Enchantments from the Studio

Special Order - Child's Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T17:49:00.000-08:00

Love & Relationships Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T17:47:00.000-08:00

Blessed Journey Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T17:35:00.001-08:00

Love Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T17:25:00.001-08:00

Health Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T15:33:00.000-08:00

Prosperity Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T15:28:00.000-08:00

Clarity & Spirituality Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T15:14:00.000-08:00

Wings of Dreams Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T15:13:00.000-08:00

Healers Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

Mano Santa Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

Nature's Poetry Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T14:32:00.000-08:00

Wealth - Feng Shui Altar

2012-01-21T14:27:00.000-08:00

Feng Shui Altars

2012-01-21T11:25:00.001-08:00

Cats and Music Assemblage Box

2011-01-08T15:18:00.000-08:00

Front or Closed View of Cats and Music Assemblage Box

Open View of Cats and Music Assemblage Box

Peace Art Doll Quilt

2010-03-09T10:05:00.000-08:00

Mini quilt with three dimensional figure.

Angelic Dreams

2010-03-09T09:59:00.000-08:00

Small quilt incorporating 3 dimensional doll

Day of the Dead Assemblage for the Oaxacan Street Children Auction

2010-03-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

My Blu Heaven

2010-03-08T14:58:00.000-08:00

in memory of my beloved blue point Balinese kitty, CatB'Lu

Love Warrior

2010-03-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

Never Give Up

2008-07-31T18:16:00.000-07:00

Nature Spirit

2008-07-30T16:34:00.001-07:00

Peace

2008-07-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

Haute Eleganz

2008-07-30T16:31:00.001-07:00

Assemblage Page 3 ››

‹‹Assemblage Main

Assemblage - Page 2

2008-07-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

Artwork in this gallery is in private collections.
For artwork still available, please see the Alchemy Shop.

Day of the Dead

2008-07-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

Front

Interior

Ghoulies in the Night

2008-07-30T09:58:00.001-07:00

Day of the Dead Triptych

2008-07-30T09:53:00.001-07:00

Blessings

2008-07-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Aspire

2008-07-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Front of Aspire Shrine

Inside of Aspire Shrine

About the Artist

2007-04-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

I was born in Estonia, which is where I got my unusual first name of Mai-Liis. The hyphen indicates it is not meant to be separated into two, and it's pronounced "my lease". I have recently changed my name to Chaska, bestowed on me by two different Peruvian shamans.

When I was very little, I made dolls from whatever paper I could find. I made dresses for them, and glued on little bits of feathers and trash found outside using a flour and water paste. I don't remember ever playing with the dolls; it was only about creating them.

As I grew older, I learned to sew and sketch, and at 16, I enrolled in a two-year apprenticeship program in commercial art, and after graduation, made a good living working as an artist doing layout and hand lettering for a very large printer. I had so much fun, that I could hardly believe they paid me, too!

Marriage and 4 children resulted in my switching to the domestic arts, but even before the last child was born, I had turned to clothing design. Long before the concept of small, medium, and large became popular, it was how my loose, vaguely folkloric dresses were sold. I had a large, loyal local following which gave me the confidence to open a boutique. Seamstresses did all the sewing, and I did the fun part.

But, keeping shop gets to be difficult with 4 children whom I did not dare allow in the boutique. Using the same seamstresses, I went freelance out of my home, and designed wardrobes for individuals, as well as costumes for ice skaters, auto racing teams, and theme restaurant employees.

While continuing to work on a BA at Ohio State, I took as many photography and film classes as I did business courses. I loved both! I had two one-artist shows of my photography, and a couple of interesting business management jobs which required creativity but involved no art.

I rediscovered my passion for art when I became my husband's caregiver. I believe this passion saved my sanity if not my life. I allow myself to be led to whatever medium or idea lights my fire, and it's been a surprising, as well as exciting trip. I can't think of anything I would rather be doing! I also love teaching because if there is anything more joyous than creating art, it's empowering others, and especially so when they believe they have no talent.

Recently, I have melded my interest and studies in healing with my passion in art. Life doesn't get much better than that!

His Royal Highness Doll

2007-04-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Goddess of the Deep Blue Doll

2007-04-05T12:16:00.000-07:00

American Beauty Assemblage

2007-04-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

"American Beauty" Wood, paper, bullet casings, metal, Barbie doll

Close-up of Assemblage

Invisible Lover Shrine

2007-04-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

"Invisible Lover" - Table top shrine, Wood, metal, plastic, and paper.

Front of Shrine (closed)

Inside of Shrine

Bunny Love Assemblage

2007-04-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

Bunny Love Assemblage - Antique metal box, wood, paper, vinyl, and mother-of-pearl buttons.

Front of Assemblage

Inside of Assemblage

Sun Goddess Shrine

2007-04-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

Sun goddess Shrine - Wood, clay, metal, paper mache, and wire.

Back to Assemblages & Shrines

Frida Remembered Shrine

2007-04-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

Frida Remembered - Wood, paper, metal, glass, tin, shells.

Front of Shrine

Inside of Shrine

Back of Shrine

Animal Blessing Shrines

2007-04-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

Animal Blessing Shrines, Mexican style - Wood, metal, paper assemblage.

Sold

Back to Assemblages & Shrines

Box of Regrets

2007-04-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Box of Regrets - (table top) Wood, metal, paper, wire, old mold of teeth, tiny skeleton.

Box closed

Box Open

Close up of Inside of Box

Waiting for Life to Begin Shrine

2007-04-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Waiting for Life to Begin Shrine materials include wood, paper, metal, fiber, polyvinyl doll, rocks, animal skeletal parts. A very large rusted nail separates the two compartments.

This is the largest of my shrines, It will stand or it can be hung by the two hangers on the back.

Sold