Ebb and Flow

I'm focusing on the positives of ebb and flow today, although, I much prefer flow. Flow being more aligned with water element where as ebb is part of elemental earth. Both have their benefits, its just a matter of where one is standing and perceiving. After all, perception is an act of creation. Oh...and how auspicious, my favorite fragrance lately has been Chiaroscuro, which is all about the dark and the light. Gee, Spirit must be telling me something.

I normally shoot my photos in the early morning and/or late afternoon next to the big window in the living room. During the holidays that spot was taken for the Christmas tree so I had to look for other options, like the studio where the top and two bottom images were taken.

The other day on a whim I did some shots on the other side of the living room next to the big sliding glass doors, on one of the big "fulfillment" tables that were brought into the space in October. So, this is my new favorite spot, which is fabulous because there is lots of space and the northern light is pretty good all day long.

The palette of essences I work is constantly in danger and thus the fragrances will shift depending mostly on what I can get a hold of at any given time. Sometimes essences disappear off the market completely, while at other times its just a matter of hunting them down and having the resources to purchase large amounts.

A huge box of aromatics I recently ordered arrived at the door today. It's filled to the brim with a plethora of essential oils, absolutes and C02 extracts from all parts of the planet. Many of them are to make existing perfumes, some of which have been out of stock, like Aurora liquid and Gracing the Dawn. Others are for upcoming deliciousness yet to be unveiled.

Last night I ordered yet another huge batch of essences. I've been a little in terror at the amount of money that I've been spending on raw materials lately. It's great to get things in larger amounts because they are less expensive and then you have them, without having to re-order all the time. However, I'm no bank. This living on the edge, ebb phase of the year, like winter wears thin, I can't seem to get use to it.

Now that the sun is out, I'm warm and have had lots of good news today I'm feeling much better about everything. Although the ebb phase might be part of the reality at least I can shift my mind into a different gear.

Chiaroscuro Solid October 2012

 The skyrocketing sales of solid, natural perfume during the last month has created a few shifts in the studio. One of them is creating much larger batches of each synergy.

During the deluge of the feature the I sat down to make more of the synergies, one was for Chiaroscuro solid. I multiplied the formula by four and proceeded to work. Reports from those who have received the newest version say that the spice note is more prominent and the jasmine note less. Since the formula hasn't changed this makes me think that the multiplication by four has intensified the spice note. I have made a note of this for the next time I sit down to create the Chiaroscuro and any solid synergy I recreate in a significantly larger batch.

In the meantime, I am making a Jasmine soliflore for those who would like a stranger jasmine note added to Chiaroscuro...or any illuminated perfume. You all know how much I adore jasmine. As mentioned here at the journal in the post As Noted: Chocolate 1 and 2, soliflore, means one flower in French,  it is a term used to describe a composed perfume dominated by one single flower, such as Gardenia or Jasmine.

The first soliflores I created were the chocolates, which by the way I am reworking and intend to release shortly. Blanc, the vanilla soliflore, came out of the chocolate solid perfume series. As part of that series there was a jasmine chocolate titled Figure 8: Coeur de Jasmin, that is what the new Jasmine soliflore will be based on.

Part of the reason I am able to move forward so swiftly with the Jasmin soliflore is because while ordering more wax last week I came across a gorgeous purple that will work divinely as the seal for the fragrance. Finding the thread for the pouch may not prove as easy, thus, not sure as of yet of the debut date.

Read more on this related topic here at the journal at these posts:
Mutations
The Fragility of Tactile Materials
As Noted: Chocolate 1 and 2
As Noted

Images: Opening and middle photos are by Rebecca Fishman, Figure 8: Coeur de Jasmin photo by Roxana Villa.

Chiaroscuro Giveaway Winners

Thank you to all who graciously shared their input on selecting the best ad image to represent the new Chairoscuro natural perfume! After assembling all the names of those who entered we put the list into the Randomizer gods selected Deborah and Babette as the lucky recipients of the perfume sampler and print.

Greg and I went through all comments posted on the blogs, facebook and private messages. The overall ad image most liked was #1, posted above this paragraph.

Chiaroscuro Ad and Giveaway

Greg, the illuminator of my fragrances, has created a promotional image for Chiaroscuro. Instead of just one, he has been quite abundant and produced five variations. We would love some feedback as to which one you feel represents this light/dark natural perfume the best.

Thus, to tempt you to participate, Greg is offering a signed print and I am offering a solid and liquid sampler as part of a giveaway. To participate please head on over at his Spalenka blog and leave a comment telling us which image best represents the spirit of Chiaroscuro. If you have sampled the perfume tell us when and where you sampled it in your response and you will receive two entries!

The randomizer will choose one winner for the print and one for the sampler. If you prefer the print over the sampler or vice versa be sure to mention that in the comment.

CHIAROSCURO Reviews

Here is the first appearance of Chiaroscuro Perfume in the blogoshere, thanks to Elena and Zoran who attended the LA Fragrance Salon. As each one appears I will post them here for easy access. I am deeply appreciative of the time, beauty and mindfulness that each reviewer takes in experiencing my work and writing about the fragrance.

Please consider showing them some love and support by visiting their blog and posting a comment about Chiaroscuro or my work.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume's New Perfume Chiaroscuro - Fragrantica

 

Image is of the pouch for the Flacon of Chiaroscuro liquid made by Martha of TwoKnit. All versions of Chiaroscuro natural botanical perfume are now listed in the E-shop, get your first editions now.

Chiaroscuro Perfume

The Autumnal Equinox Meán Fómhair is upon us, a time to deeply breath in this sacred moment as we begin our preparations for the impending darkness of the seasonal year. On this blessed day I would like to introduce you to my new fragrance Chiaroscuro, first introduced as a sketch last September titled Jasmine Noir.

"Return often and take me at night, when the lips and skin remember."
~ A snippet from a poem by Constantine P. Cavafy

This fragrance is based on a formula created in 1997 during a perfume class with John Steele in Malibu. That particular perfume contained jasmine, patchouli, spikenard, vanilla, sandalwood, nutmeg, blood orange, mandarin and gingergrass. These basic building blocks were the meager beginnings of Chiaroscuro, which now in the liquid form contains more than thirty different botanical essences, including my precious Mysore sandalwood obtained over ten years ago.

The name for the fragrance was supplied by devoted fan and patron Princess Ellie. Chiaroscuro has its origins in the world of painting. The term comes from Italy, referring to the tonal contrasts suggesting volume and modelling of the subjects depicted. The literal translation of the word is light-dark.1 Pricess Ellie suggested this word because she, as well as other fans, noticed a light and dark aspect to the perfume.

The color harmony for Chiaroscuro is a deep violet. The pouch for the solid and liquid, created by Martha of TwoKnit, mimics the shape of jasmine flowers. 

Today marks the cross road when we transcend from the light and warmth of Summer into the cooler clime and darkness of the new cycle, Chiaroscuro represents the balance of the two seasons. The fragrance is imbued with a bouquet of tinctured jasmine sambac blossoms I have gently gathered and extracted all Summer long. As mentioned above the palette of botanical essences: essential oils, absolutes, c02 extracts and tinctures is vast.

This fragrance is depicted in two parts, the liquid perfume represents the dark/scuro aspect while the solid is the light/chiaro side. As a set Chiaroscuro is a voluptuous and sensual fragrance, sweet and dark, naughty and nice. The sweetness of the jasmine is amplified by lemon myrtle, citron, pepper, gingergrass and ginger contrasted against patchouli, jatamansi (spikenard) and oud. The liquid aspect Scuro, is very dark and dirty while the solid Chiaro is sweet and floral.

This is a fragrance for those who love oriental amber perfumes, jasmine and patchouli. If you pay attention to the evolution on your skin, you are in for a wonderous adventure. Chiaroscuro is a shape shifter, she is both the beauty and the beast from mythical heroic stories. She is the spell caster, anoint and envision what you want to manifest for the next season. Enjoy! A very blessed Autumn or Spring Equinox depending where you are on Mother Earth.

Chiaroscuro is available as both a liquid and solid fragrance.

Images:
Illumination by Greg Spalenka
Beauty and the Beast, by Anne Anderson
Photography Roxana Villa

Related posts:
Dancing with Mabon
Autumn
Jasmine
Topless
Moon Garden

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiaroscuro