BLOG Karen L French - Karen L French

LIVING CORAL - the 2019 Pantone Colour of the year

1/8/2019

'Living' pink with mellow yellow-gold undertones characterises Living Coral, Pantone Colour of the Year 2019, far softer than the vivid Ultra Violet of 2018. Certainly it brings some warmth to somewhat chilly times and draws our attention to the stunning beauty of the natural colours within the world of the fragile coral reefs.

Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment. Pantone

The various pigments giving corals their stunning variety of hues are believed to be important in their health and general resilience, even possibly the corals' ability to interact with their environment.

In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression. Pantone

The first recorded use of coral pink as a color name in English was in 1892.

Complementing coral tones is the colour teal, which, you might notice, has been used by Pantone in the watery tones around the coral above.

LiterArties - writers and authors of Oxford

11/14/2018

Recently I became part of a dynamic, exciting new group based in and around Oxford, UK. Dennis Hamley, an active member of Writers in Oxford and prolific author, put out the call within the society for artists to exhibit together. And so our group of published authors and artists came together.

As artists our styles include a wide range of styles, subject matter and mediums. And, as writers we cover a diverse range of subjects; from local history to transgenderism, psychological thrillers to children’s stories, gritty life to romantic escapism, and esoteric symbolism. Collectively, we are not only published authors and skilled artists, but also teachers, mentors, publishers and actively working in many other non-arts related professions.

Although we were brought together by our skills in writing and art, many members are involved in other aspects of the Arts, such as music and drama. Because of this, and our desire to work with others, our common vision is Capturing our Creativity, through many modes and mediums.

The chemistry works and in a matter of a few months we have a name, LiterArties, a website and also can be found on the social network - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Not only that, galleries have responded enthusiastically to our proposal, appreciating both our art and literary talents, keen that we should run talks and workshops during exhibitions.

These are the exhibitions we have organised so far and more are in the pipe-line. Please check my Diary for all exhibitions, talks and workshops I will be doing. For all workshops during the exhibitions see the LiterArties Diary.

The Old Fire Station 8 March - 11 May
Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AQ
Gallery
Exhibiting: Maeve Bayton, Karen French, Kay Jamieson, Jane Kelly, Alan Kestner, Kamal Lathar, Debrah Martin, Rosie Phipps, Ann Spokes Symonds
Part of Oxford City Artweeks (4 - 7 May)

The Jam Factory 27 - 16 April
4 Hollybush Row, Oxford OX1 1HU
The Boiler Room
Exhibiting: Maeve Bayton, Karen French, Kay Jamieson, Jane Kelly, Alan Kestner, Kamal Lathar, Debrah Martin, Rosie Phipps, Ann Spokes Symonds

Connecting children to to their world - the language of shapes

11/7/2018

Numerous times I have had conversations about how worthwhile it would be to teach children the significance of mathematics using examples of geometry around us in Nature. In fact, using examples everything we interact with and the many fun ways in which we use it - as in our games, clothes, music and so many other relevant ways that a child can easily relate to, and understand it.

Sometimes I dabble with the idea of producing a book for children describing the richness of the language of numbers. Maybe I will do one day, but in the meantime I searched around to see if anyone else had already done so.......and discovered.....

This Disney animation, "Donald in Mathmagic Land" was recommended to me. It is an example of how much more interesting, and memorable, mathematics could be made using visual, real examples from around us.

"The Greedy Triangle"....and several books that were already showing how fun the world of geometric shapes can be for the younger audience. In fact there were DOZENS approaching geometry-shapes and colours from different 'angles'!

Books on geometric shapes for young readers

"The I Hate Mathematics! book" by Marilyn Burns - '....a way of looking at the world and that it can be relevant to everyday life (Street maths) and fun'.

"Shapes, Shapes, Shapes" by Tana Hoban - 'Whenever you are - inside or outside - there are shapes to discover.'

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Rosslyn Chapel - a musical mystery frozen into carvings

9/30/2018

A gem of architectural mystery, internally the Rosslyn Chapel is covered by carved images that have piqued the interest of historians trying to unravel their meaning. Made famous by Dan Brown's 'De Vinci Code' the chapel welcomes hundred of intrigued visitors every year, which helps to restore and maintain this delightful structure.

Founded in 1446 by Sir William St Clair the chapel took only 40 years to build. Naturally, with so much overt symbolism, the Knights Templar and Scottish freemasonry are part of the chapel's history.

'The Rosslyn Motet' (2006) by Stuart Mitchell Music. Stuart composed this beautiful piece based on some 27 years of research by Thomas J Mitchell (Stuart's father) into the musical references of the Rosslyn Chapel carvings of organised cubes, now called the Rosslyn Frequency. The first youtube below describes this research and its links with cymatics, and the second introduces the Rosslyn Motet.
Purchase the Rosslyn Motet from Stuart's store.

Rosslyn Chapel, Rosslyn, is located in stunning surroundings a short journey beyond the southern fringe of Edinburgh, Scotland.

British Society of Dowsers - conference 2018

9/25/2018

All set up and ready to do the first talk of the British Society of Dowsers Conference 2018. It went down very well, as did the workshops on each day of the conference. A very welcoming society with quality values (such as their magazine) and aspirations to grow. I highly recommend it.

CONSTRUCTED ABSTRACTS

8/13/2018

My artistic creative juices have been flowing over the last few days. Putting aside writing, gardening and household chores, I have immersed myself in experimenting with some new paint materials and a more graphic style. It has been quite a while since I worked on a smaller scale, on paper and in intricate detail. I have even been making my own paper, with some unusual results. Here is a small selection that I am calling Constructed Abstract artwork. For more paintings see my Paper gallery.

THE BINDING FORCE OF RINGS - Tolkien exhibition

5/31/2018

All encompassing circle

Rings, or Circles, bind everything within as one. It is the nature the circle to encompass, hold and support whatever is contained within it, like a bowl. All geometric shapes are constructed with their corners touching the Circle from which they originate and are maintained. Indeed, all forms of existence shaped by geometric principles are contained within the circular vessel of reality.

THE GRID OF TIME

THE SUN is active, radiating out light that contains colours. We are made of light, we reflect light so that others might see us, light sustains us, colours provide vibrance and meaning to our life. Our inner 'light' radiates out to illuminate us and provide us with strength.

Light, and the fire creating it, have been revered for many generations. Coming together in a Circle we share a special moment that binds us together as a group and, ultimately, as part of the One Circle. Fire was frequently placed in the Centre, or another important item, or person, that was central to holding the Circle together. When removed the Circle dissolves away.

TIME is the abstract feature of reality give form by the circle. Binding all time within the eternal, vast circle on the perimeter that is centred around the immediate moment of the central Point. It is the Point that provides an axis around which all circles of every duration can rotate, like a wheel. The minute, hour, year, eon...eternity; every cycle revolves around the elusive, immediate moment.

THE INTENT and nature of the Centre radiates out in all directions, as light does. So if it is negative, or "rotten at the core", this also spreads outwards. Much like the inner Circles around a source of dark power when corrupted will influence outer Circles to eventually affect the whole community revolving around this source. Light and love will permeate the Circle, so whenever you are central to a Circle radiate out positive, loving intent.

For more on the characteristics of Circles and other geometric shapes please refer to my books in The Gateway Series.

The Lord of the Rings

The famous Bodlaien libraries in Oxford, UK, are holding a major exhibition of JRR Tolkien's work from the 1st June 2018, including his illustrations, poems, letters and personal items. As a fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, which I have read several times, I am looking forward to gaining an insight into the creative process of this gifted author. The binding power of rings and the significance of the intent of the ring bearers, being destructive dark or healing, loving light, are central to the success these epic stories.

from the Bodlaien libraries website

Flowers - alchemical art forms of nature

5/22/2018

Spring flowers

Where better to see sacred geometry, colour, the Elements and pure creative intent - the components of alchemical art - than in Nature. Spring flowers provide us with a feast for our senses and overtly display the use of sacred geometry and colour to perfection. As living yantras they can be used for meditation and reflection. And it is not surprising that we have given flowers additional symbolic meanings, then presented as gifts to convey these meanings in an intimate and personal way.

Personally I could look at flowers for hours as they are fascinating as well as beautiful - within them we can find all the rules of the geometric blueprint, colour combinations reflecting harmonious musical notes, pattern making, fractals, stimulating scents...and so much more. But mostly because it is such a pleasant experience to be with flowers.

It came to me to do this post while wandering through my garden, enjoying the spring flowers and taking the photographs below. Until using them in a gallery I hadn't realised how all except one (the red one at the end) include the colours purple, yellow and white. Something I will reflect on...

Keith Critchlow's -sacred geometry of flowers

Keith Critchlow's book "The Hidden Geometry of Flowers - Living rhythms, form and number" is a masterpiece of work examining the sacred geometry within flowers and also flowers as the original source of human life. To hear more listen to his presentation on the youtube video below.

Crystal Grids and Alchemical Art - fusing sacred geometry, light and the Elements

5/11/2018

Alchemical art

Alchemical Art is transformative, changing anyone who works with them. This can happen merely by looking at the artwork or being in its proximity. Each piece is contained within the sacred space of its boundaries and is a fusion of the dynamics of geometric forms, emotive colours and one or more of the Classical Elements. The latter may be symbolically represented in the image or made out of specific materials due to their symbolism or vibration. In this instance crystals were placed on four paintings of my alchemical art paintings to incorporate their qualities. The results were stunning to look at and to work with. It would have been interesting to add further Elements, such as bowls of water and burning essence for air and fire, and also to use sound to activate them.

Each of the alchemical art crystal grids were made by some participants of a crystal group run by Karin Bain. Karin has written an e-book called Networking With Crystals that will soon be available in paper form as well.

Crystal Grids

Crystal grids take many forms, they can be simple, intricate or complete. Invariably there is sacred geometry in their layout and so they are actually a yantra, or "thought form", the principle of all man-made sacred geometry artworks and structures. By adding the vibrations of specific crystals the crystal grid yantra becomes a pulsating vehicle for connecting your Mind to the underlying basis of reality. The effects are very personal.

Yantras are covered in detail in The Gateway Series books and I also recommend the book Yantra by Madhu Khanna.

Any sacred site using sacred geometry and specific earth materials brings additional vibrational qualities to their function and use. For example, Stonehenge and its bluestone rocks that were deliberately brought a great distance for their vibrational purposes. In the aerial image below notice how the central stone grid is enclosed within a larger Circle. It is part of a larger site that has several smaller yantra that all work together. This sacred structure is a huge crystal yantra that still has the capacity to draw thousands of people to it.

Aerial view of Stonehenge (Google Earth)

London Book Fair - Watkins Publishing Ltd

4/30/2018

It is always such a pleasure to visit the London Book Fair! Busy and buzzing with conversations in many languages you get a sense of the global love of books. As an author it is rewarding to experience the business side of publishing books and see the wheels of commerce in action. Also to see what are the current trends, to renew and make new connections. For their second year at the LBF the Society of Authors were there gathering up more authors and plan to keep coming - evidence that many authors like to see the LBF in action.

Watkins Publishing, publishers of The Gateway Series, beautifully displayed their latest publications. It was lovely to say hello to Etan (Watkins owner), Jo (Editorial Director) and Vicky (Director of Marketing) and to meet their latest recruits.

Gateway to the Heavens
A glorious work that fires the imagination and helps us appreciate the truth of our reality.
NEXUS magazine (Aug - Sept 2014)

'Do you realise you actually shape your destiny and shapes influence your destiny. If you want to understand how this works ask Karen to give a talk about it or read her excellent book. You may have hated even the mention of geometry at school, but Karen's simple and illustrated explanations will give you a real insight into this fascinating topic.'
Jo Pelle, NSFH

The Hidden Geometry of Life
The harmony in our world and the cosmos is awe-inspiring, and is brilliantly portrayed here in images and words which reveal the connection between art, geometry, science, consciousness and spirituality.... An illuminating book indeed!
NEXUS magazine (June - July 2012)

'The attentive audience was enthralled by Karen's introduction to the principals of this truly multi-dimensional topic ... The energy in the room, by the end of the evening, was well and truly charged!'
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