Artist Spotlight: Gaia Orion

One of the benefits of collaborative projects, is interacting and learning from amazing people and artists from across the country. We thought it would be fun to peel back the veil and introduce you to the artists who provide the background canvas and inspiration for our transformative puzzle experiences. 

Let us know what you think and if there are any questions you're are keen to ask, we'll add it to our list for future spotlights.

As we prepare for Earth Day, we invite you to immerse yourself in the transformative art of Gaia Orion. Gaia's work is a vibrant celebration of life's cycles, the power of the sacred feminine spirit, and the profound connection between humanity and nature. Without further ado, our Artist Spotlight is with Gaia Orion!

“Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
- Howard Thurman

What can you reveal about the origin story and inspiration for Her Journey?

The idea behind the art for Her Journey was to depict life in a way that reflects its cyclical nature. Conceptually, the spiral shape starts with the young mother giving birth to a baby girl. We then see that little girl as she grows and transforms through different storms of life. She celebrates life throughout her journey, and finds wisdom at the top of the spiral. There are cycles within cycles: days, monthly moon cycles, seasons, years and phases of life. You have the spring of your life in the childhood, the summer of youth and when you get older and you get to autumn and the winter of your life. Every cycle, we revisit aspects of life that we've already been through but with intention and attention and a little luck, we can often get through a cycle with a little bit more wisdom. I think that's what makes life meaningful and interesting: to recognize life as a blessing and a journey of learning.

Are you a puzzle solver?

I'm not a puzzler, but I can see how people really get into puzzles.

When I sat down to work on my puzzle, I deeply appreciated how the puzzle made me feel. My paintings often involve storytelling and the puzzle cut perfectly mirrored so many of the stories embedded in the painting. As a complete puzzle and piece of art, you can recognize the whole story of life but the puzzle also makes you appreciate parts of the painting. Even a single puzzle piece could be the start of an amazing, deep conversation with the people that you're solving the puzzle with.

Anything else you'd like to share about Her Journey or your own journey?

One thing that blew my mind about this puzzle was when I first read the whimsy list on the reference insert: three earthworm pieces could be found in the puzzle.

Life is so magical. These three earthworms blew my mind because I actually used to have a phobia of worms. And you know, I worked it out. I'm good now with worms. And I didn't freak out when I saw the earthworms in my puzzle.

I thought that was just amazing synchronicity: a blessing and a gift to celebrate healing and growing around the edges of my conditioning. Life is a journey of gaining wisdom through transformation - experiences of growing and healing.

Any favourite books to recommend? Many of our patrons listen to audiobooks as they solve our puzzles.

Oh yes! Tied to the themes of Her Journey, I recommend:

• Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• Tantra by Daniel Otier

Thanks Gaia! Any final thoughts?

I'll leave you with a few of my favourite quotes:

Art has an awakening prophetic power which can have a widespread and profound effect.
- Wassily Kandinsky

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
- Nelson Mandela

Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you truly want to become.
- Steve Jobs

❤️