Blog Posts

Shapes and Colors

3/1/2023

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PEGI EYERS

My abstract painting entitled Sacred Songs of Maricopa is currently being showcased in the online exhibition Shapes and Colors organized by Gallerium~! Shapes and Colors runs from March 1 - 31, and you can view the full exhibit here: www.gallerium.art/shapes-and-colors-2022

"SACRED SONGS OF MARICOPA" acrylic on canvas by Pegi Eyers

Sacred Songs of Maricopa
Pegi Eyers
acrylic on canvas
6 X 6 feet

This large-format acrylic on canvas was painted with the joy of movement, shape and colour, and inspired by the landscapes and magic of Mexico and the American Southwest. My goal with abstract painting is to evoke cultural elements and ancient mysteries with symbols and patterns, that flow with an evocative geometry on the canvas.
– Pegi Eyers

Pegi Eyers is also the author of Ancient Spirit Rising: Reclaiming Your Roots & Restoring Earth Community, an award-winning book that explores social justice, nature spirituality, the ancestral arts, and resilience in times of massive change. www.stonecirclepress.com

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Jazz Witch

2/11/2023

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PEGI EYERS

JAZZ WITCH
The Curious Art of Gertrude Abercrombie
A Discovery Workshop for Ekphrastic Writers
HOSTED BY THE EKPHRASTIC REVIEW

The Queen of Bohemian Artists

Writers and poets find endless inspiration in the curious artworks of Gertrude Abercrombie, a Chicago area surrealist painter known as the "Jazz Witch." Abercrombie developed a personal visual language, and her intriguing art is filled with recurring motifs such as eerie moonlit landscapes, empty rooms, owls, cats, broomsticks, and inscrutable self-portraits.

“I like to paint simple things that are a little strange,” she once said.

Abercrombie’s life is as fascinating as her art. The daughter of globetrotting Christian Scientist opera singers, she was a self-described witch who became a fixture in Chicago’s bohemian scene in the mid-twentieth century, and a friend of jazz greats such as Sarah Vaughan and Dizzy Gillespie.

Inspired by Abercrombie's jazz connections and art, in the "Jazz Witch" work-shop we discussed her peculiar themes and paintings, and engaged with several writing exercises. Ekphrastic writing workshops with artist and writer Lorette C. Luzajic are truly amazing! Look for future events at The Ekphrastic Review website here www.ekphrastic.net

Ekphrastic poetry as inspired by Gertrude Abercrombie
by Pegi Eyers

"Self-Imprisonment" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1949

In the Cage
by Pegi Eyers

In the cage
my walls are beautiful, the surface smooth.

The contours are pleasing
jigsaw shapes that should fit together.

I wait
for the darkness to lift.

Looking out over a land of terror
the bars of my cage are strings of luminous beads.

Treasures of past glory
threads that bind me to circles of care.

Turning,
I see the walls have vanished.

And yet, I remain frozen
in that same non-place.

The immense sky,
the fingernail moon calling me.

I slowly turn and make my way
removing the dress
removing the cage
I cycle back to the healing place.

The land holds me
and I am free.

"The Dinosaur" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1964

Haiku by Pegi Eyers

dinosaur extinct
dark cloud hovering
immense white egg speaks of hope

Learn more about the life and art
of Gertrude Abercrombie >here<

A sampling of work by Gertrude Abercrombie~

"White Horse" by Gertrude Abercrombie 1938

"Alice through the Keyhole" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1971

"Flight" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1946

"Still Life - Leaf, Shell and Jacks" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1957

"Levitation" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1953

"Self-Portrait" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1940

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Ekphrastic Poetry

11/27/2022

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PEGI EYERS

Engaging Poetry with Art

In November of 2022, I participated in the workshop Frida Wine and Art hosted by Lorette Luzajic, editor of The Ekphrastic Review, and had a wonderful time viewing Frida's works, re-visiting the Frida mythos, gaining insights, creating new poetics, and meeting kindred spirits. The poem I wrote during the workshop is entitled "Sparks in the Embrace." I highly recommend Lorette's future workshops and events at www.ekphrastic.net ~!

"The Broken Column" by Frida Kahlo

SPARKS IN THE EMBRACE

Am I the pain
or is the pain me?
pain is merciless
unrelenting disability
barriers and boundaries
blocking
my true life

Pain is terror
but I rise above
I transcend
I explode
"my art is a ribbon around a bomb"
Andre Breton spoke
pain can be grounding too

Pain is numbing
but I rise above
I AM HERE
the real me must pass through
and beyond
in spite of frustration, sorrow
anger that borders on madness

Clasp the joy while I still can
the sparks in the embrace
of friends, lovers, Diego
of paint, canvas, palette
RISE ABOVE
carry on
I am not the victim

I illustrate the pain
but the pain
cannot define
ME

- Pegi Eyers 11/27/22

"Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was a larger than life character and epic talent. She is known for her epic love affair with Diego Rivera, for her heroic struggle with numerous illnesses, and for her fascinating paintings. Join us online for a night of lively discussion, writing exercises, and wine sipping." Ekphrastic Review

What Is Ekphrastic Poetry? Read more >here<

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Upcycling Old Records

11/20/2022

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PEGI EYERS

Old LP's are perfect for mandala creations and other paintings. Such an interesting format~! They hang on the wall with a cord threaded through the hole. This is my first attempt - I will be exploring more detailed (or expressive?) compositions in future.

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Descent II/Water

11/1/2022

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Mixed Media by Pegi Eyers

>CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE< "Descent II/Water" by Pegi Eyers // "Rosca de reyes" (Mexican baby figurines), cut paper, fibres and collage elements 16x30"

Artworks created entirely from cut paper are fascinating! From this simple and humble material, surprising effects can be achieved with texture, detail and shading. Each piece is painstakingly cut out with scissors, and like a mosaic, individually glued into the composition. I have explored cut paper techniques in smaller pieces, and decided to expand to a larger format with the work "Descent II/Water" that is part of the Art Gallery of Northumberland collection.

Working with positive/negative space and colour values, the many shades of blue were planned ahead of time, to form an "underwater spectrum." I also enjoy working with mixed media, and incorporated other elements such as fibres, stitching, grommets and small plastic figurines into the work. Many of the papers has been heavily textured with paperclay, gesso, layers of mark-making, paint and pigment. My overall concept was to honor the water as sacred ("Water is Life"), and to depict a series of underwater shrines. The black overlay offsets the original poetry, and suggests the motion of energy lines.

Hidden treasure in a grotto
Depths of illuminating wisdom
Stored in the subterranean caverns of the soul

The narrative for "Descent II/Water" enlivens the spiritual importance of water to the natural world, our human identity, and our entire Earth Community. "Descent/Fire" and "Vessels" are the other works in this cut paper series.

>CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE< DETAIL "Descent II / Water" cut paper by Pegi Eyers

Art Gallery of Northumberland, July 20, 2022

Art Gallery of Northumberland Collection

WINDOW WEDNESDAY
It's #WindowWednesday, where we share art and objects from our Permanent Collection! This week we are looking at Descent II/Water by Pegi Eyers.

In her mixed media work, Eyers celebrates the energy and beauty of the natural world while contemplating the connection between the self and nature. In this piece, Eyers uses cut paper, fibre and collage elements to explore themes relating to water.

Each vertical strip of paper is reminiscent of layers within a body of water; the ends are a deep green/brown, like the muddy bottom of a lake. The colours lighten as your eye moves closer to the centre of the artwork, before passing onto another set of rich blue and green strips of paper. This illusion of vertical symmetry feels like a mirror image, similar to a reflection you might find on a still body of water in the right conditions.

The text that splits the artwork horizontally reads, "Hidden treasure in a grotto / Depths of illuminating wisdom / Stored in the subterranean caverns of the soul." Black paper tendrils extend above and below these words, reaching towards the other elements like seaweed searching for light or flames devouring what lays in its path.

The artist created a related piece, 'Descent/Fire,' that shares a similar composition. While these natural elements often work in direct resistance to one another, Eyers examines them with an eye that recognizes the coexistence of seemingly opposing forces. This contemplation of the way nature interacts is typical across her body of work and speaks to her fascination with discovering the sanctity of the world around her.

Eyers has deep roots in Orillia, Ontario. In 1988, following a corporate career in Toronto, she attended the Fine Arts program at Georgian College. In addition to her art practice, Eyers is also an author and independent curator.

Pegi Eyers
Descent II/Water, 2006
cut paper, mixed media collage
Gift of Laurie Vandewater and David Seale in memory of Alison Seale, 2010

The AGN gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Trillium Community Building Fund.
>social media link<

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New Growth

10/15/2022

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PEGI EYERS

HOPE
mixed media by Pegi Eyers
Submission by Pegi Eyers for New Growth

The New Growth community art project has one simple mission: to spread hope around the world. New Growth is a collection of hopeful messages to inspire hope and healing, through an online exhibition and illustrated novella. Hosted by the artist and curator Mean Pretty based in Oshawa, Ontario.

"If the last three years have proven anything, it's the power of community in overcoming hardship. Change is really hard. Let's get through it together."

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"Spring" Mural Mosaic

10/14/2022

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PEGI EYERS

"Spring" by Pegi Eyers. Acrylic, cut paper and mixed media on canvas.

My completed tile for the Global Roots mural mosaic project is based on a magenta palette, and the theme is Spring. It's so exciting to be part of this unique collaboration~!

"We hope to plant trees of love, hope and inspiration around the World to (re)connect our communities, teams, families and long-distance loved ones through the joy and legacy of Mosaic Murals."

Learn more about this innovative project here ~ Mural Mosaic Partners https://roots.muralmosaic.com

Canada Connects Seasons "Spring" Mural Mosaic
Courtenay, British Columbia
Unveiled: June 2nd, 2023

Accolades for "Spring" by Pegi Eyers on social media:

“Wonderful Pegi Eyers! Love the colouring and shapes you’ve created!” Mural Mosaic's Global Roots Project
“Very impressive! Unique design with wonderful meaning!”
Barbara Gegan
“I love the concept.....roots, seed, leaves unfurling.”
Marietta Steransak
“Love this tile - unique and beautiful! It dances…..”
Barbara J Petersen
“Love this so much!”
Vicki Gatza
“Love it!”
Cynthia Truesdell-Jones
“So original. Very pretty.”
Susan Martin
“Beautiful.”
Wendy McIntosh

COMMUNITY ART PROJECT
My mosaic is part of the stunning tree of life "Spring" Mural Mosaic in Courtney British Columbia~! See the live mural grid at https://muralmosaic.com/spring

Spring Mural Mosaic
Courtenay, British Columbia
Unveiled: June 2nd, 2023

>link for info on Facebook<

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Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief

8/29/2022

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PEGI EYERS

"HOPE" by Pegi Eyers
Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief
acrylic and cut paper on canvas

The sunflower, the symbol of Ukrainian resistance,
rises out of the chaos.

As a response to the war in Ukraine, I was happy to participate in a fundraiser initiated by Studio 21 on August 20, 2022. In conjunction with the Artisan’s Centre, members of the artistic and artisanal community of Peterborough and surrounding regions, including the visual and performing arts, contributed their talents.

The theme of the event was the sunflower - the national symbol of Ukraine - and a powerful representation of the endurance, optimism, and hope of the Ukrainian people. Although participation took many forms, artists portrayed the sunflower and the Ukrainian national colours of blue and yellow in their work, while others opted to represent the themes of loss, compassion, memory, promise, gratitude, community and hope. All proceeds from the event went to the Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.

"HOPE" by Pegi Eyers
- cut paper detail -

The energy at Peterborough Square was palpable, and the set-up - both in the outdoor market space and the atrium - was dazzling! The many donations from the artists and artisans of Peterborough and surrounding area came together in an extraordinary collection. Thank you so much to Studio 21 for hosting this important fundraiser. It was an amazing event with live entertainment, and a diversity of beautiful works in oil, acrylic and watercolour, mixed media, photography, textile arts, and other surprises.

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Soul Art Day 2022

8/22/2022

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Ancient Echoes by Pegi Eyers

"Ancient Echoes" acrylic and mixed media by Pegi Eyers

INTERNATIONAL SOUL ART DAY, an annual event with Laura Hollick, is a collective experience for women worldwide to engage in the creative process. This year's theme was "Roots and Wings," and accomplished artists Alexis Cohen, Shiloh Sophia, Feather Redfox, Q’orianka Cornejo, Tracy Verdugo, Whitney Freya and other featured artists were livestreamed as they created their paintings. The collaborative process was incredibly inspiring, and supported the intuitive and spontaneous art-making of all participants. Using masking tape to outline a grid on the canvas, I created an abstract pattern with acrylics, and finished the work with a layer of primordial symbols. As a creativity coach Laura Hollick is amazing, and generously offers this empowering experience each year with a complementary "Soul Art Day Guided Journey Journal." I highly recommend joining this beautiful event in 2023~!

View my artist's statement and art in the INTERNATIONAL SOUL ART DAY GALLERY >here<

Be inspired by hundreds of artists who submitted art they created for International Soul Art Day >here<

Quote by Pegi Eyers (!) in the event follow-up from Laura Hollick

Visit the Soul Art Community Facebook Group >here<

Explore the creative world
of Laura Hollick >here<

"Ancient Echoes"

C$170.00

Add to Cart

Original painting by Pegi Eyers ~ acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 12x16"

135.00 plus 35.00 for shipping

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Ninhursaga and Ancient Womb Symbols

8/11/2022

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PEGI EYERS

"Ninhursaga"
mixed media by Pegi Eyers
available as a notecard >here<

Ninhursaga ~ Birth Goddess ~ Ancient Womb Symbols

A fascinating study of the reverence held for Birth Goddesses in ancient times, the following excerpt is from Johanna Stuckey's article Of Omegas and Rhombs: Goddess Symbols in Ancient Mesopotamia and the Levant. Accessible from Wayback Machine, as the original publisher Matrifocus Journal is now off-line.

Ancient Mesopotamia boasted many Goddesses whose main, but not only function was birthing. They were regularly identified with each other. Dingir-Makh "Exalted Deity" was the Sumerian birth goddess par excellence. Other Sumerian Birth Goddesses included Ninhursaga "Lady of the Mountainous Areas", Nin-makh "Exalted Lady", Nin-tu" "Lady of Birth", Nin-mena "Lady of the Crown", and Nin-sikila "Pure Lady". Many of these Goddesses have multiple names or variants.

The best known of these birth goddesses was Ninhursaga , a great earth deity. Among her titles were "Mother of the Gods" and "Mother of All Children." In the pantheon, she ranked as equal to the sky god An, the god of executive power En-lil, and the god of water/wisdom En-ki. The Sumerian myth "En-ki and Ninhursaga" made it clear that the Goddess had power of life and death even over great deities. The wisdom god En-ki impregnated his and Ninhursaga's daughter Nin-mu, then their granddaughter, and finally Uttu, their great-granddaughter. When Uttu gave birth to eight plants, En-ki ate them all. At this point, Ninhursaga demonstrated not only her anger but her power. She cursed En-ki with death, and soon eight of his body parts began to die. Eventually, when the goddess's anger cooled, she "seated En-ki by her vulva" and gave birth to eight deities, each assigned to heal a particular part of the God. A great deal of Ninhursaga's power was obviously situated in her vulva and womb.

Appropriately, Ninhursaga and the other birth Goddesses were represented by what has been interpreted as a womb symbol. It took the approximate shape of the Greek capital letter omega () and occurred often on seals dating from around 2000 BCE. to the seventh century BCE. The earliest known example dates to the Early Dynastic period (2900-2350 BCE.). Scholars have explained the symbol variously as weighing scales, a wig, swaddling bands, or — to me the most compelling interpretation — a stylized womb. This last interpretation is supported by a clay plaque showing a Goddess with an omega on either side of her and, under the symbols, "human forms resembling newborn babies", possibly stillborn infants. The symbol might also have been connected with the Great Goddess Inanna/Ishtar.

Johanna Stuckey is a scholar of the Divine Feminine, and the author of the classic Women's Spirituality: Contemporary Feminist Approaches to Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Goddess Worship. >link<

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PEGI EYERS

My abstract painting entitled Sacred Songs of Maricopa is currently being showcased in the online exhibition Shapes and Colors organized by Gallerium~! Shapes and Colors runs from March 1 - 31, and you can view the full exhibit here: www.gallerium.art/shapes-and-colors-2022

Sacred Songs of MaricopaPegi Eyersacrylic on canvas 6 X 6 feet

PEGI EYERS

JAZZ WITCHThe Curious Art of Gertrude AbercrombieA Discovery Workshop for Ekphrastic Writers​HOSTED BY THE EKPHRASTIC REVIEW

Ekphrastic poetry as inspired by Gertrude Abercrombie​by Pegi Eyers

"Self-Imprisonment" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1949

In the Cage​by Pegi Eyers

"The Dinosaur" by Gertrude Abercrombie, 1964

Haiku by Pegi Eyers

dinosaur extinctdark cloud hovering​immense white egg speaks of hope

Learn more about the life and art​of Gertrude Abercrombie >here<

A sampling of work by Gertrude Abercrombie~

PEGI EYERS

Engaging Poetry with Art

​What Is Ekphrastic Poetry? Read more >here<

PEGI EYERS

​Old LP's are perfect for mandala creations and other paintings. Such an interesting format~! They hang on the wall with a cord threaded through the hole. This is my first attempt - I will be exploring more detailed (or expressive?) compositions in future.

Mixed Media by Pegi Eyers

The narrative for "Descent II/Water" enlivens the spiritual importance of water to the natural world, our human identity, and our entire Earth Community. "Descent/Fire" and "Vessels" are the other works in this cut paper series.

Art Gallery of Northumberland, July 20, 2022

PEGI EYERS

HOPEmixed media by Pegi EyersSubmission by Pegi Eyers for New Growth

PEGI EYERS

Canada Connects Seasons "Spring" Mural MosaicCourtenay, British ColumbiaUnveiled: June 2nd, 2023

COMMUNITY ART PROJECTMy mosaic is part of the stunning tree of life "Spring" Mural Mosaic in Courtney British Columbia~! See the live mural grid at https://muralmosaic.com/spring

Spring Mural MosaicCourtenay, British ColumbiaUnveiled: June 2nd, 2023​>link for info on Facebook<

PEGI EYERS

"HOPE" by Pegi EyersSunflower Festival for Ukrainian Reliefacrylic and cut paper on canvasThe sunflower, the symbol of Ukrainian resistance, rises out of the chaos.

"HOPE" by Pegi Eyers- cut paper detail -

Ancient Echoes by Pegi Eyers

Quote by Pegi Eyers (!) in the event follow-up from Laura HollickVisit the Soul Art Community Facebook Group >here<

"Ancient Echoes"

PEGI EYERS

"Ninhursaga"mixed media by Pegi Eyers available as a notecard >here<

​BLOGPegi Eyers

Pegi Eyers' brilliant artwork sings ofthe power of the feminine soul andbody. A song of protection and procreative power. ​ A song of abundance.Margot Van Sluytman Palabras Press

Sacred Songs of Maricopa
Pegi Eyers
acrylic on canvas
6 X 6 feet

JAZZ WITCH
The Curious Art of Gertrude Abercrombie
A Discovery Workshop for Ekphrastic Writers
HOSTED BY THE EKPHRASTIC REVIEW

Ekphrastic poetry as inspired by Gertrude Abercrombie
by Pegi Eyers

In the Cage
by Pegi Eyers

dinosaur extinct
dark cloud hovering
immense white egg speaks of hope

Learn more about the life and art
of Gertrude Abercrombie >here<

What Is Ekphrastic Poetry? Read more >here<

Old LP's are perfect for mandala creations and other paintings. Such an interesting format~! They hang on the wall with a cord threaded through the hole. This is my first attempt - I will be exploring more detailed (or expressive?) compositions in future.

HOPE
mixed media by Pegi Eyers
Submission by Pegi Eyers for New Growth

Canada Connects Seasons "Spring" Mural Mosaic
Courtenay, British Columbia
Unveiled: June 2nd, 2023

COMMUNITY ART PROJECT
My mosaic is part of the stunning tree of life "Spring" Mural Mosaic in Courtney British Columbia~! See the live mural grid at https://muralmosaic.com/spring

Spring Mural Mosaic
Courtenay, British Columbia
Unveiled: June 2nd, 2023

>link for info on Facebook<

"HOPE" by Pegi Eyers
Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief
acrylic and cut paper on canvas

The sunflower, the symbol of Ukrainian resistance,
rises out of the chaos.

"HOPE" by Pegi Eyers
- cut paper detail -

Quote by Pegi Eyers (!) in the event follow-up from Laura Hollick

Visit the Soul Art Community Facebook Group >here<

"Ninhursaga"
mixed media by Pegi Eyers
available as a notecard >here<

BLOG

Pegi Eyers

Pegi Eyers' brilliant artwork sings of
the power of the feminine soul and
body. A song of protection and procreative power.
A song of abundance.
Margot Van Sluytman
Palabras Press