I decided to make the first blog post about how my first collection of original paintings, a mixed-media abstracts collection, metamorphosed and came to life.
It marks the beginning of me offering my art to you, making it available for purchase, and therefore deserves an entry into this virtual artist journal of mine.
The idea for the Collection: An ode to Signs from the Universe
I decided to become a professional artist at the beginning of 2022. And since then I’ve poured myself into developing a business around my creative pursuits. There have been many tough moments, times when my mind was filled with thoughts of uncertainty, and days when doubt was taking over my heart’s desire. It was in these moments of momentary wavering of belief in my dreams, the dreams that I know to be true in my heart, that I sought a sign from the Universe. And it was in these moments that I was visited by butterflies, who I instantly understood were carrying a message for me, as I stood in the energy of receiving with my heart and mind open to the gifts of the Universe. The change in colour of the butterfly on different days brought with it a different message, it was what I needed to hear and know at that time.
And therefore, the idea for creating this collection stemmed from this powerful symbolism that lift me when my faith in myself and my dreams wavered.
Name of the Collection: A message delivered by pure Synchronicity
The name for this collection came to me on the day that I started laying the first sketches for the collection. It was early in the morning, it was raining after a long spell of a heat wave here in Delhi, and I was feeling deeply inspired. So as I was sketching the pieces, listening to the bird songs harmonizing with the spatter of rain, the name for the collection came to me – Butterfly Totems. I made a quick note and continued birthing this collection which was flowing through me.
After making the first four sketches (of the Earth element totems), I decided to take a break and got up to eat breakfast. And it was in this moment that I spotted the wing of a dead butterfly, that had probably flown in with the wind. I squealed with incredulity seeing this synchronicity!
This collection was born from the idea of seeing butterflies as a sign at points in my life when I needed them, and here it was again. The universe telling me that I should continue to stay on this path that I am walking, assuring me that I am creating magic!
My intention with this collection is to bring some of that butterfly totem magic to your sacred space, your home.
The symbolism of the Four Elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire
All life stems from earth, air, water, and fire. Everything is made up of matter, and all matter exists in the form of solid (earth), gas (air), liquid (water), and plasma (fire). These elements exist inside us while we strive to create balance and harmony among these energies, and outside us which facilitates our connection with nature and the rest of the Universe.
Do you know what that means? It means that you are made up of the same magic that the Universe is made of, it means that you are one with the Universe, it means that YOU are the Universe itself in human form!
When we truly internalize this, we arrive at the understanding that we are connected to all of existence, and we are one with it. We can stand in our power and show up as our authentic selves with complete acceptance of our whole selves, the light, and the shadow.
Within this collection, I have created quartets representing each element via the colours used to create them.
Earth
The element earth represents grounding, nourishment, stability and balance. Earth is associated with Root Chakra, and in a balanced state it induces feelings of safety, stability, peace and harmony.
The colour scheme chosen for this element was brown, yellow and green.
Air
The element air represents movement, sincerity, joy and happiness. Air is associated with Heart Chakra, and in a balanced state it induces expansiveness, courage,and compassion, acceptance of self and others.
The colour scheme chosen for this element was white, golden and black.
Water
The element water makes up about 70% of the composition of our body and the earth’s surface, and it represents flow, conception of new ideas, healing energy and restoration. Water is associated with the Sacral Chakra, and in a balanced state it induces creativity, pleasure, spirituality and authentic expression.
The colour scheme chosen for this element was different shades of blue.
Fire
The element fire is the driving force behind all life processes, and it represents transformation, change, passion and excitement. Fire is associated with Solar Plexus Chakra, and in a balanced state it induces energy, self-esteem, confidence, and ignites our core strengths.
The colour scheme chosen for this element was red and black.
The Butterfly Totem Collection is now available for purchase here. If you are interested in purchasing a piece you resonate with, please feel free to reach out to me via email.
It is a collection of 12 mixed-media abstracts, created in quartets, exploring the themes of the four elements of nature – earth, air, water, and fire. Each of these quartets further ties with a particular butterfly species – Andaman Crow butterfly, Tree Nymph butterfly, Orange Oak Leaf butterfly, and Great Windmill Swallowtail butterfly, and is a deconstruction of the same.
A big part of my vision for Studio Artinject is being able to support organisations forwarding causes that I deeply resonate with, through my work. And a cause that is close to my heart is LGBTQIA+ rights, and therefore 10% of the profit from the sale of every piece in the Butterfly Totems Collection will be donated to the Nazariya Foundation. Nazariya, is a Queer Feminist Resource Group led and run by queer persons with a view to make LGBT*QIA+ lives visible. They conduct training programmes on gender and sexuality with private and government institutions, run a peer-counselling helpline and provide professional mental health support to people across the LGBT*QIA+ spectrum, and run a Delhi-based skilling centre for trans* persons to foster better livelihood opportunities for them. You can read more about their work here.