Return to Blume: Nimea Ariana and Mary Ivison

Introduction

MARY IVISON 

A Return to Blume  

A Return to Blume is a profound journey of self-discovery and emergence. Within the ever-shifting tapestry of my life, I map the recurring cycles that envelop me with care. I invite you to take a moment, to truly immerse yourself in each painting, allowing their offerings to resonate deep within. 

As you contemplate this body of work, I encourage you to recognize your place within a cycle, be it the sun's relentless journey, the moon's gentle dance, the culmination of an era, or the inception of a new chapter. Whether you are weary or rejuvenated, hungry or full, I implore you to understand that your current state is but a point in an ongoing circle. 

This installation serves as a testament to the ceaseless rhythms of existence — a constant rise, an open embrace, a graceful descent, and a resilient rebirth. I wholeheartedly embrace the beautiful chaos of the creative process, for it is within this chaos that authenticity is born. My paintings are more than mere visual compositions; they are conduits that whisper secrets to the viewer, providing a canvas for the exploration of consciousness. 

In this shared space, we embark on a collective journey, unraveling the mysteries of life and delving into the magic that resides within us all. 

NIMEA ARIANA 
A Return to Blume 

While in ‘Observance’ of A Return to Blume, approach each moment as if you’ve emerged from within the work. Reflect upon the experience of existing as a living work of art in motion, as if you are immersed within the forms reflected on each paper and canvas. Can you see yourself in a time and space that exists beyond physical reality? 

What do you see? What do you feel? And how do you respond to the concept of A Return to Blume, as if you are on the precipice of change, emerging within the ever-evolving cycles of life, death and creative intellect? Can you imagine a world beyond the now? How would that be inspired by the now? 

As you engage in the work of ‘Observance’, I ask you to imagine the light within each piece presented and then sit for a moment in its reflection to process your emotions around it. Embracing the act of feeling, overcoming the obstacle to resist the energy you may be experiencing and allow that light to transcend those obstacles to permeate your field of existence and cradle you towards this ending and beginning. 

We are in a transformation of time and space. Today we are here, tomorrow this too shall pass and we shall begin again on a new path. 

Where are we headed and in which direction will the light lead us? Only time will tell how the energy may move us, but if there is one thing I have learned from all that I have, is that today is a blessing and tomorrow is a figment of our imagination. 

To be here is to be with all of existence. 

Mary Ivison is a multifaceted artist, both a painter and tattoo artist, whose creative process is guided by intuition. Her art is a deep exploration of the concealed and unspoken aspects of our existence, aiming to unveil the invisible threads that connect us all. Central to her work is the wholehearted examination of natural spaces and their intricate interplay with the human experience, both on an energetic and physical level. Mary's artistic journey unfolds through the intuitive application of paint, using washes and an array of techniques that blend chaos with truth. Each stroke and hue is a reflection of her unbending quest to connect with the inner essence of herself furthering her connection to the divine. Through her art, she aspires to create a sanctuary, inviting others to untangle their own experiences and spaces. 

From 2022-2023, Mary embarked on a transformative artistic voyage, participating in the Nest Emerging Artist Residency, thoughtfully organized by Suitcase in Point in St. Catharines, ON. Subsequently, in 2023, Mary continued her journey by being selected for Awakening; a Thematic Artist Residency, hosted by Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island, ON. Mary's creative spectrum extends beyond traditional mediums. She has also ventured into the world of live tattoo performance art, unveiling her unique creations to live audiences. Notable among her live tattoo performances are "Into Body, Into Spirit" at The Green in St. Catharines, ON, and "Precise Unification," a three-day live tattoo performance piece with 21 participants featured at In the Soil Arts Festival in St. Catharines, ON. 

Nimea Ariana is a Visionary Artist and Designer who creates original works of art on paper and canvas exploring themes of existence, identity, cosmic consciousness, personal connection and the reflections of life, death and creative intellect. With a focus on immersive experiences and conceptual practices, she uses a multi-disciplinary approach in relational aesthetics for installation and gallery-bound work. As she explores the cosmic structures of time and space found through her meditative practice and daily rituals of creation, Nimea uses her gift of foresight to transcribe what she terms an “ancient soul language.” Embracing the patterns of consciousness that convey her sacred relationship to the mystical dimensions of life, she processes a journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, that touches the heart and soul of us all. 

As we continue to move through the challenges our collective faces, Nimea uses her ability to create, to instill a sense of harmony, and peace as she transcribes her visual language. Her work inspires others to look beyond the visible and stretch beyond the veils of our very existence to tap into something that is bigger than us, all to encourage and promote collective healing and transformation. It’s her belief that we are all living works of art in motion and through her work in relational aesthetics, she uses the viewer as a tool for expanded interaction within the gallery and art industry landscape. 

In 2019, Nimea Ariana presented her first public art installation at the Art Gallery of Ontario with her body of work titled Crystalline Structures and is set to graduate with a BA (Honours) in Studio Art from Brock University in May 2024. Nimea has a post-grad and 15 years of professional experience in Event and Exhibit Design and graduated with her first undergrad in Business Marketing in 2007. Her ongoing pursuits of self-development have led her to explore ancient plant medicines in the Peruvian Jungle and develop a deep understanding of energy healing through a variety of mediums such as Alchemical Healing, Reiki, N.O.T and Trinity Energy Progression which ultimately led to her discovery of Light Wave Energy and the exploration of Inner Engineering.