Seattle Artist Kalindi Kunis Blog

Mercury Retrograde and Magical Dreaming

10/7/2021

Yep, you guessed it, the planets have been playing tricks on us for a while now. Presently Mercury is in Retrograde which means that things will be breaking left right and center. Now is not a good time for new projects, wait until after October 18, it's coming soon~ I promise. It's not just this particular Mercury Retrograde that has been hinking up my works, but a crazy astral year thus far - 3x of my most recent posts are gone.

I am a bad admin for myself and I write from the hip, directly into this blog, therefore no record of said posts. Did they make it out there? or did they never go live? Every other full time emerging artist that I know of will have these same complaints; that running a small business, on top of self-promotion and marketing, and sales and business management also must take up our time! So things fall to the wayside, and sadly my website has been victim.

I had the snafu with SquareUp, Inc, which is now remedied, and one of my previous posts would have said as much. This year has been crap, what can I say. Really truly crummy with global stresses around the pandemic and a shaky economy, my art business has been slowed to an almost grinding halt. It's hard to do work on pretty things, when there are so many truly upsetting things going on in the world?

My website is out of date and wonky because I have the mind to move to a new platform, but not until the planets say it's ok. So efforts to bring my galleries current haven't been happening.

My attention now turns to the holidays - yep, definitely already running late in terms of building out my sales plans for my holiday ornaments and gift items. Also behind on my small works projects. Behind. Behind. Behind, what? some wiser person once asked me... I am behind my own created personal deadlines, I am behind because I have made it so and because I think it so.

Please stay tuned to more happy missives and SAVE THE DATE Saturday, December 4, 12-7PM for our Holiday Open Artist Studios & Sale.

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No more Square - No more shop - for now...

3/26/2021

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In a sudden out-of-the-blue move, I received notification from Square that I am out. No explanation, no way to reach a human, just out. After doing a bit of research I learned that Square, Inc, this giant of commerce, has done this to lots of folks, without warning or explanation! They just simple shut you down. The email I received was simple and mysterious: "Hello Kalindi,
We’re sorry to inform you that we’re no longer able to support processing your payments. Starting today, your Square account is deactivated.
For more information about our policies, please review the Square Payment Terms.
Sincerely,
Square Account Services"
Now that I am deactivated, I cannot reach a human - I have no idea what happened. They stopped servicing my shop and I am sorry that has forced me to shut my online shop down. My mala and pillows are available to purchase on my etsy shop. Stay tuned as I search for my next solution. Square, Inc - you suck!

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Committed to Black Lives & a Better Future

11/21/2020

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Black Lives Matter Power Mala Necklace, $500 Buy-it-Now 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Black Lives movement.

The terrible events which sparked the massive Black Lives marches nationwide stopped me in my tracks, quite literally, and gave every white person the chance to wake-up, and hear the truths, and seek the truth of our racist history, and our own racist silence. I felt ashamed to learn for example, about the Industrial Prison Complex housing the largest population of slave laborers in the world and the critically flawed "Criminal Justice System" as an extension of Jim Crow laws that feeds free people of color directly into these chain gangs.
We cannot unknow what we have now learned and the brutality of our laws cannot stand. The time is now to continue this critical work. We have such a remarkable opportunity to face these truths and work towards that more perfect union that is our democratic experiment of these United States of America.
   For all of 2020 I have committed to give 10% of my net sales to support the work of the Black Lives Matter organization and the Bail Project, and have a few art pieces in progress. When I auction these pieces off, I give 100% of the profit to these organizations.
   This Stunning and weighty piece features the traditional 108 bead meditation mala style with a vintage silk tassel, Buddhist meditation inscribed 24k plated silver guru bead and Protective Black Spinel, Invigorating Yellow Citrine and Grounding Hematite. This works out to be a perfect mala for this Black Lives movent! This price reflects the Buy it Now price for an auction that will be held on Instagram and Facebook and 100% of the profits will be donated to Black Lives Matter to further their important work. If you want to support me and Black Lives, Buy it now and you can also add a tip in checkout and 100% of that will be donated.
   I believe that we are truly in a new phase of awakening, ironic as we head into the dark of winter. To me this is a time for our quintessential humanity, even in this dark time in our pandemic world, our climate crisis world, our geo-political world, our social justice world, all slammed together in 2020 (like running right up to a hard deadline where failure is simply not an option). I have faith our intrinsic strength, and hold gratitude and optimism for our hopes for a better world.
   Thank goodness our country (the USA) has moved into the path of progress once again. Despite the many challenges that remain ahead of us, this time of year is when we find our gratitude for our lives (quite literally as 256,000 Americans are already lost).
   My Spirit word for 2020 was ABUNDANCE [MINDSET] and with all of the shutdowns, my abilty to support myself with my art has made this a challenge. I decided early on after lockdown that an abundance mindset, it would have to be all about Silver Linings, and finding them in every hard turn I face. What lessons, what gifts can come from a rotten situation?
.
#holidayornaments #MalaNecklace #holidaycards #peaceloveandgratitude #abundance #abundancemindset #bailproject #blacklivesmatter #crocosmia #abstractbotanical #seattleartist #seattleartists #studiolife #lifeinart #artinlife #artforbreakfast #womanartists #womxnartist #newworks #buildingc #kalindipaints #peaceloveandgratitude #artcards #gossamerjewels #paintedjewels #paintedflowers #imaginaryworld #allium #newwork #hotoffthepress #springdreaming #graceful #grateful #inspired #inspire

I raised $1000 for the Bail Project by auctioning this piece and sent prints of it to all bidders.

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Ready Set! Go! Hold On! Go! Stop! Go! Holiday Open House

11/18/2020

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My planning table for our Holiday Artists Market at Building C December 5, 2020

.2020! What a year we are nearing the close of with hope and dreams of calmer seas. Our annual Building C holiday event has taken hard hits at every turn these last few weeks. We were approved for a COVID-safe Open Air Holiday Artists Market, and then we weren't, then we were, now we aren't! What is happening: Artists Holiday Market, Indoors, at max 25% capacity Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 11am - 4pm, by appointment in parties of 5 or less from same pod, or schedule a personal shopping day in my shop any time. Details to follow.
I have spent hours on the phone (mostly on hold) with the WA State Covid Helpline and Governor Inslee's office to sort this out. We will be moving our market inside to 25% capacity in the large garage area and wide hallways in a one-way format, in one door, out the other... Some of our artists have dropped out, and that is totally cool.
There are no wrong choices in the time of COVID when it comes to protecting oneself. I have personally invested a lot of capital (money and time) into this event and really need this income in order to stay in my studio. Of course like so many in our world the holiday season is the biggest of the year, and especially in a shut down market like this. I have been working super hard on my website (as a one-woman shop, this has been intense) to move as much to virtual as I can. All of us are trying to get on line and get in front of you. <3
We need to shift our spending back to small artists and small businesses within our local communities this holiday season. Pretty Please. Otherwise, we risk losing more of the incredible small businesses that make our communities great places to live. #MyMoneyStaysLocal
We are in a new phase of awakening, ironic it is as we head into the dark of winter. To me this is a display of our quintessential humanity, and our intrinsic dichotomy of strength, gratitude and optimism of our hopes and dreams which stands ever-fast to defend us against our darker angels. These 'inner' daemons try to coax us each into the darkness with the fear driven states such as anger, rage even, envy and frustration. Our Natural goodness though, in my optimistic heart will always triumph with our collective power. Thank goodness our country (the USA) has moved into the path of progress once again, amidst this pandemic that is crushing our world. Despite the many challenges that remain ahead of us, this time of year is when we find our gratitude and reflect on how we have been and what we hope to achieve when we come out of the darkness once again.

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2020 Started with Joy and New Work and the Covid Pandemic Came with a Bang!

3/30/2020

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The new year came with so much promise. So much to achieve and take on now that my life is past a cascading series of life's heaviest challenges, divorce, family emergencies, death of a parent, and long-time pet, a new marriage, and it finally felt as though I was on the path of my destiny. My path to create art and beauty that celebrates Nature's art.
In January, we welcomed a new member of the family, Zena Bird Yamuna Warrior Princess, a 3 year old, 42lb Standard Poodle adopted from South Korea. The language barrier took a little time, but thankfully hand commands seem to be universal, though she often shakes when told to sit, so it's a work in progress. Turns out she is a solid studio dog, though it took some time to get her settled...
My art plans for a series of larger pieces to be featured at WaterWorks Gallery's Art Aisle August show had been taking shape with new flowers, like these so-called Japanese Anemone above. This piece is called Remember that Spring is in the Air.

I do feel truly blessed to have such a beautiful studio to retreat to in this time of quarantine, though it is precarious as me and my fellow artists try to figure out where our next art sale or commission is going to come from while the economy continues to break under the lock-down. My struggle is to be able to continue creating artwork that is uplifting and hopeful, even if no one is buying art...
Today marks the first day back in my studio since March 14, when once again my family duty called. This time it was 24-7 childcare for my 4-year old nephew whose mom, my sister, is a postal carrier but her daycare was shut down. Super Sister to the rescue! She was able to find an emergency day care program for essential service workers and so he is back home with momma.

I am still creating my little dandies and allium like this Outcropping in Gold, which is part of CoCA's juried 2020 Members show, which I would love for you to vote for in this year's Artist & Craftsman People's Choice Awards. Click the link to see all of the amazing works on display in the now shuttered gallery. Please vote for me!
I am planning a series which features a variety of flowering plants, all of which started out as weeds. My obsession is with nature's imperfectly perfect geometry and repetition focuses my work on plants who complex structures ensure their perennial success.
I don't concern myself with the actual structures and technical specifics of particular flowers, but more create a gardenscape of flowers and blossoms recalled from a lifetime of my fascination. I 'knit socks' on flower stalks and drape golden jewels laden with ruby, emerald and amethyst to create sacred little spaces where the viewer can explore. Happy wandering.

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Welcome to the Garden of my Heart

11/6/2019

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Wandering the Green, 30x12x2, Acrylic on Panel, 2019. Contact WaterWorks Gallery for more information. These are my favorite, and almost everyone of us can recall making a wish and blowing those beautiful burst of white fluff.

My newsletters always open with "Welcome." It's true, each time I wish to share my work with you all, I do sincerely wish to welcome you in to my heart. The commission of my latest show, now up at WaterWorks Gallery in Friday Harbor, WA, has been a true task of joy. My instruction was to put blinders on and fill a space with my foggy flowers. So into the mists we went and here is some of what I found.

My work is meant to honor Nature, offer a serene perspective into her grace and nobility. As I create, I celebrate each flower as a whole universe unto its own. In each piece and the space imagined,I gave them garlands of dew of protective gemstones on the gossamer between or I give them 'socks' of color, like the fun socks I still love to wear to show my joy. As I painted, a few little friends showed up, so when you examine each piece see if you can find the faerie, the dragon fly or the bumble bees...

Come celebrate Nature with me and take a weekend on the lovely island of San Juan near Seattle WA, and enjoy one of two (or both) Prosecco Reception on Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22, from 5-7pm.

"A weed is a flower in the wrong place, a flower is a weed in the right place..." Ian Emberson

Blessings of the Giants, 12x30x2, Acrylic on panel, 2019. Contact WaterWorks Gallery for more information. Inspired by the giant purple Allium we love to marvel during the summer months. This giant provides shelter to a magic world...

Festival of the Fields, 36x14x2, Acrylic on panel, 2019. Please contact WaterWorks Gallery for more information. These flowers are based on many similar structures I've enjoyed and remind me of the so called 'fire flowers' of my youth.

Morning Sun, 14x14x2, Acrylic on panel, 2019. Contact WaterWorks Gallery for more information. These are of course inspired by our beloved Allium family which are cultivated for their wondrous blooms, and, like all the flowers of my obsession once found themselves in wild fields.

This is me in my studio before delivering my latest show to WaterWorks Gallery on San Juan Island, WA.

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Open Studio & Sale

7/1/2019

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My new studio in Building C, May 2019

Open Studio
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Join me at my studio from 12-4pm
Building C Artists Studios, Ground Floor, Studio 11C
4814 14 Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Also opening their art studios will be my amazing studio mate Janee Krienheder, as well as Julie Devine, Jennifer Stenhouse, Aramis Hamer, Diane Culhane, Factory 43, Teresa Stern, Jenny Vorwaller, Claude L. Utley and more!

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New Spring Blossoms

6/8/2019

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Oolong Aloe, 48x16x2, Acrylic on panel, 2019

With the last winds of spring, my new series spreads its wings. After the long dark winter which took most of 20016-20018, and half of 2019 to close it's grip on my livelihood, I feel full of hope and inspiration to finally breath new life into my art practice. I am newly returned from the depths of the hellacious anguish and pain to which the life-cycle inevitably takes us all when we are forced say goodbye to our most cherished loved ones. I am here, once again, fully alive and able to create again, after what seemed like an eternity in this paralysis, which Buddhists refer to as the Bardo (or in between life and death limbo) I am returned to the living. Colors seem brighter, light is more spactacular, inspiration is boundless. Here are a few of the new things I have in progress or hot off the easel.

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Pillows of love

11/5/2018

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It's been a lot of fun transforming my artwork into home decor items, such as pillows and fabric! Stay tuned for more.

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A path to new places

8/21/2018

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Road to Brewster, 14x14x2, Acrylic on panel 2018, is the first (sold) of a series from a new path found through stillness and meditation along my life's profound journey...

It has been a while since many of you have heard from me and I hope that you all have been having a wonderful summer and enjoying the beautiful weather and colors of the season!

I just returned to the world of the living after a harrowing series of monumental life events culminating in the existentially altering loss of my only one true parent. Loosing my mother is not an experience I could have ever imagined. My very identity, my physical and emotional life shattered into a slow motion kind of oblivion of lights suspended in time...and of course my art work was sidelined...

The year before I was supporting another family member, my own life previously thrown into chaos by my own displacement and challenged even further by my station as caregiver, over-extender extraordinaire...a few months respite to throw my whole self into my volunteer life as chair of CoCA's 2017 Art Marathon & Auction Committee, a month to recover and then the 6 months of my mother's final breaths...in the Bardo state between all states...

And, I am now released from the state between life and death, and I am now presented with the opportunity to become who I will become, now as a motherless child. As an empath, I believe I entered into my mother's Bardo in order to aid in her softer transition and now, I am presented with what some Buddhists believe is a burst of new energy for my next phase of life and art to bloom.

All around us we are seeing the dead buds and seed pods as part of the natural cycle thru life to dying and back to abundance.

The photos below here are piece that I completed this past May as I gathered moments wherever I could to create my current show, Inflorescence: The complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers. The delicately powerful structure of the flowers on a plant. The process of flowering as a festival is a celebration of achievement.

My lifelong fascination with the flowers of weeds, like Fennel, Salsify, Aloe, Dandelion, Queen Anne’s Lace and the great big blues of our infinite skies. This show is a celebration of the success of Nature's underdogs in all of their glory, draped in jewels and webs of golden and gems. A celebration within these hidden sanctuaries.

Part of the Inflorescence series, this piece, Capturing the Dew, 36x36x2 Acrylic on panel, 2018, is an imagining of some kind of festival lanterns floating strung up overhead against the blue heavens...

Secret World of the High Dessert Dandies, 12x24x2 Acrylic on panel 2018

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Author
Kalindi Kunis

All of my life, from my earliest memories as I child, I have felt as though I view the world through some sort of magical frame. To this day I carry that feeling, as though I can look anywhere and see beauty, see nature and objects sparking. Even in a garbage-strewn alley, I can see the poetry of the place, as a breathing image right there on the lenses of my eyes.
All Rights Reserved. Kalindi Pants, LLC dba Kalindipants, LLC 2018
Please contact Kalindi Kunis for purchases, image usage, licensing and unique commissions via my contact form.

Mercury Retrograde and Magical Dreaming

No more Square - No more shop - for now...

Committed to Black Lives & a Better Future

Ready Set! Go! Hold On! Go! Stop! Go! Holiday Open House

2020 Started with Joy and New Work and the Covid Pandemic Came with a Bang!

Welcome to the Garden of my Heart

Open Studio & Sale

New Spring Blossoms

Pillows of love

A path to new places

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Kalindi Kunis

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