Changeling is a mixed media art piece created on a 22"x 30" gallery depth birch panel. For this particular piece, the materials used are as follows:
- Porcelain air dry clay (Sculpey)
- Golden Heavy Gel medium
- Americana acrylic paint
- Gilding paste (gold)
- Wooden circles in various sizes
- Resin
- Holographic frit in light green
- Tri Art Gesso
The embellishments used in this piece are all hand made using both Jesmonite and resin. I like to keep small molds on hand when pouring resin to take care of any excess left over from the pour. Some of the most interesting and striking colour combinations have come from using this process. I happened to have green flowers on hand, perfect for the piece. The butterfly however, required a lot more than what was available, so I had to make these. The "letter" that forms the background symbolises a letter to ourselves, the words meant to be encouraging. The clock represents time - make time, take time. The circles represent the circles of life.
The inspiration for this piece started with a pair of incompletely poured Jesmonite hands. The intention had been to mix additional Jesmonite and complete the pour. This never happened for some reason and as the temperatures dropped, I decided to unmold what I had. As the pieces emerged, an idea started to form. An idea of transformation. The "broken/unhealed" transforms into something beautiful.
In its metamorphosis from a caterpillar to the exquisite winged creature of delicate beauty, the butterfly has become a metaphor for both transformation and hope across many cultures. It is a symbol for rebirth and resurrection, and for the triumph of the spirit over its physical confines. For this reason, I decided that those "broken" hands would release a butterfly.
This piece being green was just a natural progression from the above. Green symbolises life, fertility and renewal. Green can also represent new beginnings and growth and signify renewal and abundance. It has many of the same calming attributes that blue has, but it also incorporates some of the energy of yellow.
It is no co-incidence that Archangel Raphael, the angel of healing, governs the 4th ray which is a beautiful shade of Emerald green and links to the Heart Chakra or Anahata. The crystals associated with Archangel Raphael are Emerald, Malachite, Fuschite, Citrine, Aventurine and yellow Calcite.
This piece contains Malachite in both its raw and polished states. It works on both the Throat and Heart Chakra and helps to reveal and heal emotional pain by absorbing the pain into itself. It is the Greek word for malakos – meaning soft. While it is a stone that holds its strength, Malachite is a heart opener which may relate to how the Greeks came to gift this stone with its gentle title.
Clear Quartz is considered to be the light bringer. It’s an amazing amplifying stone, meaning that whatever is poured into it, it will pour out tenfold. The clarity of its many faces can spark memory, hone concentration, and bring your whole being back to balance. Used with Malachite, it amplifies its properties . It must be noted that one of the ways to to clear Malachite is to place it on top of a clear Quartz cluster.
Back to the Heart Chakra or Anahata which is the fourth primary chakra or energy centre according to the Yogic and Tantric (Shakta) traditions. It serves as our centre of love for oneself and others, compassion, empathy and forgiveness. Anahata is the source of deep and profound truths that cannot be expressed in words. In Sanskrit the word Anahata means “un-struck” or “unbeaten”.
When Anahata is healthy and aligned. you are left with a feeling of being surrounded by love, compassion and joy. You will feel connected to the world around you and open to all the experiences offered in life.
Each of these "pieces" of "Changeling " are complex and so much more can be expanded on. I encourage curiosity, in both myself and others and hope that you will do further research on some of the topics mentioned in the creation of the piece.
"Changeling" will speak to the person it is meant for on a soul level. I look forward to this moment, as nothing brings me more joy than seeing a connection form between a person and what I created with my hands, pouring in a lot of love, some magic and a ton of energetic healing.
Blessings
© Lucia Steeg, March 2023