HESTIA Goddess of Home and Hearth

Hello dear ones.... As I was assembling my latest batch of Sacred Faces to photograph and list on Etsy... one of the faces spoke to me!  Here she is....

 In Ancient Greek religion Hestia is a goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She came to me today in the form of a vintage hearth broom. I followed her guidance as she chose fabrics and beads that spoke to her. Does she speak to you? To me, she seems to be offering great understanding and compassion for the sacredness of our hearth and home.

She is listed on my ETSY SHOP.

 Her face and adornments are made from terracotta clay, staying true to her organic nature, (not the plastic polymer clay). Painted with layers of Stewart Gill paints. Her clothing is painted and dyed muslin and beautiful, flowing Thai Silks. I was about to iron the silks and her guidance said, "No. I represent the imperfect in all of us, transforming to beauty. Much like trying on your mother's clothing. So leave the wrinkles." And I did.

Her necklace is of terracotta clay impressed with an 'Impress Me' primitive stamp. All of the red/orange beads you see are harvested from a vintage Czechoslovakian necklace I own (yet hardly ever worn).

 She hangs naturally from her broom hanger, perfect to hang on your hearth. She hangs 14" from the top of her head (not counting the hanger part) and measures 11" arm to arm.

Here she is, still on her painting tile, amongst her sisters, also now listed on Etsy. (Make your own Spirit Doll!)

 

New Devine Feminine Spirit Doll Faces...

Hello friends. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful Fall Saturday! It's going to be sunny and warm here in the Redwoods. Also a perfect day for the beach! lol... I'm going to be in my studio, for a full, uninterrupted, day of art making!

This week a new Goddess You can see more of the faces on my Etsy site. Yes. I'll be selling these so you can make your own!(CLICK HERE). Please feel free to ask for help or guidance. It's a fun process and easy to do. Most meaningful if you gather embellishments from your environment.

face emerged, made from a new mold from an antique angel statue... bringing forth some beautiful new "Devine Feminine" faces.

How these spirits emerge... I have a 'thing' about being as organic as possible. So all faces are made from real, terracotta clay. (Not plastic, polymer.) They are air dried for a few days in the California Sun, filtered through the Redwoods, naturally.

When the clay is still soft and wet, I often place holes in places where it would be convenient to secure them to a Spirit Doll body. Then an Etsy customer asked for one without holes and I discovered I can easily drill holes where ever desired. I think maybe these faces would be great for jewelry making? mixed media assemblage?

Once they have dried, each face 'speaks' to me, as I begin to layer glaze upon glaze of the amazing Stewart Gill Byzantia paints. Stewart Gill paints are all hand made with love, by a small family company in England. I was introduced to their wonderful quality at an Art and Soul retreat in Portland, over 6 years ago. They truly are amazing! I've tried other similar paints, ones much easier to find/purchase.... but these are well worth the effort!

My stash from 6 years ago  has dwindled and I found a more local source:  "Artist Cellar." This is what they say: Drawing inspiration from the art and architecture of the Byzantine Empire, Byzantia paints are incredibly rich, luscious and intense simulating cloisonné jewel toned enamels in a water based formula. AND! They shipped them immediately!! FREE!

Painting the faces is a sweet time of contemplative meditation, as I allow each spirit to 'speak' to me. I'm never quite sure what will appear. And I'm always surprised, pleased, and so honored when I get the message "Complete. Do no more."

Hugs to all... xoxo Chris
Here are some close ups. Each face is unique and has her own ancient Wise Woman presence!

Sweet Spirit Doll

Sweet Spirit is my first 'Doll for Sale' on Etsy. (Click to see.)
Here is your preview!
Sweet Spirit is about 13" tall and 9" from arm to arm. She has Mulberry Paper roses in her hair. Her hair is a combination of moss and yarn. Her face is molded from terracotta with many layers of stains to achieve an integrated multicolored effect.

Her arms are constructed of Redwood branches from my property. Her body, head, and arms have layers of moss. Her clothing is made from scraps of vintage lace and netting fashioned over a multi-color cotton tunic. She is adorned with beads and silk ribbons and a fern breastplate sculpted in terracotta.

Sweet Spirit is made to hang on a wall. A perfect blessing for your home!

My First Teaching Retreat: Spirit Dolls

Hello dear friends.... 

I'm just back from my first teaching retreat focused on the 

healing qualities of our Ancient Ancestors 

represented by the creation of our individual Spirit Dolls. 

What follows are about 50 pictures I haven't edited yet.

Come back soon, I'll post captions and explainations

of the processes.

Question: Is there a 'better' name for these creations?

 Many people are put off by the term 'doll'.