333 Alchemy

09/19/2022

Posted • .earth This is my first Inuit wall hanging. I’ve been learning how to sew them from my great auntie, Elder Levinia Brown over Zoom for the past year and on my recent trip to my ancestral homeland of the area around Rankin Inlet, NU for the first time. I’ve had the privilege of learning this practice as a result of a Indigenous Arts Scholarship and Mentorship grant.

Sewing is an Inuit survival skill. Traditionally, all women needed to learn how to sew and all men needed to learn how to hunt before they were able to marry, each bringing these survival skills to their partnership. Of course there were two-spirited and gender diverse Inuit since time immemorial as well, but the teaching I received does not mention this dynamic.

This synthetic felt wall hanging is far from what my ancestors would have created for survival - parkas, amauti and kamiks were and still are a priority - but I am grateful to be carrying on the sewing tradition in my own way, beginning to use culturally relevant imagery to illustrate and tell stories in the style of my Auntie who has so generously shared her designs and techniques with me.

Image description: a multicoloured felt wallhanging design on a white background illustrating a yellow sun, two lavender snow geese, a wild rainbow or northern lights, blue ocean waves, a grey arctic char and signed by the artist in stitched Inuktitut syllabics

07/26/2022

Plant Medicine
acrylic & graphite on birch panel
102cm x 154cm x 4cm

Value: $3333
Sold for: $999

My artwork is now available through “pay what you can” pricing

Over the years I have heard countless times, “I’d love to own one of your pieces but I can’t afford it” or “I wish I had the money...maybe one day.” Sometimes I’d sell a painting and feel “successful” for a little while. But I always had a big inventory of “expensive” paintings in storage and they were often damaged after having to move them. It wasn’t working.

I’ve since been experimenting with allowing folx to pay what they can for my art and so far it has been beautiful! I share the value but leave the amount they choose to pay me open.

In the beginning, this triggered my scarcity programming and fears of being taken advantage of. It showed me where I had wounding around money, worth and value to heal from. This is still an ongoing process.

My artwork has nothing to do with my value, it is a gift I have to give. Why would I want to withhold my gifts from anyone who they could help or bring joy to?

I want to live in a world where money does not dictate how we choose to share our gifts, whether they be in the form of physical goods or intangible services. I truly believe that equity is possible, and in order to make it a reality, I must embody equitable practices and lead by the example I wish to live.

In the beginning, this experiment stirred up all of my resistance and was triggering, but I held firm and moved through those feelings to get to the other side. I feel I am there now.

In the past month I have sold a painting for it’s full value as well as this one for 30% of its value and each transaction has made me equally grateful. I also gifted a painting to my naturopathic doctor in exchange for payment for some sessions.

I currently have some paintings that need homes before I set out on the road on August 1st. My nomadic lifestyle does not support holding onto inventory. If you’ve ever wanted one of my artworks and couldn’t afford it, now you can. No offer made in kindness will be refused. First come first served.

07/24/2022

Planning to deliver this piece on Monday, so it’s crunch time.

I love how my guides tell me exactly what the painting needs, and where. I don’t hesitate anymore. I hear “bright pinky orange” and I reach for the paint tubes and intuitively know how to mix the the exact shade of peach that appeared in my mind’s eye.

None of this is me. It is a gift that I am merely open to receive. When they say someone is gifted it doesn’t only refer to their skill or talent. It refers to their capacity as a vessel to receive gifts from Creator/God/Source.

Painting has become a channeled conversation with my guides; I ask, “tell me what colour it needs” or “where do I need more yellow?” If I ask, I receive. In this respect, I am truly gifted.

Do you ask your guides for guidance?

07/24/2022

In May I had the honour of hosting the arts collective while I was a visitor within Snuneymuxw territory, completing my artist residency on Gabriola Island. We visited S’ul-hween X’pey (Elder Cedar Nature Reserve) and ._.phillips caught me paying my respects after putting down to***co, generously shared by .

I’m currently staying within Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) territory of Nex̱wlélex̱m (Bowen Island), preparing to visit K'ómoks territory (commonly known as Courtenay), on to Kwakwaka'wakw territory to go on a kayaking expedition out of Telegraph Cove before heading up to Haida Gwaii.

Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the land since time immemorial and the common place names we are familiar with as a result of colonization are quite new, comparatively

Something I am actively unlearning is to default to these common names out of habit and convenience. I’m also learning to be conscious of the privilege I have to travel within and throughout multiple territories as a visitor, uninvited by the host nations. The very least I can do is be conscious of whose territory I am within at any given time and pay my respects

I do this by offering to***co to the land and praying for my healthy ancestors to connect with the ancestors of that territory in a good way and to watch over me on my journey, reminding me to be humble with every step

This practice is new to me because I grew up fairly disconnected from my culture. I am learning so that I can undo the harm I have unconsciously caused as a result of internalized colonialism. Although colonization is not something I personally caused, it is something I have perpetuated as a result of the society we live in. It is my responsibility to decolonize so that I can become a good ancestor

I invite you to connect to the lands you reside and travel within, paying your respects to the Host Nation(s) and their unceded territories through a ceremony, prayer or gesture from your own culture

Its our shared responsibility to protect and nurture the land for generations to come. It is our responsibility to decolonize.

06/15/2022

Last Thursday I guided my final workshop, as part of my artist residency, The Art of Communication: What Languages Do You Speak, along with visiting artists Celeste Johnson and Pablo Ochoa .

This event was a sort of pilot project, testing out a co-led, collaborative, visual art, dance and live music workshop and it was wonderful. I am always inspired by participants, but this was on another level. One participant was so enthusiastically spontaneous that they spat upon their artwork in a gesture of pure uninhibited expression! I was blown away and am now planning to expand this one-off workshop into a workshop series to be offered in Vancouver and Egypt throughout the next year.

There are some exciting things brewing and manifesting in my creative world. I am going to start sending out a bi-weekly newsletter of all of my offerings as well as creative insights and opportunities for artists. If you’re interested in staying in the loop, you can sign up for the newsletter at the link in my bio. I’ll be sending out an email soon with information on how you can apply for the Kasahara Gabriola Trust Artist Residency within beautiful Snuneymuxw territory of Gabriola Island.

📷:

06/01/2022

Join me Saturday June 11th for a screening of my short film, Back Home, and a meet & greet at The Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre.

I was blessed to create this film through The Empowered Filmmaker Masterclass Program supported by and and look forward to sharing it with you!

Inuit wallhanging by Elder Levinia Brown

05/25/2022

Join me this Saturday in conversation with Métis artist, Tracey-Mae Chambers as we discuss her Hope and Healing Canada installation project and how it illustrates connections between Métis, Inuit and First Nations Peoples.

Tracey-Mae is charismatic, funny, and humble and I look forward to introducing her to you and having the privilege to ask questions about her project, practice and more.

Get your tickets at artsgabriola.ca

05/24/2022

The ART of Communication: What Languages Do You Speak Workshop

Join Gabriola Arts Council Artist in Residence, Jessica ᒦᖒᐊᖅᑏ Miinguuaqtii and special guests, Celeste Johnson and Pablo Ochoa for a workshop exploring The Art of Communication. They will lead a discussion on how language shapes our perception and our perception shapes our reality through ...

05/24/2022

Looking forward to hosting this workshop with two other wonderful artists, Celeste Johnson of and Pablo Ochoa.

If you’re on Gabriola June 9th, join us as we transcend spoken language through visual art, music and dance! 🎨🎻💃🏼

05/06/2022

Today has been a very difficult day for a number of reasons. A power struggle with a colleague, a roadblock starting a new project, fear, doubt, blame, judgment and insecurity all showed their faces through me and through others. All this with emotions already running high from the significance of today; May 5th is Red Dress Day, a National day of awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, 2 spirited and trans folx.

I recall this day last year, I was at Vancouver City Hall helping film a red dress event. Normally I am a ball of raw emotion at these things, but having an outlet and a creative purpose that day made it easier. I felt stronger than I normally would (although it’s absolutely ok to not feel strong).

Today, after processing my intense emotional triggers (by raging, screaming, punching pillows and crying) and tending to some basic self care (an epsom salt bath and a proper meal) I felt the urge to paint and collage. I’ve been busy writing, teaching, submitting grant reports & applications and have had very little desire to create tactile visual art…until now.

If I am open and curious about my emotional triggers, responding instead of reacting, I am able to feel into what needs in me aren’t being met. In allowing myself to feel what was there I was reminded of how much raw emotional energy we have access to when we don’t deny ourselves honest emotional expression.

Just as I experienced on this day last year, I called my power back by alchemizing my emotions through art. Feeling and expressing instead of denying and suppressing.

05/03/2022

I’m looking forward to guiding this workshop in a little under 2 weeks on Friday the 13th✨(which I only just realized now 🧙🏼‍♀️🐈‍⬛😉)

Registration is full (yay!); however, if there’s enough interest a second session may be opened up for registration. So contact Gabriola Arts Council to inquire.

This workshop is an expansion of a warm up exercise I share in all of my classes, but for the first time I will be expanding upon it to experiment with a collaborative component. I am SO excited for the evolution of this long beloved practice, initially shared with me from my teacher, Charisse Baker.

Email [email protected] to get on the waitlist. I look forward to co-creating with you!!!

03/13/2022

Due to high demand, we have opened up 5 more spots in The Artist’s Way Book Circle …and there are only 2 left!

If you missed the chance to register before, now is your moment. Don’t hesitate, these will go quickly! Link in bio for more info and to register✨

03/13/2022

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” - Martha Graham

Your soul’s unique expression is a gift to the world. It is medicine. It is why you are here. When we live in accordance with our soul’s desire to express itself we become magnetic to that which we love.

Want to learn how to do this? Join The Artist’s Way Book Circle (link in bio). We just opened up 5 more spots due to high demand. Will one of them be yours?

03/12/2022

“Any progress is made by leaps of faith, some small and some large.” - Julia Cameron

I’ve often said, “Leap and the net will appear” and “You take 1 step and The Universe will take 10, but you gotta go first!” I’ve been unknowingly paraphrasing Julia Cameron and quoting The Artist’s Way for years! This book has shaped my core belief system and I can’t wait to share it with you✨

We still have 3 spots left in The Artist’s Way Book Circle starting April 3rd, is one of them yours? If you’ve been thinking about it, now’s your moment to leap!

More info + register at the link in my bio.

03/11/2022

5 SPOTS LEFT!

My dear friend, Celeste Johnson, of and I are teaming up to offer The Artist’s Way Book Circle🎨📖💫 Registration is open! 🤗🎉

The Artist’s Way is a 12-week course by creative Julia Cameron which guides you through the process of discovering and recovering your creative self. It works for everyone, not just artists. If you feel creatively blocked or stuck in a draining job that doesn’t inspire you (we’ve all been there), this Circle could be the antidote. It has certainly changed my life in incredible ways.

We’ll meet weekly, online in a space of connection, healing and creativity, supporting one another through the process. If this resonates with you, I sincerely hope you join us. More info can be found at the link in my bio. If you wish to discuss whether this group is a good fit, reach out and we can chat.

BTW… we want this to be accessible to everyone who desires to join. That’s why we’ve chosen a donation-based model. If you wish to be part of the Circle, there’s space for you. I hope we’ll see you there!

02/09/2022

EXCITING NEWS

My dear friend, Celeste Johnson, of and I are teaming up to offer The Artist’s Way Book Circle🎨📖💫 Registration opens today! 🤗🎉

The Artist’s Way is a 12-week course by creative Julia Cameron which guides you through the process of discovering and recovering your creative self. It works for everyone, not just artists. If you feel creatively blocked or stuck in a draining job that doesn’t inspire you (we’ve all been there), this Circle could be the antidote. It has certainly changed my life in incredible ways.

We’ll meet weekly, online in a space of connection, healing and creativity, supporting one another through the process. If this resonates with you, I sincerely hope you join us. More info can be found here: https://www.333alchemy.earth/events . If you wish to discuss whether this group is a good fit, reach out and we can chat.

BTW… we want this to be accessible to everyone who desires to join. That’s why we’ve chosen a donation-based model. If you wish to be part of the Circle, there’s space for you. I hope we’ll see you there!

01/26/2022

A few months back on the night of a full moon, I made a list of ALL the material things I dreamed of for my life in the upcoming year. Many of them were practical items as I was moving from a sublet into my own apartment rental and required stuff like pots & pans, towels and a mattress.

The list was long and the very last thing I wrote was “a piano”

I have always loved piano, but never played. I thought it was something I might pick up later in life when I retire or something. But the way my life is unfolding, I don’t see “retirement” ever happening. I believe I will continue to create from the heart for as long as I live. I suppose in a sense, I’ve already retired from “the daily grind.”

So anyways, I thought it was frivolous that I put a piano on my list but two of my sublets in the past 2 years happened to have them and it’s something I’ve decided I don’t want to live without.

The next day, with my list completely forgotten, I was singing to Mariah & Whitney in the shower and wished I could sing better. I got ready for the day and checked my email to immediately find a message from a local music instructor offering a free scholarship for pop music piano & voice lessons. I called her right away and set up my first lesson.

I knew we lived in the same neighbourhood from our call, but when I went to my lesson, I realized she lived right around the corner from me. We could wave to each other from our apartment windows. The synchronicity was incredible.

I’ve now been taking lessons for a few months and have moved further away but will always be astonished by how miraculously that all manifested.

The pianos in my past places before were cosmic breadcrumbs, leading me along my path to my heart’s desire. And now in my current residence, I have access to two pianos in the building!

Today I wheeled this bad boy right into my place. Some of the keys are a little sticky but I’m grateful all the same, making noise trying to play moody minor chords, hoping the accomplished musician next door can’t hear me 🙃

01/20/2022

I haven’t worked since early December and have been fighting my conditioned programming which tells me I need to be doing something, looking for a job, making money. Fear, fear, fear. Scarcity programming.

Yes, the ego serves a purpose - to keep us alive - but a lot of what we believe we need in order to survive is a lie. I am done agreeing with the facade that I must grind, struggle and suffer to support myself. I release the addiction to external validation by proving my worth through production and achievement.

I do not work. I create. I create a reality where I still put in effort and take steps towards the goals, dreams and desires I pray to manifest, but they now come to me through ease and flow because I am magnetic instead of forceful. I vibrate at a frequency of faith and gratitude.

I have all that I need. I have more than enough. I am connected to the infinite abundance of this benevolent universe. What is meant for me will not miss me.

I keep bursting into tears because the power of this humbling Truth brings me to my knees.

I am not certain of what is coming next but I have an intuition. An inner knowing that something great is on its way to me. I keep moving towards it with unshakable faith and the closer I get, the more I cry. I release. Making space to receive my blessings in Divine
Timing. Thank you God, Great a Creator of many names.

If this resonates with you and you desire to alchemize fear into Love and create the reality you wish to live in, I’m inviting in new connections for 1 on 1 coaching sessions. Link in bio.

When making a decision, ask yourself, am I reacting out of fear or responding out of Love? Choose Love (even if it’s not logical) and watch your world transform! ✨

01/10/2022

I am Grateful for:
Friendship
Laughter
Grief
Tears
Truth
Future visioning
Care
Non-attachment
Health
Home
Support
Inspiration
Healing
Death & Rebirth
Growth
Creativity
Empathy
Beauty
Self awareness
Emotional intelligence
Introspection
Belief in a better future
Faith
Courage
Prayer
Critical thinking
Intuition
Free will
Sovereignty
Shadow work
Play
Meditation
Nourishment
Giving
Surprises
Generosity
Wealth
Dreaming
Rest
Abundance
Adventure
Poetry
Storytelling
Warmth
Art
Therapy
Acceptance
Surrender
Compassion
Honesty
Integrity
Wisdom
Release
Respect
Hydration
Experimentation
Flexibility
Humility
Expression
Safety
Nature
Love

I’ve been blessed to experience all of these things in the past 24 hours in connecting to my higher power, myself, and a few dearly beloved souls, acquaintances and strangers.

My cup is full. May it now overflow upon all that I come in contact with, effortlessly giving and replenishing

I pray for all those who desire it to be blessed with the same.

May all beings be free from suffering

May all beings know peace

What is on your gratitude list?

01/03/2022

I love using leftover paint I’ve mixed for one piece on other works in progress

As you can see, I’ve got 3 big pieces on the go, all different styles. The quinacridone red I’ve worked with tonight is now a common thread, tying them all together

01/03/2022

I gave my self an arbitrary deadline to be finished this painting: December 31st 2021

I gave myself the last 3 weeks of December off so I figured I could easily finish one painting. One painting I’ve been working on for over a year.

Of course (and I know better by now), inspiration doesn’t work like that. And so in the last 3 weeks of 2021, I believe I painted 1 single leaf, which is my standard output for a painting session on this piece.

It’s funny, now that the deadline has passed and I don’t feel this self imposed pressure as if painting is a chore, the painting called to me today and I’ve made major progress.

This is video clip 1 of 3 from today and I believe I will continue to work away at it after a short break to eat something.

It feels so good to flow at my own organic pace. Ironically, I’ve completed more today than any previous forced attempt to just get it done. Everything in Divine Timing ✨

01/02/2022

[Gregorian calendar] New Year Blessings!

I feel as though my new year started on December 18th at the full moon. I felt a significant shift in my energy at that time, as if it were a new beginning. And it was/is.

My contract at the non-profit organization I’ve worked at for the past 2 years ended December 10th and I find myself completely FREE-lance. I gave myself December “off” to rest and regroup, waiting for a sign in regard to what my next steps will be. And so far, nothing in particular has been made clear; I am experiencing a deeper initiation of surrendering to the unknown.

I understand that I have free will - I get to choose my own adventure. And so with this New Year, I am not setting resolutions, but rather an intention/prayer:

I will show up as my unique authentic emotionally honest self in service to my passions, heart’s desires, community, and Mother Earth, guided by God/Creator, my higher self, ancestors, spirit guides, and intuition in alignment with the 7 Sacred Teachings of Love, Truth, Integrity, Wisdom, Honesty, Humility and Respect.

I will lead with Love, acknowledging, feeling and dissolving any fear or doubt with compassion. I will make major decisions only when my nervous system is regulated. I will move with unshakable faith. I commit to creating from a place of joy and desire rather than obligation and pressure. I release all that is not in alignment with Love, Truth, Integrity, Wisdom, Honesty, Humility, Respect and the highest good of all beings and future generations.

I call upon our Great Creator, God of many names, ancestors and guides to receive my humble prayer and support me in this intention. All my relations. Hiy hiy.

01/01/2022

Reflecting on the past year, I realize that as challenging as it was, it was also one of the best years of my life!

I am so humbled to have created with and learned from so many Elders, Knowledge Carriers and artists of different Nations across Turtle Island.

I have a list of milestones within 2021 that I am grateful for and proud of. Creating this Nehiyawehwin (Cree) language film, “Medicine Picking with Fishwoman”, is one of them.

I did not do it alone and raise my hands to the entire team, acknowledged in the credits 🙌

From 2 separate shoots, a year apart (the first of which no footage was viable 😬🤦🏼‍♀️😭), to losing my phone and glasses out in the bush because ribbon skirts NEED pockets (found the phone🙏), to travelling through forest fires to harvest medicines after they’d already gone to seed, to countless interpretations of the Nehiyawehwin (Cree) translations, to nitpicking over subtitle styles… I learned SO much from so many people! I can’t express my heartfelt gratitude enough.

Above all, the production of this film helped me understand the true meaning of creative collaboration and forced me to release perfectionism.

I look forward to the creativity, connection and collaboration which awaits in 2022

Kakiyaw Niwahkomakanak - All My Relations

12/26/2021

12/09/2021

To me, this first picture sums up how much I love teaching. It’s a screenshot from the final online class of the Professional Development for Indigenous Artists (PDIA) course I was blessed to develop & instruct. We wrapped a week ago with a deeply inspiring guest speaker,

I am grateful to announce that the entirety of the PDIA course recordings are now available through a convenient playlist on the Pacific Association of First Nations Women (PAFNW) YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU2issmx68C6vHZO8HqFeZUfDgVjuOBL3

I’m humbled by the opportunities I’ve had & connections I’ve nurtured through working at PAFNW in various roles over the past 2 years. As the grant funding my current role comes to completion tomorrow I am excited for what Creator will guide me to next.

One thing I am planning is to offer an extended version of this course to artists of all backgrounds.

Until then, enjoy the free course content and links to the presentation slides in the video descriptions. I highly recommend Week 6 to those interested in grant writing (and to witness me nerding out in my element 🤓) but especially Weeks 1 & 7 with our honoured guest speakers; in addition to Michelle Sylliboy in Week 7, Chepximiya Siyam Chief Janice George opened our Week 1 class in a Good Way.

To all my Indigenous artist kin (and folx in general), your unique expression is a gift! It is medicine. And the narrative of the starving artist is an outdated false belief founded in scarcity. The world needs your creativity & creations. When you’re doing the thing you’re meant to be doing, our Great Creator helps you on your path.

…and if you ever desire my help and support along your path, do not hesitate to reach out.

Kakiyaw Niwahkomakanak- All My Relations 🙌

12/05/2021

Last chance to join us for this incredible online storytelling event, Virtual Humanity: 2 Spirit & Indigiqueer Futures, presented by Zee Zee Theatre]]

I am humbled to be included in this project and grateful to Zee Zee Theatre]] for leading the way by creating culturally safe opportunities and representation for Indigenous creatives.

Posted • Zee Zee Theatre]] ON SALE NOW! Pay what you can tickets for "Virtual Humanity: Two Spirit & Indigiqueer Futures" are now available for purchase! 🎟️

You're invited to ‘check out’ a human for a candid conversation about their life experiences, culture, and beliefs. Our participating Indigiqueer, Two Spirit, and Afro-Indigenous storytellers are eager to meet with you.

How it works: Audience members will select a title from the collection of 20+ ‘Virtual Humans’—something that intrigues or confounds them. They will then proceed into a one-one-one digital conversation over Zoom with their Virtual Human, a person who will share their true personal story that is reflected in their title, over the course of 20 minutes.

Will we see you there? Visit the link in our bio for tickets!

12/05/2021

Today I went to my first hot yoga class since before the pandemic. I haven’t had a lot of extra energy to burn, especially as I’ve been recovering from burnout since the summer. But today’s super New Moon eclipse in Sagittarius (my opposite sign) gave me some sort of power up. I feel I’ve been reset.

After class, fresh out of the shower and applying facial oil in front of the mirror, a woman approached me. “I don’t mean to be rude, but can I ask how old you are?” I laughed (I get this fairly often), “Can you guess?”

She said, “No, your hair tells one story but your face tells another. I mean, short of witchcraft, there’s no explanation.”

I laughed again, “It takes one to know one!” 🧐🧙🏼‍♀️✨

We both laughed. She told me she was the same age and asked “What’s your secret?”

I told her, “Emotional healing makes you age in reverse. The hair is likely due to trauma, the skin is due to trauma healing.”

“I’ll take that to heart,” she said. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” I told her. “I haven’t had a proper sweat in about two years, so I’m probably just extra glowy.” 😉

I left the change room smiling. Being acknowledged as a witch by strangers is now the ultimate compliment.

11/28/2021

SLOW MEDICINE

Thought I had filmed a time lapse of my progress painting in more lavender monstera and philodendron leaves tonight, but apparently not - I didn’t press record?

This painting is insistent upon slowing down. Now even refusing to be sped up by a recorded time lapse. Inviting me to sit on the floor and rest as I paint.

The plants grow one brush stroke at a time. One colour per session. One hour per night …maybe, if it calls to me. Only if I’m calm and slow enough.

Are you receiving the slow medicine as the seasons shift? How are you choosing to honour this natural change of pace?

11/25/2021

PATIENCE

I’ve been working on this piece for over a year. Every few months I come back to it and paint in a few more leaves or flowers or vines. The process is methodical and I don’t like it. It requires patience, focus, and a steady hand. So different from the experimental spontaneous style I’m used to working in.

It feels strange that I really love this painting but kind of hate making it. It feels like a chore and it is such slow progress. I believe it is challenging my inner demand for instant gratification.

It’s funny, I don’t stare at my plants wishing they’d grow and bloom faster. And yet I do this to this painting …and to myself.

The medicine of our plant relatives is one of patience, tied to the seasons. I long to have a garden to truly receive and embody these teachings. For now though, I’m surrounded by tropical houseplants and this painting, dedicated to the spirit and shadows of my indoor urban jungle.

Now that I’m all set up in my new place I feel a season of creative output approaching. This piece will be done before the year is through.