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Friday, December 16, 2011

Interview with a Star, Maria from russianfineart

When you visit the russianfineart shop on Etsy you will immediately be intrigued by either their paintings, wonderful embroidered pillows or a bunches of sage offered by Maria, the owner of the shop. What's behind this? We'd like to know! So we contacted Maria and she told us more about herself and her magical sage.
Please welcome, Maria from russianfineart shop.
 I was born in the city of Saint Petersburg, the Venice of the North, where I was surrounded by the environment rich in art and culture. I was connected to theatre since both of my parents were actors. I performed as an actress on stage and as an acrobat in circus from early on. I always enjoyed theatre, museums and my cultural life.

When I grew up my life took an unexpected turn. I left my native Russia and moved to the other side of the world, to Vancouver, British Columbia, where I now live with my son.

I was alone in the new city where I began to learn new things. This new city was nothing like the place where I came from, but yet I found beauty in it. For the first time I saw mountains and beautiful forest landscapes. I started to connect more and more with nature, learning about different animals and plants. I learned about native people whose culture I found so fascinating.
I traveled to small towns in British Columbia where I met true native people. These people were very open, simple and had kind hearts, even though many of them were very poor. They needed to work very hard just to get their food, and yet their souls were pure, free from conceitedness and greediness. Their spirits shined with warmth and kindness.

I learned many things from them as well as began to understand and connect with nature more. I realized that nature gives us everything we need: sun gives us energy; rain cools the soil down and gives it water; plants give us food, heal and treat us. It is a true magic. There are many plants that heal people, their minds or making their weak hearts strong. 

 The most magic plant of all is sage which also means wisdom. There are various types of species of sage (salvia) which grow all over the world and used for many different purposes.

It comes from mint family, same with lavender, basil and other herbs. The scent is not the same as lavender or mint, but in the way it is similar. Russian or Ukrainian sage looks completely different from the sage which grows in North America. It looks more like lavender and has blue flowers. It is also used for different purposes, mostly in medicine. Greek sage also looks and even smells different. It has small leaves which are in oval shape and reminds me more of olive leaves. I believe that Greeks mostly use their sage in cooking.
I pick my sage in British Columbia in one valley reserved by native people. It is truly a magic place and I like to call it a paradise. It is used in medicine to salve soars and as tea to treat colds or coughs. Now because of its aromatic smell, it is used as a home fragrance, usually placed in a clothing drawer or a closet. Native American people also call this plant “cancer-weed” and use it in medicine to treat cancer. Now their main purpose is to tie it in bundles and burn the smudge sticks to clean one’s spirit and get rid of negative energy.


I believe that geographic location is one of the factors which are important to know about the plant, the atmosphere and the care surround it is another.

Maria from russianfineart

31 comments:

MariyaArts said...

This is so inspiring!
In my garden also grows basil, salvia, mint and thyme.
They smell really superb.

Danielle said...

Fascinating and interesting interview! Well done Maria!

Artistic Creations Maui said...

The interview was wonderful. Maria has a great Esty Shop!

Cat said...

Bravo Maria!! ...such wise words you speak and it is wonderful that you have learned so much about nature as it is not easy for a person who has come from a large city to find nature. It seems that you have and that you are helping others to know the powers of it. Bravo, bravo!!

Cat

TonyaUtkina said...

Such an fantastic post! I've learned so much today! I grow lavander and sage and some other herbs and often use them at home.

Cindy at PineBranchDesigns.Etsy.Com said...

Engaging and interesting! Beautiful photography, too!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PineBranchDesigns

Karen said...

This is a super blog and I just love it. Very informative. Thank you for sending me the link.

Karen

Anonymous said...

Beautiful interview, Maria! Herbal medicine is so valid in our life, too. Steve an I grow and use our herbs routinely, for so many purposes. We also have at least five different sage varieties in our gardens, but Maria, yours are so very beautiful and bountiful!

Anonymous said...

Loved the article. You are very inspiring. I knew you are great artist and make beautiful set dec for theatre, but this is something new I learned about you today. Sure will read all your articles from now on. All the best

Unknown said...

that is an amasing life and vision of that all! Maria you are fantastic person! Good luck with your work and life in Canada!!!))

Unknown said...

you are the best Maria. You are perfect; and your life is amazing! Good luck in everything where you are!!!

Anonymous said...

Maria, This is lovely, so glad you were featured!! You have a great etsy shop!!
Cammie

Lena said...

Nice to meet you. Great post!!!

Elisaveta Sivas said...

Thanks for sharing your story Maria!
Such an interesting information!

Rabbit Hollow Prims said...

Great interview love the history behind the sage :)

Sirena said...

What great information about sage. Thank you Maria.

Jacki said...

Maria, It is so wonderful for you to share your life and experiences with us. I wish you the best!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Maria! What a great article and really informative. I learned quite a few things!! I love your Etsy shop :>)

Paul

Minna / Vietto said...

Oh, this is great! I didn't actually know that sage is salvia, I love salvia! :)
Lovely story, thank you so much for sharing it, Maria!
Greetings from Helsinki, Finland!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting, I realy like herbs and their smell.

Ina-Leris

Rosalind said...

This is a lovely article Maria! I certainly learned more about sage (which always reminds me of the beauty of Big Sur, California). I adore the items you have in your shop and wish you much success!
Best,
Rosalind xx

Ande said...

So beautiful and inspiring....a life that is so authentic...I can totally appreciate such a wonderful lifestyle. Its really neat to hear about this and I would love to learn more about herbs and plants healing and magical properties.
Wishing you the best,
Ande

Anonymous said...

Hi Maria,
I just read your article and now I can smell herbs!
Lovely interview! Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you all the best,
Susanne

Jameela/BohemianEarth said...

What a lovely story! Best wishes and much success to you, Maria.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and inspiring article! I knew you when you were a little girl and you were always interesting and unique. Your art represents your personality very well. Love the paintings!

Vera Marina

88 editions aka K Tankersley said...

I used to know sage and somehow I lost my connection with it. Thanks so much for sharing the truth of the bounty of the universe--I feel renewed and full of heart.

cindy said...

Hi Maria,

This is so beautiful. I live in New Mexico where there are a lot of native people. I have used smudge sticks in the past to cleanse myself and my home. We have it growing wild on our property, we live in the mountains. I'll bring it in fresh to freshen the house it smells so good!

Cindy Otte

Irina said...

Beautiful story about an amazing person! Very refreshing and inspiring too. Thank you for sharing with me!

And a great picture!!!

lena said...

Hi maria, beautiful story.I did not know sage is so wonderful and magical.thanks so much for the info. this story is so inspiring.
people like you are just what we need in the world today.


lena from etsy

Tina Solar of Solar Flair Boutique said...

I love sage. This is a very interesting article, I learned so much about it. Maria is very knowledgeable. I just love her pillows on Etsy, she is quite a talented lady! Bravo, keep up the good work.

Toozoo said...

Beautiful,inspiring amazing article. I can actually smell the aroma of sage in her words. I have been in a cottage spa where they burn the sage sticks, but we know sage is very powerful in natural healing. Wonderful, power article! Thank you!

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