IVY NEWPORT

Studioworks

Journal
a letter from ivy

Dear creative friends,

Welcome to Issue No. 43 of the Studioworks Journal! As always, I’m delighted you are here with me and I’m excited to share this with you. So here we are, at the end of a tryptic of study where we first explored the creative abundance of the sun, the mystery and magic of the Moon and now we dive into the sea of Stars. I have deeply loved writing this series and I hope you have enjoyed finding inspiration in our incredible Cosmos!

In this issue, let us continue to find our creative selves reflected in the vast sky and look at how artists and seekers have been fascinated by the stars since the beginning of time.

xo,

So you may be wondering, where do I start? To that, I say, wherever feels right to you. Each month we will have a theme, a creative affirmation, a power word, a color palette, sketchbook exercises, art projects, articles, recommended reading, and access to wonderful inspiration and resources. I want you to think of this as a delicious new magazine, you know the ones you occasionally splurge on, with soft, velvety pages, beautiful images, and inspiring content!

Each issue will invite you to explore your creative practice in whichever way works for you. Experience each issue at your own pace. Take what resonates with you and put the rest aside for another time.

Grab a cup of something lovely and dive in.

MONTHLY THEME

Forever Starstruck

Humans have been fascinated by the night sky and the swirling stars since the beginning of our existence on the planet. In fact, entire ancient civilizations charted the stars and based their daily life on them.

When the constellation Pleiades was found at a certain level above the horizon Neolithic cultures knew it was time to hunt, plant their crops or prepare for animals to begin their migration.

Ancient Egyptian astronomers aligned the pyramids due north by using two stars that circle the celestial polar point. Mayan astronomer-priests carefully observed the sky and documented the movements of the heavenly bodies to calculate the passage of time and construct their calendars. Examples of this star gazing, worship and study of the stars can be found in almost every culture. So it is no wonder that we also see this curiosity and star struck obsession in the artistic world as well.

Art gives us the opportunity to explore topics, mysteries and theories in a visual way, further understanding and question our relationship to the entire universe. From ancient cave paintings of the stars to elaborate astronomical illustrations, artists have expressed their love, reverence and fascination of the stars for centuries.

Let’s explore some examples of this through art history…

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”
– Marcus Aurelius

Ancient Star worship

It is theorized that some of the ancient caves found in Southern France and Spain contain paintings that may depict the ancient sky in the form of primitive star maps intermingled with animal depictions that would have been relevant to these people. One cave in France, Lascaux, shows artwork and symbols that may refer to the constellation – Pleiades. This fascinating discovery has got anthropologists and archaeologists exploring how the stars and their behaviors in the sky related to the daily life of this civilization.

The Egyptians worshiped their Night Sky goddess – Nut – she was the goddess of the sky, stars, cosmos, mothers, astronomy, and the universe in the ancient Egyptian religion. She was seen as a star-covered nude woman arching over the Earth. Here you can see her depicted as a protective cover over a solar-boat that is transporting the dead to the afterlife for resurrection.

      The Birth of Astrology

      As we move forward in history we see the stars begin to be identified into constellations with names, myth and meaning. We may think that astrology began in some tabloid but in fact, its origins are ancient. Astrology studies began in Mesopotamia, thousands of years before Christ, the Assyrians and Babylonian’s observed the stars and tried to understand how it might affect their fate. This star lore was then passed on to the Ancient Greeks and evidence of this can be found in the writings of Plato, Aristotle and others. Astrology was considered a vital science, one to be taken very seriously. In fact, Greek physicians would not treat a patient until knowing their birth star chart.

        Here is an Illustration from a medieval Spanish language astrology textbook attributed to Alfonso X the Wise. The image is meant to depict the effect various other stars or constellations have in concert with Gemini.

        Astrology Themed Works

        With a whole pantheon of Planets with personalities and a myriad of interwoven stories and symbols it’s no surprise that Astrology has inspired many artists throughout history.

        The Zodiac, by Ernest Procter, cleverly combines representations of the twelve animal and human symbols of the Zodiac into a dynamic composition. The twelve symbols, beginning at the top left are: Aquarius the water-carrier: Pisces the fish: Aries the ram; Taurus the bull, Gemini the twins; Cancer the crab; Leo the lion; Virgo the virgin holding the balancing scales of Libra; Scorpio the scorpion; Sagittarius the archer; and Capricorn the goat. These symbols were conceived by ancient civilizations and linked to the stellar constellations which are situated in a belt of the heavens traversed annually by the sun, hence the prominent position of the sun in a grouping which Procter set in planetary space.

          The Zodiac, Ernest Procter, 1925

          Zodiac (1896) was Mucha’s first work under his contract with the printer Champenois and was originally designed as an in-house calendar for the company. In this composition, Mucha incorporated twelve zodiac signs in the halo-like disk behind the woman’s head, one of Mucha’s customary motifs.

          The Lithuanian artist, M. K. Čiurlionis created a stunning series based on the astrological signs that are so mysterious and beautiful. This series, aptly named, The Zodiac was based on the ancient myths of the constellations and were in alignment with his deep passion for Astronomy and Astrology.

          Sagittarius, 1907

          Leo, 1907

          Virgo, 1907

          How very inspiring to see just a glimpse of how the stars have guided and enchanted artists and cultures over the years. How do the Stars inspire you? What can you explore within your art that relates to the Cosmos and your connection to it?

          “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
          – Carl Sagan
          Forever Starstruck

          by : Ivy Newport

          Your Inner Constellation

          When we look up at the stars we can almost imagine the silver threads that connect the dots to form the many constellations that dance across our night sky. It’s breathtaking and almost incomprehensible to behold such vastness. However, I believe that human souls are like this too. We are connected to one another in ways that are sometimes hard to understand, yet there it is. The people who cross our paths, the experiences we collect, the things we create with our hands, the love we pour out – these are like inner stars that make up our very own constellation.

          Can you go back over your life and see the stars within you? The pinpricks of light that changed your direction, that lit your way. The twinkling moments when you felt yourself shift or grow. The starburst supernova experiences that made you feel more alive, the black hole depths of the sorrow you navigated, the sparkling birth of your creative expressions. These are your inner suns, a shimmering network of the life you have lived. So where do you want to go next, which star will you follow? How will you chart your course as you move forward?

          Leading a creative life, focused on self-discovery and illuminated consciousness helps us take our next steps with more intention, with deeper wisdom. So what can we do so we can continue to burn brightly like the stars and expand like the midnight canvas of the Universe?

          Explore what you don’t understand

          Artists are natural seekers so don’t shy away from topics that you don’t understand or comprehend. If they peak your curiosity, explore them further. How can you illustrate or express your explorations visually? This could be in your sketchbook or on a huge canvas. It’s all up to you.

          Ask people questions

          When in conversation with another person you have the wonderful opportunity to learn more about them and how they think. Respectfully and with humility ask people questions then, most importantly, listen. Reflect on what they say and how they see the world.

          Never stop reading

          These days it’s pretty easy to get caught up in social media or scrolling on the internet BUT never, ever stop reading real life books! Even if you don’t consider yourself a reader, try. Find a book that captures your imagination and let yourself get drawn into the story.

          Look for patterns

          Being observant of patterns is key to understanding ourselves and the natural world. As mentioned, humans have watched the stars for patterns since the beginning of time so do you recognize patterns within your life? Can you witness internal patterns within your spiritual or emotional body but also witness patterns that are external – Do you see patterns in the local environment that you live in? Do you always hear the same bird after the rain? Does the light dance across the wall in a certain way at a specific time of day? Leonardo da Vinci was fascinated with patterns and it served him in his observation of nature and his surroundings. Artists must pay attention!

          Embrace new experiences

          Experiment with the way you create art. Explore your mediums and be fearless in trying new things. What’s the worst that can happen? You make a mess? Who cares!? New experiences in the studio will lead to new experiences in your life outside the studio. Discovery is fueled by risk.

          Chart your course

          Your creative life is in YOUR hands, so what do you want to do with it? What do you want to make? What legacy do you want to leave behind? Write it down and go make it happen with intention. Don’t be passive. Climb your star tower, your lighthouse, look out over the dark sea and illuminate your own path.

          We truly are made of stardust and we are meant to continue to learn, grow and evolve while we are here on the Earth plane so don’t waste time wondering if you are special or worthy of all that. You are. Simple and true. Go shine.

          “There’s as many atoms in a single molecule of your DNA as there are stars in the typical galaxy. We are, each of us, a little universe.”
          – Neil deGrasse Tyson
          Your Inner Constellation

          by : Ivy Newport

          Journal Prompt & Card Spread

          Let’s explore our connection to the Stars by doing some journaling and/or a tarot or oracle spread.

          I’ve chosen 3 cards for this spread paired with 3 types of stars as inspiration for the pertaining questions…

          1. Guiding Star – Where should my creative focus be right now? What is my North star at this time?
          2. Burning Sun Star – What actions can I take to head in this direction? What will make me burn brighter?
          3. Shooting Star – What should I allow to fall and fade like a shooting star? What can I let go of now?

          Please feel free to print out this journal prompt & card spread and put it somewhere in your sketchbook or journal.

              The Goddess Asteria

              As many of you know, I adore mythology and I often find inspiration in cultural stories about various gods and goddesses. So since we are exploring the beauty and wonder of the Stars, I thought it would be fitting to look at the goddess, Asteria.

              Who Is Asteria?

              Asteria was born during the Golden Age of Greek mythology, the period when the Titans under Cronos ruled the cosmos. As such, Asteria was the daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe, and therefore sister to the goddess Leto.

              Asteria’s name means “of the stars” or “starry one”, and Asteria was named the Greek goddess of shooting stars; more importantly though Asteria was also closely associated with divination by dreams and astrology.

              During the rule of the Titans, Asteria was said to be partnered with Perses. Together, Asteria and Perses would become parents to a single daughter, Hecate the Greek goddess of witchcraft and magic.

              Asteria is notable for her pursuit by the amorous god Zeus, who desired her. In order to escape him and his advances, she transformed herself into a quail and jumped into the sky. Zeus pursued her by turning himself into an eagle, so Asteria leapt into the ocean and became the island Delos.

              When her sister Leto, impregnated by Zeus, went into labor, Asteria was the only place on earth willing to receive her, defying Hera’s orders that forbade Leto any shelter. After Apollo and Artemis were born on her, the island received the name of Delos, and Apollo fixed it in place, making it his sacred land.

              The Birth of Artemis and Apollo upon Delos – Workshop of Giulio Romano – 1530-1540

              Symbols of Asteria

              • Animals – quail, dolphins
              • Objects – stars
              • Crystals – azurite, lapis lazuli, golden pyrite
              • Colors – midnight blue, deep purple, silver, white
              • Tarot card associated with – The Star
                The Goddess Asteria

                by : Ivy Newport

                Star aligned Artist PROMPT
                • Even if you aren’t a big fan of astrology, why not take a peek at your Sun Sign, your Moon sign and your rising sign. You can figure these out HERE if you don’t know. See if you resonate with any of this and how does it potentially impact your creative process? For example, I am a Leo Sun Sign, a Libra Moon with a Capricorn rising. My Leo sun fuels my creative passion, my Libra moon helps me be very aware and sensitive to beauty and aesthetics and my Capricorn rising supports me working very hard with a need for structure and planning. Be curious and open to learn more about your own signs…it’s fun!

                Limitless

                by Danna Faulds

                I love this poem by Danna Faulds. What a gorgeous collection of whisperings from the Universe. I’m gonna print this one out and hang it in my studio!

                Sun says, “Be your own illumination.”
                Wren says, “Sing your heart out, all day long.”
                Stream says, “Do not stop for any obstacle.”
                Oak says, “When the wind blows, bend easily, and trust your roots to hold.”
                Stars say, “What you see is one small slice of a single modest galaxy. Remember that vastness cannot be grasped by mind.”
                Ant says, “Small does not mean powerless.”
                Silence says nothing. In the quiet everything comes clear.
                I say, “Limitless.”
                I say, “Yes.”

                Check out some of Danna’s books below…

                Limitless

                by : Ivy Newport

                WORD OF THE MONTH

                Navigate

                Navigate : verb – plan and direct the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments, maps or by the stars.

                Often we have heard the phrase, navigating by the stars – it may conjure a romantic scene of a moonlit night at sea, the sky a blazing map of twinkling stars as a large ship with billowing sails makes its way to a distant shore. So how does that relate to us and our creative lives? Well, you are that vessel. You are crossing the sea of your existence, the wind in your sails are your passion, ideas and experiences, the distant land…well we don’t know what that looks like yet but we can look up and feel comforted that we have the stars to guide us. We can keep our eyes following the brightest one and move towards it. With creative intention we can navigate our process by our own inner light, our own starlight. So be aware of what you are focusing on…because you will be drawn closer to it. Trust your intuition and inner compass to navigate towards your own Polaris.

                “Fix your course on a star and you will weather any storm.”
                – Leonardo da Vinci
                Word of the Month - Navigate

                by : Ivy Newport

                Star Being Meditation

                WITH RACHEL HILLARY

                I am sharing this beautiful Star Meditation from one of my favorite meditation masters – Rachel Hillary. This one is truly mystical and healing! So gift yourself about 20 mins to enjoy this special time connecting with the expansiveness of the Stars.

                Rachel will share a little about this experience –

                This meditation guides you to connect with a Star Being. To receive love and messages. We connect from our hearts to a single star. This process is simple at its core though, as this connection should be easy, and simple for all. All you have to do is be willing to connect, and allow yourself to be gently guided. This is a safe and loving journey, and I hope it provides you with comfort, insight and awakenings.

                Lots of love,

                Rachel

                “The universe and the light of the stars come through me.”
                – Rumi
                Star Being Meditation

                by : Rachel Hillary

                You can download more meditations and connect with Rachel here…

                Monthly Affirmation
                Each month we will have a positive affirmation. I recommend you print out this affirmation and put it in your sketchbook or somewhere in your studio. Recite the affirmation out loud each time you show up to create. Saying words aloud is powerful and can begin to re-write some of our own limiting beliefs or calm our fears. Try it now…

                AN ARTIST’S VOICE

                Interview with Monica Stadalski

                I’m excited to welcome my fellow artist and teacher, Monica Stadalski, to share a little bit about her own creative process and how connection is an intrinsic part of her work. Like a star map, we are all connected and she illuminates this beautifully with the creation of her collectively created oracle deck – Drawn Together.

                How does connection play a part in the art we create?

                The easy and obvious answer is creating a piece of art, that when viewed, resonates with the viewer on some level. What about us as creatives? Should this be the reason that we’re creating? Or should it be something more, a connection to the process, ourselves, a higher power? I think yes, yes, and yes.

                Connecting to my creativity in this way wasn’t something I had ever really thought about. In the past I always concerned myself more with what others thought or felt when they viewed my work, until I finally realized there was a more important connection to be made. If I connect, or allow myself to be open to a higher power, source, consciousness, whatever you’d like to name it, then creating becomes infinitely easier for me, it just flows. I’m really just the conduit for what needs to be created. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always find this flow state but I still try and show up for myself.

                Over the years I’ve immersed myself into many spiritual practices after suffering the loss of my son. I needed answers, I needed solace and I needed to understand. This led me down several different paths, from studying unity consciousness, energy work, working with tarot and oracle cards, and meditation, lots of meditation. The more I dove into these practices, the more I began to understand the beauty of energy, vibration and frequency. Remember in elementary school when they taught us that everything was made of matter, nothing but a bunch of molecules buzzing and vibrating? So the chair I was sitting in wasn’t actually solid, but a mass of molecules vibrating at a certain frequency…what?!! Oh I remember that, my little 5th grade mind was totally blown! These concepts have come full circle for me, I believe we are energetic beings having a human experience on this beautiful planet and that we all originate from one unified sea of grace. We as individuals are the little, unique waves that rise and fall from this sea, but our very essence and our original state is one of unity.

                I believe our mission here is to learn how to expand our capacity for love, and to foster an understanding that we’re all pieces of the same whole, stardust from the same star. Anytime I can tap into this unity consciousness, I always feel more grounded. Ivy’s live studio circle is a great example of this. We’re all creating together in separate locations, but it doesn’t matter, energetically we are together. Our ability to feel and connect while not physically being together means that we’re tapping into something larger and vibrating on the same frequency. Scientific studies believe human consciousness is unitary and non locally infinite in space and time, meaning we are truly limitless.

                These magical concepts were inadvertently put to the test when I created my newest oracle deck called “Drawn Together”. The birth of this deck was the result of an event that didn’t go as planned last Halloween. I was invited to paint during a tarot reading event, so I thought I would exercise my own intuition and ability to “tap in”, and paint a custom oracle card that would be inspired by the person ordering it. Unfortunately, not many people showed up, but I was so excited by the idea of letting my intuition guide me that I decided to offer these custom painted cards on my website for a small fee. Then an idea came to me….

                I would create an oracle deck from ALL of the intuitively inspired cards I was going to paint, I thought it was pure magic and I was so excited! (This reminds me of the quote “One of the first signs of a Spirit-filled life is enthusiasm!”-A.B. Simpson, so if you ever wonder if you’re on the right path, check your enthusiasm.) I painted each card as they were ordered and let myself remain open to anything that popped into my head. The next few weeks flowed, there were no struggles, no thrown away cards or frustration, so I knew I was on the right track and it felt good. Each person was mailed their original card, and from those 54 paintings an oracle deck was born, along with some amazing new friendships (connections). This deck is the embodiment of those special people, who are now forever entangled with this deck and with anyone that owns it.

                The feedback received was only confirmation that this deck was created through me and not by me. For example, I received a note from a woman that told me the prosperity card I created for her (two koi fish), was spot on and that she was also a pisces, the symbol for a Pisces is two fish. The card with the hand and “create your own magic” went to a lady who told me later she is a henna artist. Another wonderful soul was kind enough to write a blurb for my website and she said “I was anxiously awaiting to see what transpired for the 3 cards! OMG, they were all incredible! Many of my readings throughout the year were supported by her one card. It was that one last bit of validation that made me stop and marvel at how connected we all truly are. Side note, all 3 cards were intertwined with one another which I found to be the icing on the cake!” and the hits just kept coming.

                I have been truly amazed by the feedback, because I don’t consider myself “gifted” or psychic. I only allowed myself to be open to the nudges I received and trusted them. It’s magical what happens when we let ourselves relax and open to a state of flow. I know for myself, it’s a place I can go and be authentically me, it’s the place that offers the greatest peace and the most healing. This state is the doorway into unity consciousness that allows us to connect with a higher power, ourselves and ultimately each other. It gives us a way in, a chance to become a part of this cosmic dance of connection.

                To learn more about Monica, go visit her Website, Facebook & Instagram

                The Stars

                With Denise Stargazer

                This month we’re looking at the energy and magick of the stars. Who doesn’t love to peek into the cosmos to find their constellation? Or discover the star system that helps us feel the enormity of source energy? I love stars and I’m sharing some information from the Q’ero Shamanic Lineage that can be easily utilized by each of us.

                The Q’ero honor the stars. We call in the Star Nations (Hatun Chaska) when we open sacred space and begin our spiritual rituals and practices. The stars are guide posts and bodies of wisdom for our Earth Medicine practices. So today, I wanted to share a Star Meditation with everyone this month. Find a quiet spot and honor this practice in your own special way.

                Thank you for being here and honoring star energy with me. Don’t forget to grab a crystal (any will do) before you begin the star meditation here. Take care friends!

                ***As mentioned, Denise has a special star meditation that begins at 09:00 into the video. It is recommended to use a headset or earphones to listen to this wonderful journey.***

                Learn more about Denise by visiting her website and follow her on social media…

                Check out her awesome YouTube channel too…

                “A star falls from the sky and into your hands. Then it seeps through your veins and swims inside your blood and becomes every part of you.”
                – C. JoyBell C
                Color Palette of the Month

                This month, I couldn’t help but be inspired by our master artist, Agnes Pelton. Agnes’ work encompasses all the colors of the Universe but she especially draws you in with silky pastel gradations and midnight blue contrast. This pairing creates ethereal, otherworldly visions of what can only be described as transcendence. So we, too, will play with cosmic hues and see what we can create!

                As always, work with colors that call to you and never doubt your creative intuition. Your colors may look entirely different and that’s ok.

                “All of my abstractions have to do with light, for light is really all life, you know.”
                – Agnes Pelton
                Color Palette

                by : Ivy Newport

                Master Artist Guide

                Agnes Pelton

                This month, I’m so very excited to bring you the work and story of Spiritual Modernist painter, Agnes Pelton. Agnes’ work reminds me of our study with Hilma Af Klint back in Issue #31. Pelton’s creations have a somewhat different approach although you sense a deep tie to Klint’s spiritual expressions.

                Pelton’s illuminated work offers us a glimpse into a magical world where the landscape is abstracted and organic, divine forms undulate and shift above the horizon. Ethereal and enigmatic you are drawn up into other worldly realms. This reminds me of how I feel when looking up at the stars. Into a space so vast and beautiful that you can’t fully comprehend it. This is why I have chosen Anges Pelton as our Master Artist for this Starstruck issue.

                Enjoy learning more about her and her creations…

                Overview

                Agnes Lawrence Pelton (1881–1961) was a modernist painter who was born in Germany and moved to the United States as a child. She studied art in the United States and Europe. She made portraits of Pueblo Native Americans, desert landscapes and still lifes. Pelton’s work evolved through at least three distinct themes: her early “Imaginative Paintings,” art of the American Southwest people and landscape, and abstract art that reflected her spiritual beliefs.

                Early life

                Agnes Lawrence Pelton was born in Stuttgart, Germany to American parents, William and Florence Pelton. She lived in Rotterdam, the Netherlands from 1882 to 1884 and in Basel, Switzerland from 1884 to 1888. In 1888, when Agnes was about 7 years old, she and her mother moved to Elizabeth Tilton’s home in Brooklyn, New York, located at 1403 Pacific Street. Agnes’ father tragically died of a morphine overdose May 23, 1891, at his brother’s home in Louisiana. Florence Pelton studied music at the Stuttgart Conservatory of Music and operated the Pelton School of Music, from the family home, in Brooklyn for 30 years. She also gave lessons in French and German. Due to her poor health, Agnes was educated at home and her mother and Arthur Whiting taught her piano.

                Education

                Pelton studied at the Pratt Institute from 1895 to 1900, graduating with fellow Modernist artist Max Weber. She continued her studies with one of her instructors, Arthur Wesley Dow, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. She studied landscape and was Dow’s assistant at his summer school, where he taught Modernism, inspired by Chinese and Japanese art. Biographer Tiska Blankenship said that “Dow emphasized structure, spirit, imagination, creation, and the non naturalistic use of color, a technique he taught using Japanese prints to demonstrate space relations and the appropriate use of light and dark masses… Dow’s influence was critical to Pelton’s development of abstractions based on interior, spiritual values.” Dow also taught Georgia O’Keeffe. Pelton took summer classes from William Langson Lathrop in 1907. Pelton studied in Italy in 1910 and 1911, taking life drawing lessons and studying Italian painters at the British Academy in Rome, and also studied with Hamilton Easter Field, who was another of her Pratt instructors.

                Career

                Her work was exhibited in Ogunquit, Maine at Field’s studio in 1912. Based upon her work at that show, Walt Kuhn invited her to participate in the 1913 Armory Show, where two of her paintings, Stone Age and Vine Wood were exhibited. What Pelton called “Imaginative Paintings” were influenced by the work of Arthur B. Davies and depicted the effect of natural light. She made these paintings from 1911 to 1917. 

                Pelton’s work changed significantly following a visit to Mabel Dodge Luhan in Taos, New Mexico in 1919. She painted in oil and used pastels to create realistic portraits and desert landscapes and her works were exhibited in Santa Fe at the School of American Research. Pelton visited Pueblo Native Americans in the American southwest.

                Vine wood, 1913

                Room Decoration in Purple and Gray, 1917

                Pelton had her studios in Greenwich Village in New York City until 1921 when her mother died. She moved to Long Island and lived in a Hayground windmill that had been converted to a house. She also traveled to Hawaii, Beirut, Syria, Georgia and California. She painted portraits and still lifes in Hawaii in 1923 and 1924. She created abstract works of art beginning 1926, which were exhibited in New York at the Argent Galleries and the Museum of New Mexico. By 1926, she had exhibited in 20 group exhibitions and 14 solo exhibitions. She settled in Cathedral City, California in 1932. Pelton originally intended to just visit the area, but lived there for nearly 30 years. She wrote: “The vibration of this light, the spaciousness of these skies enthralled me. I knew there was a spirit in nature as in everything else, but here in the desert it was an especially bright spirit.”

                Pelton recorded her spiritual and philosophical thoughts, and had an “intense interest” in Agni Yoga, which influenced her work. Seven of her paintings, like Fires of Spring and White Fire, represented the fire symbol of Agni Yoga. She had a close friendship with modern transpersonal astrology pioneer Dane Rudhyar and Modernist Southwest painter Raymond Jonson. In 1938, she was a co-founder, first president, and the oldest member of the Transcendental Painting Group. Pelton died in Cathedral City in 1961 and was cremated. Her ashes were buried in the San Jacinto Mountains.

                Being, 1926

                The Guide, 1929

                Legacy

                “Agnes Pelton, Poet of Nature”, a 1995-1996 retrospective exhibition of her work, brought national attention to her work. Curator Michael Zakian wrote: Pelton’s works were poetic celebrations of nature that explored the vital forces animating the physical world. Interested in themes of creation, growth, and radiance, Pelton translated favorite subjects—a glowing star, an opening flower—into life-affirming images of rare beauty and resonance. In many ways, her paintings resemble the art of her contemporary Georgia O’Keeffe, only more colorful, more spiritual, and more imaginative.

                In 2009, her work was exhibited with three other Modernist artists: Georgia O’Keeffe, Florence Miller Pierce, and Agnes Martin. A 192-page catalog accompanied the exhibition. From March to September 2019, the Phoenix Art Museum held an exhibition featuring over 40 of Pelton’s works. From March 13 to June 28, 2020, Whitney Museum of American Art held an exhibit organized by the Phoenix Art Museum, “Agnes Pelton: The Desert Transcendentalist”. The Agnes Pelton Society was founded in 2013 to promote Pelton’s life and legacy.

                Even Song, 1934

                “I feel somewhat like the keeper of a little lighthouse, the beam of which goes farther than I know, and illuminates others more than I can see. “
                – Agnes Pelton

                Enjoy this slideshow of her work…

                Here’s a Pinterest board full of work from Agnes Pelton

                More videos to watch…

                Master Artist Guide

                by : Ivy Newport

                Sketchbook Explorations

                EXPLORATION 1

                Star Goddess

                With our monthly goddess, Asteria, as our muse, let’s create a portrait or expression of this Star Goddess (or one you choose to work with). Mine is also our cover this month! I created it digitally and loved the process! Feel free to any medium that brings you joy!

                Check out our curated Pinterest board to get your creative ideas flowing…

                EXPLORATION 2

                Inspired by Agnes Pelton

                Have a peek at Agnes’ beautiful, spiritual abstractions and then pick a piece to do a study of or create a piece inspired by her work! Get ready to get cosmic with her transcendental work!

                Here is a Pinterest board I’ve curated to inspire you…

                EXPLORATION 3

                Star Signs

                In your sketchbook or art journal consider creating a page or spread dedicated to your star sign. Have fun with this! You could do a collage or a painting or drawing! There is so much symbolism and story behind the Zodiac!

                I created a Pinterest board full of Zodiac inspired art!

                Beautiful Art From Norse Pagan

                “Hope itself is like a star- not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.”
                – Charles Spurgeon

                MONTHLY ART LESSON

                Feel The Grunge

                With jenny grant

                Jenny loves to play in her “grungy” art journals. With no purpose more than just relaxing, finding her flow and trying new things, she enjoys the process of adding and taking away to slowly reveal the story in her artwork. Her process is unstructured, tactile and messy and when she finds her flow, it’s magical.

                In this class Jenny will show you what happens when she turns turn off the noise in her head and just listens to the whispers in her heart. This class is all about letting go and feel what to do next. Jenny encourages you to listen, to your senses and to follow your intuition, to enjoy the process and not to worry about or be too attached to the result.

                Join us in this wonderful new lesson and find your own flow.

                STUDIOWORKS

                Submission Calls

                If you’d like to be featured in an upcoming Studioworks Journal, we’d love to have you join our Creative Network! Our intention with Studioworks has always been to cultivate community involvement and collaboration. Featuring members from our creative community is such an honor and a beautiful way to share the light you all bring. Come join us!

                STUDIOWORKS PODCAST

                issue forty-three

                You can also listen to this month’s issue of the Studioworks journal. I find I love listening to books, podcasts and music while I draw, paint or go on a long walk. Enjoy.

                Studioworks : issue forty-three

                by : Ivy Newport

                inspiration: curated
                One of my favorite things to do is to curate inspiration. From Pinterest boards to books, resources, playlists and more – I love to share anything that might facilitate learning, expansion, and sparks of curiosity! Being an artist, we naturally crave these things so here are some of this month’s picks from me to you.

                Books to Discover & Enjoy

                MUSIC PLAYLIST

                I had so much fun curating this list. I hope you enjoy!!

                THINGS TO WATCH

                Yoga Lovers – Check out this beautiful Full Moon Yoga practice (for any level)

                PINTEREST BOARDS

                CLASS TO CHECKOUT

                If you haven’t done these Star themed Studioworks Lessons yet come check it out –

                NEW CLASSES ADDED TO STUDIOWORKS

                Here are just a few of our fantastic classes! I highly recommend checking them out if you haven’t already. Enjoy!