The Elemental Gene Keys

 Greetings! In recent years my meanderings have led me down a very unique path and to a secret project, one that is both radically different yet familiar to my previous work~ lingering still in the Mythic realms (where transformational cycles are embodied in the landscape) but here its born out of a vast perennial wisdom. A seed of an idea that was awakened by thunder, created through heaven, forged out of fire and nurtured by earth, wind and water~ a dance with yin and yang~ into an alchemical experiment and a vessel that will one day lend itself to being produced as a book or oracle. It arose out of my own journey of self discovery into a deep calling to unite it with my creativity, through the transmission that illuminated it.
 In a nutshell, The Elemental Gene Keys are a weaving together of the nature elements of the I Ching (an ancient Chinese oracle named the 'Book of Changes') with the transformational pathways and living wisdom of 'The Gene Keys' ( a contemporary contemplation on the I Ching) written by Richard Rudd. There are 64 archetypes and in each drawing I attempt to depict the collective shadow merging and into a Mythic embodiment of its Gift and Siddhi (Divine gift)

Here are a few examples. Each drawing is only 8'x8'' in size, and after some time now of working at this scale its a struggle for my eyes, but I wish to persevere none the less and finish all 64.' It would be amazing to produce them in colour, but I would need to find a way and funds to do that, and without it taking the rest of my meandering days to complete.

 

 

 

 

Now I find myself teetering around the edges of my comfort zone, taking small steps to introduce this project to the wider world, while offering some options in how folks who may be interested could support me in the completion of this rather ambitious piece of work, while being the first to see these magical beings birthed and get exclusive behind the scenes content.

 This year I have been, and will continue to, regularly post each drawing for the first time, in the sequence corresponding to the zodiacal I Ching calendar, here on my Patreon page

https://www.patreon.com/virginialee 

 Some folks have expressed that they would prefer to donate, which I would be so grateful to receive and would put to good use, which can be done so here~    Paypal

or through my Linktree 

My wish is to continue to develop and evolve this and apply them in all sorts of creative and practical ways, both online, in community and one day in a tangible form. Offering a mirror for our remembering of our higher purpose in life and our greater compassionate nature. 

With love and abundance, 

 Virginia

 

 

Mythic encounters

Revealing here a few Mythic encounters I've had during the last few years...

Lost and found in a forgotten land

Three Hares Tor (in daylight)

Heart and Hearth at the Hound's Tor

Seeking the eye of Ra

Diving for Pearls

Spirit of the Pearl (miniature painting)

Forgiveness fuels the fire within...

Greetings to you from my dwelling on the moors. As I dust away the cobwebs from this much neglected blog, with some paintings from 2016-17, I tentatively reveal aspects of surrender and transformation as I explored the interior of my domain~ allowing space for new possibilities.

Forgiveness fuels the Fire within~ 48cm x 40cm, oil on board

The forest's sorrow for what has been.. miniature oil painting on board 

In the glade of acquiescence-  oil on board 175mm x180mm

Widdershins 2016

 Greetings from my dwelling near the gateway to the high moors. There are usually a few personal obstacles along my path that obstruct a regular flowing of meanderings here, which I hope to eventually clear away, but I can reveal a current exhibition taking place which is full of magical delights for the mind, heart and soul. Widdershins, Pathways to the Fearie Realm, is an exhibition of Moorland Mythic Art in Devon. Three years ago there was an exhibition of the same name, in the same gallery, which was a great success. You can see my blog post about it here.  Eager to evoke the realm of myth and magic again the lovely folk at Green Hill Arts Gallery called upon our artistry to create a world where people could walk in and be both enchanted and comforted. Once again the curators did a fantastic job. All of the same artists were involved including a few more renowned artists, which added to a very diverse array of expression throughout. Artists Alan Lee, Brian Froud, Wendy Froud, Terri Windling, David Wyatt, Neil Wilkinson Cave, Marja Lee, Pauline Lee, Rima Staines, Danielle Barlow, Angharad Barlow, Hazel Brown.

Here is a taste of some of the many flavours of expression in paint, pencil, clay, fabric, wood, silver,  bronze, animation, illustration and written word.

In the company of faery folk in various states of being and becoming. 

with Wendy Froud's Moth Faery

A Lady Sprout, Prayer seed, and an angel in a shell, made of polymer clay and acrylic.

'Onion tears' being consoled by a passing snail.

Wendy Froud's 'Faery Godmother's day out' with  Hazel Brown's handmade Faery boxes and handwritten faery books

Throughout the exhibition Terri Windling masterfully wrote quotes on the walls by well known writers and artists. Here is one nestled in between my 'Red Riding Hood' and 'Into the path's embrace' wall sculptures.

"There were always tales passed from mother to daughter, father to son. Down through the generations they came, so that we would never forget that place, that magic, that elemental and awesome power that abided in our forbears. In each generation the power of the tale rests with us, the storytellers" -Evangeline Walton- Novelist

Celeste, Bronze hare by Paul Kidby

'Imbolc' watercolour painting by Marja Lee 

Marja is my mother. She was fashion illustrator back in the 1960s and now works on intuitive paintings supported by co-creative science, a method of working in harmony with nature and nature spirits.

detail of 'Spiral Dance' watercolour painting by Marja Lee

                             
                                 'Maiden, Mother, Crone' oil on wood by  Rima Staines.

See how Rima, Tom and boy are getting on in Hedgespoken, a vehicle for the imagination

Still from 'Orla, Wren, Fish and Doll', animation by Rima Staines

 Detail of 'The Language of Trees' collage by Terri Windling

Detail of 'But the youngest bunny could not sleep' collage by Terri Windling

      Faery Princess, Faery mirror, Pressed faery, Melch Dick by Brian Froud

Detail of 'Green Man' by Neil Wilkinson Cave

Detail of 'Wistman's wood' by Hazel Brown

Detail of 'Discworld' Limited edition print by Paul Kidby

'Spinning moonlight' by David Wyatt

'Merwyng' drawing by Marja Lee

'The Mariner' drawing by Alan Lee

'Merfolk Village' illustration by Virginia Lee

'The Storm Within' polymer clay sculpture by Virginia Lee

'Orthanc' watercolour illustration for The Lord of the Rings

'Light in the woods' illustration for 'Merlin Dreams'

by Alan Lee

Ceramics by Pauline Lee (my auntie)

Jewellery by Angharad Barlow

'Dancing Princess' illustration for the Frog Bride by Virginia Lee

'Faery of Fashion' drawing by Alan Lee

                                      'Brother Swan necklace' in silver by Angharad Barlow

                                                 'Shapeshifting Hare' by Danielle Barlow

                                                  'The Last Puppeteer' by David Wyatt

   'Forgiveness fuels the fire within' water mixable oil paints and mixed media on board. More reveal on this piece soon.

Although the exhibition is almost over, the shop in the foyer will continue to stock the artist's prints cards, and some originals, as well as other artist's work including Alexandra Dawe

 

Farewell from the faerie folk, for now!

The Fear Within

In the fall of 2015 I followed thoughts into fairy tale forests and followed the fears that were bound up within, and fearing my feelings might gobble me up, I found a small clearing for them to roam free. And once they were free they could feel. And once they were felt they were free. And the fear within turned to freedom within for now I feel fine in the company of wolves.

polymer clay wall plaque, painted with acrylic and oil paint

                                                                       h 11', w 7.5''

This piece has been exhibited in Obsidian Gallery and I intend to display it in some upcoming exhibitions this year. For inquiries email me info@virginialee.co.uk

The Diplomat

The Diplomat

oil on paper

23cmx19cm.

For any inquiries about this piece or any other, please email me at info@virginialee.co.uk

Wishing you all a peaceful day!

Portals to inner worlds

Recently I have been venturing into the mysterious realms of my belly. The place I so rarely want to dwell in for long but a place where treasure is hidden within the turbulent seas and under dark swirling skies.

As a way of drawing my attention back to this place my creative urges have been leading me to combine my sculpting and painting. The sensual physicality of the sculpting creates a frame and a vessel for the inner illuminations of my painting. I am finding this combination quite satisfying, here are just a few of examples as wall hangings. I hope to be making more of them.

'In the light of the Hare's moon'

wire, polymer clay, acrylic and oil paint

height 12''

 

'The Storm within'

wire, polymer clay, acrylic and oil paint

height 6''

 

 

'Into the path's embrace'

wire, polymer clay, acrylic and oil paint

height 6''

These sculptural wall hangings have been for sale in my etsy shop. More of them will be making an appearance in there soon so keep an eye out and visit often if you are interested.

A wave and a kiss from my world to your world.