Hey there! This month, I have been a busy bee. I had a great birthday, probably one of the best. The audiobooks I’ve been listening to are Demi Moore’s “Inside Out” and “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.” I’m relistening to the latter because it’s fun and reminds me of the things I should and shouldn’t give a f*ck about. It’s a cool listen and I recommend it to anyone who gives too many f*cks about everything.
The DIY Project I’m Dreading
Anyhow, I didn’t do the thing with my car roof, in case you’re wondering. If you’re new to this blog, it involved a DIY project I talked about in my last post, where I was going to spray Rustoleum (still a fun word to say) on my car roof to get rid of the rustiness. I got the spray, the primer, and even the sandpaper. But it’s sitting in a corner and not getting done. It’s been raining a lot, which is the perfect excuse. The idea of the task just overwhelms me. Is there something you’ve also been putting off because it seems overwhelming? I’m sure once it’s done we’ll look back and think – “That wasn’t too bad”. It seems that most tasks are like this – once they’re over and done with.
Digital Art to Acrylic Painting Goals
On a positive note, I have accomplished quite a lot. I finished a painting I’ve been working on. I’ve been trying to convert all my digital artwork into acrylic paintings. I finished my first one, and I’m pretty proud of it. It took a while because the transition from digital to acrylic art was not easy. At times it felt quite daunting and I put it aside for a bit. I originally wanted to keep it the same as the digital version, with the tree-like structure growing out of her head; however, certain elements didn’t work so well with paint. So, I decided to go in another direction — a nebula.
My Obsession with Space
I’ve been so immersed in space, reading about it, watching space documentaries on YouTube, and movies. I love everything about space and listening to all the physicists of our time — Michio Kaku, Janna Levin, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Creating space art makes me feel as if I’m tapping into some greater dimension within me, and it takes me there…it really does. I feel that we’re all connected to something greater than ourselves and that separation is an illusion. And this is why you’ll see space elements frequently in my work, because I long to connect with something greater.
The Devil is in the Details
In the acrylic painting version, I focused a lot on the details, which I believe are crucial. Among all the beautiful artworks I’ve gazed upon, it’s the details that win my heart the most. Oftentimes, it’s the smaller things that matter the most, making them not so small — only perceived that way. I infused the details with vibrant colors, which were fun and energizing to work with. I’m inspired by art and fashion with psychedelic influences, which I also imbued in this piece.
Introducing my Latest Artwork
So, having said all that, I introduce you to my latest painting: “Transcendence”. This vibrant artwork features a central figure split into blue and pink halves, symbolizing the balance and harmony between different aspects of the self—the unconscious and the conscious. The blue side represents calmness, intuition, and serenity, while the pink side embodies passion, creativity, and warmth. Together, they illustrate the unity of opposites within us all.
Key Elements of “Transcendence”
1. The Unlit Joint: In the figure’s mouth is an unlit joint, signifying potential and contemplation rather than action. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the power lies in the pause before our decisions. I’ve often found that deliberate stillness holds the greatest strength.
2. Sunglasses Reflecting the Cosmos: The figure wears sunglasses that reflect a supernova explosion, suggesting that our inner vision is capable of great revelations and ideas that are vast and infinite. This invites us to consider the boundless possibilities within our own minds and hearts. Sometimes all it takes is wearing different shades, or rather, tapping into a different perception…reframing things.
3. Heart Chakra Symbol: At the center of the figure’s chest is the heart chakra, representing love, compassion, and emotional balance. The symbol in the middle of the chakra is the Anahata, which is Sanskrit for “unstruck” or “unhurt.” This powerful symbol embodies the essence of our untarnished, pure self, radiating unconditional love and connection. It reminds us that at our core, we are whole and resilient, capable of profound empathy and deep emotional strength. It takes sacrifice and patience. Also, it translates into the mantra “Yam” pronounced as “yum”, which is said to activate your heart chakra.
4. Celestial Background: The background is filled with stars and nebulae, there’s even a spiral galaxy if you look closely. As I stated earlier, I love immersing myself with celestial elements, and because of this, I had to be careful not to overdo it. I was able to find a balance where these elements elevate the main figure rather than drown her. And so the figure is transcending earthly boundaries and connecting with the universe. This is what we should aspire to, through the heart chakra.
5. Halo and Star and Moon: Above the figure’s head, a glowing halo symbolizes enlightenment and spiritual awakening. In the sky, the star and a crescent moon add a touch of mysticism, representing guidance and the cyclical nature of life. These all tie together the theme of this artwork and the infinite journey of the soul.
My Art Process and Personal Reflections
Creating “Transcendence” was an immersive experience for me. I started with a black background, but then thought it best to add color to create a sense of depth and movement. So I began adding layers of color to the black background. I didn’t want it to be too light since space is mostly black. So I added a gradient of red, magenta, and violet.
The central figure was the same as in my digital artwork “Epiphany”, so all I had to do was transfer this sketch onto the canvas. The real challenge was getting the halves just right since now I’m using real paint, and I wanted to get the colors just right and the halves symmetrical. I paid careful attention to the application of the blue and pink to ensure precision in the division. And adding multiple layers required mixing the right combination of colors that matched the prior layer each time. For the pink side I used crimson red, magenta, scarlet, and a touch of white. For the blue side I used phthalo blue (one of my favorite colors to work with), cerulean blue, and a touch of white.
I had a great time painting the sunglasses and the reflection of the supernova on them. It was a great opportunity for me to play with light and shadow to create a sense of depth and realism. I couldn’t decide if the sunglasses should be black or if I should make them chrome and colorful like in the digital version. In the end I decided on black. It gave it a very Matrix look and it allowed me to reflect the supernova perfectly on the glasses. In the digital version, you can see Vaporwave Buddha reflected on her glasses.
The heart chakra symbol was added last, I used a fine brush to capture the intricate details. I enjoyed painting the mantra and the lotus petals around the chakra. I tried to give it a slight glow by adding layers of white to the mantra and using bright green. Green is the traditional color of the heart chakra. The green symbolizes love and compassion, balance and harmony, healing and growth, and a connection to nature and the natural world.
This painting represents a personal journey of growth and self-discovery. Through “Transcendence”, I captured the freedom that comes from embracing all parts of ourselves, even those that seem contradictory or often referred to as our shadow — in Jungian terms. This was not intentional though, and all the pieces in my Trippy Pop Collection evolved into this style. It may be a challenge I’m dealing with, reconciling two parts of myself. Is it a coincidence that I’m a Gemini and that all the pieces in this collection are split in half?
I’ve often found that art created without a strict or deliberate goal often allows the heart to freely express itself, leading to unexpected and meaningful outcomes that reveal what is deep inside. This painting for me is a celebration of what happens when unity allows for balance that leads to an infinite potential. It was a blast to make, and it was very difficult to finish as I did not want to part with the experience. But like all good things…
Thanks for reading! I hope your last weekend in June is awesome!
Yours truly,
The Dreaming Siren 🧜♀️
