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  • Book: Art and Sacred Sites: Connecting with Spirit of Place
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Art and Sacred Sites

~ An artist's journey of travel, inspiration, and creating art

Art and Sacred Sites

Tag Archives: archetypal symbols

The Language of the Goddess

27 Friday Nov 2015

Posted by glenrogers in ancient sites in Europe, Art, sacred sites

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

archetypal symbols, KALA Institute, Language of the Goddess, Marija Gimbutas, matrilineal, monotype prints, Neolithic goddess culture, Riane Eisler

M G page of symbolsma Gimbutas page 2

In the early 90’s, Marija Gimbutas’ book, The Language of the Goddess, (Harper & Row, San Francisco, 1989) had a huge impact on my work. In this book, Gimbutas, a revisionist anthropologist, provided a fresh look at the Neolithic Goddess Culture, cataloguing the artifacts and symbols found on cave walls, rocks, sculpture and pottery from Old Europe. These matrilineal societies, peaceful and agrarian, existed long before our current patriarchal system. (The Chalice & The Blade, Riane Eisler)

At the time I discovered Gimbutas’ book, my artwork focused on the female figure in a feminist vein.  But while an artist in residence at KALA Institute, I began creating large-scale monotype prints that reflected many of the symbols I’d found in her book. The spiral, the pubic triangle, the chevron and concentric circles began appearing in these 42” x 55” monotypes. It was at that point, my art shifted direction to focus on archetypal symbols with a decidedly feminine nature, inspired by the ancient goddess cultures around the world. My work today still carries the influence from this pivotal point in my career.  Here are some of these early prints, some of which are still available. Contact me if you are interested is seeing more.

Energy sm

Vortex

Power of Three Comb_monotype_55 x 42

The Power of Three – Comb

Chevron_monotype_55.5 x 42

Chevron

Circular Passage_monotype_54.5 x 42

Circular Passage

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The Labyrinth – A Walking Meditation

17 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by glenrogers in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

archetypal symbols, Chartes Cathedral, Dr. Lauren Artress, Grace Cathedral, Labyrinth, Mazatlan, meditation, Minoan Crete, Sibley Park

This labyrinth no longer exists, and is now a skateboard park.

Labyrinth – Mazatlán, Mexico

I first discovered the Labyrinth as a spiritual tool in my readings on archetypal symbols. Based on a circle, it implies unity and wholeness, and is considered a metaphor for our journey through life. Dating back to the goddess culture of Minoan Crete, the Labyrinth was also used in medieval times as a walking meditation and was often included in the final steps of a sacred journey or pilgrimage. These large-scale symbols were imbedded into the stone floors of monasteries and churches, with the better known being Chartres Cathedral in France, whose Labyrinth continues to receive visits from pilgrims to this day.

My first opportunity to walk a Labyrinth was on a New Year’s Eve at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco – it was a profound experience.  Sometime later, I had the honor of attending a Women’s Quest with 100 women at the same cathedral – a sort of spiritual “slumber party,” an incredible evening of empowerment, with silent meditations, walking the Labyrinth by candlelight and making connections with like-minded women of all ages and backgrounds.

Dr. Lauren Artress, who organized the Women’s Quest, is responsible for bringing the Labyrinth to Grace Cathedral and helped revive this ancient spiritual tool with her book, Walking the Sacred Path. Some of her suggestions for taking this journey include quieting the mind, asking a question, repeating a mantra or prayer and allowing a receptive state. Walking towards the center is an opportunity to let go of things no longer useful. Reaching the heart of the Labyrinth, Dr. Artress suggests taking a moment to offer gratitude, and on the final circuit, asking for what you’d like to bring into your life.

“To walk a sacred path is to discover our inner sacred space: the core of feeling that is waiting to have life breathed back into it through symbols, archetypal forms like the Labyrinth, rituals, stories and myths.”

Labyrinth -Sibley Park, Oakland, CA

I never miss an opportunity to walk this mystical path and commune with the divine, knowing that somehow it will affect my life and my art. Here are some works that have the feel of the labyrinth.

Click on the images to enlarge:

Double Spiral, oil on canvas, 51″ x 51″
As Above, So Below, oil on canvas, 51″ x 51″
La Semilla V, monotype, 14″ x 11″

This post is an excerpt from my book, Art & Sacred Sites: Connecting with Spirit of Place. To order, glen@glenrogersart.com.

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Friday Art Post

04 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by glenrogers in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

archetypal symbols, Glen Rogers, monotype prints, printmaking, The source, vesica piscis

One of my favorite monotype prints from the last couple of years, “The Source II”.  The image feels grounded yet ethereal – feminine but with the addition of the gold leaf, it enters a spiritual realm. The oval shape suggests the womb, the beginning of life, renewal and regeneration. A one-of-a-kind print created in my Mazatlán studio. I did two in the series (similar but different), the other one sold, this one is still available.  Contact me for more information or visit my website: glenrogersart.com

Glen Rogers, "The Source", 30" x 22", monotype w. gold leaf

Glen Rogers, “The Source II”, 30″ x 22″, monotype w. gold leaf

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Crop Circles, A Mystery to Behold

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by glenrogers in Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

archetypal symbols, crop circle connector, crop circles, sacred geometry, temporary temples

Crop Circle

What are these mysterious earthworks with reference to sacred geometry and archetypal symbols – symbols so huge that you can only see the image from the air? I’m not talking about the hoaxes – guys with a board and string that have tried to debunk the whole phenomena. Yes, they exist too, but they are detectable and not as complex as the real deal. Are they messages from above, from another planet, or from below, earth’s energy, tapping into the collective unconscious? Whatever! It’s fascinating!

In 2006, a friend and I went to England specifically to see and experience them. I was worried that perhaps we wouldn’t see any after making this special trip but that was not an issue – I saw 9 while there, and more were popping up overnight. We went to Wiltshire County where the largest concentration was. The Barge Inn in Alton Barnes, was “crop circle central,” and had a large map updated with the latest sightings. But before we even got there, we spotted a formation of large intersecting circles just off the highway. We walked through the site completely awestruck, and at one point I laid down in savasana, a resting yoga pose, to let go and soak up the incredible energy from the vortex.

I flew over the area in a microlight plane to get the full visual impact. My pilot, Tony, recounted several experiences of flying over an area, and 30 minutes later seeing a formation where none had existed before. He also pointed out a field that had been harvested, yet the ghost of the crop circle was still visible from above.

The crops are not cut or destroyed, but are gently laid down and whirled from a central vortex. Some visitors claim to feel energy within the formations and scientists have detected changes in the cellular structure of the crop. They are often sited over ley lines, energetic paths that run underneath the earth’s surface, and close to Neolithic sites such as Stonehenge and Avebury.

Here are some crop circles that I photographed from the plane, plus a close-up of walking through a circle.


Some links to sites with the latest crop circles:

temporarytemples

CropCircleConnector

One of my paintings inspired by the energy vortices.

“Secrets in the Field”, Oil on Canvas, triptych

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Where Art, Symbol and Spirit Meet – New Workshop

20 Thursday Aug 2015

Posted by glenrogers in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

archetypal symbols, art workshops in Mexico, creative spirit, Glen Rogers, Las Labradas, monotype printing, printmaking workshop, spiritual journey, Transformative

Dear Readers,

I’ve been teaching Monotype Workshops in my Mazatlán studio since 2007 and have been wanting to combine my interests in archetypal symbols and spirituality with my favorite monotype techniques. So drumroll…. here it is! I’m excited to be offering this workshop this January and feel it is a great way to bring in the New Year. This is for artists and non-artists – so no experience necessary. Feel free to email me with any questions.

water and symbols

Bring in the New Year with this Transformative Art Workshop

Where Art, Symbol and Spirit Meet
January 4 – 8, 2016
In this workshop we will use Monotype printing and collage techniques to explore  archetypal symbols, symbols in nature, and images from sacred sites. We will go beyond the art process to tap into the collective vision with meditation, journaling, and intuitive artmaking.  We will visit a sacred site, Las Labradas, where symbols are inscribed on stone by the shamans of the Toltec tribe.  Both artists and not-artists are welcome in this workshop where you will explore, create, and share.

Workshop Includes:

  • Welcome dinner
  • 5 day printmaking/collage workshop w. Glen Rogers
  • Lunches by Chef Alastair
  • Day trip to Las Labradas
  • Workshop Fee: $560 USD
  • Does not include airfare or accommodations
  • Let me refer you to my favorite B&B’s and hotels in Centro Historico

Glen Rogers Studio, Mazatlán, Mexico
The studio, located in the heart of the Centro Historico District, is 1 ½ blocks from Olas Altas Beach and a short walk to the Plaza Machado – a lively plaza with outdoor cafes and music. Other activities in the area include yoga, massage & spa facilities, great seafood, and shopping.
Olas Altas Beach

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  • Book: Art and Sacred Sites: Connecting with Spirit of Place
  • Book: Symbols of the Spirit: A Meditative Journey Through Art

About Glen Rogers

An artist who approaches life with an adventurous spirit and a reverence for Mother Earth. One of my favorite quotes, "Leap and the net will appear", has propelled me on a life journey of art and discovery. Visit my website: GlenRogersArt

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Art gallery

Blue Spirit
Blue Spirit
Notes from Monte Alban II
Notes from Monte Alban II
Notes fr Monte Alban V,
Notes fr Monte Alban V,
Phoenix, oil on canvas, 5' x 7'
Phoenix, oil on canvas, 5′ x 7′
Ancient Secrets II
Ancient Secrets II
Writing on the Wall
Writing on the Wall
Spirit of Place
Spirit of Place
Three Wings
Three Wings
Written in Stone
Written in Stone
Spirit Gate
Spirit Gate
Writing on the Wall series

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