So, I have just returned from a two week intensive course in Toltec shamanism. I am in the door about half an hour, had a shower, washed some clothes and am now experiencing the familiar sense of feeling slightly lost that I always feel when I come back from a trip anywhere. I generally need to sleep a night at home and then the next day I get back to the 'normal' routine.
I love doing these courses, they give me so much. As well as the inner knowledge I receive and sense of direction, I also come out of them with so much that I want to paint about and put into images. I find it helps consolidate what I have learnt and also a picture says a thousand words.
I was at the pyramids in Teotihuacan (just outside mexico city) first and then to the most incredible village just south of Mexico city for a dreaming workshop. It was set in a hacienda surrounded by tall craggy mountains on three sides and a view to the far valley of cuernavaca on the fourth. Scorpions abounded and a centipede about eight inches long. The scorpions are actually quite shy but the centipedes are mean critturs.
I suppose a bit of backround is in order seeing as this is the first blog. I am living in Guanajuato Mexico right now and am coming back to dublin to do the RDS craft fair. I have been shifting between Mexico and Ireland the last two years. My boyfriend works in the gold mine here in Guanajuato and I met him while I was teaching english to the miners. I was supposed to be teaching him spanish also (he's from montana) but I wasn't very succesful and sure as soon as we started dating the spanish classes were quickly forgotten. he would always find some excuse not to do them.... like going for dinner instead!
I have done a few solo exhibitions in Signal arts centre in Bray. A very friendly wonderful space, lots of light. I am progressing slowly into the world of the professional artist, trying to balance making money and staying true to my voice. I have recently started making bags with embroidery and beading (they are what I will be selling at the craft fair) and it is a kind of a day job (though I still love making them) which I will approach as commercially as I can while then painting pictures or making embroideries exactly as I wish.
Its a trap I don't want to fall into, the needing to sell my art to survive. I have caught myself in the past a couple of times trying to paint paintings I know will sell and have to re-evaluate myself and remind myself that its not why I am doing it. Trust that if I stay true to my art and my voice then it will all work out.
I have been influenced by my time in mexico. The colours here are incredible, the indigenous crafts are wonderful. Oaxacan rugs, made with natural dies and complicated patterns. The stitching from Chiapas and the carved obsidian from Mexico city area. My favourite is the Huichole art. They make a pilgrimage every year to Real de Catorce and take peyote as part of sacred ritual and then they have shared visions which they make into images using wool or beads. They are incredible. You can see them on the web if you google 'Huichole art' and follow what comes up.
I also live near San Miguel Allende which is a hot spot for modern artists. Americans come to San Miguel specially to buy art and the place has as many galleries as an irish town has pubs. They are all packed with art that is pure happy colour and strange interesting sculptures. Its an inspiration to walk around and see it. I think Ireland needs to loosen up and shake up its ideas of art and how to sell it and what to sell and where to sell it. It is improving I suppose but I think maybe we take ourselves too seriously at times
Ok, better go and see if my washing is done. Its amazing here, in the sun, clothes are dry in an hour and its sunny 90% of the time. I am coming back to Ireland for the next 6 or 7 months and although I am looking forward to seeing my friends and family I get tired of the weather very fast. Its a nice change for about a week and then I start missing my flip flops and the freshness of the morning in the sun. We have to get started and invent those molecular transporters. I can nip back to Ireland for a good curry and a gossip with a few friends and be back here for morning juices at the market and always perfectly ripe avocados.
My website is www.cliodhnaquinlan.com and if you are at the craft fair I am under Glorious Designs. Call by! I am on the balcony in the main hall, it is my first craft fair so I am looking forward to it, I have no idea how I am going to do but I am putting out good vibes to the universe. Should be fun.
Ok till next time.. x cliodhna
Love your star story and your ideals to stay true to your creativity
good luck.
Michael
Posted by: Michael | November 10, 2007 at 03:40 PM