The Kuc’s – Yorkshire Artists, Shamanic Crafts – Workshops #Video #Interview by Tiffany Belle Harper

Introducing Nel Kuc Wenek and Marcin Jaguar Kuc – Husband and wife who reside in a stunning nook of the Yorkshire Dales. On the edge of West Yorkshire amidst rambling, rustical countryside, un-spoilt by progress you will find Addingham Moorside. Miles upon miles of breath-taking Yorkshire scenery. Sheep roaming freely. Horses grazing on abundant land. Breath taking views and crisp, fresh air.

Nel and Marcin live an ā€˜Eco friendly’ lifestyle with their two children. Set in a farm environment they enjoy the simplest things to include a supply of stream water in replacement of recycled water at a cost. They’ve a vegetable patch where they implement a vegan diet with freshly grown produce, not to mention roaring open fires.

The Kuc’s now have workshop space where they indulge their own crafts together with having facilities for those sharing alternative artistry and vision during get together’s amidst their idyllic settings and space.

Whilst chatting I could hear the creaks of nature working with their space as the wind rocked the static dwelling. Rain hitting the roof. Acres of open land providing the most panoramic views of the natural environment. Simply charming …

Marcin’s space is a wooden outbuilding attached to the static dwelling. It reminds me of The Hobbit scenario. It could have been centuries before, yet still not looked or felt any different. Man made tools. A chi-manga fire. Twigs and bark hanging from the rafter, ready to create shamanic instruments for those who’ve discovered the magic of his skillful craftsmanship.

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I myself recently commissioned my own shamanic rattle. It just appealed. I spotted one online via Facebook Marcin had crafted for another, where I immediately decided I should have one too. All of Marcin’s crafts are made to order.

Marcin telling me, ā€˜ I like to feel and engage with the customer … I sense their energy, then I work to create something especially for them.’

Marcin currently crafts shamanic rattles and drums. There’s something so very primitive and grounding about having our own instruments to make or enhance music. It’s a great way to bond and connect with our true origin. With the earth, sky, the elements. Sound is an important part of those vibrations of connection. I do feel sad that with technology many of us have become somewhat ignorant to our sense of oneness with nature.

That’s why I felt so compelled to visit the Kuc’s and present their journey to others, as people such as these are so hard to come by in general terms.

Hidden away in Yorkshire up in the hills living lives of conservation and gratitude. Making good use of all things natural.

After a beautiful supper of roasted vegetables and fresh salad leaves grown from the garden. Nel Kuc Wenek showed me her newly acquired space. They’ve taken over an outbuilding near their home where they offer ā€˜guests’ and ā€˜workshop hosts’ the opportunity to get involved.

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This is also where Nayamoon Art (Nel’s artwork) is created. Nel fascinates me. She’s the most beautiful Goddess, inside and out. NelĀ draws (channels) from her intuition in such detail. I’ve not seen anything quite like it. I discovered Nel a while ago when a mutual friend introduced us. I was taken to her home to see the paintings for which I’d heard so much.

For the first moments of viewing her visionary art pieces, I was silent. It’s impossible to describe what Nel produces from this imagery she creates (mostly) at night. Nel telling me she works best with the moon light and sometimes when she wakes the next day – she herself is surprised by what her journey into the galactic hemisphere manifested.

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Nel began to work in a shamanic way, with the ground, Earth, Mother Nature but with time and consistency now works on star levels too. Creating impressions of her vision that go way beyond life as ‘many’ of us perceive?

Such colour and vivid detail. Incorporating sacred geometry with animals, embellishments and divine archetypes. I just don’t know how any of her work could have the right monetary value, as to me, they’re priceless.

Nayamoon Art are available for commissions. Also providing an affordable range of prints, cards and tapestries. By looking at Nel’s work some will resonate more than others. I suppose it’s just a case of what colours, impressions and messages jump out at you. Whilst my focus tends to be drawn to animals – for others it could be fertility or ascension. Or maybe symbols, colours and perspective will appeal more to your eye?

I’m honoured to have experienced the opportunity to speak with both Nel and Marcin about their passions, where I’ve created a short film about each of them. You’ll see for yourself their individual charisma and dedication for what they do. They compliment one another perfectly and are leading what I can only describe as the perfect life for love. A love of all things natural and of course, one another. A balance the modern world can all too often over look.

I’m soon attending one of their workshops hosted by two artists who originate from Poland. I’m keen to see whether I do actually have any painting skills or is it wishful thinking? I’d love to expand the more tangible side of my connection with elements. We shall see and I’ll keep you posted.

I asked for a journey and I’m certainly on it. I do feel that Yorkshire is sometimes a ‘forgotten’ part of our world that waits to be explored … by me, for you!

I’d like to thank Marcin Jaguar Kuc and Nel Kuc Wenek for their warm and sincere hospitality. Plus, dear son ā€˜Nathaniel’ aged 2 for picking me a radish from the garden and being a great host, also!

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Peace … Namaste.

Tiffany Belle Harper

 

 

Hope Pastures Sanctuary #Leeds for Equines by Tiffany Aid’#Video #Feature

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Hope Pastures Sanctuary

Hope Pastures, situated in Leeds – West Yorkshire, rescue, rehabilitate and re-home abused and mistreated equines, to include horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

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My first impression was how clean and well kept the facilities are. There’s no admission fee, plenty of parking and a place to enjoy refreshments. There’s also a small shop where you can buy locally made gifts, cards, stationery and other bits and pieces.

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You’ll find an attractive court yard with a stable area where each partition has fresh, clean straw and blankets for its four legged guests. Plenty of hands on volunteers that can be identified by their dark green tee-shirts.

I was also impressed to discover Hope Pastures encourage open days for team building exercises. I love this idea. During my visit, Barclays Bank had several employees helping to cultivate local fields used by the rescued equines.

Most of the animals who arrive at Hope Pastures have been beaten, starved or simply neglected. It would be fair to say, it’s heart breaking to imagine how anyone can be so wicked to these docile creatures that thrive with sense of purpose to mankind.

Hope Pastures Sanctuary for equines aim to educate people in animal welfare. Encouraging community to meet and spend time with the equines. They welcome school and group visits too and are also prepared to take ponies out on therapeutic visits.

How about planning your children’s birthday party as a pony day! I can’t think of anything lovelier. The young need to be outdoors thriving with nature. This is surely more preferential than sticking them round tables in some burger bar making them high on additives with a load of junk food.

Imagine the scene … group picnic, ponies, tying ribbons in their manes. The young being at one with the great outdoors. Whilst at the same time supporting a wonderful cause in the community.

I was shown around the extensive and well kept grounds by Phil – a trustee, who is passionate about the work Hope Pastures offer to neglected and abused animals. He told me new homes are carefully vetted before any of the equines are able to leave. I was particularly relieved to here that the equines always remain the property of Hope Pastures. That if things don’t work out for whatever reason, the sanctuary immediately take them back. Hope Pastures work closely with those providing new shelter to ascertain the equines have the quality of Ā ā€˜new life’ they deserve.

It’s hard to accept that since we no longer rely on horses and ponies to assist us in transportation, they’ve almost been cast to one side. Before the motor car horses were essential to share communication and expand outside of our immediate environment. To broaden, learn and make progress. During these times they were ‘mostly’ valued. Just the way we value the upkeep of a car, bus or working vehicle. Equines were essential working tools – an essential part of our goals. Horses are also our forgotten war heroes. Now, sadly due to surplus of requirement, animal cruelty is at an all time high.

Ponies, horses and donkeys are not toys. People need to understand that having land is not enough to take on responsibility of equines. They thrive best in a group, they’re heard creatures and they can become very lonely if left, un-stimulated to just exist. Also ponies and donkeys are not starter pets. Children can be very cruel to animals and it is work of parents and carers to educate the young in how to treat our animal kingdom.

Many equines do not have the good fate of rescue such as Hope Pastures and are often sent to market where they can end up ā€˜for instance’ Ā in France facing imminent slaughter and be nothing more than dog food. A harsh contrast to the life they should have.

It really is quite upsetting to see the animals at their best then visualise how things were at their worst. Rescue is so imperative. Volunteers giving their free time for the salvation of equines that would otherwise ā€˜in many cases’ be dead or suffering extreme emotional and physical abuse.

Hope Pastures are funded entirely by public donations. They rely on us ‘the public’ for their work to continue. I was ‘not’ surprised to learn the sanctuary currently need Ā£8,500 per month to run the sanctuary. The upkeep does not come cheap. Food, vet and medical costs, bedding, shelter and overheads.

There are various ways we can help. Here’s a few:

Become a volunteer in the visitor centre, on the yard or at events, fetes and fairs.

Be a fundraiser and set up your own event for Hope Pastures.

Donate quality goods such as raffle prizes, blankets, good quality items for fetes and fairs.

Sell for them on Ebay or donate a percentage of your sales to Hope Pastures.

Buy from Hope Pastures Amazon Wishlist where the goods are delivered straight to the sanctuary.

Visit Hope Pastures and make a donation.

Adopt a donkey or pony for just £15 per year (a great gift idea.)

Finally … spread the word. Tell your friends and family all about Hope Pastures and the wonderful things they do for horses, donkeys, mules and ponies. They want to be our friends, they want to love us and need our support, more than ever!

For more information please visit the Hope Pasture website or phone 0113 261 4344.

Hope Pastures – Weetwood Lane – Leeds – LS16 5PH

Email: info.hopepastures@gmail.com

You can find all of this and more by visiting the Hope Pastures website right now.

Tiffany Belle Harper