www.etsy.com/shop/jukabrown

I have ignored this part of me, this big, curious, wondrous, part of me, for far too long. Since I was a very young girl, mysticism has called to me. Some of it my mother would allow, some I tried to channel through Christianity, but most of what I was drawn to was considered shameful, wrong, a sin. I have done the scholarly feminist work of dismantling patriarchal systems of belief like Christianity and that has helped me shed old ideas and values that I don’t believe in, but the mystical continued to be pushed aside in my mind. Academics doesn’t exactly embrace mysticism as a real possibility as much as uses it simply as one form of thought, instead of a form of belief. Now I have finished graduate school. I’ve done the cold, critical, academic thinking and it left my heart feeling empty, my soul lost. 

It’s not that mystic thinking isn’t possible in academics, but it’s very hard to incorporate, especially from the level of a master’s student (as opposed to an established scholar). Academics took away the time I needed to be spending with my spirituality. Beyond time, it’s old patriarchal system of knowledge building stole away the power-within, the passion, the knowledge that we all hold within ourselves. Academics doubts your knowledge until you can prove it by mastering the knowledge of others, publish in their journals, and climb their version of a corporate latter. But enough about academics… 

I am going to give my soul the trust, the time, the devotion to actually follow my pull into the mystic world. So far, the tarot has been my greatest call. The cards have been speaking such encouraging, loving words to me along this journey. I am building confidence in myself, in my craft, and in what I truly believe in. It feels so right, it feels so fatefully right to be heading down this path. 

All Good Things Are Wild And Free

Lettering by James Lafuente

Follow on Instagram

Working on my wolf

- A Rocket to the Moon (x)

Tea break! 

My favourite way to relax is to chill in the studio with a brew and have a doodle in my sketchbook.  Anyone fancy a cuppa? xx

Butterfly Garden x

Busy in the studio today painting, gelli printing and monoprinting. Having so much fun playing around with colour and new materials. Here’s a sneak peak of my latest creation. Stuck for a title though, any ideas? xx

Also, check me out on instagram @colleensamanthaparker    xoxo

Dreams in Fuchsia

A few weeks ago I told you about one of my illustrations ‘A Quilt Of Honey Bees’ being used by a lovely German Honey Company called ‘Bee Loved’.

Well, here it is! I couldn’t be more proud.  I’m in love with these jars of Honey, not only do they look great but the Honey tastes incredible too.  The owners, Martin & Birgit have done an excellent job and let’s not forget to praise all of those wonderful busy bees who have been hard at work creating all that yummy Honey!

If anyone wants to check out more about this wonderful company & their fantastic bees, then you can do so at: www.beeloved.one

Instagram: @colleensamanthaparker

xx

A small watercolour inspired by all those wondrous little birds out there.

Happy Sunday Everyone! xoxo

‘Like Wildflowers; you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.’ - Erin Van Vuren

A splash of colour for this dreary Wednesday! x

Spring is always full of promise & inspiration. No matter how long winter is, spring is sure to follow! Looking forward to being able to spend time in the garden painting again.  xoxo

Happy Valentine’s Day!

There is nothing on this earth I love more than making art. x 

Create a life that you love! xoxo