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What if bears had cell phones? Would they do that strangely human activity and take selfies?  This piece is truly one painted completely from intuition - it started out completely abstract/non-objective.  I'm not sure where those bears came from, but it cracks me up that so many wanted to get into the picture. And then there's that red bird photo bombing!  I can't look at "Woodland Selfie" without smiling.

As I continue with my current series, I find myself looking back to paintings I did in 2014, when changes in my life were brewing, although I was consciously unaware.  There were a few - and this is one - that could be viewed as "foreshadowing" to the events that were unfolding.  One of the things I find interesting in this piece is that the bears, who for the most part are solitary animals, appeared as a group. Perhaps they were trying to get my attention! I get the feeling that this bunch of bears are here to help.

For those who recognize their animal guides, Bear is emblematic of grounding forces and strength. She has been worshiped throughout time as a powerful totem, inspiring those who need it the courage to stand up against adversity. As a spirit animal in touch with the earth and the cycles of nature, she is a powerful guide to support physical and emotional healing.

Interestingly, in Siberia, the name used to designate women shaman is the same as the word “bear”. In Northern America, in the Inuit tradition, the bear spirit animal is also connected to the shamanic tradition and women. (Read more about Bear as a spirit guide here.)

And that photo-bombing red bird? Red is a power color, and also an attention grabber. "Stop shrinking from your destiny" and ""Stop pretending you are less than" are this bird's messages.  In North America, the iconic red bird is the Cardinal, who, as a guide can help you focus, gain clarity, formulate a plan and become self-assured.  That's a lot of work for a little bird!

Messengers began as a totally different painting, and that painting was not working. I struggled, painted, scraped, painted over, gessoed, scraped back... and then suddenly, the Messengers appeared. If you look closely, you'll see words written in charcoal - some can be read, some are obscured.  These are the words that came to me once I was finally able to see what this painting was about.

The antlered figure has been showing up in my work lately, symbolic I think of higher awareness and deepened spirituality. This female figure interests me because she also has wings... perhaps to more readily carry her message to those who are receptive. The horse is representative of inner strength and driving force in life. It also can represent creative expression, an untamed part of self.

The ocean feels like the rhythm of the natural world; the sound of the waves coming to shore and receding are like the Earth breathing. I am reminded of my need to spend time by the ocean, to reconnect with Earth's pulse, as a baby is comforted by the familiar beat of its mother's heart.

This is another piece in my current series that all originate from a time in my life where I was forced to re-examine the things I took for granted. I had to let go of my preconceived notions, let go of my need to control, let go of the fear, the anger, the hurt and become like a leaf released from the safety of its mother tree to ride the wind. Fight it or go with the flow - no matter, there is change.

The images in Released were quite literally "released" from my subconscious mind, as I painted with no restriction, no need to make things "fit" or make logical sense.  Like a dream where everything is familiar, yet strangely unfamiliar, "Released" is part memory of what was, part vision of what could be, and completely in the present.

Although the time from which this painting arose was painful, I think "Released" shows  resilience, acceptance and most importantly,  joy!

This piece is part of a series I am immersed in that has its origins in a time of  feeling lost, without bearings, fraught with fear of the unknown, fear of letting go, fear of change... As I tried desperately to hold on, this painting served to remind me that Guidance comes in many forms - all one has to do is ask. 

Through out my life, Wolf and Crow have come to me to teach and guide me. In "Guidance", the third figure represents to me my higher self.

To those who have animal messengers, Crow is the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing.  Crow guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality and dispel "dis-ease" or illness. You can rest assured that when crows are around, magic is nearby and you are about to experience a change in consciousness. Crow can give you the courage to enter into the darkness of the void, which is the home of all that is not yet in form.

Wolf is a powerful totem when you are feeling lost and don't know where to go. She guides you and will be your protector as you make your journey on a new, unexplored path. As you gain inner sight wisdom, experience and confidence you will bond with Wolf. But to venture into the forest means you must be willing to face your own deepest fears.

My Higher Self is that tiny, quiet, yet insistent voice that reminds me of who I am, beyond who I appear to be. I am...  A powerful woman, strong, loving, giving, flexible with deep roots, reaching back to my Ancestors. A creative entity, tapped into the Universal Truth.

The red background is a Universal power color, full of energy, wisdom and strength. The Sun and the Moon are aspects of self - that which is in view, that which is veiled.

This is the first piece I have completed, start to finish, in my new house/studio.  After months and months of struggles on all fronts: emotional, relational, mental, spiritual, physical, I finally feel that I have arrived in a good place, a place that feels like home.

As I do with most of my paintings, I began this one with no clear idea of what it would "become". I just explore colors, lines, shapes, layer upon layer, sometimes covering the canvas with gesso, obliterating whats underneath, sometimes wiping off the gesso so the underlying layer emerges, like a landscape is revealed as the fog lifts. Somewhere in all this process, an image emerges from the layers of subconscious thought. Having just spent months deeply immersed in redefining many aspects of self,  Medicine Horse was born, with his spiritual companion, Crow.

Crow is the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing. In any healing circle, Crow is there. Crow guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality and dispel "dis-ease" or illness. You can rest assured that when crows are around, magic is nearby and you are about to experience a change in consciousness. Crow can give you the courage to enter into the darkness of the void, which is the home of all that is not yet in form.

Horse symbolizes the wind, loyalty, devotion, unconditional love, friendship and companionship.  His medicine includes power, stamina, endurance, loyalty, freedom of mobility, control of the environment, awareness of power achieved with true compliance, inter-species communication, expanding one’s own latent abilities, friendship and cooperation, astral travel, guardian of travelers, warns of possible danger, guide to overcoming obstacles. He is also your warrior spirit, giving safety in your physical and metaphysical journeys.

"Medicine Horse" is available  unframed on 1.5" gallery wrapped canvas with painted edges, ready to hang.