We recently connected with Jay Stargaard and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jay, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
2020 marked the 17th year of Stargaard Art hand-crafting one-of-a-kind metal sculptures from stainless steel, bronze, and copper. It was a year of intentional transformation for the business, necessitating an expanded mindset to embrace new possibilities. I chose to travel internationally, attending conferences and exploring art, aiming to elevate both my creativity and business.
During this time, I enrolled in a three-month online course, Trinity Initiation, which included yoga, meditation, and spirituality with Himalayan Siddha Akshar from The Oldest School of the Himalayas. At the end of the course, we had one-on-one sessions to ask personal questions. When I spoke to him, I asked, “Is there anything you can share with me that would help my business?” He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and after a moment, looked straight at me and asked, “Do you make Lotus Sculptures?” The hair on my arms stood up. Just a month prior, I had started working on a sculpture I had been dreaming about for 15 years—a Lotus. He told me that completing the sculpture would transform both me and my business.
The “Lotus Fountain” was completed in October 2023. I am not the same person who questioned the Grand Master; my art has expanded, and my business is thriving.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Stargaard Art sculptures and paintings are created to open our hearts, raise our frequency and to ignite our internal flame of passion for life. I am called Jay Stargaard, Divine Flame Alchemist. I am co-creating with Source to lovingly hand-craft stainless steel, bronze and copper into sculptures that reflect light and emanate beauty. They are designed with the purpose to open our hearts to remembering who we really are. Inspired by elemental Nature, my art comes from the heart of the earth, is cut by air, formed by flame, and cooled by water. The sculpture’s frequency is attune to the celebration of awareness and harmony of all that is. The forms help balance the feminine and masculine energies within us with ease, grace and flow. Stargaard Art creations lovingly support the magical process of transformation of our lives from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
The problems I solve for my clients often revolve around the desire to own or gift something truly unique and meaningful. Whether it’s enhancing a personal space, creating a focal point in a public area, or commemorating a significant event, our sculptures provide a lasting impact and a source of inspiration. What sets us apart is our commitment to artistic excellence and the personal connection I build with my clients. Each project is a collaborative journey, ensuring the final piece perfectly aligns with the client’s vision and surpasses their expectations.
I am most proud of a recent project, the “Lotus Fountain,” completed in October 2023. This piece is not just a sculpture but a milestone in my personal and professional growth. The creation of the Lotus Fountain was inspired by a profound spiritual experience during a course with Himalayan Siddha Akshar. He predicted that this sculpture would transform both me and my business, and indeed, it has. The completion of this project marked a significant expansion in my artistic capabilities and has been a catalyst for the thriving state of my business today.
For those getting to know Stargaard Art, I want you to know that each piece I create is a joyful labor of love, infused with a deep sense of purpose and creativity. This work is more than just art; it’s an experience of transformation and connection with ones passion. I aim to inspire, transform, evoke emotion, and bring beauty into the lives of my clients through the lovingly crafted sculptures. Whether you are a long-time follower or a new admirer, I am dedicated to bringing artistic visions to life with unparalleled craftsmanship and passion.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
This three-year creative journey of fabricating the “Lotus Fountain” began when Covid hit the world. I was scheduled to meet Grand Master Akshar in the Himalayas for my next level of training, and it was necessary to be vaccinated to fly internationally. However, the vaccine exacerbated arthritic conditions in my hands. The doctors told me I had to stop working. When they explained that the damage in my hands would prevent me from working, I was in disbelief. Creating art is my joy and livelihood, and there was no way I was going to give up my craft.
In that moment, I trusted my heart and chose to believe this was not my truth. I decided this would not stop me. The journey to complete the Lotus Fountain now included healing my hands. I traveled abroad to be with people on the leading edge of thought, healing, and creativity. This journey allowed me to start practicing in new mediums, such as mixed media collage and Augmented Reality.
It taught me about recurring themes in whatever medium I work in, guiding me to delve deeper into my passion for transformative art. I learned to alchemize what I no longer wanted into what fuels and inspires my creativity and business. Now, my body of artwork has expanded to include mixed media paintings, color and video work partnered with Augmented Reality, and I am happy and healthy. This journey has inspired new ways of looking at the world and art, and I am forever appreciative of the growth.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Non-creatives might struggle to understand the profound emotional and psychological investment involved in a creative journey. For many creatives, including myself, our work is not just a job or a hobby—it’s an essential part of our identity and a powerful source for transformation.
During the creation of the “Lotus Fountain,” I faced significant challenges, such as the debilitating effects of arthritis in my hands. To non-creatives, it might seem logical to follow the doctor’s advice and stop working. However, for me, stopping wasn’t an option. Art is my joy and my livelihood; it’s what gives my life meaning and purpose. Choosing to continue working despite the physical pain required not just resilience, but a deep connection to my passion and a belief in the healing power of creativity.
Creativity often involves a journey of self-discovery and transformation. It’s about pushing boundaries, exploring new mediums, and continually evolving. When I had to heal my hands, it wasn’t just about physical recovery—it was about reinventing my approach to art. I began exploring mixed media collage and Augmented Reality, which not only expanded my artistic repertoire but also led to personal growth and new ways of seeing the world. It gives the viewer a opportunity to witness a deeper expression of the work. It is mind-blowing to watch the paintings on the walls come alive with even more beauty.
This journey taught me that art is not just about the final product; it’s about the process and the transformation that occurs along the way. Non-creatives might struggle to understand this because, in many fields, success is measured by tangible results and efficiency. In contrast, for creatives, the journey itself is a crucial part of the experience. It involves embracing uncertainty, learning from setbacks, and finding inspiration in unexpected places.
I hope this insight helps non-creatives appreciate the depth and complexity of a creative journey. It’s a path filled with challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding and enriching. Understanding this can foster greater empathy and appreciation for the unique contributions that creatives bring to the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stargaardart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stargaardart/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stargaardart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StargaardArt
