Work samples
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Medicina (2023)“Medicina, ”mixed media, 16"x16" (2023). This piece was formed out of the profound reverence I hold for natural medicines and indigenous medicine and wisdom traditions throughout the world. This piece contains a number of healing and ceremonial plants that exist in various areas of Central and South America, and which have been used traditionally and ceremonially for a variety of purposes.
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Within This Infinite Moment (2021)"Within This Infinite Moment," mixed media, 16"x16" (2021). This piece encompasses a year's exploration into mindfulness. Engaging in regular mindfulness practices that ground me into the present has helped me attune to my own now and appreciate each moment, even the challenging ones, as an opportunity to deepen my connection with myself and the world around me. -
Her Greatest Gift (2020)“Her Greatest Gift,” mixed media, 12”x12” (2020). Earth herself offered the inspiration for this piece. When we examine the balance we see in nature, we find that it is based in the act of both giving and receiving, of finding mutual benefit in reciprocity. In the context of COVID-19, humans can draw on inspiration from natural patterns: rather than withholding support and acting solely out of self-interest, the best path to survival is to support one another and work together to create solutions. -
Gatekeeper (2020)“Gatekeeper,” mixed media, 12”x12” (2020). The inspiration for this piece came from my reflections on the sacred role of wisdom keepers through the ages. These wisdom keepers, often solitary but singular individuals in the community, serve as the essential conduit through which certain specialized knowledge is stored and accessed for the benefit of all.
About Summer
Baltimore City, Howard County
Artist Biography
Summer Blake (she/her) is a self-taught artist living and creating in Baltimore. Her creative journey began with the simple act of mindless doodling, but when she discovered a compass and protractor, her life changed forever. Her love for symmetry, repetitive patterns, and vivid colors all stand out as distinctive markers of her work. However, the one constant throughout all her work is its contemplative nature. Summer's work is an exploration into… more
Seminal Works
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Medicina“Medicina” was formed out of the profound reverence I hold for natural medicines and indigenous medicine and wisdom traditions throughout the world. This piece contains a number of healing and ceremonial plants that exist in various areas of Central and South America, and which have been used traditionally and ceremonially for a variety of purposes.
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Medicina (detail)Featured plants include sananga, tobacco, bobinsana, and ayahuma. At the center of the piece is the giant monkey frog, or kambo frog.
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Within This Infinite Moment"Within This Infinite Moment" encompasses a year's exploration into mindfulness. Engaging in regular mindfulness practices that ground me into the present has helped me attune to my own now and appreciate each moment, even the challenging ones, as an opportunity to deepen my connection with myself and the world around me. These practices have given rise to insights which I have endeavored to communicate through this piece. -
Within This Infinite Moment (detail)"Within This Infinite Moment" encompasses a year's exploration into mindfulness. Engaging in regular mindfulness practices that ground me into the present has helped me attune to my own now and appreciate each moment, even the challenging ones, as an opportunity to deepen my connection with myself and the world around me. These practices have given rise to insights which I have endeavored to communicate through this piece. -
Night MotherSo often, we perceive beauty in creation and the proliferation of life, but death and decay are equally of value. In order to be reborn, we must allow the old parts of ourselves to die; they form the wealth of fertile soil which generates life and birth. “Night Mother” is a shrine and invocation to the act of dying, honoring its sacred role in life.
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Night Mother (detail)This piece features a multitude of plant and fungal life, from amanita muscaria (toxic or mind-altering in small doses) to common nightshade (poisonous) to the ayahuasca vine (also known as the “Vine of Souls”) as sacred vessels of the liminal states that surround and pervade death and birth. The message, as always, is to trust our becoming by opening to a greater intimacy with ourselves and this very moment within which we dwell.
Individual as Collective
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Her Greatest GiftEarth's greatest gift lies in the interconnectedness of the web of all her living beings. When we closely examine the balance in nature, we see that each organism participates in both giving and receiving, fundamentally acting in reciprocity. This is contrary to the current human paradigm, which is premised upon a delusion of separateness. Rather than acting solely out of self-interest, the best path to survival is to support one another and work together to create solutions. -
Her Greatest Gift (detail)Earth's greatest gift lies in the interconnectedness of the web of all her living beings. When we closely examine the balance in nature, we see that each organism participates in both giving and receiving, fundamentally acting in reciprocity. This is contrary to the current human paradigm, which is premised upon a delusion of separateness. Rather than acting solely out of self-interest, the best path to survival is to support one another and work together to create solutions. -
GatekeeperThe inspiration for this piece came from my reflections on the sacred role of wisdom keepers through the ages. These wisdom keepers, often solitary but singular individuals in the community, serve as the essential conduit through which certain specialized knowledge is stored and accessed for the benefit of all. -
Gatekeeper (detail)The inspiration for this piece came from my reflections on the sacred role of wisdom keepers through the ages. These wisdom keepers, often solitary but singular individuals in the community, serve as the essential conduit through which certain specialized knowledge is stored and accessed for the benefit of all. -
AlchemistaThis piece illustrates the process of spiritual alchemy, in which an individual undergoes a process of transformation through intense self-examination. Each part of this process is sacred. Examining the ugliest parts of ourselves, accepting them with love, and releasing what no longer serves us, is incredibly difficult, but vital to our growth process. "Alchemista" captures the ineffable beauty of personal transformation – even the parts that we find difficult to love. -
Alchemista (detail)This piece illustrates the process of spiritual alchemy, in which an individual undergoes a process of transformation through intense self-examination. Each part of this process is sacred. Examining the ugliest parts of ourselves, accepting them with love, and releasing what no longer serves us, is incredibly difficult, but vital to our growth process. "Alchemista" captures the ineffable beauty of personal transformation – even the parts that we find difficult to love. -
Green MedicineDepicting Guanyin, the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion, "Green Medicine" embodies inner peace. Dwelling at center, Guanyin gazes serenely at the viewer; the cup before her is overflowing with water. All things appear to be in motion, yet all is still. This piece encourages us to keep our hearts open to life instead of resisting its flow. In this way, we come into alignment with the universe and its profoundly beautiful rhythms and patterns. -
Green Medicine (detail)Depicting Guanyin, the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion, "Green Medicine" embodies inner peace. Dwelling at center, Guanyin gazes serenely at the viewer; the cup before her is overflowing with water. All things appear to be in motion, yet all is still. This piece encourages us to keep our hearts open to life instead of resisting its flow. In this way, we come into alignment with the universe and its profoundly beautiful rhythms and patterns. -
Yab YumIn Tibetan Buddhism, the symbolic "yab-yum" pose depicting union between the masculine and the feminine represents an overcoming of the illusion of separation which is believed to be the root cause of suffering. In a world where many individuals are still compelled to fit their complex identities into a rigid gender binary, or restrict their overall self-expression to stay within narrow boundaries of what is acceptable and what isn't, this piece seeks to convey the bliss we experience when we fully accept and integrate all aspects of ourselves. -
Yab Yum (detail)In Tibetan Buddhism, the symbolic "yab-yum" pose depicting union between the masculine and the feminine represents an overcoming of the illusion of separation which is believed to be the root cause of suffering. In a world where many individuals are still compelled to fit their complex identities into a rigid gender binary, or restrict their overall self-expression to stay within narrow boundaries of what is acceptable and what isn't, this piece seeks to convey the bliss we experience when we fully accept and integrate all aspects of ourselves.
Collective as Individual
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One who is like waterThis piece relates to the peace we can achieve when we exist in a state of surrender rather than one of resistance. If we close ourselves off from life by trying to avoid the things we fear, we shut ourselves off from possibility and opportunity. When we open to the flow, when we open to trusting it, life opens like a flower. Water is a recurrent motif in this mandala, emphasizing water's innate ability to move and transform throughout the ecosystem. -
One who is like water (detail)This piece relates to the peace we can achieve when we exist in a state of surrender rather than one of resistance. If we close ourselves off from life by trying to avoid the things we fear, we shut ourselves off from possibility and opportunity. When we open to the flow, when we open to trusting it, life opens like a flower. Water is a recurrent motif in this mandala, emphasizing water's innate ability to move and transform throughout the ecosystem. -
Higher Self“Higher Self” is about moving through a very difficult time in life without knowing who we will become at the end of whatever we are going through. In this piece, an older woman gazes compassionately down at a young woman who is outstretching her arms as if to dive. This represents a mature self looking back on a time of incredible growth and healing, at a younger self who was so afraid and so uncertain of her value. The message is to trust in what is to come, and to remember how deeply we are loved.
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Higher Self (detail)“Higher Self” is about moving through a very difficult time in life without knowing who we will become at the end of whatever we are going through. In this piece, an older woman gazes compassionately down at a young woman who is outstretching her arms as if to dive. This represents a mature self looking back on a time of incredible growth and healing, at a younger self who was so afraid and so uncertain of her value. The message is to trust in what is to come, and to remember how deeply we are loved.
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TranscendenceIn the face of great suffering, it is easy to see only the suffering and miss the bigger picture. Yet beyond every obstacle lies the potential to learn important lessons about life and move beyond our current state. "Transcendence" is an allusion to our ability to rise beyond a fear-based narrative where we are convinced that we cannot escape our present state of being. By trusting ourselves, and trusting life, we have the ability to transform our paradigm into one of empowerment, and achieve our greatest potential. -
Transcendence (detail)In the face of great suffering, it is easy to see only the suffering and miss the bigger picture. Yet beyond every obstacle lies the potential to learn important lessons about life and move beyond our current state. "Transcendence" is an allusion to our ability to rise beyond a fear-based narrative where we are convinced that we cannot escape our present state of being. By trusting ourselves, and trusting life, we have the ability to transform our paradigm into one of empowerment, and achieve our greatest potential. -
Her Glorious DesignThis piece came into being just as the world was reacting to the spread of the pandemic in late March of 2020. Humanity was collectively reacting to COVID-19 with fear, panic, and disbelief. Connecting all continents through myriad blood-vessel-like networks, “Her Glorious Design” alludes to the shared, albeit disparate, experience of all of humanity during these difficult times. The central eye, radiating outward to form an undivided mandala, represents a hidden wisdom or awareness: that even in times of great suffering, there is the opportunity to grow together through our struggles, rather than become divided by them. -
Her Glorious Design (detail)This piece came into being just as the world was reacting to the spread of the pandemic in late March of 2020. Humanity was collectively reacting to COVID-19 with fear, panic, and disbelief. Connecting all continents through myriad blood-vessel-like networks, “Her Glorious Design” alludes to the shared, albeit disparate, experience of all of humanity during these difficult times. The central eye, radiating outward to form an undivided mandala, represents a hidden wisdom or awareness: that even in times of great suffering, there is the opportunity to grow together through our struggles, rather than become divided by them. -
The Hidden One"The Hidden One" contains an array of Ancient Egyptian gods centered around a central goddess, Amaunet, whose name translates to "the female hidden one." Although hidden, Amaunet's role as equivocator between life and death is powerful indeed and a reminder of the many subtle, unseen influences that weave together to shape our lives. -
The Hidden One (detail)"The Hidden One" contains an array of Ancient Egyptian gods centered around a central goddess, Amaunet, whose name translates to "the female hidden one." Although hidden, Amaunet's role as equivocator between life and death is powerful indeed and a reminder of the many subtle, unseen influences that weave together to shape our lives.
Abstractions
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Twin Reflections on InfinityIf you’ve ever fought with yourself, you may be familiar with the experience of inner conflict. "Twin Reflections on Infinity" recognizes the validity of humanity's inner struggles, while also offering the possibility of reconciliation. The two fishes symbolize our dual or contradictory nature, while the lotus in the center symbolizes the intrinsic unity of our entire being. When we accept rather than judge, the unloved parts of us begin to heal, and we reclaim our capacity for wholeness.
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Twin Reflections on Infinity (detail)If you’ve ever fought with yourself, you may be familiar with the experience of inner conflict. "Twin Reflections on Infinity" recognizes the validity of humanity's inner struggles, while also offering the possibility of reconciliation. The two fishes symbolize our dual or contradictory nature, while the lotus in the center symbolizes the intrinsic unity of our entire being. When we accept rather than judge, the unloved parts of us begin to heal, and we reclaim our capacity for wholeness.
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Thousand-Petal Lotus BrainThis piece was created spontaneously. Rather than trying to engineer the structure of the piece from start to finish, the form emerged organically from moment to moment as I simply allowed the piece to take the direction it wanted to. "Thousand-Petal" is a study into the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind. Surrendering to the creative urge gives us the opportunity to explore and bear witness to the mysterious depths of our subconscious. -
Thousand-Petal Lotus Brain (detail)This piece was created spontaneously. Rather than trying to engineer the structure of the piece from start to finish, the form emerged organically from moment to moment as I simply allowed the piece to take the direction it wanted to. "Thousand-Petal" is a study into the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind. Surrendering to the creative urge gives us the opportunity to explore and bear witness to the mysterious depths of our subconscious. -
RememberingAlways coming up against my own expectations of who I ought and ought not to be, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. In the midst of an intense inner conflict, I experienced the sudden and profound realization that my greatest gift to the world is the act of simply being myself. That realization culminated visually in the creation of "Remembering." -
Remembering (detail)Always coming up against my own expectations of who I ought and ought not to be, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. In the midst of an intense inner conflict, I experienced the sudden and profound realization that my greatest gift to the world is the act of simply being myself. That realization culminated visually in the creation of "Remembering." -
SunflowerThis piece came into being through a meditation on a sunflower. Prevalent throughout my meditation was a feeling of empathy with the sunflower's abiding love for the sun. Although rooted to the earth, it raises itself ever higher, growing as tall as it can to be closer to the sun's warmth and radiance. "Sunflower" is representative of how love can be the impetus for extraordinary growth. It also reminds us that perceived physical limitations can serve as the means to unique forms of self-expression. -
Sunflower (detail)This piece came into being through a meditation on a sunflower. Prevalent throughout my meditation was a feeling of empathy with the sunflower's abiding love for the sun. Although rooted to the earth, it raises itself ever higher, growing as tall as it can to be closer to the sun's warmth and radiance. "Sunflower" is representative of how love can be the impetus for extraordinary growth. It also reminds us that perceived physical limitations can serve as the means to unique forms of self-expression. -
The Journey Within"The Journey Within," with its multitudes of layers and labyrinths, alludes to the endless journey toward self-discovery. There is always another layer; there is always something hidden. Perhaps the greatest source of curiosity is how deep we really go. -
The Journey Within (detail)"The Journey Within," with its multitudes of layers and labyrinths, alludes to the endless journey toward self-discovery. There is always another layer; there is always something hidden. Perhaps the greatest source of curiosity is how deep we really go.
The Chakra Series
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Root ChakraThe root chakra relates to physical survival and safety. The “rootedness” of the chakra refers both to its energetic position as the bottommost of the traditional seven-chakra system and also our connection to Earth. It represents the unconscious mind. This chakra serves as the foundation of our personality, as the mind, intellect, and consciousness originate in this chakra. -
Sacral ChakraThe sacral chakra pertains to the second stage in the evolution of our consciousness. As energy moves upwards through this chakra, if there is no blockage, it provides for purification, development of the conscious mind, and growth. Within this chakra resides the potential to ascend to joy, self-confidence, and boundless energy, as it is located in the womb-space where new life is created. -
Solar Plexus ChakraThe solar plexus chakra is located at the bellybutton and is connected to the element of fire. This is where vitality resides and where we draw strength to regain or integrate our overall health. It is magnetic, energetically powerful, and provides for balance and inner strength where it is needed. -
Heart ChakraThe heart chakra symbolizes our boundless capacity for love. It is located at the emotional center of the body, the heart. Here, we can alternately be overwhelmed by our emotions -- hate, jealousy, despair, desire -- or become transformed through a deep pull toward compassion, unity, forgiveness, and peace. -
Throat ChakraThe throat chakra corresponds to our ability to communicate, and so is appropriately located at the source of our physical voice. Symbolically, visuddha relates to creative expression, and to freedom of pure expression in general. If blocked, one may experience difficulty speaking up for oneself or telling the truth. If we have repressed or shut away certain experiences, and so dimmed our ability to live fully, this chakra is where we may find the means to release what we have been holding on to. -
Third Eye ChakraThe third eye chakra is positioned just above the eyes in the center of the forehead. This is the site of clarity and wisdom. As the eye of wisdom or knowledge, it is representative of the seat of one’s higher Self, connected on both sides to the human/individual and divine/unity. -
Crown ChakraThe crown chakra is pure light -- it contains all colors, is all things, in perfect unity. This is the site of liberation from samsara (the cycle of rebirth and death) and where the mind resides at last in peace. Here, ignorance fades away as full awakening blossoms into completion.
