Featured Artists - September - Em.C & Zena Kanes
Part of the Kozmic Ryder experience is connecting with those who are setting out their magic. This is a place recharge, reinvigorate, gain perspective, and get inspired. Check out these magic mamas and the art alchemy they create - here they share their stories and their process.
Poetry by Em.C
I will not forget the moment I came across this poet in my inbox. She goes by the pen name em.c, and her authenticity radiated from my screen. She wishes to remain anonymous - but shares her process here.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself
A: I am a Cancer with a whole lot of feelings, y’all. I love expressing those feelings through poetry, music, and art. My poetry Instagram is anonymous, so I don’t want to reveal too much about myself, but I hope you can at least enjoy and maybe even relate to my writings.
Q: What inspires your work and creative process? // What moves you the most? // What does writing poetry do for you?
A: I am inspired by the wonders of the universe. From small things like an ant carrying his wounded brother on his back, to the wonderment of never truly knowing how vast the universe expands. // I am moved by the beauty that can be found in a world that can sometimes seem so ugly on the surface. // Poetry allows me to connect to parts of myself that I might have lost, or maybe pieces of me that I was never truly aware of. Some of these areas of my being are dark, but I still find them important to explore because there is beauty in the darkest parts of our souls, too. They allow us to connect to others who might feel that darkness, too, and help us not to feel so alone.
Q: Do you ever feel vulnerable putting your work out there? How do you overcome it?
A: I definitely feel vulnerable in my writing, my poetry is essentially pages ripped from the diary of my soul. That’s why my account is currently anonymous, and only a few people know it’s me. Maybe some day I will tell the world it’s me behind the curtain, but for now I feel I can be truly authentic in my writing knowing that no one is going to judge me or think differently of me. I do hope some day I will overcome this fear and have the courage to put my name on my work, but for now I am okay with being vulnerable since no one knows it’s me.
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for other creatives?
A: I would always advise other creatives to create something that is true and authentic to who you are. If we start creating to please or benefit the needs of others, we lose ourselves in the process. Even if you are afraid (like me) and want to use a pen name (hey, Mark Twain did it). I would also advise them not to be so hard on themselves. Find beauty in the imperfections of your work. Lastly, use your pain as fuel to create something you love. We all have ugliness looming in our past. Help yourself, and others, by putting something profound in the world to remind us that life and the universe that provides it for us is extraordinarily beautiful.
Q: Anything else you want people to know?
A: I just want to thank you, Ani, for the amazing work you do. It is so generous of you to offer to spread the work of creatives. It is so inspiring to see someone who cares so deeply about helping others. You truly are a light in the world, and I’m so glad our cosmic paths crossed! I’m ecstatic to watch this Kozmic Ryder journey progress, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it and be able to witness it all!
Explore more of her beautiful words on her Instagram page:
Zena Kanes
I first connected with artist Zena Kanes when I got a piece from her as a gift. I knew the second I held it that this art was infused with magic - the leaves of the detailed mugwort seemed to hold the same energy as the plant itself. Zena uses her magic as inspiration for her art. Here is her story in her words.
My creative process is definitely all over the place. I’m someone that loves spontaneity and gets really bored with routine. That being said, I do have a lot of go to practices to get myself in the creative headspace. A great environment, inspiration from other artists, quieting my mind, crossing things off my to-do list, and lighting some sage are all really important “ingredients” to cooking up a great piece of art.
I usually start off with a specific subject matter, like an animal, and explore the symbolism of what that subject represents. I then look at different areas of my life I can relate it to or pair it with corresponding symbols like runes that other people can connect with. My goal is to keep digging deeper into common themes, past cliches and into something more authentic.
I started practicing Wicca about two years ago when I picked up Scott Cunningham’s book “Wicca: a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.” I had an immediate energetic bond with the pagan religion because, and loved that it was mostly practiced by women. I felt at home with the core beliefs and the fact that I didn’t feel I was appropriating someone else’s culture, which I have felt guilty of in the past when practicing other religions.
I think every person has a different gift when it comes to practicing magic, and mine is most definitely manifestation. I’ve always had a very powerful gift to manifest specific opportunities throughout my life. Both my parents have encouraged the practice of manifestation, as they have used it throughout their lives, and encourage me to strengthen my connection with that sort of power. I also find a lot of guidance through divination. While I do love practicing the Tarot, I have benefited the most from consulting the iChing.