Honoring Tom Sassano and Cancer Zodiac Card

Greetings and Happy Summer! The hills have turned golden here in California and they have made their way onto my new Summer Dreams greeting card~

Summer Dreams With Golden Eagle for Tom Sassano

This card is dedicated to my dear friend, Tom Sassano, who passed away from cancer in May. He was a gifted artist, dancer, and a vibrant caring man. A week after he passed I saw a golden eagle outside my window at work, perched in a nearby oak tree, gleaming gold in the morning sun. It felt like a visitation and inspired this card. Here's a picture of Tom and I in front of one of his paintings a few weeks before he died.

In his final days Tom dwelled in a state of grace, transcendence and deep truth, and I was grateful to spend some very moving moments with him at his studio. His community gathered around him for a living memorial before he passed, and it was one of the most powerful experiences I have been through~ To see someone facing death with such dignity, acceptance, and curiosity. If you are interested in meeting Tom  and hearing his wise words about his transition I encourage you to watch this video that was complied of his memorial and interviews they conducted with him.

Here's the link: http://vimeo.com/93323255

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I am continuing my Zodiac card series with a Cancer card, set in Dubrovnik, Croatia, land of my ancestors. I created a treasure box of sea shells~ Here they are in progress~

And here's the finished card~

Gifts From the Deep, Dubrovnik~Cancer Zodiac Card

Cards are available at Good Earth and also from me directly. I am now offering 8 1/2" x 11" prints of any of my images for $28. They are printed on professional-quality photo paper, and hand detailed and signed by me. They come with a nice white border so they are ready to pop in a frame~ and they make a great gift! Striking detail is visible in this larger format. Contact me for details. 

Wishing you a wonderful and sunny summer, blessed with gratitude for each shining moment.

~Tenaya

Spring Dreams and Aries Rhyton

Spring has come to California, and the bright green of new life is everywhere I look. This is the morning view from my studio window~

Inspired by the energy of innocence, growth, and wonder, I created my newest dreamcatcher card (I'm making one for each season) titled, "Spring Dreams"

To me, springtime reflects the process of regeneration and transformation, and also connects me to a sense of awe, beauty and gratitude for all that life is. I feel like this is the root of where the inspiration for my cards comes from~ From noticing the small beauties of the world.

I just discovered a wonderful video by time-lapse photography pioneer Louie Schwartzberg about gratitude that encapsulates these thoughts perfectly:

My full line of Easter/Spring cards are available at Good Earth Natural Foods and Riley Street Art Supply in San Rafael. You can view them all here.

I am continuing the Zodiac card series with "Aries Rhyton". A Rhyton is an ancient ceremonial drinking vessel. Read about Rhytons here.

May the brilliant, life-giving energy of Spring infuse every moment with gratitude and awe!

Love,

Tenaya

Panama Magic

I just had the good fortune to travel to Panama to celebrate my grandma's 80th birthday. It has been her life-long dream to see the Panama Canal, and we had an epic journey through the locks and across Gatun Lake, as well as a day in the old part of Panama City (Casco Antiguo), and a day in a traditional indigenous Embera village on the Chagres River.

 Here I am in Casco Antiguo photo by UpDog Photography

On the Panama Canal (That's my grandma next to me)

I was surprised that such a brief trip could have such a profound effect on me. Being immersed in another culture, and being able to visit an indigenous village broadened my perspective on my life, and has caused me to reflect on what I really want in life, and what will truly bring me fulfillment and happiness.

Chagres River Waterfall

To reach the Embera village I took an exhilarating ride on the Chagres River, where I swam in a waterfall (fully clothed)! The river is surrounded by lush rainforest, and I could hear the warm hum of insects pulsing from it's green depths.

Riding in a traditional Embera Dugout Canoe

The Embera people sustain their way of life by welcoming visitors into their community and sharing their culture through music, dance, and a demonstration of traditional crafts. We were served a delicious meal of fresh-caught fish, lightly battered and fried, with fried plantains and a lime wedge~ Served in a banana leaf with a hibiscus flower!

Standing on a little rise above the village, I was filled with a tremendous sense of longing, overwhelmed by the beauty of this place and these people. I dream of returning~~~

In the jungle I saw a Blue Morpho Butterfly and it inspired my newest greeting card, which features motifs inspired by traditional Embera designs. Cards are available at Good Earth Natural Foods in Fairfax and Riley Street Art in San Rafael. You can also email me directly with your order.   

Wishing you a Happy Spring!

Blue Morpho Butterfly on the Chagres River, Panama With Embera-Inspired Motifs

Love in Latte Foam

Just in time for Valentine's Day~ Here are two new hot-off-the-press cards for your sweetie! 

Love in Latte Foam

This one was inspired by my grandpa Popi, who always loved a good play on words. Here we are dancing circa 1995~

My other grandpa Dziadzi (pronounced ja-jee) had an antique Victrola that he would play for me. I loved hearing the scratchy sound of long ago voices. This "Kitty Victrola Love Song" card is dedicated to him and my Nana Aggie. {If you're lucky, you may have come across a fellow named Bill who brings his portable Victrola to Good Earth Natural Foods. He sets up on a picnic table and serenades the folks passing by. Meeting him brought back memories of Dziadzi, so this card is also dedicated to Bill.}

Kitty Victrola Love Song

Me and Dziadzi 1986

Cards are available at Good Earth Natural Foods and also on my new spinner card display at Riley Street Art Supply in San Rafael.

All Valentine's Day cards from years past are still available at both stores. You can view them here. 

This month is the 4 year anniversary of Dream Speak Design~ Thank you for all of your support! Exciting things are in store for the coming year~

All the best in 2014~

Tenaya