Alchemy at John Palmer Gallery; Houston, Texas. Photography: Bogdan Mihai
Alchemy
Alchemy, a solo exhibition, encompassed a series of mixed-media works inspired by the novel The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. Each painting embodies the process of alchemy, the transmutation of metal into gold—while also symbolizing various references from the epic story of a hero’s journey. The Alchemist has sold over 150 million copies worldwide, has been translated into more than 80 languages, and has spent hundreds of weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. After taking the leap of faith to pursue her dream to become a full-time artist, AVM dedicated this art series to honoring the book that placed her on the path to pursuing her ‘Personal Legend.’
“Wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.”
AVM Hawkins, Alchemy Solo Exhibition at John Palmer Art Gallery. Photography: Grady Carter.
“The first time I learned about the book, The Alchemist, I was in my final year of law school. I showed a co-worker some photos of my art, and he asked me if I ever read the book. I told him ‘no.’ And then he said, ‘You should read that book.’”
Alchemy Solo Exhibition. Photography: Bogdan Mihai.
Alchemy is the process of transforming metal into gold. An alchemist is a person who has the ability to perform this transformation. Symbolically, alchemy represents the process of manifestation—transforming thoughts and dreams into reality. Each painting undergoes multiple sessions and layers of mixed media and paint to transform the canvas into gold, representing the metamorphosis of a modern, unassuming material, such as canvas or wood, into something beautiful and extremely valuable.
Alchemy, 2021, AVM Hawkins, 74 (H) x 51 (W) inches, Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Gold Leaf Spray Paint & Mixed Media on Canvas.
Alchemy is the featured painting from AVM’s solo exhibition, Alchemy. It is the largest piece in the series and contains the most transformation of metal into gold. The blue represents royalty, wealth, and the discovery of one’s treasure. The central message within the work—hidden beneath the layers and revealed on the canvas—are the words “the pursuit.” The treasure lies within the pursuit, not in the treasure itself.
Alchemy Process Photos
Alchemy began as a large, unrolled canvas tacked onto AVM’s studio wall. She painted directly on the canvas with acrylic paint, using a spray bottle to create drips as the first primary layer. AVM then added several layers of texture, creating her own version of papier-mâché by tearing recycled paper, saturating it in water, and applying glue. After each layer dried and hardened, she applied a layer of paint—either more acrylic or spray-painted gold leaf. In certain areas, AVM added additional layers of texture to capture the alchemistic process in real time. The bluish sections reveal the original canvas, showcasing the full metamorphosis of the work from canvas into gold.
Words Within the Painting
“To find hope + sanity in the process...in the journey, the treasure is not in some far out place...it’s not the pyramids, it’s not Fatima. It’s not the Alchemist. It’s not success. It’s not gold, money, safety or wealth. It’s not sex, power, influence or sheep...It’s not achievement, it’s not a location. It’s not status, reputation. Your treasure is the pursuit.”
Alchemy
AVM Hawkins
Original
74 (H) x 51(W) inches with a 1.5 inch edge.
Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Gold Leaf Spray Paint + Mixed Media on Canvas.
Hidden messages
When incorporating verbiage into the work, the words are not premeditated but emerge spontaneously, as if AVM is writing in a diary. Regardless of whether the words remain visible, their energy permeates the piece, often becoming its central essence. These hidden messages, over time, are forgotten and then rediscovered when the moment is right, conveying their meaning to the intended recipient.
AVM Hawkins, Alchemy at John Palmer Art Gallery. Photography: Grady Carter.
“I feel like the messages are always for me—a lesson I need to learn and apply to my own life. I know what I’m meant to do, but I become distracted and forget as life progresses. The message in Alchemy is a reminder of what truly matters in life. Life is about the journey. It is about the pursuit. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the journey. Love and appreciate everyone you meet along the way.”
Alchemy Solo Exhibition at John Palmer Art Gallery; Houston, Texas.
Since early 2019, AVM envisioned creating an exceptional series of work inspired by the highly inspirational and transformative book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Alchemy is the process of transforming metal into gold, and also, symbolically, transforming dreams into reality. This series contains several layers upon layers of mixed media, paint, metallic silver, copper, rose gold and gold leaf spray paint to transform the canvas into metal and gold. Each work of art, represents the transformation of a modern unassuming material, such as canvas or wood, into something so much more.
works In private collections
Price sheet for Alchemy, available upon request.
To request price sheet, email AVM at AVMHawkinsArt@gmail.com.