Mantecón Studio

What do I mean by the word ALCHEMY?

Alchemy, in its loose definition, denotes change or transformation. It is a form of speculative thought that, among other aims, tries to transform base metals such as lead or copper into silver or gold, discover a cure for disease, and find a way to extend life.

In our 3D reality, alchemy is a way of exploration and discovery into our connection to the cosmos. In an art practice, the combination of materials and how they interact with each other is an alchemical process. When we venture into trial and error, innovation, and originality alchemy becomes a deep internal process.

As painters, we often find ourselves alone, immersed in the solitary act of painting- unless, of course, we are collaborating on a project with others. Over decades of teaching and mentoring in groups, I've witnessed something profound: we navigate the waves of highs and lows together, reminding ourselves that we are not alone in this journey we've embarked on- our art practice. And it's called that for a reason. It's not a linear, step-by-step progression but rather a spiral, delving into deeper terrains every time we take a new risk or expose ourselves to vulnerability, whether in a live setting or an online shared container.

Elevator Pitch - Imagine you’re in an elevator, and you have a 2-minute ride to explain what you do as an artist. You want to make a lasting impression—so what do you say? In the pitch, we aim to uncover the core of the 'why'.

First, I advised what not to do. “Don’t just say, I paint my personal experiences and make them universal, or I am an abstract painter working in oils.”

Instead, I urged, “Start with your core 'why.' Tell me about the passion that fuels your use of oil paint.”

I've said this before—I believe that creative acts have the power to keep us open and to heal. Creating art with wild abandon serves not just as a form of self-healing, but also as a way to heal others. When we engage in art or take the opportunity to surround ourselves with it, we open ourselves up to healing on a somatic level.

My goal in this dualistic way of being is to become nondualistic and merge my different ways of being. As often as I am disorganized I also have moments of organization. One is not bad and the other good- just different. After all, chaos has its place. Chaos is where I believe creativity is born.

When we embrace the act of painting on a grand scale, our entire being becomes an integral part of the process. Standing before a canvas as expansive as ourselves, every sense is heightened and engaged. We might bend, reach and use the full scope of our arms as we maneuver through the surface. 

The way we might move our wrists to create a circle. When we transition to a larger canvas, this gesture demands a greater commitment, a deeper connection to the marks we etch onto the surface.

Our internal dialogue can get quite loud while we are painting. For years my studio would be crowded while I was engaged in the act of creating. Voices of past instructors, critics, and galleries that represented me flooded the space. Am I good enough? Is this shit? What would so-and-so think? Is this going to sell? You get the idea.

To be able to quell those voices and get back to my center took quite a lot of practice. Like a meditation, we return to breathe, ground back to ourselves, and begin again.

I recently embarked on a 10-day adventure along the captivating east coast. To New York City, The Met Museum, The Wildflower Auberge Resort, and to Omega Institute for a workshop with Stewart Cubley. Let me tell you, this journey gifted me with two invaluable realizations that I believe many of us can relate to!

I hold the belief that our existence unfolds within a three-tier universe, comprising an upper world, a lower world, and a middle world. In a way, we can liken them to the celestial heavens, hell, and earth, each carrying its own significance. For those with an inclination towards psycho-spirituality, these tiers can be recognized as higher consciousness, the unconscious, and the mundane world.

This episode is a captivating glimpse into the significance of the Artist Process of Stacy Phillips. Stacy is a versatile artist who works in sculpture, ceramics, painting, and mixed media. Our conversation touches upon various themes, including the intertwining of life and art, the significance of craft and process, and the diverse influences that shape an artist's lifelong path.

Stacy and I have been collaborators and friends for decades. It was a pleasure to sit down with her and gleam at her treasure trove of knowledge and what makes her tick as she balances her studio practice between being a working artist, mentor, and educator for Golden Paints

Right now you might be feeling a restless energy to do a million projects, but we actually need to be discerning about which projects are worthy of our energy. As someone who has multiple planets in Aries, take it from me. I often start projects but lack the follow-through.

Learn how to use this burst of energy in the correct alignment for you.

To me, it is an immaterial essence that actualizes our existence on this planet. That thing that connects us to all that is. It’s where we can access guides and helpers along the way for support. 

The definition of a creative can be thought of as someone who is able to reach into their imaginations and “create” something from nothing- rather than imitate. It’s creating a unique authentic invention. 

It can be so tempting to keep adding more and more details, or even broad big strokes, but it can also lead to overworking a piece and losing the original intent. I am guilty of this– wrestling some paintings to the ground and losing any semblance of my original intent.

To Be Brave asks us to take a leap of faith, to push ourselves toward growth. 

Are you able to straddle the unexplainable mystery of dimensional planes? These concepts don’t seem to speak in whispers anymore.