Facets of the Divine Feminine - New Paintings

Summer here has been busy, as we've moved into a new (bigger) house, which means a new (bigger) art studio! I am so delighted with my new space! There are still things to set up, and I can't wait to share more once the space is fully done. 

I have finished two more "Facets of the Divine Feminine" paintings last month that I wanted to share with you. From different eras and traditions, as well as a different types of energy: Sekhmet, Egyptian Warrior Goddess and Mother Mary, Christian Saint of Unconditional Love and Humility. 

I hope one or both resonate with you and the energies you are inspired to embody more of. 

Sekhmet, Goddess of War and Healing, is the most represented Goddess in the Egyptian Pantheon. With her lionness head, she is a fierce warrior and protector. As in many traditions, the Goddess of war wields the power of destruction as well as the power of healing and is greatly revered and called upon. Be inspired by Sekhmet’s fire and confidence when you need to remind yourself of your own power.

Professional grade oil paints on basswood panel 20x16 inches. Varnished and ready to hang. More info here.

Mother Mary needs no introduction as she is the most revered of the Christian world. She embodies and represents unconditional love, comfort, maternal care and humility. Millions around the world call upon Mother Mary for comfort, soothing and help.

Professional grade oil paints on basswood panel 20x16 inches. Varnished and ready to hang.
More info here.

Kuan Yin - Goddess of Compassion

My offering for this month is the Goddess Kuan Yin (also spelled Guan Yin). She is a human princess who attained enlightenment and ascended to Boddhisattva. Even though she was freed from her human body, she took compassion on all the humans still suffering on earth, and vowed to stay and help until every soul is free from the cycle of death and reincarnation. 

She is usually represented sitting on a pink lotus and brings a deep sense of nurturing and compassion. To bring more of her energy into the house, it is recommended to place a figurine or illustration of Kuan Yin by the front door. So that she can help protect the house and bring good fortune to each that cross the threshold. 

Here is my representation of Kuan Yin (oil paint on panel - 16x20 inches). More information and purchase here.

Maat and the Feather of Truth

My new painting represents the Goddess Maat and her feather. 

Maat is the Egyptian Goddess of truth, cosmic balance and justice. She holds an ostrich feather, symbol of that truth. The Egyptians believed there was inherent balance, harmony and goodness in the universe, and it was important that each person act with honor, truth and justice to align with this universal order. Maat represents this ideal of cosmic (and individual) balance. 

It was said that when one dies, their soul arrives in front of Maat, guarding the doors of heaven. Maat will then take the heart of the departed and put it on a scale on one side, with her olstrich feather on the other side. If the heart is as light as the feather, it is the proof that the person lived with honor, and the soul can pass on through the doors of heaven. To me, Maat is a reminder of the important living our lives without guilt or regrets, so that at the time of our death we can look back and feel confident that we would pass Maat's test. We’ll be light as a feather and at peace as we depart.

This painting is available for sale. For more information and price, please click here. 

Inspiration from Brigid

Brigid is the Irish Goddess of spring, fertility and life. She is also the patroness of healing, poetry and smithcraft. She is represented here with the fire of healing in her eye, sharing her deep practical wisdom with us through the centuries.

Brigid teaches us that the fire of healing, the fire of inspiration and the fire of the forge and home are one. There is no separation between the inner and outer worlds. I find it fascinating to reflect on the fact that Brigid's wisdom was passed down throughout many centuries (she is a pre-christianity goddess), and that one of her lesson is that everything is inter-connected. There is no separation between the fire used for cooking and heating the home, the fire used to create tools and weapons, and the fire of creativity that lives inside of us. One is no better than the other, one is no nobler or more necessary than the other. 

Moreover, she is also a goddess of healing, which I see as a message that tending to our fires (inner and outer) will bring us healing. 

This painting and others are available for sale. Click here for more information and to purchase.

REST - thoughs and new paintings

This month I'd love to share more about a sub-section of my series "Goddesses, Deities and Nymph" that I called REST. I didn't plan on it at all but the inspiration for it just came. So far there are 3 paintings (and probably more to come), that all celebrate rest (pictures below and more info here)

These past few months I've been reading, listening and reflecting on the idea of Rest as our birthright (by the way, I highly recommend the book "Rest is Resistance" by Tricia Hersey from The Nap Ministry). I've learned that the idea of "Grind/Hustle" Culture comes from capitalism and white supremacy. A culture that brainwashes us into thinking that if we work hard enough we will make ourselves worthy, and that we need to earn rest and pleasure. All so that we would be good exhausted soldiers whose labour make the system work. 

It's not easy to unravel all of our conditioning around it and I'm still learning to listen to my body and soul when they ask for more time to rest, think, feel and dream. I've painted these as a reminder and celebration of rest, sleep, daydreams, connexion with nature, the simple things in life. You see a nymph resting in a field of flower, one sleeping on a pillow of moss in the forest while a third one is bathing in a lake. 

I invite you to take a moment everyday to slow down, go outside, feel the sun on your skin, and just take a moment to appreciate life. Without feeling guilty of course :-)

Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati - 3 facets of the Divine Mother

During the 9 days of Navaratri, Hindus celebrate the 3 aspects of the Divine Mother known as Kali (or Durga), Lakshmi and Saraswati. Each Goddess is honored for 3 days each, with a 10th day being Victory Day. Each Goddess represents an essential aspect of the Divine Feminine: Death and Rebirth, Good Fortune and Family, Art and Knowledge.

I wanted to paint these 3 Goddesses one after the other in a similar style, with each their own vibe and characteristics. These pieces are made in oil paint and real gold leaves on 16x20 inches wood panels. They took about 25 hours of work each. Below are some more in depth sharing about each Goddess attributes and characteristics. To see timelapses of the process, head to my Instagram.

KALI

Kali is an aspect of the Divine Mother and generally associated with battle and death. She is a fiery Goddess born for battle against demons, but also a facet of the Divine Mother that helps clear the way for renewal, and is fiercely protective of her devotees. I like to think of Kali as a great warrior that protects me and is here to slay my inner demons.

I created this modern take on Kali to remind myself and others that the Divine Feminine is as much fierce, powerful and protective as it is loving and nurturing. And we need all the aspects in our modern lives.

LAKSHMI

Lakshmi is the Goddess of prosperity, abundance, fertility, beauty and good fortune. Usually represented holding a lotus flower in one hand, with gold coins flowing out of the other hand. She is the representation of the Divine Mother that nourishes and blesses all beings incessantly. Lakshmi is also the energy that transforms dreams into reality, and reminds us that both spiritual and material riches are our birthright.

Lakshmi has been a constant companion in the past decades as I turn to her for comfort and confidence in my path, as well as in the fact that we are all taken care of by powers much bigger than us. 

SARASWATI

Saraswati is the 3rd and final aspect of the Divine Mother celebrated during Navaratri in the Hindu tradition. Saraswati is the Goddess of the arts, of knowledge, creativity and education. She is often represented playing an instrument and holding the Vedas, that she loves to read. She has a calming and centering energy that helps the artist focus and tune in. 

Saraswati is also of great significance to me: I got her tattooed on my left arm as a symbol of my commitment to being an artist. Saraswati is also a symbol of the peace and fulfillment gained from making art, studying and enriching oneself, completely self contained, yet contributing to the beauty and peace of the world. 

I hope you enjoyed and please reach out if you have questions or want to know more!

Behind the scenes: creation of Lakshmi - Hindu Goddess of Abundance

Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Abundance. She is one of the three aspects of the Divine Mother, along with Durga and Saraswati. She brings good fortune, wealth and abundance of all good things. This painting accompanied my desire to let more abundance come into my life. 

Lakshmi started by me simply picking the Lakshmi card in the oracle deck: "Ascended Master and Archangels" from Doreen Virtue. The next day, I woke up at 6am and started sketching Lakshmi from that card. 

A few days later I went back and painted that sketch with watercolor, put it in a frame and put it up in my bedroom.

From there, I knew I had to create a piece on canvas. I was looking for a new job that would bring more passion and better pay, and I was connecting to Lakshmi's energy every day to help me with that. During a meditation session I saw the image of a gold Lakshmi on a purple shiny background. 

I create the background then traced her in Gold. 

Then finished with some shiny colors: pearl blue, pearl purple and gold (Golden's Interference paints).

Om Jai Maha Lakshmiyai Namaha

Acceptance

This new piece is very dear to my heart. It was made as a commission to a friend I never met in person but that has been supporting my art for about a year now, with her sweet words of praise and by purchasing paintings and prints, for herself and her friends. 

A couple months ago, she contacted me to ask me to design a painting for her. The only thing she said is that she'd like the word "Acceptance" on it. I meditated on it and tuned into her sweet energy and the image of a delicate open flower came to mind, with the word acceptance in gold, big and bold, superimposed. 

That brought back to mind a technique I had used a couple years ago to create the painting "Warrior of Love" (link below to check it out), that is now in another dear friends home. The technique is to use milk (I use almond milk) instead of water to create this effect of colors fusing together in this particular way. It always makes me feel like what happens in your cup of water when you rinse your paintbrush and the color starts to swirl around in the water. 

The center of the flower, as well as the flower of life symbols and the "acceptance" are in shiny gold paint, with accents of pearl. 

If acceptance resonates with you and is something you are looking to tune into more, I encourage you to consider getting a print (here) and put it up where you can see it every day. As a reminder.

Intuitive Painting Class in Denver, CO

I'll be hosting an intuitive painting class during Denver Arts Week!

During 2 hours, you'll be guided to go within and create your unique piece of art. I'll share easy tips and technique to put your idea into form and help your unique piece to emerge. Drips, splatters, pours and lettering make it fun and (mostly) effortless. 

Denver Arts Week Special Pricing: $20.

You don’t need any previous experience in painting or drawing, anyone can do it! All supplies are included. You go home with your 12x12in painting on canvas. More info and registration at www.ameliehubert.net/class