SPALENKA EYE

I created and edited the background visuals and simple animations for Danaë Vlasse's Mythologies concert which was held at the University of AL in Huntsville. 

Ming of Void Visuals in Germany helped with fractal imagery and motion graphics expert Chris Friend in Los Angeles was incredible with some animations. I was able in less than two weeks to whip up a video presentation for the entire show. I still do not know how I did it. Here are a few excerpts.

Sopranos: Sangeeta Kaur & Hila Plitmann

Tenor: Camron Gray

Piano (Principal): Robert Thies

Piano: Melody Ng

Violin: Joshua Burel

Cello: Paul Vest

Lyra & Percussion: Danaë Vlasse

Charcoal drawing of Death from Sandman in The Art of Greg Spalenka book. This video showcases my process of sketching out the figure then adding clothes and other items to enhance the story. Music by Montana Jose.

 Did you know that Tarot and Oracle deck YouTube reviews are a thing?

 Most of the reviewers did not know who I was, whereas others like Raecine Ardis of Fire, Grace and Beauty had some framed prints of my art.

The final version of the Divine Nature Oracle Limited Edition Altar set.

Thank you to everyone who supported it.

Thank you also to Angi Sullins for her insightful prose and US Games for helping produce a beautiful Oracle deck, Rachel Watkins for the elegant plate and bowl ceramics, Matt Campos for the beautiful mala beads, Roxana of Illuminated Perfume for the hand made incense, Mother Nature for the exquisite rose quartz, and the Bees for the pure wax tea lites.

I just received a new box of the Art of Greg Spalenka - Visions From the Mind's Eye books from London! Nine years after it has been printed, it is still a thrill to open a package of these.

The video is a recent drawing I placed in one of them. If you have not seen the book it represents 30 years of my art career and the printing is absolutely gorgeous... literally glows on the pages. It took a year working with my good friend and graphic designer, Jeff Burne to review all the work and design the book. In my opinion, it is one of the most impressive projects Jeff has produced in his career.

I am grateful that a decade ago, Titan Books embraced me to be included in their amazing collection of artists. 

COLLECT

I am part of a group show in Austin, Texas at Music Hill Ranch, opening Friday, Feb. 24 with a new experimental body of work. This is the first of many explorations on themes of the Goddess and historical photographic processes.

R-Evolution The Triumph of Alchemy & the Sovereign Goddess

6'x3' Triptych of cyanotypes on paper.

10,000 years ago was the golden age of the Great Goddess. Women were venerated as creators of life. During this time, communication, art, beauty, tolerance, balance, peace, creativity, prevailed with a caring respect for nature. Conflict was minimal and war almost non-existent. The shift to patriarchal rule upset the balance between men and women, initiating the decline of basic human values. Gods rose above the Goddess, hiding her in shadow.

Alchemy is an ancient mysterious doctrine. Transformation is the goal of all alchemical exploration, but the "Great Work” of creating a Philosopher's Stone was the prize. The perfection of this essence was termed “the absolute.” Turning lead into gold was considered real and symbolic. However, enlightenment was most desired. It was perceived and realized as the Beauty of all Beauty, Love of all Love, and the High most High. True alchemy was misunderstood and so during the fourteenth century this science fell into grave disrepute, and many good practitioners suffered prison and death.

The Great Goddess and the Great Work as forces of nature and spirit live on, revealed in the power of personal transformation. As I learned more about these sacred concepts, I envisioned the Goddess of Sovereignty returning to the consciousness of the world… reviving the Divine Feminine and the Anima Mundi – the World’s Soul. To embolden the R-Evolution of Humanity.

My experiments with cyanotypes and early historical photography processes reflect a type of alchemy in the elements of earth, fire, water and air. The symbolic elements of EARTH are found in the film, paper, and emulsion, FIRE is the sun’s rays exposing and transforming the chemicals into light and shadow, WATER develops and transfigures the image, AIR finishes the process of manifestation. This technique includes painting with the emulsion, destroying and rebuilding the image and repeating the process. Each piece is an evolution. Resurrecting concepts of the Goddess and Alchemy in this manner, allows me to reflect upon aspects of my own personal evolution within the realms of nature and spirit.

This event is a ticketed event with exotic food, bar, live music!

Here is a hint at the introduction to the deck by Angie-

"Every human life faces a daily challenge: to embody our mammalian humanity, with all its needs, wants, power and vulnerabilities OR to inhabit our divinity, accessing the radiance of the I AM as it lives in us, through us, as us.

There is a bridge between those two conditions constructed of compassionate awareness. For our purposes here, we will call it Presence, and acknowledge it as the passageway between your humanity and your divinity.

As humans on planet Earth, nature is our home. But your own nature, as nurtured through your golden spirit and your evergreen human heart, is the primary eco-system home you reside in daily. At any given moment, whether you’re in curiosity or crisis or even celebration mode, you are either experiencing your human longing, your spiritual belonging, or walking across the bridge between the two.

The moments we find ourselves on the bridge, in Presence, are the ones that help us see clearly the never-ending gifts of spirit, while also helping us stay grounded in our human experience. The images contained in this deck and the words in this booklet are here to take your hand as you explore the bridge and all that you are."

US Games has produced some beautiful Tarot and Oracle decks with some very fine artists. The decks are printed in China. I would have preferred they used US printers, however when it comes to quality, the Chinese can elevate the craft to a fine art. My Art of Greg Spalenka retrospective book published by Titan Books in London, was printed in China and it was glorious. I have seen a glimpse of the cards and the box and it looks stellar. 

The goal with the Divine Nature Oracle Deck is to create a sacred space for personal divination and inspiration. The ritual of pulling a card and asking spirit to impart a moment of encouragement with art and uplifting words– I feel is a simple affirmation of doing something good and fun for ourselves. After living with the cards for a while I am certain you will feel the wisdom inside them. Meditate with them... and may you feel love within.

I have created two limited edition sets to compliment your experience of the deck. These are now sold out.

"I use the figure in most of my art because it can communicate an infinite variety of ideas and emotions. I especially love the nude figure, as it is universal and timeless."

This drawing with charcoal on newsprint started with a live fifteen minute pose of the model. The goal of the short pose is to capture the energy of the figure. Then using memory and imagination I brought refinement to the final drawing. 

Matt Tadalan Campos, the incredibly talented jewelry and drum maker / Shaman, was the model.

COLLECT THE DRAWING HERE.

"I use the figure in most of my art because it can communicate an infinite variety of ideas and emotions. I especially love the nude figure, as it is universal and timeless."

This drawing with charcoal on newsprint started with a live fifteen minute pose of the model. The goal of the short pose is to capture the energy of the figure. Then using memory and imagination I brought refinement to the final drawing. 

Adelaide Marcus, the incredibly talented dancer, artist, was the model.

Purchase the drawing HERE.

This drawing session of fifteen minute poses was created at the First Fridays at Lena Street event in Santa Fe, NM. The goal of these short poses is to capture the energy of the model. These sketches are essentially warm ups for more complex drawings that can come later. For now it is about having fun and feeling the movement. Charcoal on newsprint.

Matt Tadalan Campos, the talented artist, drum maker, jewelry/bead artisan, shaman was the model.