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I got my first tattoo when I was 16. I have been pushing it on my Mom for two years before she gave in. She knew I would get one eventually and that it was better for her to be there than to keep saying “no”. At the time, I was fully involved in the francophone esoteric sphere and felt like I needed some extra protection. My first tattoo is a pentagram with an eye in its center, a double circle and some flames. Cliché ? Tramp stamp ? maybe for you, but it was essential for me at this specific time of my life.

I now have 6 tattoos, mostly on my arms. Each is part of my essence. Of who I am. Of what I have been through. Despair, Love, Gratitude. And a whole bigger spectrum.

My body is, indeed, a blank page.

When I told my Mom about this more recent tattoo project, she had the same reaction as usual “not another one ? You know your body is not a blank canvas…!”. And my immediate answer was “But indeed, my body IS a blank page, a blank canvas”. I see it as a good surface, as anything would be. I have so many stories to tell, and things/moments/feeling to remember. This is what my tattoos are for. Not just pretty images on my skin.

Months ago, I googled “watercolor tattoo Montréal” and JF Biron’s name showed up. I fell in love with his work, that I find to be very very artistic and fluid. But I did not jump in right away. I kept following his work on social media and listened to my guts when it told me he was the tattoo artist I needed.

I knew my left forearm needed to be a reminder about how I seem to overcome sadness, grief and difficulties in general. When I got my latest tattoo in Vancouver, the artist (AZL from Rainfire tattoo Studio) told me about the Unalome symbol. We talked about incorporating it to the design I came to him for, but it did not happen. However, the symbol stuck in my heart.

In Buddhism, they are the visual image of reaching enlightnement. The spiral means our struggle with life, while the straight line shows that we have finally found harmony. Unalome are the “crowns” of the Arahants, the enlightened saints. This is a very powerful symbol of spiritual and personal quest.

This deeply resonated with me. The lotus is one of my personal symbol (I already have a lotus tattoo on my chest) so I was over the Moon (no pun intended) when JF had one design with it.

I have a fascination and obsession over what belongs to the sky, galaxies, stars… and JF’s watercolor art was what drawn me to him in the first place so it was an obvious choice.

Do you have tattoos ?

How many ? Do you want a tattoo ? What would it be ? I would love to know about your personal experience.

https://instagram.com/p/6xdkrMjH5U

(I wrote this yesterday but the day went crazy so I publish a bit late. oops)

Today has been waited for. The big 1.0 for our first born. 10 years old.

Today, she is celebrated for all she is. Like me, she often is a blend of too much and not enough. But we love her no matter what.

Today, we will eat cake. Vegan raw chocolate «cheesecake» we made for her.

Today, I remember the fear and the excitement from ten years ago. We knew it would be the day we would meet her because of medical conditions that had us bring her a month before she was ready.

Today, I want to focus on all the good things she brings in our universe: her brightness, her loyalty, her passion. Her wicked sense of humour, her hunger for life, her sensitivity.

Today, she is free to do what she pleases. She will open the soulful presents we, her blood, picked and wrapped for her.

Today, I remember what it was before and think of what it will be once she fly on her own, making the life she wants. I hug her dreams with her, flush her fears for her. Fierce.

Today, we honour the woman she is transforming into, one year at a time.

I finally shared with you yesterday the first painting of this new series, Abigail. However, I did not get into details about the series on itself, why I am committed to it and why it is so dear to my being.

My Nixies are all a little (or a lot) part of me. We share common traits. But I wanted to go further, now that they are back in my heart (remember, I announced a few months ago I was going away from them).

I read quite a lot about archetypes, I wanted to be a psychanalyst (yup) and am still passionate about the human being and it mind… I have been doing Soul Searching, Soul Work for over a decade now, and know that I am just touching it from the tip of my fingers. Still a lot to discover, to dig up. But you know, the more you want to know who you truly are, the stronger Fear is.

Earlier this year, I painted two customed Nixies for my Golden Customer, they were two of her persona and I freaked love seeing them coming to life. It was scary but thrilling. It inspired me to let my own come to life on canvas. But I think I was not ready until now.

What is «Pieces Of Me» really about ?

Each of the Nixies in this series will be a part of me, a real one. Like the kid I wanted to be when I was 7 years old, the Shaman I was, the young Priestess in Avalon… and every other persona that create the real Me. I know it may sound totally crazy, oh yes, and this is why I pushed doing this for so long, but you know I’m not (cookoo it is).

I  already know some of the next ones I want to create, but you know how I roll: it never happens as I intend it to in the first place. Unexpected is always on my shoulder.

I want to finally «see» them, other than in my mind and in my heart. I want to bring them to life, so to speak. Their stories matter, maybe you will connect with them on some level.

I will begin each painting sessions with extra Reiki. And I will charge them once done as well.

Letting them in. Letting my Visions come to reality. Knowing it is what I need to do right now.

Can’t wait to keep going 🙂

I am so excited but also so so nervous to talk to you guys about this new series of paintings I started… Something like this has been on my mind for a while, but I got the needed push when I watched the final video from Micki Wilde in her latest class, Wilde & Free.

What a good opportunity to have Lindy Stamp Gang’s October challenge* here to actually start making the first painting of the series.

Remember, if you enter the challenge by sharing a project made following the colors scheme (you can use as few as 2 of the colors !), you can win a gift certificate to use in the LSG shop.
How sweet is that ? and fun, too. Because it is not always easy to start creating something when you have guidelines.

We (the Design Team members) creating something for you, so you can have an idea of the huge range of possibilities. We also list the products we use so you can have a starting point.

Her name is Abigail. I created her on a 10×8” canvas board, and I think I will stick to this size for all of the Nixies in this series. It is titled «Pieces of Me» (I explained the why of this series in a seperate blogpost).

I had so much fun creating the background with my LSG’ Starburst sprays (the shimmery kind). It is bright green (and… well, green is not my usual go-to color, but the two I’ve used, I love: Bells Of Ireland Green and Rusty Lantern Lime). The drops of Canna Lily Burnt Orange is then added for contrast (and Abigail’s hair color remind you of this little background touch).

I love using the Color Shots (these are the same than the Starburst sprays but in a wide mouth jar) when I need a quick coloring, without the mess that spraying can be. This is what I used to color my wood veneer embellishments, you’ll see how quick and easy it is in the video.
I also used embossing powder for her headband’s feathers, two coats made the trick (I am still learning tricks about using embossing powders, and my Versamark ink is now old so it does not help to get it right). Look at that gorgeous purple (it’s the Midnight Violet Obsidian)

I adore the Magical Micas for plenty of different reasons. One of them is that I can add them to gels and other mediums to tint them. This is what I did to create these dark parts on the background. However, next time I will activate the Magical with a tid bit of water first, and then add it to the gel so I am sure to get its true color (and potential).
I used two different Magicals to add a bit of contrast and interest in her hair as well.

Abigail lived during the late XVIIth century. She was raised learning the power of plants, and gems, so she could help people. She was known in her village for her kindness and selflessness; she would come by your bedside at any time of day and night if you needed her. Abigail always had the right words to reassure people, seeing the best in the darkness.

She had a beautiful companion, Raven. They were the bestest of friends, and it was not unusual to cross Abigail in the street with the bird on her shoulder, looking like they were talking to each other (which they were). Raven always knew where to find what she needed so she could gather it, and take care of it as it should.

Some would call her «Witch», frowning at her in the street, even some them were doing the sign of the Cross, thinking they needed protection.

Abigail is the sweetest young woman of all, giving her all for others, never asking for anything in return. But she was the fruit of misunderstanding and fear, and gave her life because of it…

Here is the video for you (there were some glitches, I am sorry about that. Please, remember to turn on the HD for a better experience):

To make it easier for you, simply click on the product to be sent to its detailed page:

Bells of Ireland Green

Canna Lily Burnt Orange

Rusty Lantern Lime

Haunted Halloween

Mad Hatter Glitter

Midnight Violet Obsidian

The Gripper

Autumn Leaves Magical

Haunted Halloween