Tipi Dweller, Story Teller
Raen Messina: Artist, Visionary, and Pencil Wielding Hermit
Growing up on the quirky edge of the Knysna forest in Bibby's Hoek, Raen Messina’s childhood was anything but conventional. With his parents and brother, he lived in a tipi, blissfully free from the brain-numbing glow of television. Instead, Raen's world was filled with the raw beauty of nature and the infinite playground of his imagination.
Raen is an extraordinarily talented, self-taught artist with a perspective as unique as his upbringing. From a young age, he turned to art not just as an escape but as a way to keep himself entertained in the wilderness. He’s produced hundreds of artworks, each a vivid snapshot of his boundless imagination and unfiltered creativity.
His artistic repertoire is vast, but he’s especially gifted in drawing. Raen’s most cherished creations are his comic strips, where his storytelling prowess shines through intricate illustrations and whimsical narratives. While many of his comic stories remain unfinished, they’re a testament to his creative genius and the limitless scope of his artistic vision—who needs endings, anyway?
Raen is also deeply in touch with his shadow side, having done a lot of internal work during his solitary moments. The word "hermit" fits him well, though he’s also a loving, nurturing, and compassionate soul. His introspective nature and time spent in solitude have granted him a profound understanding of himself and the human experience, all of which often finds its way into his art.
Raen Messina’s art is more than just a reflection of his inner world; it’s a window into never before seen universes and alternate dimensions. His work captivates and inspire, offering a glimpse into the extraordinary mind of an artist shaped by a unique life experience which has taken him into the depths of his own introspection.
Until now, Raen has kept his art collection private. This is the first time he is showing these artworks to the world and we are so honoured to be able to share a completely Limited First Edition Collection with the greater community.
Only one print of each piece is available.
Let's show some love and gratitude to Raen.
About Raen's Collection
Welcome to a curated glimpse into the artistic world of Raen Messina. This unique selection of artworks is a handpicked assortment from Raen's extensive and diverse collection. Each piece in this collection has been chosen by me, Ayla Love, because it resonated deeply with me and seemed to call out to be part of our Magpie’s Perch offerings.
There is no singular theme that unites these artworks, but together they showcase a snapshot of Raen’s incredible versatility and creative talent. From vivid imaginings to intricate details, each piece reflects a different facet of Raen's boundless artistic ability. We invite you to explore this captivating collection and discover the essence of Raen's extraordinary art.
MYSTIC GUIDE, ARTISTIC TIDE
BEEANCA: THE FOREST'S SACRED STORYTELLER
Beenca is an artist of many different modalities, deeply connected and intuitive. Her art is as much a ceremony as her life, each piece infused with transformative intentionality. She spent years of her life deeply immersed in building community and living an alternative, ceremonial life in the Knysna forest, working deeply in the internal and cosmic realms, as well as practical, ecologically sustainable systems like permaculture and reforestation.
Beeanca's journey has been one of deep exploration and connection, both in exploration within herself and with the reflective teachings of the natural world around her. She has actively endeavoured to share her art and her presence in the Garden Route and Cape Town as a Ritual Tattoo artist, using her skills to create meaningful, transformative experiences for those she works with. Outside of ceremony, much of her time was spent quietly immersed in her creations, nestled in her cabin in the forest, where each piece was crafted with care and reverence.
More recently, Beeanca's life has evolved from her quiet, hermetic existence. She has since found love and partnership and embarked on a new journey of starting a family. With all her creative efforts now being drawn into the creation of her baby, who is soon to be born, Beeanca is stepping back a little from her art to focus on parenthood.
Beeanca's art, her life, and her new path all reflect her deep connection to the archetypal wisdom of the natural world around us and the inherent spiritual essence of the plant and animal allies. Her artworks are each a transmission of energy that can be used for ones own deep reflection and connection with the magic of the super-natural.
In a special debut, prints of Two Collections of Bianca's art are being shared for the first time here. This is a unique opportunity to be one of the first to own a printed piece from one of these collections.
MEDICINE TEACHERS
"A series of artworks transmitted from the spirit of each individual plant teachers has been synthesised through reverent exploration.
The essence of each ally is visually portrayed from deep reflection & contemplation of its nature and archetypal influence on the whole."
- Beeanca
Keep following the magic...
CLAN MOTHERS
"A journey of transcending the 'me' to 'we' with each Clan Mother reflecting deep archetypal threads and the natural laws that weave our collective heart and mind together and open the inner sight to our oneness.
Based on the teachings from the Turtle Island Native Kiowa tribe & publicised by Jamie Sams, the visual expressions of the themes in these artworks were conceptualised in collaboration with Shanti Bluebird. They touch the bones of our forefathers and the world full of freedom and love of our descendants. It is timeless, ageless, rich and pure."
- Beeanca
ART WEAVES, SPIRIT BREATHES
AYLA LOVE: WEAVING DREAMS INTO ART, JOURNEYING THROUGH SPIRIT
Ayla Love's artistic journey commenced during her youth amidst the structured environment of academia. Despite the confines of textbooks and lectures, her soul yearned for creative expression. After university, she embarked on a sacred sabbatical, delving deep into her essence in pursuit of her inner artist. For eight transformative years, she danced with the cosmos, fueled by the flames of self-discovery and divine connection.
Ayla's artistic canvas transcends boundaries. Through brushstrokes, melodies, and intricate threads, she breathes life into her dreams. Her art, a collection of music, painting, sculpture, and digital media, resonates in harmony with the universe, a symphony of soulful expression.
A serendipitous encounter with the ancient wisdom of her Bushman ancestors ignited a fire within Ayla's soul, birthing a series of artworks that transcended the mundane. These creations, born from the depths of her dreams, unravel the sacred tapestry of creation itself.
Imbued with ethereal essence, Ayla immortalizes fleeting moments by imprinting each artwork onto the gentle canvas of a pillowcase. Beneath the night's celestial expanse, she invites dreamers to explore her imaginative realm, where shadows dance and spirits commune.
Yet, Ayla's journey continues. With the ink of inspiration fresh upon her fingertips, she inscribes the tale of her soul's odyssey onto a deck of altar cards, beckoning seekers to embark on their own pilgrimage into the heart of creation. It is a journey reserved for courageous souls who dare to dream, dance, and awaken the divine spark within.
Ayla Love stands as a guardian of the sacred flame, weaving dreams and channeling divine inspiration. Her art is a testament to the boundless depths of the human spirit and the eternal dance between heaven and earth.
BUSHMAN AND BEYOND
Bushman and Beyond" is a series of twelve paintings, each one a journey into the depths of my imagination and the echoes of ancient memories. These paintings tell a story, a creation story as old as time, spun with intention and love. Through prose and imagery, they guide you down a winding path into the dream time, where the past and the present intertwine.
This collection is a magical tapestry meant to be deeply appreciated. To share this story in a tangible way, I have printed a one-time limited edition of the series onto pillowcases. As you lay your head to rest each night, may the images and the story they tell awaken your ancient memories, connecting you to the timeless essence of our shared human heritage.
For the full story, I have crafted a set of altar cards, to be enjoyed one-by-one. May it meet you in your truth.
"Tread lightly on ancestral ground, for therein lies the memories of our holy lineage.
The mothers who bless the cradle of human-kind gently sway and rock us into calming inner presence. But we have forgotten that we are not separate from our origins.
If we turn our gaze inward, we can tune in to the frequency of the language of light. We can receive the knowledge and wisdom of our forefathers and foremothers, for it is they who hold the key of simplicity and true connection.
I place my palm on the cold cave walls and I hear the clapping and the fire songs....a vision comes to me, a vision that sees through the thinning veil...and here, I share the magical detail of a story as old as the time, when we used to listen.”
- Ayla Love
