Artist Spotlight: Johnathan Litchtfeld

 jonathan lichtfeld

 jonathan lichtfeld

 jonathan lichtfeld

 jonathan lichtfeld

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Johnathan Litchtfeld is an artist from Belgium. When I first came across his work, I was immediately drawn to the juxtaposition of his collages.

It reminds me of how dreams work. When you play stories and images in your head and somehow they all all mesh together, it all make sense, until you wake up.

But stepping into that reality opens up another dimension of thought. Sometimes you wake up and ask yourself, what did all of that mean? And sometimes you wake up and almost immediately forgot what you dreamed about.

His collages remind me of the dreams that have you waking up and pondering the images and stories you just existed within. Just like our dreams, and even our waking thoughts, the layers in his images can be loud or subtle, depending on how you look at them.

Musical Muse: Iluka

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I was once told to “keep doing what you love and the right people will walk into your life” The more I listened, the more this advice has held true. We’re excited to introduce you to Iluka. A free spirited, and super talented singer and songwriter hailing from Australia. Her vibes will in person- and through music just makes you want to let it all go- and dance.

I had to opportunity to catch up with her during her tour in America. We met up in San Francisco right before she took off for Burning Man. In the middle of our downtown streets where all you see is a sea of people wearing winter boots and shades of black and grey- Iluka graced the urban streets in her bell bottoms and a long flowy duster that swayed in the wind. She was in her element and she radiated so much light and color.

Seeing her dance in the desert in her Woodstock Caftan, I couldn’t think of a more iconic pair! Thank you Iluka for sharing the magic with us.

 

 

Artist Spotlight: Sara Rahbar

In lieu of 4th of July, we wanted to feature contemporary mixed media artist Sara Rahbar’s flag series. Sara is an Iranian-American artist who lives and works in New York. These beautiful reincarnations of the American flag are beautiful, thought provoking, and to some controversial.

It explores the visual landscape of America’s eclectic mosaic of people, history and culture. How each of us all make our mark on what America is today and continue to cultivate belonging, acceptance, and freedom.

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Textile Wall Hanging Collaboration

We couldn’t be more excited to introduce Kelly of Wild Columbine Textile’s works into our shop! She was born into a Lebanese-American family, so the art of tradition, craft, and culture was interwoven throughout her childhood. From big family meals based around traditional foods, to weekly craft nights where the women would gather to converse, create, and share their skills, she was taught to appreciate culture and craftsmanship from a young age.

Today her fibers come together as multiple layers of hues, textures and shapes drawn from her natural surroundings and inspiration from travels. Check out more of her work in our Textile Shop!

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Inspiration: Siberian Shaman Drums

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We’re truly inspired by these Siberian Shaman drums. Made out of animal hides with symbolism combining a vision of their shamanic journey with cultural tradition. Shamanism is said to have originated in Siberia and Mongolia and these drums are the center of their sacred rituals. As they empower and awaken their drums, it becomes a powerful tool bridging different spiritual realms.

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Hmong Textile Inspirations

While living in Thailand, we found ourselves constantly in awe of the Hmong tribe’s weaving, stitching and batiking of textiles. After visiting the Hmong village and learning first hand the amount of skill and attention to detail that was passionately put into every thread, my appreciation grew ten-fold. My head starting spinning of ways to celebrate and share their amazing artwork. To turn them into pillow covers, skirts, curtains, … the works. These beautiful pieces are still on the top of our list of our most valued pieces that we carry. Seeing these amazing articles of clothing made from beautiful Hmong textiles has me wanting to get out my scissors and get to it!

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Shop our collection of Hmong Textiles here!

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Forest Offerings by Karolina

is one of my favorite artists. Her art is incredible, always evolving into prisms of color and textures. From photography, to hand-made costumes, to her forest offerings, they all combine the beauty of nature with the playfulness and the kaleidoscopic trip of her art. Here’s a quote as she connects with the therapeutic elements of creating these beautiful forest offerings in nature.

“Finally a whole grid appeared on the southern slope of one Wise Mountain. A grid of geometrical structures, each was made with different intention, vibrating with different energies. And each was programmed to heal the land and to shift its vibration; it definitely does its work! During the time spent in the forest, I could get to know the inhabitants of my surroundings, cause in almost every location I had spent couple of days. The birds started singing new songs, melodies I’ve never heard before, and these were the happy songs. The neighboring trees seemed glad too.” – Karolina

See more of her art.

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Artist Spotlight: Mara B. Stones

So excited to share the art of desert queen Mara Stones. Immensely inspiring images of her sacred playground, along with words unraveled from bits of her poetry. They always transcend me to an enchanted barren landscape that is abundant with existence and evokes a serene stillness. Find more of her art here.

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Low desert spirit

Let me start again.
The dirty stone gets further out of reach,
beyond my conscience.
I´m an incurable wild.
I have burned up all my chances,
and a chance is life.
I´m meeting my destiny
this evening
at the sea shore
and I´m gonna kill it.
So let me start again.

– Mara B. STones

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The skin burst above you.
Your hand more slow
than slowness,
and my speechlessness.
-Spill of secrets-
Scars in our maps
without marked places.
I´m using my gravity
to peer into your essence.
There´s a parched story
and a bitter gasp,
where our days are written,
still.

In the rippling sand.
Traces of our plans,
tethered thoughts
that carry us to
the poverty in the mouth
pronouncing each verb
-as we used to-
Without speaking.

– Mara B. STones

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You fall in love with the insoluble
Because beauty is not
rather than part of the intangible.
And love actually
is only the beginning of the symptom.
So you fall for the impossible
and then you die a little.

– Mara B. STones

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Artist Commune: Drop City

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In the midst of the counterculture of the 60’s, a group of recently graduated art students found themselves in the middle of nowhere, Colorado. This was the beginning of the first hippie and artist communes that started in Trinidad, Colorado. It was inspired by their impromptu performances called “drop art” which consisted of dropping random objects off of top of buildings to watch reactions of passerby’s. It was after graduation that they decided to create what is now known as Drop City. They had decided to build it themselves using scrap materials which was neglected as waste by society. With very little cost and a lot of ingenuity, the first geodesic dome was built.

It wasn’t long until their innovative geometric structures and solar panels attracted the help of other artists, pioneers, and inventors. This community of droppers not only built homes but were building a social evolution. Their commune was later signed off to a non-profit making the land “free to all people” to inspire people to work together (without bosses) and support experimental artistic expression. By 1977 it’s last inhabitants left the commune, and by the 90’s the last structure had been taken down.

These beautiful photos and inhabitant’s stories are what’s left of drop city’s legacy.

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Inspired Geometry by Ndebele Tribe

The Ndebele tribe’s ability to transform colors and geometric design borrowed from their ancestors to life is so powerful! Since the 18th century, women of the Ndebele tribe of South Africa has been painting their mud houses with strong visions and whole hearts. These patterns are such beautiful expressions of their individuality. It brings forth excitement and curiosity with each stroke. It inspires inspiration, reminding us that we all carry our own paintbrush, to spread vibrancy and color.

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