Layers

“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.” ~ Anais Nin

Eve and I are voracious in our appetite for good stories. Sunday evening we decided to check out the new Arclight Movie Theater and see the film Atonement. Our hunger was fulfilled with multiple courses of love, wit, beauty and tragedy.

As I put on sheaths of silk and woolens this morning with an intention of staying warm while blending, I contemplated the importance of layering. Layering in all aspects of life adds complexity and thus creates interest. This is evident in the mastery of the film Atonement as well as the storytelling of the TV series LOST.

When creating botanical perfume we create layers of similar notes, called chords or accords, and then blend those for the final orchestration of the perfume opera. I've created several chords to work with including variations of wood, floral, rose, citrus, leather, spice, green, amber, musk, jasmine, carnation and velvet. Some of these are simple perfumes, soliflores in their own right.

Multiple chords in perfume, are like those wonderful layers in great storytelling, seamlessly blended to create a synergy greater than the sum of its parts.

See how Greg creates his lovely illuminations, including Lotus Fairy,
clicking on the Bouquet button here, at right:

Cheers to the Bards!
www.illuminatedperfume.com

Atonement, the movie
Ian McEuwen
LOST

Image above: One of the many layers used to create the final image Lotus Fairy, by Greg Spalenka. The Bouquet button is an image he created for his website.