Psychedelic Art Series: States of Consciousness

What if… there was another reality out there?

Let’s go on a journey beyond the mind – where the world as we know it dissolves.

Are you ready to enter the birthplace of magic?

Welcome to the world of psychedelics.

Ayahuasca • Cannabis • Kambo • LSD •
Magic Mushrooms • Peyote • Free Spirit

A trippy portrait of a woman with psychedelic patterns on her face.

“This is dedicated to you, my friend,
and to all the Brave Souls who have entered the door in the wall,
only to find themselves on the other side.”

― Psil Silva, The Psychedelic Trip Journal

Psychedelic art showing two women holding up a bowl of Ayahuasca as jungle visions appear around them.

About the Ayahuasca Artwork

About Ayahuasca: This Amazonian plant medicine is a brew of jungle vines and Chacruna leaves combined. Only together do they release the psychoactive effects of DMT.

About the artwork: Ayahuasca is often referred to as ‘la abuela’ (grandmother), as the experience is characterized by a loving, feminine flow of energy. Among the most frequently occurring visions are tropical fauna, geometrical patterns, and wild animals. Especially the snake and jaguar play an important role in communicating with our inner world. The snake is seen as a messenger of rebirth and transformation. The jaguar serves as a powerful guardian, symbolizing strength and confidence.

Psychedelic artwork showing the typical preparation of the Indian drink Bhang with cannabis plants in the background.

About the Cannabis Artwork

About Cannabis: Most people are familiar with marihuana for recreational use, however, its entheogenic attributes also make it a powerful healing plant.

About the artwork: In India, cannabis has been used traditionally to prepare Bhang. It is an edible mixture that plays an important role in religious Hindu practices and Ayurvedic medicine. Bhang is believed to cure physical ailments but is also used to worship the God of Transformation, Shiva. He is said to have descended to earth to give cannabis as a gift to humanity. The Indian Vedas, sacred scriptures of Hinduism, describe cannabis as a “source of happiness,” a “joy giver,” and a “liberator.”

A psychedelic painting that shows an indigenious warrior with a Kambo frog on his shoulder and burn marks on his arm.

About the Kambo Artwork

About Kambo: During a Kambo cleansing, the venom of the Kambo frog is applied to small skin burns, resulting in strong purgative effects. It is not hallucinogenic.

About the artwork: This piece embodies the warrior spirit of the frog medicine. Kambo challenges you to let go of what no longer serves you. It helps to clear the cloud of negative energy and adversity gathered over time, which Brazilian natives refer to as ‘Panema’. Traditionally, indigenous hunters used it to increase their stamina and face harsh conditions. Through its powerful cathartic process, undergoing a Kambo ceremony strengthens the mind, body, and spirit.

Psychedelic art that shows Albert Hoffman, the scientist who discovered LSD, on his famous Bicycle Day trip.

About the LSD Artwork

About LSD: LSD is a synthetically produced hallucinogen, usually consumed through little paper squares containing the substance (blotter).

About the artwork: LSD was – accidentally – discovered by the Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman. To test the substance, he took what he considered a small dose. As he rode home on his bike, accompanied by his assistant, the highly potent drug fully unfolded its mind-altering effects. Not prepared for the experience, he shifted through states of physical discomfort and mental horror. Only later on, he got to enjoy the kaleidoscope of visions and the experience of another reality. A new psychedelic was born – and ever since, this day is commemorated as Bicycle Day.

This illustration depicts the Mexican shaman Maria Sabina working with magic mushrooms.

About the Magic Mushrooms Artwork

About mushrooms: What makes some mushrooms ‘magic’ is the naturally occurring component Psilocybin, resulting in a hallucinogenic experience.

About the artwork: This piece is an homage to the Mexican shaman Maria Sabina. The healer lived in the mountains of Oaxaca and dedicated her life to helping people through sacred mushroom ceremonies. Maria Sabina used mushrooms to cure and to open the gates between the human and the divine. Her work came to the attention of foreign researchers, which subsequently led to a rise in popularity of magic mushrooms among Westerners. Sadly, they did not always pay due respect to the ancient rituals and medicine. I hope this artwork can spread awareness for Maria Sabina’s transformative work and a tribute to all indigenous healers.

This artwork represents hunters collecting Peyote after being led there by the blue deer (venado azul).

About the Peyote Artwork

About Peyote: Peyote, also known as Hikuri, is a small cactus indigenous to North America. It contains the psychoactive substance mescaline.

About the artwork: Kauyumaria, a blue deer, is the spirit that guided the native people of Wixarikas, protectors of Peyote, into the desert. Legend has it that young hunters were sent out to save the starving tribe. After days without luck, a blue deer appeared to them. As they followed it, the deer itself transformed to Peyote. The young hunters took the plants back to their village and reported the elders what they saw. When they consumed the planets, their physical hunger was taken away, their spiritual thirst cured. Since then, the Wixarikas honor the sacred medicine by undertaking a yearly pilgrimage to the desert and sitting with Peyote.

About the Free Spirit Artwork

About the artwork: It was important to me to state that you do not need to take psychedelic or mind-altering substances to achieve different states of consciousness. Some people may never feel called to psychedelics, and that is alright. You do not need them to go on a spiritual journey.

However, many ancient techniques, such as meditation and breathwork, can lead to equally powerful results as psychedelics. All of the above are tools to enter a higher level of consciousness – no matter how you get there, there is only one underlying message. Your spirit longs to be free.

My psychedelic art is available as prints & t-shirts.

If you would like to bring the spirit of psychedelics into your everyday life, you will love these Fine Art Prints and T-Shirts.

Shopping for more than just yourself? If you are e.g. a festival or psytrance event organizer, message me here to talk about possible discounts.

Behind the ‘States of Consciousness’ series

Psychedelic Art to expand your mind

I am Anna, the artist behind Where Wonder Waits. Psychedelics have been an integral part of my spiritual journey. That is why I want to bring attention to their healing potential through psychedelic art.

This series has been created over the course of months and carefully takes into account the character, effects, and history of each substance portrayed.

I made those psychedelic artworks for you: Psychonauts, truth-seekers, and all those daring to go beyond the confines of the ordinary mind.