ivy newport

Studioworks

Journal

a letter from ivy

Dear creative friends,

Welcome to Issue No. 59 of the Studioworks Journal! It's truly an honor to have you journey alongside me through this creative passage. As the natural world prepares for the rest and reflection of winter, we artists are uniquely positioned to channel the essence of harvest and abundance into our works.

As seasons transition, there's an intrinsic melding of gratitude, bounty, and the anticipation of cozy days ahead. How might we, as artists, capture this spirit of abundance and translate it into strokes, hues, and textures? How can we infuse our creations with the warmth and richness of the harvest, even as the days grow colder and shorter? Dive in with me, and let's unearth the beauty of this season together.

Let’s begin!

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.

Let's Begin
Monthly Theme
The Creative Harvest

Autumn has always been a time of great significance for humanity, even before the advent of agriculture. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors knew when wild foods ripened and recognized the impact of the change in weather on the availability of plants and animals alike. Being in touch with the seasons was a matter of life and death. Once we began cultivating food, the harvest took on enormous value and became central to our lives.


Naturally, something this profound could not fail to capture the imagination of artists, spurring innumerable creative works over the centuries. With so much at stake, the symbolism attached to the harvest became vast, providing ample avenues for artists to explore. Let’s examine some of the exceptional fruits this inspiration has yielded over time.


"What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action."
- Meister Eckhart

A Bit of History and Symbology in Harvest Art

The earliest depictions of harvests can be found in caves in the Iberian Mountains of Spain, dating as far back as 8000 years. The best-preserved piece, known as Barranco Gómez, shows in remarkable detail a person gathering honey. It captures a transitional moment of moving away from hunting and gathering toward an agrarian way of life. It also reveals the importance of the honey harvest to the artists and their communities.

Moving forward in time, the ancient Greek concept of the cornucopia, or horn of plenty, became a common image used to depict abundance and the harvest. Horn-shaped baskets, slung over the shoulder or on the back, leaving the hands free for harvesting, were commonly used in both Europe and Asia, explaining why their likeness is so ubiquitous. The cornucopia has appeared worldwide on vases, coins, buildings, sculptures, carpets, furniture, paintings, and national symbols such as flags, state seals, and coats of arms. The painting Abundantia by Rubens, depicting the Roman goddess of abundance with a cornucopia, is a symbolically rich representation of this theme.

Another common symbol of the harvest is wheat fields, which represent peacefulness, serenity, life’s cycles, fertility, growth, and abundance. The golden color of wheat and the beauty of pastoral scenes have made them a frequent focus of painters throughout history. Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s The Harvesters and Vincent Van Gogh’s The Harvest are two vibrant works in this line.

"The Harvesters"

Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1565

"Abundance" (Abundantia)

Peter Paul Rubens, 1630

“The Harvest"

Vincent Van Gogh, 1888

An additional frequently occurring image in harvest art is the sickle or scythe. It is the implement of the Grim Reaper, the harvester of souls, but also a commonly used tool for cutting mature plants. Thus, the sickle is both a memento mori and a symbol of the agricultural working class. Beautifully capturing these disparate meanings, the painting Song of the Lark by Jules Breton famously stole the hearts of greats Eleanor Roosevelt and Bill Murray with its evocative rendering of a young peasant woman in a field at dawn holding a sickle and held rapt by bird song.

"The Song of the Lark"

Jules Breton, 1884

Another alluring image that frequently inspires artists is the harvest moon. Symbolic of abundance, gratitude, receiving the rewards of one’s labor, and embracing the earth’s cycles, it casts a glow over many a great work. A lovely representation of this is The Harvest Moon by George Mason, which gets symbolism bonus points for also including wheat and scythes in the composition.

"The Harvest Moon"

George Mason, 1872

We cannot overlook the importance of fruit in harvest symbology, particularly that of the apple. This humble produce holds meanings ranging from wisdom to original sin but generally garners reverence as a token of healing, vitality, regeneration, wholeness, and life itself. Something so teeming with meaning cannot help but send artists rushing to seize and employ the tools of their craft. A shining example of the fruits of this effort can be found in the piece Apple Picking at Eragny-Sur-Epte by Camille Pissarro.

"Apple Picking at Eragny-Sur-Epte"

Camille Pissarro, 1888

"I am filled with gratitude for the ability to live the artist's life. In my studio. Being an artist. Everyday."
- Mickie Acierno

Bringing It In

Fall is a transitory time; the harvest perfectly represents this. Thus, it has become a repository of rich symbolism and the progenitor of countless works of art. It is inspirational to see the richness the world can bring forth, especially when what it yields literally sustains us.


As we move through this harvest season, it is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the bounty in our lives. We can do this by giving thanks and sharing whatever we’re able to, be it kind words, excess produce from our gardens, or a piece of art that springs from the heart, becoming a joyous yield from our creative harvest.

"One looks at life as a gift, a painting of lights and darks, each defining the other, not a series of good and bad things. Giving thanks, and often, frees the spirit and makes the heart secure."
- Fay Bohlayer
The Creative Harvest
By : Ivy Newport
Reaping Abundance

Fall is a time of transition that perfectly juxtaposes that of spring. Where the latter is all about new life springing forth in verdant glory, the former is about culmination, things coming to fruition in stunning displays of gold, amber, and red. Where one calls us forth to engage in fresh beginnings, the other offers us the rewards of our labor and nudges us to slow down, enjoy, and go inward.

To fully embrace what each season brings is a beautiful way to tap into the natural richness of the lived experience. As artists, we can tune ourselves to the earth’s rhythms and find inspiration in the energy of the moment. Let’s explore some of the ways that synchronizing ourselves with the harvest season can help us reap abundance in our creative practice.


"Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life."
- Wayne Dyer

Tapping In

An ever-available tool for getting in touch with the world around us is to quiet ourselves, slow our breathing, and really take in what’s going on in our surroundings. Noting the changes in light and shadow as the arc of the sun shifts, the play of clouds scurrying across the sky, the seasonal music of migrating birds, the difference in the smell and feel of the morning air vs. that of the afternoon or evening, the contrasts between plants that lose their leaves and those that don’t with all the variegations in color that entails, etc., etc.

No matter where you are or what fills your field of view, if you observe closely, you’ll notice that things look different this time of year, colored by an autumnal glow. They also sound, feel, and taste different. Tapping into the unique qualities of right now can provide a treasure trove of inspiration if you allow your senses to be open and receptive.

"Life in abundance comes only through great love."
- Elbert Hubbard

Mining Harvest Themes

With its great significance to humankind, the harvest is a repository of symbolism that extends from every point on the globe. Virtually every culture has created deities to represent the harvest, from ​​Çhicomecoatl, the Aztec goddess of abundance and corn, to Parvati, the Hindu goddess of the harvest and the protector of women. Whether they’re honoring Osiris in Egypt or Huichi in Japan, people everywhere recognize harvest as a time to celebrate the plentiful offerings of the earth and to show gratitude for her fertility, nurturing, vitality, resilience, and abundance.


Image of the Goddess Pavarti, on the wall of a temple, in Sangamankanda, in East Coast, Sri Lanka

Depiction of Çhicomecoatl, the Aztec goddess of abundance and corn

Another element here is bidding farewell to the summer and rejoicing in the relative gentleness and peace that precedes the arrival of winter. It is a time of gathering in, preserving, and fostering the perseverance necessary to weather what is to come.

From an artist’s perspective, there are many avenues to explore spurred by these themes. For example, you might focus on food staples that evoke the harvest, like corn, wheat, rice, apples, and grapes, and create still lifes or landscapes. 

"Still Life with Fruit and Roemer"

Pieter Claessen, 1644

"Demeter Mourning for Persephone"

Evelyn De Morgan, 1906

Alternatively, you might focus on fertility and generate images of expecting mothers or mothers with their young, human and otherwise. Or perhaps you want to explore myth and make paintings of harvest gods/goddesses and their particular accompanying symbols. 

Yet another option is to eschew existing harvest symbology and meditate on what gratitude and abundance mean for you personally. Take whatever comes up for you and run with it. It is said that gratitude is the ultimate state of receivership, so if you can foster the energy of thanks, you may just awaken your inner muse.

What We’ve Gathered

The harvest season is a luminous time pregnant with meaning. It is a moment where we are encouraged to notice the gifts surrounding us and show our appreciation for them. Wherever we hail from, there are traditions that call upon us to pay attention and give thanks to the earth that sustains us.

If we answer this call by tapping in, opening our senses, and mining the gems within harvest symbology, we can create from a place of receptivity, and what we make will add beauty to the world. This is how we reap abundance, by offering our gifts in gratitude for the wonder inherent in being alive.


"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."
- William Blake
Reaping Abundance
By : Ivy Newport
WORD OF THE MONTH
Cultivate

The word "cultivate" is generally defined in the dictionary as:

Cultivate:

  • To prepare and work on (land) in order to raise crops; till.

  • To promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.

  • To develop or improve by education or training; train; refine.

  • To promote the growth or development of; foster.

  • To devote oneself to (an art, science, etc.).

Here’s how we can relate this powerful word to our artistic practice -

Preparing & Working: Just as farmers prepare the land to raise crops, artists must prepare their "creative soil." This can mean setting up a studio, gathering materials, or mentally and emotionally readying themselves for the creative process.

Promotion & Improvement: Farmers improve the growth of crops through attention and care. Similarly, artists must continuously refine their skills and techniques. They practice, learn from mistakes, and seek ways to grow in their craft.

Development & Training: Artists undergo training, attend workshops, take classes, and practice regularly to hone their abilities, similar to how one might cultivate a specific skill or trait.

Promoting Growth: In the realm of personal development, artists often seek experiences, environments, or relationships that promote their growth as individuals, which in turn influences their art.

Devotion: This definition directly ties the act of cultivating with devotion to an art or science. An artist cultivates their craft by dedicating time, energy, and passion.

In essence, to "cultivate" in the realm of artistry means to nurture, develop, and devote oneself to the creative process and the honing of one's skills. Just as cultivation in agriculture requires attention, patience, and care, the cultivation of artistry demands a similar level of dedication and passion.

"Cultivation to the mind is as necessary as food to the body."
- Marcus Tullius Cicero
Word Of The Month
By : Ivy Newport

Writing Prompt - Embracing the harvest season and gratitude

Get those journals and sketchbooks out and get ready to do some self-reflection and writing. Try not to judge what comes out of these writing sessions. Don’t worry about punctuation or grammar or any of that. You can even just make lists if that suits you better. Remember, journaling is a deeply personal practice, so feel free to adapt these prompts to better suit your own thoughts and experiences.

Take a moment to get quiet. Still yourself by doing some gentle breath work. Light a candle. Now ask yourself some questions to reflect upon...

These prompts are designed to encourage introspection, helping us see the parallels between the rhythms of nature and our own creative journey, while also emphasizing the importance of gratitude in our daily practice.

“Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance."
- Epicurus
Golden Heart Radiance Sound Bath Meditation
WITH RACHEL HILLARY

I am sharing this beautiful energy experience session from one of my favorite meditation masters - Rachel Hillary. This journey will help you connect to the night sky and the stars above. Enjoy…

Rachel will share a little about this experience -

This meditation took a while to create as a lot of energy has been poured into it. It is crafted to be an activating meditation, with a mixture of soul frequency singing through me, and a sound bath of birdsong and beautiful music, along with gentle guidance to summon the golden heart radiance available through you, during this potent time on earth.

lots of love,
Rachel

Golden Heart Radiance Sound Bath Meditation
By : rachel hillary

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…

Color Palette of the Month

For our November theme, we're delving deep into the rich tapestry of harvest and introspection. This month, our palette draws inspiration from moody blues, a cascade of autumnal scarlet, pumpkin and gold,, the warmth of spiced cinnamon, and the comforting embrace of muted earth tones. It's astonishing how these shades evoke both the coziness of fall and a touch of winter's embrace. Let's explore the depth and breadth of these hues this month and see the magic they weave together!

Color Palette of the Month
By : Ivy Newport
A Moment of poetry

This month, I had to share one of my favorite Autumnal poems by dear Mary Oliver. I hope you enjoy…

“Fall Song”
by Mary Oliver
Another year gone, leaving everywhere
its rich spiced residues: vines, leaves,

the uneaten fruits crumbling damply
in the shadows, unmattering back

from the particular island
of this summer, this NOW, that now is nowhere

except underfoot, moldering
in that black subterranean castle

of unobservable mysteries - roots and sealed seeds
and the wanderings of water. This

I try to remember when time's measure
painfully chafes, for instance when autumn

flares out at the last, boisterous and like us longing
to stay - how everything lives, shifting

from one bright vision to another, forever
in these momentary pastures.
Master Artist Guide
Anna Ancher

In the quaint town of Skagen, Denmark, where the North Sea meets the Baltic, Anna Ancher was born in 1859, destined to leave an indelible mark on the world of art. As autumn's rich palette gives way to winter's subdued tones, one can't help but draw parallels between this transition and Anna's lifelong exploration of light.

Anna was born to a family of merchants, which gave her a first-hand look at the daily lives of the people in her community. Her familial surroundings, combined with the natural beauty of Skagen, deeply influenced her early artistic aspirations. She would go on to study painting at Vilhelm Kyhn’s school for women painters in Copenhagen. It was here that her inclination towards capturing the ethereal qualities of light began to shine. The region, with its ever-changing light, is especially captivating during the transition from the golden harvest season to the stark serenity of winter. It's no wonder then that the young Anna was so deeply influenced by these annual rhythms.


While her contemporaries concentrated on grand landscapes and bustling scenes, Anna's focus remained unwaveringly on the way light changed. Her canvases are imbued with a warm, radiant glow, showcasing her innate understanding of color and its intricacies. Whether it was the soft sunlight filtering through a window or the muted glow of a candle illuminating a room, Anna's paintings provide viewers with an intimate experience of the moment.

"Harvesters"

Anna Ancher, 1905

"Sewing Fisherman’s Wife"

Anna Ancher, 1890

The golden hues of harvest in her paintings capture the abundance and warmth of autumn. Sunlight filters softly through lace curtains, illuminating the intimate interiors she creates. As her palette subtly shifts, one can witness the quiet arrival of winter, with muted blues and grays, capturing the serene, contemplative mood of this colder season.

Anna’s portrayal of light is not just a mere representation; it’s a deep dive into the human soul. Just as harvest symbolizes the fruition of hard work and winter signifies rest and reflection, Anna's paintings echo similar sentiments. They showcase moments of joy, contentment, introspection, and anticipation.

"The red living room at Amalievej, Frederiksberg"

Anna Ancher, 1900

"Young Woman arranging Flowers"

Anna Ancher, 1885

"Portrait of Ane Nordman"

Anna Ancher, 1890

"Girl in the Kitchen"

Anna Ancher, 1883

Anna Ancher's oeuvre is a testament to her pioneering spirit. At a time when women artists often found themselves sidelined, Anna's work was widely recognized and celebrated. Her commitment to portraying light in its myriad forms led to some of the most iconic artworks of the 19th century, establishing her as a beacon in the realm of Impressionist and Realist painting.


Beyond her unmatched prowess in capturing light, Anna Ancher's legacy also lies in how she seamlessly intertwined the seasons with human emotions. The ebbs and flows, the brightness and gloom, the abundance and scarcity—all mirror life's own ups and downs.

Anna Ancher's journey was not just about capturing light; it was about understanding its interplay with nature, seasons, and human emotions. Through her masterful strokes, the shift from harvest to winter becomes more than just a change in weather—it transforms into a profound commentary on life, growth, change, and reflection. As the leaves fall and the days grow shorter, Anna's paintings invite us to bask in the glow of harvested memories and prepare for the introspective beauty of the days ahead.

Enjoy a slideshow of Anna Ancher’s work...

Here’s a Pinterest board full of her work to inspire you!

Master Artist Guide - Anna Ancher
By : Ivy Newport
community corner
Do you have any favorite creative Halloween and or Samhain traditions you want to share?

I like to journal. Once each week I’ll make a chamomile tea and take half an hour to just write about things that happened, or things in my life, that I am grateful for. When I do this, I realise how lucky I am to have sunshine, a creative practise, a healthy daughter, a good husband, beautiful food to eat, books I enjoy. - Elyn Ardino


I've challenged myself to write 3 things that I am grateful for on each canvas I begin. Truthfully, its easier said than to remrmber to do. - Tamara Mulkey


I am doing a Bible study this month about gratitude. It is amazing how the people in the Bible were so grateful to God and Jesus. As a Christian I am grateful each day and try my best to spread kindness to others. I also make small gratitude journals so I can write down what I am grateful for. Looking forward to continuing my practice with the next Studioworks journal. - Deb Pinner Schaefer


When I’m feeling truly grateful, I feel a greater connection to the universe and to the unseen help that surrounds me. I gain appreciation for the journey of my life and the blessings along the way. I wake up everyday and thank my angels and guides for revealing to me what I need to know, and inspiring my life. If I’m feeling down about something in the past, thinking about all that I’m grateful for fills my heart and brings me into the present moment. I tell special people in my life how much I appreciate them on a regular basis. - Martha Lyon Barnett


When I awake each morning, my eyes open and I’m looking upward. I immediately pray in gratitude. It flows into my art making. - Janice Robinson

Whenever I feel down or sad, I start listing things I’m grateful for, simple things, anything. Focusing on being grateful for what I have instead of focusing on what I don’t have. Gratitude greatly improves my attitude. It is magic. - Leigh Banuelos

I had a “Five minute journal” practice for a long time. I started each morning by entering 3 things I was grateful, an affirmation, and what would make the day great (like calling my mom). It also had an evening reflection. This practice was transformative for me  Now I think of things I’m grateful for on my morning walks with my dog Charlie, or when I remember throughout the day… or when I’m journaling. - Theresa P-Tan

I like to reflect on things I am grateful for first thing in the morning while I am sitting having my tea and looking out the window. I whisper to sky, and say, something like, "Thank you Universe, God/Goddess/Source..." and then list simple things that come to mind. Usually my dog is in there, and my loved ones, as well as the abundance in my life that I try not to take for granted, and some self-love gratitude as well. I always finish with "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you..." and so it is! - Domina Doll

Sketchbook Explorations
Exploration 1
Pearful Reflections

Set up a simple still life with a bowl of pears or use the photo provided. As you sketch or paint, reflect on the symbolism of pears, which are often associated with abundance, nourishment, and longevity. Let the smooth curves, subtle textures, and gentle gradients of the fruit guide your hand. As you capture the essence of the pears, ponder on the deeper meanings they hold, and how they resonate with your own feelings of gratitude and the abundance in your life.

download image
Exploration 2
Golden Fields

Think of a vast, undulating wheat field just before harvest. Sketch or paint the scene, capturing the golden hues, the movement of the stalks in the wind, and the vastness of the landscape. Feel free to use this image as reference.

download image
Exploration 3
Master Study

Create a master study or a piece inspired by our monthly artist, Anna Ancher. Focus on how beautifully she captures light and the gentle introspection of her pieces. Reflect on how her work makes you feel and note this in your journals or sketchbooks.

Monthly Art Lesson
Twilight's Embrace
With ivy Newport

I’m so delighted to bring you this pastel landscape lesson! I hope you enjoy it. Please try and use the pastels you have already or consider buying a set that suits your budget.

You do NOT need the exact pastels as me nor do you need quite so many. I have been building my collection over time. The most important thing is to have a good range of values and color temperatures. Do your best to match up your colors to my final palette, but you can always improvise too!

Have fun and enjoy!

studioworks podcast
issue fifty-nine

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.

issue fifty-nine
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!!

pinterest boards

recommended Studioworks classes

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