Know Thyself

Have you ever had that unsettling feeling that you have been sailing through life without a compass?

Do you feel there is more to your existence than you are experiencing now?

Are you living your life's purpose?

These are timeless questions and a clue to their answers can be found at the Temple of Delphi in Greece. Amongst the ancient ruins of this Goddess-based civilization is an ancient Greek inscription prescribing to “Know Thyself.”

This Thursday Greg will be teaching his AWE inspiring online workshop titled where he guides you deep into the Temple of your own Delphi Oracle to discover that virtuous ambition planted inside your heart, the one that navigates you on the path to a fulfilling existence. It is only a matter of being aware what it is and creating a plan to see it blossom in the world.

Greg has taught this technique to over a thousand students. It works!

Start living a life long adventure that will inspire you to rise from your bed in the morning ready to greet the new day, everyday.

LEARNING OUTCOME

• A. Realize how the soul of your life is aligned with your heart.
• B. Design an emblem that represents this newfound knowledge.
• C. Create a vision board that will align your heart virtue with a plan to share it with the world.

Time and Date: Thursday, June 11, 2020, 12pm-3pm US-MT
UK: 7pm / US East coast: 2pm / US West coast: 11am / Australia: 4am

Cost: $95

Location: Zoom

Learn more and register here

“I feel so hopeful, 

like I have never felt before,

and I want to thank you.”

~ V. Lavorini

2019 Santa Fe Studio Tour #44

The 15th annual Santa Fe Studio Tour began this morning at 10am with over fifty artist's studios participating. It's a great chance to chat with local artists, learn about their process and support their work. For more information visit the Santa Fe Studio Tour site.

The perfumery is “un-officially” part of the tour since Greg is showing his work in the school portion  of the space. We are STUDIO 44 (an auspicious number), conveniently located in the mid-town Arts District of the city at Lena Street Lofts. Come be enchanted in our synergistic sensorium, grab a matcha from my neighbor Iconik Coffee or hand-made, vegan ice cream from Sunset Swirl across the way. Then head over out to visit the rest of the artists in our collective participating in the studio tour. Todays visitors shared that our space was there favorite!

The scent bar is available for instant olfactory adventures, memory stirring and stories, as well as hydrosol spritzes. Stroll through our macrame permeable wall to the School of Lost Arts where Greg has set up his visionary art with banners, original art, his retrospective book to peruse, and favorite prints for purchase, and get information about upcoming classes planned in the space. Greg and I look forward to transporting you to another realm.

Memory of a Cosmic Heart

Memory of a Cosmic Heart is a comprehensive project by my husband Greg Spalenka that includes music, visuals and a theatrical performance. Ten years in the making with his buddy Rob Jacobs and a team of incredibly gifted song writers, musicians, and opera class vocalists who contributed their talent to the eclectic classical, operatic, electronic musical fusion.

The music is just about finished with a grand plan for a multi-media theater project in the future. The first step is to get the musicians paid and some income to finish up the production, thus Greg created a crowd funding campaign here. Every little bit helps, thus if everyone could just spare $15 we could make this happen with grace and ease.

In support of the project I am creating a fragrance inspired by the story and music. The main note will be rose, since the main theme of the story and music is the heart. At this early stage I am planning to add frankincense and sandalwood for higher consciousness but also am mindful not to recreate Vespertina.

If after listening to the early versions of the music you have suggestions for notes of the fragrance please let me know, as your thoughts and feelings are always appreciated.

Greg is currently soliciting thoughts on the initial cover images he's created, please head over to his blog and provide your thoughts on which is your favorite.

Strike a Pose

Greg has been featuring a few of his models and associated imagery via social media and his blog. Here are a few pieces where he used me as the model.

1. CU opera poster detail) for “Susannah,” an adaptation of the biblical story of Susannah and the Elders set in the 1950s in rural Tennessee.

2. As a Faerie. Sketch for the “Lotus Faeries” poster

3. “Lotus Faeries” poster

4. Blue Mage special edition, signed print inside The Art of Greg Spalenka book

Illuminated

I choose to use the term "illuminated" for my botanical perfume brand for a variety of reasons. Some of you may have already heard, this story in some form or other. This post is for those who may not have heard the tale as of it.

It all started way back in August 2003 while I was juggling working as an illustrator, practicing and teaching aromatherapy and learning how to create pure fumes with essential oils. At the time I was reading quite a lot about the history of fragrance, specifically in Egypt , inspired by attending a class in Malibu with John Steele.

The three week long workshop took place in a small Austrian village, high up in the Alps, called Reichenau. The workshop, taught by artist Phillip Rubinov Jacobson, was titled Old Masters, New Visions. It centered on learning the secret, ancient painting technique called Mishe that had been resurrected by the visionary painter Ernst Fuchs. You can read more in depth on the subject here at the journal.

During the first week of the intensive we learned the history of the technique stemming from 14th and 15th century when artisans within the guilds of painting and alchemy shared their wisdom with each other.  I became aware of the sacred triad that existed between art, perfumery and alchemy. The unifying component within this triad being the prima materia, plants! Thus, the term "illuminated" as in illuminated manuscripts and the aspect of bringing to light the beauty of plant matter in pure fume popped into my head like a lighting bolt. It also was made clear that Greg's imagery would be perfect for the brand since he has a very old world, romantic quality to his work...besides the convenience of him being my partner.

Here are a few of the "illuminations" that Greg created to accompany my pure fumes, 

some of these are details of the larger pieces. We collaborated on many of them while others were

existing pieces which he refined or adjusted. Find prints for sale here on his site.

All images are copyrighted, please respect the artist.

Q for the oak

Lyra

Sierra

Aurora

Mellifera

Figure 1; Noir

Figure 5: Bois

La Dame Blanche

Fleurish

and my favorite...Chiaroscuro

There are a few more which I'll include shortly.

The Eyes of the Unicorn Auction

Ten years ago, my husband Greg Spalenka, illustrated his first children’s picture book “The Eyes of the Unicorn.” In celebration of its 10th Anniversary he has decided to do a one of kind auction that I thought I would share with all of you.

“The Eyes of the Unicorn,” is an enchanting, magical tale of a girl’s love, a hunt for a unicorn and the transformation of her friends heart. It was written by Teresa Bateman, and published in 2007 by Holiday House in New York. When Greg was commissioned to create the illustrations the goal was to bring a cinematic flavor to the book which was unique in the children’s market at the time, yet keep a classical foundation. The book found its audience, but it is now out of print.

This auction is an opportunity to own the evolution of the book’s imagery, and more! Go HERE to read more at Greg's blog and see the offerings or directly to bid HERE. The auction ends Sunday, Nov. 5, at 7:00 PM, PST.

We have decided to offer a percentage of the sale to a charity that works toward saving endangered Unicorns, but have not found one. For example the World Wildlife Organization doesn't have Unicorns on their list, go figure! ;-)

What would the scent of Unicorn be comprised of? I'm thinking sweet notes of flowers with woods, vanilla, honey, a bit of balsam and botanical musk. For the magical aspect we would need to make a special tincture or infusion that I will need to ponder. Please let me know if you have any suggestions on notes and also for the name. I'll be getting to work on this right away and offering a first edition bottle to the lucky winner.

Goddess Rising

Here are a few photos from our event this past Saturday at the perfumery. The day before we had a heck of a storm which caused several power outages throughout the area, mudslides, trees down and even a crazy sink hole in Studio City! Since the weather report claimed the storm would be gone by Saturday we choose to move forward with the event.

The day before Greg created a chalk drawing on the board in the teaching space to infuse it with the imprint of Venus, in this case The Birth of Venus by Botticelli.

Gina from Blue Table Wine and Cheese Bar provided us with a cheese and fruit plate as well as apricot mango mimosas. We had intended guava mimosas but I couldn't find any guava juice at my local markets so we went for the yellow fruits which was delicious, thanks to Gina!

Our local intuitive Draza Jansky provided free readings for the attendees, here she is in my lab with Trina Watson.

I opened the "presentation" portion of our day by having all of us drink a absolutely glorious jasmine sambac hydrosol that was distilled with water from a waterfall in Hawaii. Draza shared a bit about her work as a life coach and her meditation system, she also provided us with a collective reading.

The jasmine sambac elixir I shared at the event is for sale, I will be listing it on the site shortly, if you want to come and have a sample of it misted on your face please send me a note to schedule a sacred moment at the perfumery.

Donna brought several racks of her comfy yet elegant clothes for sale. During her presentation she explained how she creates her clothing from fabric to finish in downtown Los Angeles. I wear Donna's clothing everyday and refer to them as my DonnaYums because they feel like a second skin.

Next up was Monika, one of my students who I am so very proud of! Monika has recently launched her completely botanical/organic/ handmade personalized skin care line, Mala Apothecary, using the same details as me when it comes to creating and sourcing her materials. Her products are custom designed specifically for you after a quick phone call or filling out her an online questionaire.

At the end of our day Donna, Monika and I posed like the Venus behind us, as you can see Donna was instructing Monika and I on how to be demure and strike the pose correctly.

Due to the crazy weather and power outages we are contemplating doing the event again in March. If this is something that interests you please let me know by leaving a comment or sending me a note.

Seven Years Ago

Greg and I were married on this day in Topanga Canyon surrounded by California oaks, the vast blue sky and the pacific ocean in the distance.

We created an intimate ceremony weaved with elements of the alchemical marriage, read more at this post here at the journal.

Meet the Makers at the Perfumery on Saturday!

Hello dear devotees of nature scents and beauty,

let's celebrate what makes us unique, what makes us human!

This holiday season let's ring in the green and support makers.

I invite you to gather with artisans and creatives, those inspiring

individuals who conjure stories, poetic melodies

and create beauty to lift and brighten our day.

In the spirit of the season and a vibrant inspiring community,

come join us this Saturday, as I open the doors of the perfumery

for a collective day of cheer at Whizin Market Hall.

10 am to 6 pm

Join in the cheer, feel the love, laugh and enjoy!

Greg and I will be available to assist you with visual and scented delights

The fabulous Donna M is here with her gorgeous wares from 12pm - 4pm

Roxana Illuminated Perfume

upstairs in the mezzanine of the Atrium

Fellow sellers throughout the Market Square will be open

Wine and Cheese Hour in the Atrium 4pm - 6pm

Whizin Market

28914 Roadside Drive

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Just off the 101, plenty of parking, unique boutiques and delicious food.

Artistry Video for the Art of Botanical Perfume

I've had an amazing team helping out with elements of the Art of Botanical Perfume online course. Greg being the principal, who acts as a art director for my brand but also my all around support person. Jeff: who helps out with graphics from time to time. I contracted him to create the pdf's, many of which ended up being pretty elaborate like the Essence slide show, the fragrance wheel and the timeline. He and Greg worked together on  the essence kit for the course. The videos for the course were shot by Brian Oh and were then edited by Brian, Greg and a little help by my daughter Eve.
As you can see many artists helping hands facilitated the artistry of this course.

Here's the video that accompanied the opening lesson of the Artistry Module from the course, filmed by Brian and then edited by Greg.

Sign up for the course here.

Visions from the Mind's Eye in Thousand Oaks

Greg will be doing a presentation and signing of The Art of Greg Spalenka, Visions from the Mind's Eye at the Thousands Oaks library tomorrow, Saturday.

Learn about his professional art career in publishing and film. Hear what it takes to create illustrations for the most prestigious publishers on the planet, and designing for the film industry.  Copies of the book will be for sale.

A Theory of Everything

Every week Greg has been putting four of his classic illustrations up for sale. This is the last week which contains one of my favorite pieces of his, shown above.

Check them out on his site and blog, if there's one you want grab it quick because sometimes they go fast.

Melli & Fleur

Greg has created two new illuminations to accompany the release of Mellifera and Fleurish this weekend. We decided to work with a local model discovered at the San Diego Comic Con a couple years ago shown in the photos below. Her name is Stevie and she is a dream tow work with! Regrettably she won't be joining us this Saturday in physical form but the new images will bring her essence to the event.

The opening image, pictured above, is one of the thousands of photos Greg took as reference for the two new pieces which are a secret until tomorrow night.

The image above and below this tect are from the 2014 San Diego Comic Con dressed in renaissance type attire and as the White Violin.