mixed media

New Animal Art Inspired by Sweet Encounter with Hummingbird!

Posted by Barbara Techel
Original available here. Prints available here.

Earlier last week I had a lovely time communing with Hummingbird which inspired this new 8 x 10 dimensional shadow box piece!

I sensed this message wasn’t just for me, but for others too and why I’m delighted to share with you what Hummingbird had to share:

There she was.
So tiny and sweet as can be.
Sitting upon the thinnest of branches in the birch tree.
Admiring her small but mighty self
I heard Hummingbird say,

Isn’t the universe remarkable?

Then slowly turning and looking at the trunk of the tree, using her beak as a pointer, her head moved up and down.

This tree may be one hundred times my stature, but my spirit holds the same vast essence, Hummingbird exclaimed!

How true, I communed back!

Her tender wings fluttered in excitement at my response.

In this moment I am calling you back to ancient wisdom and that you too hold deep in your soul this same essence, Hummingbird said.

It is more magnificent and expansive than you sometimes realize. And I am here in this space of time to remind you to come back to the truth of who you are.

There is nothing to do.

But just sit with me, marvel at nature, and allow her caring, sensitive, and loving qualities to fully envelop you.

And then you will know.

And more importantly, you will feel yourself arriving back once again to your true home that is within.

©Barbara Techel with Hummingbird Spirit

XO

Barb

    

Honoring the Autumn of Life – A New Mixed Media Print

Posted by Barbara Techel

Last week when I posted a photo on Facebook of this piece I created on an 8 x 10 birchwood panel as a gift for a friend who recently retired, I received so many lovely comments! So I decided to offer it for sale as a print in my online website shop. 5 x 7 is $15 and an 8 x 10 is $20 plus $5.00 shipping for either size.

For as long as I’ve known my friend, which has been over 20 years now, she has always adored acorns. One day in May we were visiting in my Joyful Pause Cottage studio when she spied a few dried oak leaves on my art table. She said how much she loved them. Right then I knew what I was going to create for her as a gift for her approaching new phase of life.
 
I included the bluebird, symbolic of happiness as a way of finding joy and new adventures in the autumn of one’s life.
 
The Oak tree from which the sweet acorns grow also known as the Tree of Life symbolic of longevity and considered one of the most sacred tress in many traditions.

Creating this piece had me contemplating once again, the autumn of my life that I am just on the cusp of as I begin my 60th orbit around the sun having just turned 59 a few weeks ago.

So much loving energy went into this piece and brought much peace and contentment as I worked on it…and I’m happy to say my friend was deeply touched and thrilled by it too.

If you’d like to purchase a print, just click here to be taken to the page in my online website shop.

XO

Barb

                  

New in My Etsy Shop – Birds and Teacups plus One Inspiring Squirrel!

Posted by Barbara Techel

This 8 x 10 mixed media on a birch wood panel above was inspired by a delightful encounter I had a few weeks ago with a young squirrel. While at first, I was concerned about the little one, I soon realized it was my own projection of fear and wanting to protect it. This young squirrel was just doing its squirrel thing and learning to navigate the big world out there. 

Poised on the trunk of this tree this is the photo I took of the young squirrel which is enhanced with chalk pencils. I imagined how big the world must look to this little one and how brave it was for learning to find its way.

This piece is also infused with the gentle energy of birch branches which often fall from the tree in my front yard. I love to sit and watch the birch leaves gently blowing in the wind as they sparkle in the sunshine. It’s so meditative! There are also dried flowers and leaves incorporated that come from around my gardens.

Lastly, it is also a dimensional piece as some of the artwork and natural elements are raised off the panel. This creates a lovely effect that brings it to life! Created on an 8 x 10 birch wood panel there is no need for a frame.

It is $55 plus shipping and is available here in my Etsy Shop. 

Birds & Teacups Series

In early May inspired by the many birds that have returned and the joy they bring me to see them outside my Joyful Pause Cottage windows, I started a Bird and Teacups mixed media series. Because…well…I just think birds and teacups go together so beautifully and quite naturally!  Besides, having a cup of tea while observing birds is a simple and sweet meditation that brings happiness and calm to my heart.

While I’d hoped to have more to share at this point, I simply ran out of time! So alas, I decided to share the three I have created instead of waiting. If one speaks to you I’d love for it to fly off to your home!

Created on 140 lb. mixed media paper they are 5 x 7 and ready to put in your favorite frame. They are $30 each plus shipping and are available in my Etsy shop here.

I hope your June has started out with all things that bring you joy and contentment!

XO

Barb