Inspiration

The Energy of Transformation

Spring feels like it might be right around the corner. 

Yesterday, I had this beautiful picture taken of me for my new online store.

The sky was sunny and there was a promise of transformation and new beginnings with the arrival of longer days and daffodil leaves peeking out of the ground.  

I added my favorite moths to the mix of Chrysanthemums and Wax flowers, the result is quite magical. I have been finding inspiration from the simple spaces in between forms and light. I especially love how  the flower petals create such intricate patterns. 

The time of darkness, rest and nourishing Yin are necessary so that when the burst of Spring energy, the energy of rising sap and Wood arises, we are nourished and prepared for  the growth spurts.

The Snow drops are in bloom, this is a welcome sign that Spring is on its way. I am wishing everyone a smooth and graceful transition.

Love

I am currently working on opening a second small online store...for limited editions of perfume blends and botanical art. It is a delicate, precious and slow process. I am learning to appreciate the unpredictable flow of life unfolding and to integrate new information with more time, ease and grace. With this new sense of timing,  I am truly savoring the wisdom that accompanies each moment. Nothing meaningful can be rushed. Everything that I have studied, experienced in nature and cared for is coming together into this new work.

This week I am working on a small group of designs for  greeting cards, here is a sneak preview!  

                                           

Cistus ladaniferous

Cistus, also known as Labdanum, Ambreine and Rock Rose is one of the most intruiging oils that I am working with right now. It can come in a very hard resinous form and in a golden brown oil. The plant grows as a wild evergreen hardy shrub in the South Western region of Europe and North Africa. It can withstand prolonged periods of drought. Amazingly, each flower opens for only one day. 

 The scent is a base note in natural perfumery and has a very rich, sweet and sometimes pungent ancient  smell. It is a common fixative for soaps, lotions and aftershaves.

I include this oil when I am making topical blends for skin conditions and wound healing. It can also be used in plasters and on mature skin care.

The oil is anti-microbial, antiseptic, an expectorant and a tonic. I often apply drops to points on the Lung meridian when I am working with someone who has a very strong cough or upper respiratory weakness. 

In my research travels, I recently read that the oil calms the Spirit and is said to open the third eye and expand consciousness! 

At the moment I am working with this botanical essence in a perfume that tells a story of a marriage between Hay and Damask Rose. A Cistus from Spain is in the base and it brings a unique tartness to the blend. The image above was made for this new perfume, there is a Cistus flower behind the image of the rose.

I took pictures of this gorgeous flower while in California not realizing until I got back to New York that it was indeed a Cistus flower!
Perfect timing.
I recently added one of these beauties to my shop!

www.society6.com/Prettymedicine

A Valentine Gift

I made this collage this week by gathering a lot of  pretties that  have been collected in the form of photographs so that I could make something nice to share for Valentine's Day. 

I happen to adore this day that celebrates love with gifts, flowers, chocolate and beautiful cards. 

I am offering a special surprise Valentine's Day gift to the fifth person to email me at 

mariabowling@me.com. 

Please title the message 'Valentine'. 

Where in the world will it go? 

Hummingbird Medicine

Last week I was in a very special botanical garden in Berkley,

 California. 

There are acres and acres of plants from all over the world where humming birds feed and rare beautiful plants thrive. The magic of the hummingbirds was what caught my attention the moment that I entered the sanctuary. I had several encounters with them as they flew in front of me with their magenta iridescent feathers and beautiful song. 

I took as many pictures of them as I could because I had never seen so many and so close!

It was a rare and special gift.

The picture above was combined with a silk piece that was part of a sculptural installation that included text. In the midday California sun, the shadows of the rose bushes came through the printed material and made the most beautiful patterns. I added overlays of these amazing textiles.

I have learned that there approximately 300 species of Hummingbirds in the Americas. I have also learned that they can move in many different directions and have the ability to fly backwards. 

The Chinese characters on this marble piece are in the Chinese herbal garden. While the garden was mostly dormant, it was still beautiful. There are approximately 100 herbs growing that are used in Chinese medicine. Each herb had a plaque that includes descriptions, categories, functions and healing properties.

There was just one lonely pear hanging from this beautiful tree in close proximity to the Chinese herbal garden. 

The red flowers in each corner of the picture are from the Quince bush.

The hummingbird below, came to me as I was about to leave the gardens, I photographed it a few times as it went back and forth between flowers for nectar and a high branch of an Olive tree.

Hummingbird medicine reminds us to taste the sweetness of life as it feeds on nectar. This medicine reminds us to walk in joy, courage and to enjoy the beauty of life. It also reminds us to continue to expand and stay in the world of flowers and scent. 

Hummingbirds fly by moving their wings with the geometry of the figure eight or the symbol of infinity. They can travels for hundreds of miles without stopping to eat.

Hummingbird medicine is also symbolic of resurrection,  opening of the heart and perfect timing. 

The picture below was combined with one of the beautiful succulent plants that grows everywhere in Berkley. 

Several of these pictures where added to my shop!

Enjoy. 

www.society6.com/Prettymedicine

A Tale of Amaryllis

Once upon a time in a land far far away there was delicate nymph with a very sensitive and gentle heart who loved to pick wild flowers growing along the mountainsides. One afternoon she came upon a handsome shepard named Alteo. Upon meeting him, this beautiful nymph immediately fell in love.

Alteo was clear that he would only love a girl who would bring him a new flower, as he was not much interested in love and cared only for flowers. 

The young nymph named Amaryllis was so desperate for his love to be returned, she visited the Oracle of Delphi for advice. She was told to take a golden arrow from the temple and to pierce her heart on the doorstep of Alteo's abode for thirty nights.

Despite her cries for her beloved each evening, he did not pay her any attention. Each night she pierced her heart with an arrow and on the thirtieth visit, a crimson flower sprung forth from the blood that flowed from her heart. 

Alteo finally took notice of this young nymph and the gorgeous new flower that emerged  from her very essence and he fell in love with her. 

This is how the Amaryllis flower got its name.

The photographs that I took of the flowers were layered with different elements of lace, and above the swans from the pond before Sagaponack Main beach.

In the language of flowers this lovely plant symbolizes radiant beauty, determination and fervent love.

It is also known as Hippeastrum. It is grown in the Caribbean, and South America.

It is called by other names, 'Knight Star', 'Naked Lady',  'Christmas Lily' and 'Belladonna'.

It grows in white, salmon pink, orange, and stripes of various colors. 

The elegant painting below of Amaryllis was painted by John William Godward in 1903.