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W.R. Waken

@wrwakenart

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Astro-Surrealism, Celestial Psychedelia
@louisvillevisualart 9/12 - 11/15
@lexingtonartleague 10/09 - 11/20
@jacksonjunge 11/03 - 01/10

POSTS STORIES REELS

My new online shop is live, and I'm currently offering art prints, greeting cards, and original paintings.

✨Prints and cards can be bundled together for no additional shipping cost.
✨USA orders over $60 automatically get free shipping!
✨Patreon supporters receive a 10% off coupon 👀

👉 wrwaken.com/shop (link in bio) by @wrwakenart

In celebration of Halloween, here's a space cat 🐈 I was so excited to paint on these new shaped panels from @trekell_art_supplies and had a blast working on this one. Painted with @goldenpaints acrylics.

As for all the OTHER stuff:
It's hard to say what the future of Instagram (or social media) will be, as you've no doubt seen news of their invasive policies bulldozing over personal consent and intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, staying or leaving isn't an easy question, as I connect with many artists and galleries on this platform, and I'm not ready to give that up right now. The friends I've made here are precious to me, and while small, this page is important for my business.

However, if there's one thing I'd like to impart to @meta it's this: your platform (and therefore your profits) thrives when your users feel rewarded, supported, and happy. It makes us want to post and engage more. We'd spend more time on the platform and utilize it more. In an effort to expand power and profits, you are instead driving users away. Users are less invested, tired, and numb. Whether on a personal or corporate level, greed and desperation poisons our own goals against us.

Many of us are just too exhausted to keep up with it all, myself included. To my fellow artists, my only advice is just keep making the work. Keep showing up. That's all you have to do.

Eat some candy this weekend, and have a lovely Halloween 🎃 by @wrwakenart

"Moribund Precipice" is currently on view at @lexingtonartleague through November 20th.

The meaning behind this piece is directly referenced by the title. "Moribund" is an adjective meaning to be "in a state of dying" or "approaching death." This painting depicts a figure peaking through the mental/spiritual barrier between life and death and seeing what's on the other side. The cosmos represents this barrier, and what lies behind in unknowable--swirls of colors, bizarre clouds, atmosphere and visceral emotion. However, the main emotion I feel this piece evokes is that of peace. Her expression calm and focused, this figure enters the afterlife with contemplation rather than fear.

Full timelapse available on Patreon (link in bio)

2024, @goldenpaints acrylics on wood panel, 11x14" by @wrwakenart

"Fluent" is on its way to @jacksonjunge for their annual TEN BY TEN exhibition, a show featuring an array of works that are all exactly 10x10 inches.

Opening reception is Friday, Nov 6th with the show running through January 10th. If you're in the Chicago area, stop by to see hundreds of artworks in an impressive mosaic-like display.

An acrylic painting on wood, "Fluent" invites viewers to explore spiritual fluency and connection. Across the cosmos, there is a common language we speak. Between two people or between us all, its voice is there, waiting to be heard. by @wrwakenart

These 3 paintings are currently on view at @lexingtonartleague through November 20th for their annual PRHBTN group show!

Moribund Precipice, 2024, acrylic on wood panel, 11x14"
The Rift, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 36x36"
Glimmering Void, 2026, acrylic on wood panel, 11x14"

Stop by to see these plus an eclectic array of other incredible artworks by dozens of artists across multiple mediums. Public gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm - 5pm, and by appointment. by @wrwakenart

The full piece on display ❤️

These stars, wild and untamed, radiant light without reservation. This space is my own, my star an immovable center. No Shadow except the one I choose to conquer. The goal is unity, but not understanding. The Path is arduous, but blissfully peaceful. This Light is my own.

Untamed Stars, 2026, @goldenpaints acrylics on wood panel, 11x14" by @wrwakenart

"Glimmering Void" is now available as a print in my shop 👉 wrwaken.com/shop (link in bio)

You can purchase this print by itself in the 5.5x7" or 7.8x10" sizes, or as part of the "Cosmic Art Print Pack" which is a set of 4 mini astro-surreal prints.

Original painting is available as well 💗 by @wrwakenart

Show Announcement 👉 "Self-Therapy" will be on view at the @thistleandmoonlou Grand Opening Exhibition beginning this Saturday, Sept 19 through Sept 30.

Self-Therapy is titled after the book of the same name, written by Jay Earley PhD. It explains a rather holistic approach to psychological healing known as Internal Family Systems (IFS). The IFS approach is such that, essentially, you break the psyche down into various "parts." Every emotion and reaction you feel is governed by its own part, and as you speak to each of them, you find interesting sources and motivations behind your beliefs and actions. It's a very illuminating and compassionate approach to therapy, as your goal isn't to erase the "bad" parts but heal them. This leads to a greater sense of understanding and unity.

The many layers of color in this painting represent the diverse and distinct parts a single person possesses. We walk through, commune with, and seek to understand these parts on the path toward wholeness. The figure in this painting smiles softly as the colors wash over her and meld with her being. She is many voices, yet remains a single individual.

The ring above her acts as both a halo and a portal. It represents the path she has opened to understanding. She is flooded by what comes after, as is often the case when one begins "parts work," and though overwhelmed, she is comforted as she merges with herself. IFS is not an easy path, but it is a fulfilling one.

Completed 2025, @goldenpaints acrylics on wood panel, 24x24"

#psychedelicart #popsurrealism #zenart by @wrwakenart

There are doors that wait within our being, gates that we must pass through in order to move forward. The path calls to us. Can you hear it? That place may be haunting, treacherous. It may not be safe to pass through to that faraway realm, and it’s a threshold that will irrevocably change all who enter. What could each of us become if we let go and allow the gateway to open?

Opening reception is this SATURDAY, Sept 12, 5-8pm at @louisvillevisualart

"Eve of Absolution" (pictured) and "Speaker of the Void" will be on view and available for sale, along with the work of many other fabulous and talented artists.

Completed 2025, @goldenpaints acrylics on @blickartmaterials premier canvas, 30x40" by @wrwakenart

Views from the studio 🎨 by @wrwakenart

New painting! And of course the last piece of tape is always the most stubborn.

Landscapes have really been entrancing me lately, and I think I'll be incorporating more of them into my work. They provide a certain grandiosity and sense of stability I think.

Full painting and detail shots to come ✌️ by @wrwakenart

"Speaker of the Void" will be on view at the @louisvillevisualart biennial, opening Sept 12 and exhibiting through Nov 15.

This piece has a special place in my heart. An old god in prayer. A black hole thinking. Contemplation and serenity meet between his clasped hands. I hope you'll be able to see this work in person!

The original painting + prints are available in my shop 👉 wrwaken.com/shop (link in bio) by @wrwakenart