Dreams and Mandalas

Page from The Red Book of Carl Jung

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A recent pilgrimage to view The Red Book of Carl Jung left me inspired and rejuvenated. For many years I kept dream journals but somehow got away from the practice. I've resumed the tradition since my excellent journey to the Rubin Museum. The Red Book is under glass, very large, beautifully illuminated and calligraphed by Jung. The images echo mythology and Byzantine saints. The Red Book may be a revelation in understanding the birth of consciousness.

Jung recognized that a visual image could help a viewer integrate aspects of the personality; that a circle in particular could energize one toward wholeness. Several pages of The Red Book revealed Jung’s ruminations on Mandala design. His dreams and visions seemed oddly familiar to me, like the rereading of a favorite tale.

The exhibit of Mandalas at the museum superbly dovetailed with Jung’s exploration of dreams, symbols, and the connection to the soul. The power of shape and color has always intrigued me. I often recollect a transporting experience that I had while standing in rays of blue light cast from a rose window at Chartres cathedral.

There is something satisfying about viewing inner visions, whether our own or someone else’s. The familiarity of these images makes one realize that we are ever so much more alike than different. There is a common meeting place, if we dig deep enough~

Emanations, Drawing from a Dream Journal of Melody Phaneuf

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Boston Artist, Melody Phaneuf is well known for her evocative still life, landscape, and portrait paintings. Phaneuf’s paintings are regularly on view at The Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street; at Fenway Studios, Boston by appointment; and North Shore Art in Gloucester from May through October. Phaneuf has exhibited her paintings at The National Arts Club in New York City, Galerie Herouet in Paris, and with Art du Monde, in Japan.

Melody The Artist Home, founded with photographer and color specialist, Martha DiMeo showcases Phaneuf’s original paintings on tumbled marble tile murals and coasters, fine art prints, and handmade note cards.

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The Gambler~ Dreams of The Jester

Emerging from a long and darkened corridor, I enter the space, unnoticed. Halted by voices, I quietly peer into a chamber illuminated by firelight. Where am I? I should flee but am captivated by knowing.

The Jester faces me. He is intent on the hand he is playing, and does not regard my presence. I can see the opponent’s hand. I want to have a sense of how the game is going and slowly, inaudibly, move my position to see the opponent’s expression. I am aghast to see my own face!

What fascinating state dreaming is. For many years I kept journals of my nightly escapades. I documented and illustrated the events, endeavoring to capture the emotional quality of each dream experience. Colors were vivid, and lighting always distinct. Many of these entries were transformed into paintings, etchings, and artist books.

I don’t gamble in my day-life but the Jester recurs in my dreams. Sometimes he is leading a group of followers; sometimes he is alone. I always find myself in the position of the observer and can’t seem to have direct contact with him. In this case, I am observing both the Jester and myself. So~ if I am in the scene, who is the one watching? If I am the one watching, who is in the scene?

Melody Phaneuf's paintings have been exhibited at Galerie Herouet in Paris, The National Arts Club in New York City, and were included in a traveling exposition in Japan. Her work is regularly displayed at the Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street, Boston, MA. Melody is a member of the Fenway Studios Cooperative, a community of Boston artists whose historic north light building was modeled on the 19th century Parisian Ateliers. Studio visits are welcomed.

Gambler II, Oil Painting, 16 x 20, Private Collection

Gambler II, Open Edition Print, Note Cards and Bookmarks are available at MelodyTheArtist.com/shop

About the Jester and Dreams~

• The Court Jester
• The Jester's Political Significance
• The Importance of Dreams
• Dreams and Jung
• Recalling Dreams