tracybbrave.com