Inge Vandormael sticks to a simple color palette; black, white, red and silver for drawings, muted autumnal tones for watercolor. But the symbolism in her work is profound.
Much of her older work was inspired by Eastern religion, myth and philosophy. Clearly influenced by nature and the beautiful structure within the ephemeral cycles of life and death, her newer works delve into alchemical and sacred geometry.
Katie Scott is a wonderful illustrator of the natural world. Her commissioned work has graced books, written publications and various other media. Her personal work is brimming with fantastical bio-imagination.
She’s clearly inspired by not only the natural world, but magic, myth and alchemy (all fine sources of inspiration!).
El Gato Chimney is a former street artist living in Milan. A local legend purports that the Devil approached him and offered him success in exchange for his soul. And while he refuses to comment on this modern day Faustian agreement…he has since been featured rather prominently in the art world (tee-hee).
His work often re-appropriates symbols of alchemy, folk magic and various schools of occultism, but he does make a point to extensively study the historical meanings.
Each piece has meaning for him, but he prefers to keep his own interpretations quiet in order to let the viewer fully partake in the subjective experience. Our associations differ so vastly…I think it’s wise to let each viewer construct his or her own meaning and stories.
Most pieces contain elements of ritual, virtue and vice mingling together (which appeals to me because these elements of our existence seem to configure in holographic fashion, rather than staying confined to one-dimensional respective polarities).
I just received a very special custom piece from The Odd Portrait: a wrist cuff engraved with a phrase that holds deep meaning for me.
Solve et Coagula is Latin for “dissolve and rebuild.” It is an ancient term that represents complete alchemical transformation, mind body and spirit. After spending 20 years increasingly occupying beds and hospitals with misdiagnosed health issues, a couple of months ago I was finally diagnosed with a genetic immune disorder for which the treatment involves injecting a substance to break down my own tissue and following it with a substance to rebuild my immune system. It is literally a process of Solve et Coagula! But the emotional, mental and spiritual alchemy of this illness has been far more striking. I now have a beautiful reminder (which I’ll wear to treatment!) when I have trouble motivating myself to keep shooting for recovery.
As for the other designs you’ll find on the site, influences include “80’s punk and glam to 90’s grunge and rock n roll. Outdoor music festivals, urban graffiti art, and post apocalyptic dystopian movies.” I love the spirit and independence of this shop!
rock n roll spiked leather fashion
The Odd Portrait was founded when the creators got tired of selling factory made jewelry with huge seller fees and limited creativity. They went their own way, and now every piece is handmade and unique! No two are ever exactly the same. My kind of rebels.
Check out The Odd Portrait!
I’m absolutely captivated by this Marta Adan piece; the glowing pink palette, the delicate beauty mixed with the raw presence of bone. The alchemical symbol for antimony (which represents the wild, animal spirit within man) graces her forehead. What a way to elevate a color so often associated with childish or hyper-feminized images.
A sickly but radiant green washes over this lovely woman, emblazoned with the symbol for arsenic. Some people are, indeed, poison.
I love her deviantART portfolio because it shows an impressive progression. Her early works are good, but she’s clearly refining and developing her style beautifully.
An occasional dark color scheme makes an appearance as well.
I’ve always wanted to visit Prague, and on my list of attractions in the area is The Museum of Alchemists and Magicians.
Oh hey, little feline buddy! Cats and all, this is my kind of alchemy lab. Let’s take a tiny peek inside, shall we?
According to the website, here, you can look under the lids of bowls of emperor Rudolf’s alchemists. At first you will immerse in the wisdom texts of the alchemists, alchemy and personalities associated with alchemy, whether the alchemists themselves, or unexpected examples as Charles IV or William Shakespeare.
You are going to walk through a magical room of the Faust´s house and then, subtly initiated, you will climb the spiral of life up to the sky. By the „spiral of life“ we mean the spiral staircase bulit by Kelley in the 16th century, and almost in heaven, in the attic between the beams from the times of Rudolf II, you will find the authentic atmosphere of the laboratory of one of the most famous alchemists of Rudolphine times, the master Edward Kelley, who lived in this house.
I have a sneaking suspicion that at least part of my house will look exactly like the picture below about 10 years from now. That’s the direction it’s heading. I’m not a hoarder (no really!)…I’m an aspiring alchemist.
I will, however, stop short of emblazoning giant glyphs on my floor. Ceilings, of course, are fair game.
There is also an alchemical lab PUB on the premises! Click to enlarge photo (Formulas on the walls! Glorious!).
I had stashed away this Alchemical palmistry hand on a private wish list for a year or two (then I received it over the holidays from a loved one with an uncanny knack for independently finding my coveted items, sans clues).
The one above is my favorite. This one
There are also other versions of this item available.
And these…
Many artistic representations exist as well.
I confess, I’ve never looked into palmistry. Someone told me as a child that all the tiny X’s on my hand meant a life of extreme tragedy (which, sadly, was pretty spot on in some ways). Never really wanted to see what the rest of my palm said after hearing that lovely assessment.
Do you read palms, or have you had yours read? What’s your take on the subject?
SheWalksSoftly 