Odorata

Gracing the Dawn in her solid manifestation is here! I know fans of this fragrance have been waiting quite a long time for this interpretation, thanks so much for your patience. The structure of this perfume follows what is considered a classic Chypre, a french word meaning Cyprus. Perfumes of this family traditionally are defined by notes of oakmoss and animal musk in the base, rose and jasmine at the heart and bergamot or fresh citrus within the top. Since I refrain from using the historical animal ingredients found in traditional natural Chypre perfumes, I created some faux natural accords to mimic civet, castoreum, ambergris and deer musk. There is also a very minuscule amount of Africa stone, the fossilized distilled droppings of a small animal known as a hyrax.

I use the term botanical perfumer to define what I do in the fragrance realm because I have chosen not to use the historical animal ingredients for ethical reasons. All artists find their path in different ways, mine was via the magical duirway of nature and the oak.

I refer to Gracing the Dawn as a violet perfume, although the violet note in the solid version of the fragrance is subtle, it is a more fictional representation. The main scent component of violet flowers comes from the naturally occurring chemical constituent ionones. The natural perfumer has no violet essential oil, C02 extract or absolute. There is a violet leaf absolute but the aroma is not one of the delicate little flowers we all adore. Opting for maximum nature in my fragrances I utilized Orris and a variety of other whole essences to convey the impression of violets. In the liquid version of this fragrance the violet note was further enhanced with a tincture of violet flowers.

It was my intention to release the solid version with an enfleurage of violets, but alas it is not ready yet. Thus, the addition of the precious infusion will come in future editions of the fragrance. The synergy of the solid is almost exact to that of her fragrance liquid counterpart. There are five accords, one of which is contained within another accord. The most complex of these accords is one I call Fern which is so pretty on her own I may release it as a perfume.

Here's a list of the included essences, which illustrates in the first six ingredients why this perfume is costly:

FLOWERS
Rose Jasmine
Boronia
Night Queen
Tuberose
Orange Blossom
Osmanthus
Black Current
Narcissus
Ylang Ylang
Mimosa

RESINS
Oakmoss
Peru Balsam
Labdanum
Galbanum

WOOD
Agarwood
Sandalwood
Cedarwood
Guaicwood
Pine

HERBS
Chamomile
Parsley
Ginger
Patchouli
Celery
Clary
Sage
Cumin
Tumeric
Lavender
Rosemary
Juniper
Geranium
Basil
Caraway

OTHER
Violet Leaf
Ambrette
Cognac
Orris
Vetiver
SeaWeed
Choya Nakh
Spikenard
Beeswax
Neem

Solid Mini Sample 
5 gram Honey pot
Round Compact

More about Gracing the Dawn can be found at these links here at the journal: Perspective, October 2010 Gracing the Dawn, July 2010 The Dawn, July 2010

Opening photo by Roxana Villa, illuminated ©GregSpalenka. Find the Gracing the Dawn Flower of Fortune Cards and the print on etsy.

Transportives

 

Transport thyself to alternate realms of being via little pink pots of nature. Sniff and journey to ancient lands, wonderous gardens and the world of faerie. One sniff to encounter an enchanted encounter now available in sets of three, four, five, six, nine, twelve, or fifteen.
These sets include the brand new GRACING the DAWN: The aroma of purple painted with florals and botanical leather.

Our global hive needs some tending so that we may all evolve to “an illuminated state of floral consciousness.” As author Tom Robbins says,

“With an increased floral consciousness,
humans will begin to make full use of their
‘light brain’ and make more refined and sophisticated use of their ‘smell brain.’
The two are portentously linked.
In fact, they overlap to such an extent that they may be considered inseparable.”
— Tom Robbins, Jitterbug Perfume

Image ©Greg Spalenka

Make Good Art

Last night I watched the Grant Morrison documentary, today I saw two commencement speeches given by Neil Gaiman and JK Rowling. These wizards offer timeless wisdom and tell us...that if we don't know how to do something then pretend you are someone who does or to use the power of your imagination.

Gotta love these inspirators of the cosmic fantasy realm. Enjoy!




Meanwhile in the studio Gracing the Dawn natural perfume in a solid format is about to hit this planetary sphere, prepare thy nostrils.

From Buddha to Batman

While at Spectrum Live I was reminded of the inspirational talks given by Grant Morrison and Deepak Chopra at Comic Con. Today, rather auspiciously, I came across the video of one of those presentations and am putting it here not only to share with you but so that I can find it easily and re-watch over and over again.



The Grant Morrison documentary can be found here at Hulu, watching it tonight, can't wait!

Image ©GregSpalenka, available as a print soon.

Gift of Wise Men

The June issue of National Geographic has a short piece on how Frankincense trees are threatened, thus limiting the production of the precious resin. This is not something new, I've been hearing about it for years within the aromatherapy community. Working in this field of natural perfume is tricky business due to the stresses on the environment which impact the palette of raw materials.

Back in the mid nineties when I made the conscious decision to teach aromatherapy instead of art and eventually launch my perfume company, it was with a very clear mission to illuminate the beauty and nature within the precious fragrances I compose.

I made a choice to limit my palette to the use of highly vibrational ingredients, use magic and intention, and weave mindfulness in all aspects of the business. On June 15th it will be the five year anniversary of the website and blog launch. As I look back on the five years and forward to the next five, ten, twenty and beyond – I am uncertain what lies ahead. It seems that the terrain now shifts daily and the ability to bend like a reed is more important than ever.

It would be very sad to lose such a precious aromatic like Frankincense, that would mean that the formula of Chaparral® and a few other natural, botanical perfumes from my line would shift dramatically. However, I am also holding a strong intention for a massive awakening of the two-leggeds. In this prophecy I foresee humanity and our precious natural resources valued along with a visionary approach to problem solving.

Since hearing that Star Scientific in Australia has created a type of Cold Fusion, specifically Muon Fusion, I can see how we can move forward to create a new reality. The main challenge is the Corporate system with their focus on power and greed. The iconic symbol of dark versus light, so luminously portrayed in J.R.R. Tolkiens fantasy novel Lord of the Rings, is still very much alive in our collective thinking. I keep forgetting that polarity is part of the integral workings of Planet Earth.

Onward we go, along this spiraling path, may yours be a fragrant one imbued with the essence of wisdom.

“Until the day break, and the shadows flee away,

 I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, 

and to the hill of frankincense.” 

~ Bible

Image: Drawing by Edward Burne-Jones: Desiderium, 1873.

Spectrum Live, Kansas City

The Spectrum Live event began for the artists on Thursday evening with a special screening of the documentary Better Things about the life and choices of artist Jeffrey Catherine Jones. This was a compelling way to start a Sci-fi/Fantasy art convention that would in the end defy all over conventions of this type.

Here's a short clip that wasn't in the version we saw....


The film maker, Maria Cabardo, is in the final phases of putting the documentary together and will be doing a kickstarter campaign to get some funding. Keep track of the project at the Macab Films site. Jeffrey Catherine Jones transcended this material plane of existence last May.

Friday morning we headed over to the Bartle Hall at the Kansas City Convention Center to set up our booth and prepare for the 4pm opening. This year we decided to showcase our work on one large table in a corner booth with fabric draped on each wall. All and all we were happy with the outcome.

 

The most popular natural perfume at Spectrum Live appeared to be Terrestre with Blanc and GreenWitch tied for second. It's always fascinating how each event will have specific fragrance favorites. My honey bee print was also a popular item.

Besides patrons Greg had lots of fans asking for autographs of books he's illustrated, pages from Spectrum, Magic Cards, etc. The most amazing fan was one who brought a box with fifteen different books Greg illustrated covers for, pictured below.

We saw lots and lots of our friends, including a few that we haven't seen in years, like illustrator Anita Kunz, pictured below sandwiched between Greg and I.

Along with the art show on the main floor there were presentations and portfolio reviews on both Saturday and Sunday. Production/concept designer Ian McCraig was a big draw at the event with three separate very well attended talks. On Saturday Greg moderated an Artist As Brand panel with artists Michal Whelan, Donato Giancola, Virginie Robars and William Stout.

We also made new friends like Virginie Robars from Brittany France who makes the most exquisite dolls. She won a gold medal for Jack.

Each night, after the show the artists gathered for various activities. On Friday everyone assembled on the 16th floor of Aladdin for a drawing fest with live models. Saturday night was the Spectrum Fantasy Art Annual awards ceremony at a spectacular 1920's theater called the Midland. it was an award show like no other in the illustration industry. Greg was the presenter for the "Institutional" category.

By the end of the event on Sunday Arnie and Cathy seemed open to the idea of organizing a second Spectrum Live for next year.

Photos ©RoxanaVilla

The three R's

Last night we returned from our exciting week long sojourn in Kansas City. It's so nice to be back amongst the oaks, honey bees and blooming sage. I am perplexed that I didn't see one honey bee in Kansas City, even among the blossoming trees, shrubs and wild flowers.

Today is all about re-organization, re-integration and re-inventing while I pack up all the orders placed while I was away, download a bizillion photos and breath in the dry arid smells of the chaparral.

I've had to deactivate the perfume necklace and bee locket listings in the E-shop since they were packed up with the crated items from our booth at the convention center. They will be back by the end of the week or so.

Intending to have a detailed post from all the fun in Kansas City soon. I've also got some projects underway here in the studio and prepping for the early July perfume show in San Francisco.

Images: Hammerpress and River Market Antiques in Kansas City, MO ©RoxanaVilla