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Hello everyone! I am Ryan and I feel privileged to be invited to take over @thewellnessalmanac page for the week. Thank you for inviting me to share some photos of my art and talk about how it ties into wellness for me. I’ll start with a little background about myself: I grew up on Vancouver Island in Port Alberni and started carving as a young boy learning from my father. Through the years my passion for native art has grown and evolved and has always been an integral part of my life. For me, my art and wellness walk hand in hand as I feel doing what I love to do feeds my soul as well as gives me a sense of purpose in life. In this photo I am working from my home in pemberton on a 20 foot eagle totem pole carved out of red cedar. This piece is a reflection of the spirit of the eagle set amongst the earth elements. Earth, wind and water are incorporated into this piece to remind us of the importance and responsibility we have to protect them. I look forward to sharing more photos of my work I have done over the years. I hope everyone is having a wonderful family day outside in the sun! You can follow me @ryanscoularart Photo credit @ebwitwicki #nativeart #artistatwork #eagletotem #familyday #cedarscentedtent #backtothelight #instagramtakeover

A post shared by The Winds Of Change (@thewellnessalmanac) on Feb 12, 2018 at 2:14pm PST

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Some tools of the trade. I wouldn’t get to far without these! It always amazes me when I think of the carvers of old and how they were able to craft massive dugout canoes and totem poles with such precision using stones lashed to handles, fire and hot rocks and steam for bending cedar. Incredible feats with what we now consider primitive tools and ancient techniques. How cool to still be doing the same thing they were doing hundreds of years ago! @thewellnessalmanac Takeover Photo @ebwitwicki #carversofold #ageoldtechniqueswithmoderntools #survivingandthrivingartform #honortheelders #mytoolsaremylivelyhood #myartismypassion @ryanscoularart

A post shared by The Winds Of Change (@thewellnessalmanac) on Feb 17, 2018 at 3:33pm PST

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‘Bear fishing Salmon’. Every carving I do is a journey. From a block of wood to the finished piece I am always learning and in communication with the wood. It definitely has a language of its own that can steer you in a direction you didn’t intend. It is a process of removal. A collaboration between myself, the wood and the mysterious, intangible, creative force that defines what is revealed. I am the creator, although at times feel like an observer. It’s an exciting process to be a part of. I am honoured and grateful to carry this art form and ancient tradition in the future. Day 5 of @thewellnessalmanac Take over. Thanks @beebeebrenda for the photo You can follow my work @ryanscoularart #nativeart #lovebeinganartist #thepowerofcedar #languageofwood #bearandsalmon #alwayslearning #alwayssearching

A post shared by The Winds Of Change (@thewellnessalmanac) on Feb 16, 2018 at 11:04am PST

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Hello everyone! Day 3 here for me @thewellnessalmanac We have all heard the phrase “nothing worth doing is easy”. That’s where I’m at today. Thinking outside the box and pushing ones artistic boundaries can be a real challenge. As much as creativity can flow so easily and effortlessly out of you, it can also be elusive and full of resistance. Deciphering when to push through the resistance (because something amazing might come out of it), or temporarily walking away because it feels like it’s just not happening can be tricky at times. Of course external and/or internal pressures can play a part in this, such as: deadlines or personal goals. Knowing yourself and how you operate is important with this I believe. So how does this relate to wellness? Well I think finding balance in your life is key. Balance between your obligations to others as well as your obligation to yourself and what brings you joy in life is important. Circulating new energy when things seem maybe a bit mundane or stale, by doing something different or new, can reinvigorate you in an area where you were previously stuck and enable you to return to it with a fresh pair of eyes. I think this can relate to almost any situation in life. This is the reason I have shared this photo, something other than my artwork as a reminder that we sometimes need to unplug from our daily routine and step away to hopefully return refreshed and re-inspired to take on life’s challenges and pursue whatever it is that excites us! Thats my thoughts for the day, Thanks for listening and I hope everyone’s enjoying this beauty day! You can follow me @ryanscoularart #instagramtakeover #stayinspiredandmotivated

A post shared by The Winds Of Change (@thewellnessalmanac) on Feb 14, 2018 at 2:47pm PST

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Here we go day two of @thewellnessalmanac takeover. This piece is a Dzunukwa Spirit Mask, aka “wild woman of the woods” this one was done for my brother and really took on a life of its own. It ended up a lot different then I initially planned, part of the enjoyment of creating. When I think of this piece it reminds me of the importance of family and finding ones tribe in this world. For me it’s my family, although it can be friends, social groups, partners in life, or any place we feel loved and supported. Through my life the support of my family and friends has played a huge role in my continuing strive to make it as an artist. They keep me grounded while inspiring me to chase my dreams. I also feel that nature has unconditionally, always had my back through my life. She is forever giving me strength and clarity in times of weakness and confusion while asking nothing in return. So with that I would like to acknowledge and thank all the wonderful people who have walked beside me through all my struggles and all my triumphs along the way, for it would be much more difficult without them. This one goes out to all of you! Photo credit @beebeebrenda You can follow me @ryanscoularart #loveyourtribe #family #friends #chasingdreams #loveandsupport #nativeart #artist #nature #instagramtakeover

A post shared by The Winds Of Change (@thewellnessalmanac) on Feb 13, 2018 at 12:15pm PST

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Some tools of the trade. I wouldn’t get to far without these! It always amazes me when I think of the carvers of old and how they were able to craft massive dugout canoes and totem poles with such precision using stones lashed to handles, fire and hot rocks and steam for bending cedar. Incredible feats with what we now consider primitive tools and ancient techniques. How cool to still be doing the same thing they were doing hundreds of years ago! @thewellnessalmanac Takeover Photo @ebwitwicki #carversofold #ageoldtechniqueswithmoderntools #survivingandthrivingartform #honortheelders #mytoolsaremylivelyhood #myartismypassion @ryanscoularart

A post shared by The Winds Of Change (@thewellnessalmanac) on Feb 17, 2018 at 3:33pm PST