Art as a Gift

Because art is a very emotive and subjective area, it is not always easy to buy art as a gift, however it can be one of the most personal and sensitive things you can offer someone as a beautiful and lifelong investment.  

Art as a gift is perfect for many occasions, Valentines Day, any type of anniversary, birthday but in particular as a wedding present. As the couple plan to make a home together, what better than to have a special work of art adorning their walls that they have had a joint experience choosing together.  This can be an original piece of work already created by me or I can be commissioned to work with the couple to a particular size or idea they might have to work with the interior of their home.   It could include rose petals or flowers from the bouquet, confetti, love notes from guests, wax from a candle, sand if there is a sand ceremony or any other found object which is personal to the couple.  A piece of personal Heart Art could be a part of your marriage proposal with a secret message hidden within the painting.  I would even be happy to attend the wedding to create some abstract studies which could go towards the final painting.  My level of service is of a very personal level as I am totally emotionally involved with my work and will work with you and listen to any creative ideas you may have.

I offer hand made gift certificates as part of the package and the amount can be in any denomination from 75 Euros for smaller works and prints up to an amount of your choice.  It can be a present from a group of friends and family who jointly collaborate which ultimately results in a very special gift and the experience of choosing the piece of artwork together makes a wonderful and memorable occasion.

Part of the process of a commissioned piece of work is an initial informal chat and a visit to me in my studio if convenient or a Skype/FaceTime conversation.  This way I can make a connection and get to know the client and their likes and dislikes and I then work on a few small ideas before embarking on the final painting.  This allows the couple to respond to initial ideas and allows them to be part of the process which is very exciting.  Every painting is signed an comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.  Email me steffi@steffisarwork.com for more information or to arrange an informal chat or use the contact form below.

 

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And this is what the shaman said …

She pressed her soles into the soil

She raised her arms above her head

With two eyes closed, the other opened and this is what the Shaman said

‘Brothers, sisters, take my hand, feel the pulse beneath the land

Sisters rise to your tired feet 

Brothers shoulders sunken in defeat from tireless work, worry and woe, just waiting for your time to go

I, say, No

Use the thunder that cracks your heart

The cracks are where the answers are

Don’t put things back to how they were

You are in pieces because it is time to learn

Look within your eye that feels the truth

Do it now there is too much to lose’

And with that, the rain began to pour and wash them all to their very core

The Shaman then softly kissed her kin

Moved back and made space for their healing to begin

art by Steffi Goddard              Poetry by Chloe Watts Goddard

 

I AM … My New Series of Warrior Women Paintings

My new series of paintings is about powerful women with a story, a history and a journey and three bright red warrior marks, evidence of their battle scars.

‘I AM – Two of the most powerful words because what you put after them shapes your reality.’  Quote by Bevan Lee.

These two very small, powerful words resonated with me. Usually the negative brain kicks in and words like ‘not enough’ or ‘unloved’ steal the limelight.

But what if I filled that little gap with words like ‘beautiful’ or ‘complete’ or even ‘goddess’?

Step aside negative mind and let the positive mind through.

It was in that moment this series of powerful women started to pour through me as if I was downloading data through my paintings.

Every girl in this series has their own story, their own challenge, their own warrior marks to emphasise the battle scars life has thrown at them. As you look into their eyes you may find a shared experience, may feel their emotion, their loss, their sorrow. I cried real tears as these girls poured out of me, all of them me in some way. I felt their war against themselves and heard their stories.

They are now available as a limited edition print or hand embellished printed canvas.  22 are also featured in my newly published ‘I AM …’ book which is also for sale via my Etsy shop or my website

I AM A Creative Adventurer

I AM A Goddess

I AM Independent

I AM Empathy

I AM Relentless

I AM Ready

I AM Eternal

I AM Divine Mother

I AM Innocence

I AM A Cosmic Traveller

I AM Duende

I AM Truth

I AM No longer afraid of storms

I AM Complete

I AM Ready to hold my own hand

I AM In Control

I AM My Own Masterpiece

I AM Rare

I AM Beautiful

I AM Brave

I AM A Fighter

I AM ME

I AM Ready to Grow

I AM Peace

I AM Precious

I AM Love

‘Let Creativity Nourish Your Soul’ 2018

I was so privileged recently to be able to spend a few days with an amazing group who wanted to embrace their creative side, find their inner child and be free !  Ranging from 19 years old to 73 years old, with a few first time painters joining a few who had painted before, we unleashed our inner artist and immersed ourselves in to 5 days of all things creative.

We painted together, we danced together, we sang together and even cried together as the creative process began to nourish us.  We wrote poetry and Haikus whilst listening to the lovely sound of the gong, we practiced daily yoga and Kundalini yoga, we meditated down by the river, we ate amazing vegetarian food and shared stories by the fire in the evening.

We really did let the creative process nourish our soul.

Here are some photos from the studio and our sketchbook work to get us started

As the process unfolded we learnt to ‘Stay loose’, ‘Watch snails’, ‘Hug Trees’, ‘Make friends with Freedom’, ‘Believe in Magic’ and ‘TO BE FREE !’

We finished the week with an exhibition of our work

Art Group 2018 and their soul paintings

Go to www.painting_in_spain.com for information about the art retreats held at Cortijo Las Salinas, Spain – Come and join us soon !

What is a Goddess ?

A Goddess is a woman who is totally beautiful inside and out.  In the past she has been worshipped by ancient religions like the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians.  She has the power to help, heal and elevate other women around her.  She is a nurturer, is peaceful, and has a purity but is also strong. She passes on wisdom.  She has beauty, grace and appeal and is a leader of women.  She is admired and adored by other women.  When you meet a Goddess you never forget the feelings you have when in their company or the way they inspire you.

A goddess invents her own life, and lives according to her own vision. This quality requires the companion qualities of imagination and courage.

A goddess is autonomous. She seeks no one’s approval, but listens to her own counsel. She answers to no one. She does not try to impress anyone. Her work speaks for itself. She never makes excuses and rarely offers explanations for her actions. She is not defensive for she is not threatened by what other people may think of her. She is the queen of her own life and this is reflected in her demeanor.

A goddess is passionate, she has a palpable energy and enthusiasm that is contagious and beneficial to those around her. In esoteric terms, she raises the vibration in a group situation. She inspires others.

A goddess is continually learning and evolving.

A goddess is authentic. The mask she presents to the outside world is the same as her innermost heart. She has learned to express her emotions cleanly and healthily. What you see is what you get. A goddess knows her own truth. She does not impose her truth on others, but will share her wisdom when invited to.

A goddess takes care of herself. She does not expect others to take care of her. She treats herself as well as she would treat her best friend. She is compassionate and forgiving with herself and others. She gets enough rest and gives her body the right fuel, both in oxygen and in food and water. She knows what she needs. She feeds her soul.

A goddess is committed to healing the earth and works towards peace and understanding, whether it is on a large scale or simply within her family and closest circle of friends. She contributes to cleaning up the environment and teaches the next generation to do likewise.

A goddess sees her body (and the earth) as sacred, and is in tune with natural cycles. She is comfortable with her sexuality.

A goddess has learned balance and patience. Flow and ebb. Waxing and waning. A goddess does not freak out during ebb or waning times. She uses it wisely for rest, reflection, and planning.

A goddess has learned to trust her intuition and inner knowing. She has learned to tap into this source at will.

A goddess has learned to let go of the need to control the flow of the river. She has discovered the futility of trying too hard. She has learned to ride the wave and go with the flow, to ask for and accept help when required. She is flexible, fluid, and adaptable. She has given up the need to control or manipulate. She does not pout or whine when she does not get her way.

A goddess communicates her boundaries. She is gentle but firm when her boundaries are violated. She respects others’ boundaries. She asks for clarification when necessary.

A goddess recognizes and honors other goddesses and gods. She lends her support to the work of other god/desses. She does not feel competitive or threatened by other goddesses and understands that what is good for one is good for all, and that when one shines, the light benefits all. A goddess knows how to share and is generous of spirit, but she knows her limitations and does not give more than what she can afford – emotionally, financially, physically, or energy-wise.

A goddess’s natural state is one of joy and gratitude. She is also at home with her shadow, and will honestly mourn her losses and explore her fears. She understands that everyone experiences pain – it is part of life on earth. Therefore she works through her own pain with courage and dignity, not trying to sidestep it, or numb it, but to get through it and learn from it.

A goddess is comfortable with death, and has learned to let go…. of relationships, concepts, and material possessions that are worn out, or that no longer serve her growth.

Hathor – The Sun Goddess

Vortex Healing Goddess

Goddess Aphrodite

This is Mariana Pineda – A spanish Goddess who fought for Freedom, Liberty and Law

Goddess of the Chakras

A spanish Goddess who fought for Freedom, Liberty and Law

Gothic Goddess

Goddess Selene – The Blue Moon Goddess

Goddess Selene – The Blue Moon Goddess

Acompalia Artistica Art Exhibition at La Azucarera, Motril, Spain

I am very proud to be part of the art exhibition which inaugurates on Saturday 25 November for the benefit of Acompalia.

Opening night is going to be an unforgettable event! We will be accompanied by the most important personalities in Motril as well as our beloved artists from Acompalia Artistica, who have done everything necessary to make this event possible.

Musicians Toni Connolly and Luis Gómez will play acid jazz live, while elegant circus artists will delight us with their movements hanging from the roof.

My work will hang amongst many International and local artists where our paintings and sculptures will sit proudly in the new and very grand exhibition space.   The Sugar Factory has been renovated and restored specially to show works of art and is a wonderful space for this event to be held.

The Entire exhibition has been orchestrated by the leader of Artistic Acompalia, Emma Plunkett Art, with the infinite support of her husband, Jan Honza Pozivil,  and everyone who supports this event is working on a voluntary basis.

Hope you can make it !

La Azucarera Exhibition

‘Let Creativity Nourish Your Soul’

Art is a therapy in itself and the creative process is crucial to our holistic well-being, so my next Art Retreat is going to be held on 12-17 April 2018 in the Art Studio of Cortijo Las Salinas, Andalucia where we will find a variety of wonderful ways to unlock our creativity held within and become immersed and inspired as we take an art journey together like no other.

Areas of the Cortijo

Areas of the Cortijo

Creativity nourishes the soul, so what better way to discover a personal transformation than through the process of expressive, intuitive painting.  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist I will help you to develop confidence and a personal direction in your artwork as you paint in the warm sunshine surrounded by spectacular scenery, landscapes and sunsets.

On retreat for 5 days, together we will start the day with some yoga with Chloe of My Happy Body before breakfast to get the body moving and the creative energies flowing, then we shall begin the workshop in the Art Studio with creative exercises to build confidence, particularly if you have not painted before.
After lunch there is time to siesta before meeting again for some more creative immersion, which will include some creative writing and we will begin a canvas which will develop as your story unfolds over the next few days.

Singing bowls and gongs

Early morning yoga

Early morning yoga

Gongs by the pool

Partner yoga

Svasana and gong bath meditation

Also included will be gong bath meditations, moon light chanting and fire pit gatherings, amazing and delicious vegetarian meals, a warm twilight jacuzzi, a walk to the river and a trip out to discover the local wild orchids that are in flower at this time of year with many other surprises along the way.

Fire pit gatherings

Glorious sunset

Landscape of Las Salinas

Rio San Juan waterfall

My painting holidays are designed for everyone and non painting partners are also welcome where they can sit by the pool or go for a swim, take a walk or just relax with a book.
You will be amazed to see what you can paint and how you heal when you drop expectations and allow the creative process to unfold. Deep down we are all artists who have whatever it takes to express our inner world through art, the only thing holding us back is the limitations we place upon ourselves.

Individually hand painted notebooks

Getting creative in the art studio

Bundles of inspiration with the ‘Inspiration Bundles’

Places are limited so book today, your investment is £695 per person for shared accommodation or £750 for your own private suite which includes all materials, 3 delicious vegetarian meals per day, complementary teas and coffee, yoga and art tuition.
email steffi@steffisartwork.com
http://www.steffisartwork.com

Art and the Poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca

Federico Garcia Lorca is one of Spain’s best known poets and now a popular icon.  Born in 1898, he lived the first ten years of his life in Fuente Vaqueros, which is close to Granada in Southern Spain.  He moved to Madrid when he was in his early twenties and  joined a group of avant-garde artists that included Salvador Dali and Luis Buñuel.  The group, collectively known as the “Generation of  1927,” introduced Lorca to Surrealism, a movement that would greatly influence his writing and poetry.

Lorca was an active socialist and his controversial political views as well as his generally bohemian attitudes would ultimately cost him his life and during the Spanish Civil War,  Lorca was captured by Franco’s Nationalist Army and executed.   His works, and even his existence, remained a taboo subject in Spain for nearly four decades after his death. However as a result, Lorca has become not only famous for his exemplary poetry, but for his martyrdom at the hands of a fascist dictatorship. His works were suppressed in Spain for many years but have had a monumental influence on the poets and authors of Latin America and the world over and he is often credited with being the first author to introduce Surrealism into literature. His work has a lasting impact on Spanish poetry and Lorca has influenced many of my abstract paintings with his interesting use of words, often written in a surrealist or abstract voice.  Here are two of my abstract paintings complete with Lorca’s words.

Echo

The flower of dawn has already opened

(Do you recall the depths of evening?)

The spikenard moon pours down its cold scent.

(Do you remember the gaze of August?)

 

The Cheating Mirror

Green branch barren of rhythm and bird.

Echo of a sob with no pain or lips.

Man and Woods.

I shed tears beside the salt sea.

In my pupils are two seas singing.

 

My Abstract Painting Meets ILU Fitwear Equals Amazing Yoga Clothing Range !

 

I am so proud to have the above painting used for the design on a yoga and fitness clothing range.  The painting was from an abstract collection of work called ‘Spiritual Exploration’ and was originally painted in watercolour on paper.  I had no idea how this would work on a clothing range, but now the range is complete and I am thrilled with the way it looks on this collection.

The collaboration between myself and ILU Fitwear has been an exciting journey to see how artwork can be used in this way and because of the nature of the printing process, each item is different and unique.  It’s like wearing an original piece of art as no two pieces are the same.

Here are some lovely photos of the range, modelled by my daughter Chloe of My Happy Body and photographed by Emma Jacobs Photography. The range can be purchased from either myself directly from Cortijo Las Salinas but if you can’t make it to the cortijo this year then Chloe has some in stock or you can go direct to the ILU Fitwear website.

Intuitive Art 5 day painting in 5 minutes !

I love to paint the land and the sea, especially if I can be outside in the elements and with nature.  However there is another side to my creative work which gives me freedom to just apply paint, texture and colour without any thought for the outcome or with any ego attached to the potential saleability of my work.  This 5 minute film shows the development of a large piece created over 5 days.  It took many changes along the way and the finished piece hangs in the yoga shala at Cortijo Las Salinas.  Hope you enjoy the film and, as always, love to hear your feedback.

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