Every once in a great while, we encounter a situation that reminds us that the world is a very mysterious place, so inter-connected and magical than we can’t actually wrap our heads around what we see or experience.

Last week, on her usual morning beach walk, artist friend Julia CR Gray found herself smack at the center of a remarkable encounter that seems almost too extraordinary to be true. During a walk along the Cardiff-By-The-Sea shoreline, Julia discovered an octopus in distress in the grasps of a gull and became part of a rescue that unfolded into an unforgettable exchange of trust, intuition and what we can only describe as gratitude between the sculptor who loves the coast and creature who calls it home. We found this experience profound, so electric and emotional and it just resonated so we wanted to share.

What makes the story even more astonishing is— back in her studio, Julia had recently completed a series of her ceramic torso sculptures featuring octopus imagery, a new subject on her SHE torsos. On the day she met the octopus, a load of bisque fired sculptures were cooling down in her studio kiln. Three of the clay forms had sculpted octopuses on them. This experience surely adds a serious nature connection to her new Octopus SHE series. The universe is incredible, especially when it drops packaged gifts like this. As the new work sat cooling, an octopus quite literally entered her life. Coincidence or fate? Artists know better than most that inspiration often arrives before understanding. Julia’s encounter is nothing short of magical. See the link below to watch her video. It’s as if she knew what the octopus needed, wanted and she made the assist.

Julia's work has long been rooted in coastal motifs, observation with a strong reverence for the natural world and female strength. This week, as her artistic achievements were being celebrated, the universe seemed to offer a reminder that creativity, intuition, and connection are often intertwined in ways we cannot explain.

We are thrilled to celebrate both Julia's recent honors —

Divine SHE was awarded 1st place Sculpture and Best Of Show in the San Diego Fair Fine Art Exhibition and this extraordinary story. Julia says it is
“one that feels less like an event and more like a gift.”

Julia’s story:

I recently had an amazing synchronistic encounter with an octopus. An octopus let me save him. During my sunrise beach walk ritual I saw a seagull with something large hanging from his beak. When I realized it was an octopus, I ran towards the gull. He held his ground until the last moment, then dropped the octopus on the sand.

I put my hand out and the octopus climbed onto it. I ran forward to the water and let him into it. A small wave lapped over him, but rather than swimming away, he came back out of the water towards me. I put my hand down again and he climbed back into it.

I realized he needed shelter. I walked quickly up the beach where the reef was exposed. This time when I put him in the water he swam away from me. He found a seaweed-filled crevice to camouflage in.

I don’t know if I called the octopus or he called me. But the connection felt meaningful to me and I definitely felt joy and grace from the experience. Meaningful coincidences shape both my concept and my relationship with the clay. On the day I met the octopus, a load of bisque fired sculptures were cooling down in the kiln. Three of the sculptures had sculpted octopuses on them. This experience has added a deeper feeling of ocean connection to the new Octopus SHE series.

See her video of this lucky octopus here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYnP-GiS7zx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Two of Julia’s SHE The Power of Protest torsos are available in our ART MARKET and you can peruse her website for more.

Special thank you to Julia for sharing her story with our readers.

When Art Predicts Life, Julia CR Gray, An Octopus Encounter

Artists Supporting Artists. If you build it, they will come…