 |
|
|
|
|
|
. : About me : .
 Name::Sapphire Dakini From::Boston, MA, United States "The secret of life is in art." - Oscar Wilde View My Profile . : Artist Statement : .
My art is an exploration of the importance of change and releasing the past, especially the people and situations
that hinder personal growth, empowerment and transformation. The utilization of mythic figures, archetypes, motifs
and themes allows me to explore letting go of the familiar, safe and secure in order to travel to the dark, often
frightening, places of the soul. In this way, I've learned to trust my inner voice and honor my soul's need for
expression and challenge. . : Recent Posts : .
Words of Wisdom from the Daily Om . : Archives : .
May 2005 . :Blog Rings : .
 |
. : Social Media : . . : Daily Om : .
. : Portfolio : .
www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing public photos from Sapphire_Dakini. Make your own badge here.
. : Printmaking : .
. : Masks : .
. : Memberships : .
Artists Foundation . : Yahoo Groups : .
Art Dollz . : Blogroll : .
|
|||||||
Thursday, July 09, 2009Words of Wisdom from the Daily OmWalking Through When Doors Open "When a door opens, walk through it. Trust that the door has opened for a reason & you have been guided to it. Sometimes we have a tendency to overanalyze or agonize over the decision, but it is quicker to simply go through the door & discover what’s there as that’s the only way to know. Even if it doesn’t seem right at first, opening this door may lead to another door that will take us where we need to go. Doors open when the time is right for us to enter a new space, metaphorically speaking, & we can have faith that walking through is the right thing to do. Sometimes we linger in the threshold because we are afraid of leaving our old life for a life we know nothing about. We may have voices inside of our heads that try to hold us back or people in our lives saying discouraging things. These voices, internal and external, are known as threshold spirits, & they express all the fears & doubts that arise at the beginning of a new life. Nevertheless, none of these voices can hold us back, & they will fall silent as soon as we cross the threshold. There are many doors that open in the course of our lives, leading us into new relationships, jobs, friendships, & creative inspirations. Our lives up to this point are the result of all the doors we have walked through, & our continued growth depends on our willingness to keep moving into new spaces. Every time we walk through an open door, we create a sense memory that encourages us to move into the new fearlessly. When we enter the new space, we almost always feel a thrill & a new feeling of confidence, in ourselves & in the universe. We have stepped across the threshold into a new life." - Daily Om Labels: Daily Om 
Sunday, July 05, 2009A Brief Shining Moment of Whinging The whole being sick the 1st part of the year & then having surgery has really thrown me off my stride. I'm having a hard time getting back into the studio. All of these new ideas are ricochetting around in my head but none of them seem to be ready to put down on paper yet. Maybe I'm just going to be out of sync until class starts in September & I'm "forced" back into a creative schedule. Maybe I'm just not quite myself yet. The doctor did say recovery would take 4-6 weeks & it's only been 3. Or maybe, here's a novel concept, I just need to stop beating myself up & just go with the flow for once. The world is probably not going to come to an end if I don't have a new body of work completed before the Fall semester starts & there's still plenty of time to get pieces ready for the Q4 show submissions & for the MCC grant application submission in December. Right now there are a number of other projects directly related to my marketing career & the next stage of my life that seem to be taking precedent. So maybe that's contributing to my lack of focus in the studio also. I started printmaking last summer & the subsequent 12 months have really been more about learning techniques & process than about creating art. I'll spend the rest of my life learning new printmaking techniques & honing the ones that I've already learned so the focus is now shifting to the imagery itself. There are a number of themes that I'm currently wrestling with... the sexual sub-text of the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood & southwestern mythology to name just 2. Wolves have been on my mind recently. I've been studying my tarot cards quite a bit as I prepare images for the transparencies that I'll use to create new solarplates. During my online travels, I came across Seena Frost's SoulCollage website & thought it might be interesting to see if I could apply some of her concepts to printmaking. "In this exciting, spiritual book, readers combine intuition with imagery to make personalized Tarot-like cards. SoulCollage cards carry more personal meaning than Tarot & the process of creating them is presented as a therapy. The process is a way to lure to the surface a person's inner wishes & thoughts. SoulCollage decks have 4 "suits" representing personality traits, community, archetypes & dreams. The cards can be used as an interpretive tool or presented as artwork. This book will attract anyone with creative flair, but also holds appeal for those seeking answers to life's deeper questions. A unique approach to self-exploration through artistic expression, this handsome & well-presented guide should find an enthusiastic audience."
Saturday, July 04, 2009Words of Wisdom from the Daily OmRoom for Expansion "You may feel today that you are finally ready to forge ahead with the exciting ideas you have long nurtured in your heart. A progressive mood can inspire you to take bold action, such as connecting with experts in your field, casting off your habits in order to embrace new techniques, or taking a first step that can potentially lead to enormous challenges. This can be the start of a thrilling period in your life, provided you act on your daring impulses & are willing to take the risks that will lead you toward satisfaction. If fear threatens to impede your progress today, consider that almost every grand feat is the result of momentous effort born of courage & determination. When we recognize that there is infinite room for expansion in our lives, we can forge ahead into the unknown without fear or anxiety. While we understand that the potential for failure does & will likely always exist, we choose to concern ourselves with only those aspects of the goal-realization process that are constructive. We are bold & act daringly because we can see that the prospective rewards offered by the calculated risks before us outweigh the pessimistic possibilities. And we do not second guess ourselves, because we accept that mistakes are a natural part of any quest for fulfillment & often offer their own unique blessings in the form of wisdom gained through experience. Your progressive approach to your objectives will help you focus on the positive aspects of the path ahead of you today." - Daily Om Labels: Daily Om
Thursday, July 02, 2009Where Did All of These Books Come From?I've developed the incredibly bad habit lately of starting multiple books & not finishing them before I start reading additional books. This must stop. I just collected the books that were scattered all over the loft & the pile is positively frightening. I have a lot of different projects going on right now (more than usual & I seem to be behind in all of them because of the surgery a couple of weeks ago) & each project seems to have it's own corresponding pile. Fortunately, I also have the titles in red on my iPod so I can listen to them when I'm at the office during the day. Here's the summer reading list:
Career
Art
Self-Improvement
Fiction
Labels: books
Wednesday, July 01, 2009Chiara Clemente's "Our City Dreams" I finally had a chance to sit down tonight & watch Chiara Clemente's documentary Our City Dreams & it totally lived up to my expectations. I'm a huge fan of Kiki Smith & Nancy Spero so the film was an interesting "window" into their processes, artwork & lives. The segment on Swoon (who I wasn't familiar with) was interesting because I could relate to her feelings of being trapped growing up in a small town. I did find the segment on Marina Abramovic to be a complete waste of time though. I'll have to admit that rarely do I "get" performance art other than Matthew Barney & Laurie Anderson. "Filmmaker Chiara Clemente profiles 5 diverse female artists, each of whom calls New York City home, in this intimate documentary. In the late '50s & '60s, Nancy Spero was on the front lines of the feminist movement. Today she creates art that challenges the polemics of warfare & sexual identity. Pioneering performance artist Marina Abramovic, meanwhile, responds to contemporary cultural issues by using her body as a canvas. Glass, plaster, ceramic, bronze & paper provide Kiki Smith with the appropriate tools to address philosophical, social & spiritual aspects of the human body, & Ghada Amer rails against "institutionalized feminism" by painting erotic canvases with traditional needle & thread. Lastly, emerging New York artist Swoon creates vibrant street art that amplifies the pulse of urban life. Over the course of the 2 years in which Our City Dreams was shot, each artist faces triumphs & challenges that give the viewer a tantalizing glimpse into the creative process." Labels: City of Dreams, Kiki Smith, Nancy Spero
Defining Your Direction Your Life’s Work "Many people are committed to professions & personal endeavors they never consciously planned to pursue. They attribute the shape of their lives to circumstance, taking on roles they feel are tolerable. Each of us, however, has been blessed with a purpose. Your life’s work is the assemblage of activities that allows you to express your intelligence & creativity, live in accordance with your values & experience the profound joy of simply being yourself. Unlike traditional work, which may demand more of you than you are willing to give, life’s work demands nothing but your intent & passion for that work. Yet no one is born with an understanding of the scope of their purpose. If you have drifted through life, you may feel directionless. Striving to discover your life’s work can help you realize your true potential & live a more authentic, driven life. To make this discovery, you must consider your interests in the present & the passions that moved you in the past. You may have felt attracted to a certain discipline or profession throughout your young life only to have steered away from your aspirations upon reaching adulthood. Or you may be harboring an interest as of yet unexplored. Consider what calls to you & then narrow it down. If you want to work with your hands, ask yourself what work will allow you to do so. You may be able to refine your life’s work within the context of your current occupations. If you want to change the world, consider whether your skills & talents lend themselves to philanthropic work. Taking stock of your strengths, passions, beliefs & values can help you refine your search for purpose if you don’t know where to begin. Additionally, in your daily meditation, ask the universe to clarify your life’s work by providing signs & be sure to pay attention. Since life’s journey is one of evolution, you may need to redefine your direction on multiple occasions throughout your lifetime. For instance, being an amazing parent can be your life’s work strongly for 18 years, then perhaps you have different work to do. Your life’s work may not be something you are recognized or financially compensated for, such as parenting, a beloved hobby, or a variety of other activities typically deemed inconsequential. Your love for a pursuit, however, gives it meaning. You’ll know you have discovered your life’s work when you wake eager to face each day & you feel good about not only what you do but also who you are." - Daily Om Labels: Daily Om
Monday, June 29, 2009Words of Wisdom from the Daily OmAffirming an Abundant Future Squirrel Medicine "Native Americans considered all living beings as brothers & sisters that had much to teach including squirrels. These small creatures taught them to work in harmony with the cycles of nature by conserving for the winter months during times when food was plentiful. In our modern world, squirrels remind us to set aside a portion of our most precious resources as an investment in the future. Though food & money certainly fall into this category, they are only some of the ways our energy is manifested. We can conserve this most valuable asset by being aware of the choices we make & choosing only those that nurture and sustain us. This extends to the natural resources of our planet as well, using what we need wisely with the future in mind. Saving & conservation are not acts of fear but rather affirmations of abundance yet to come. Squirrels accept life’s cycles, allowing them to face winters with the faith that spring will come again. Knowing that change is part of life, we can create a safe space, both spiritually & physically, that will support us in the present & sustain us in the future. This means not filling our space with things, or thoughts, that don’t serve us. Without hoarding more than we need, we keep ourselves in the cyclical flow of life when we donate our unwanted items to someone who can use them best. This allows for more abundance to enter our lives, because even squirrels know a life of abundance involves more than just survival. Squirrels use their quick, nervous energy to enjoy life’s adventure. They are great communicators & by helping each other watch for danger, they do not allow worry to drain them. Instead, they allow their curious nature to lead the way, staying alert to opportunities & learning as they play. Following the example set by our squirrel friends, we are reminded to enjoy the journey of life’s cycles as we plan & prepare for a wonderful future, taking time to learn & play along the way." - Daily Om Labels: Daily Om
Sunday, June 28, 2009Maybe I Have a Short Attention Span... ... but I have to confess, I'm tired of hearing about Michael Jackson now. Yes, it's sad that he's gone so suddenly at such a young age but enough already. Today is the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Unfortunately coverage of that landmark event has been overshadowed by the coverage of Michael Jackson's death. MSNBC seems to be the only major news outlet marking the event. Anyway... Came across 2 really amazing artists this past week. The 1st is Ana Maria Pacheco who is a sculptor, painter & printmaker. Love her multi-plate color etching series, Tales of Transformations. The 2nd artist is experimental photographer, Anna Bodnar. The computer art section of her gallery is really incredible. Each piece demonstrates such depth of emotion. Yes, another confession... I'm not back in the studio working yet. Argh! I had planned to work on some new prints this weekend but I overdid it a bit this past week so I'm taking it easy this weekend. Of course, there's always reading, research, business & marketing plans to work on so it's not like I'm just lounging about in my feather boa eating bon-bons & watching soap operas. Can't wait until I'm 100% again though. The high points of my week were registering for the fall semester at the SMFA (Really slim pickings as far as classes go. Maybe MassArt will offer something interesting.) & unboxing & putting away the printmaking supplies that came in. The new metallic inks from Akua are beautiful. Can't wait to experiment with them. The only constructive thing I've accomplished so far this weekend as far as art is concerned is to prepare new digital images for solarplate transparencies. I want to continue working with the distressed wall imagery that I started last semester. Labels: life
|
