When I think of bravery, women always come to mind.

Women are brave in caring for their loved ones; brave in how they carry out their work; brave in love and war;  brave in transitioning the end of life. Women are the greatest creation in humanity.

Celebrate all women in your life! Learn about how Women’s History Month came into existence (click on links) and Happy Women’s History Month!

Work in Progress is shown below: part of the small and large scale goddesses I’m working on.

It is done! What began as night pacing (see my December 6, 2009 blog post); has culminated into the finale.

I am now in that stage where the crescendo has ended. I have the feeling of not being anchored; I am adrift, until I delve into the next project.  Of course, I’ll sketch and create, but it is a different energy than being possessed by a painting screaming to get out!

Sometimes the best way to describe the creative zone, would be mania, crescendo, then an anti-climatic feeling sets in, finally a sadness that it’s over; and then peace,

but…then it starts all over again.

Remember to nurture your body, mind and spirit and being adrift may mean letting go of control.

I want to thank you all who continue to support me, I feel loved. Peace to everyone.

(Mixed-Media/paper - “O’s Totem” - 22″x30″ Copyright 2010 Indigene)

Some of the details of my Work-In-Progress contain various symbols and snakes are one of them.

Some cultures hold snakes in high esteem while other cultures despised them. There are cultures that associated snakes with medicinal powers or rebirth, such as the modern medical symbol of two snakes wrapped around a staff.

The Judeo-Christian culture does not hold snakes or serpent in a kind light. The biblical tales of the Garden of Eden and the serpent’s role in “tempting woman to trick man into the fall from God’s grace” have contributed to the negative images of snakes in western culture.  This deep rooted cultural biases accounts in part for the widespread of fear and disdain of snakes.  Myths, legends, and folk tales contribute to the misinformation and add to the snake’s negative imagery.

Cultures are as valid as the people who come from them and as with all living entities, there are positive and negative aspects, snakes are no different.

The imagery of the snakes in the details of this portrait embrace the concept of healer, rebirth and revitalization.

I’m sure that this spiritual portrait will be serve as a conversation piece, dependent upon the view or viewers!

Usually, I do not show my work in progress, (it is often a muddy or murky process);

But, since I do photograph the progress for my own records, I’m merging my inner work with my outer practice more in 2010. So in trusting my own process, I believe it has to be a sharing process, albeit a scary one!

Currently, I’m working on a portrait of someone, who is so full of love and compassion, “to be of service to others,” her own words, is her soul’s ministry. I’m doing this portrait based on poetry of hers, dreams and symbols that correlates with this individual. I want this portrait to be an expression of her inner self, a snapshot of her inner world and indicator of her spirit. I’ve combined her offerings of self with my vision, feelings and personal expression to create an overall sense of this person.

Whether it is a portrait or not, it is always a process of self discovery.  I’ll be doing this over several posts…

I’m just getting back from Arizona! The Grand Canyon was amazing as was seeing my son and spending time with family! It was a wonderful vacation!

Happy New Year & Peace to everyone!

For you, fine artist bloggers, I’ve found another great place for professional artists to network and to promote themselves. No, pFAn (their acronym) is not paying me for the advertising plug, I think of it as another way to promote yourself, if you’re an artist and it’s free until the end of the year! We artists, who are depending on our livelihood, should check it out. I’m an artist that shares and every artist has something to share and the world is big enough for all of us to do so.

Professional Artist Network is a networking index for fine artists and consultants working in the hospitality, healthcare, corporate and public art sectors.

It is located at: http://professionalfineartnetwork.blogspot.com

Here is my Member Profile:

Member Profile - Indigene Gaskin

Website/Blog: http://indigeneart.com
“Illuminating the black and white of life with vivid color”

For Originals, Commissions or illustrations, contact: indigene@indigenart.com

Mugs, Totes & More at:http://www.cafepress.com/indigeneart

For various print sizes, framed Prints and more:http://Indigene.imagekind.com/

My art process is a transformative blending of materials, light and spiritual intent. My creations are a healing meditation, a living gateway that combines the varied language of symbolism. The finished painting is usually 10-20 layers of sheer color with delicate glazes. The artistic techniques are a fusion of many traditional forms of creating art.

(Painting: Oil/Canvas; 30″x40″ Commission)

I’m in the studio finishing up Autumn projects and basking in the glow of Fall’s fabulous, beautiful and rich colors.

Enjoy everyday of this season!!  Peace to you all.

Bella Sinclair Award - This award is a token of inspiration for other artists out there to continue sharing their wonderful talent because there are people out there who truly cares.

Yoon See is an incredibly thoughtful and sweet artist, and her work is shines with her personality, brilliance and fun. She has so many different and wonderful styles!

******

I received the Bella Sinclair Award on the left from Cheryl Lynn, a phenomenal woman woman who’s loving spirit snatches you right up from the start! So Cheryl, my dear, thank you, thank you!

The award was created by Ces ,for Bella Sinclair who is a wonderful artist whose husband passed away June, 2009. Ces is an artist who’s work makes you drool over a pen!

Cheryl Lynn graciously passed this award on to me, which she received from Vanessa Brantley Newton, who’s love and humor, brings me to my knees with laughter often! Vanessa gave this award to me also!

I was looking through my comment section this week and realized I also received this award from Art Fan Ako who just joined the world of the art blogsphere in May, 2009 and taking it by storm, I might add!

Finally, but never least I received the award on the right from Bella Sinclair in October, 2008, and for some reason, I missed it! While scrolling through Bella’s blog, because I missed her lovely spirit, I saw that Bella gave me the award last year and that award was created and given to Bella by Yoon See!

I love being an artist! (Yes, it’s because I’m “OCD” and there wasn’t anything else I could do to enjoy life) But, more importantly it has drawn me in a circle of artist bloggers, who are creative geniuses with monstrous talent, and I’m just happy visiting their blog!

So, in keeping with this sharing and caring lovefest, I pass these awards along to folks that are in my chain of caring:

Adrienne Trafford’s Blog

Kathy Hare Illustration

Nancy Lefko’s Beautiful Collage Art

Roberta Baird’s A Mouse in the House

Studio Lolo

ValGal Art: Illustration

Bjornik’s Pen/Ink

Teri’s Painted Daisies

If you’ve made in this far in reading this chain of care, please by all means you sincerely should add your name to the list! Peace to you all.

I’m back!

I needed a break from writing for a while. I will start blogging again at Illustration Friday, starting tomorrow. I’m a little rusty, but hopefully, practice will help!

Thank you wonderful friends, for checking in on me. I want to start my welcome back with a thank you to the lovely Madonna Davidoff for her sweet award! Thank you Madonna (www.madonnaart.com), it looks like you had a fabulous trip!

There are so many lovely blogs out there, I couldn’t think of only (15) to pass it along to, so I ask all my blog friends and you know who you are, to come by and pick up this award!

YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST!

Peace always…:)

Thank you all for your wonderful messages and prayers!

These are somewhat difficult times for me in so many areas and I need some time to just think, weep and process.

I just wanted to say a “BIG THANK YOU” to all those who have written and/or called me. Please forgive me for not getting back to you in a timely fashion. I have taken some time off and expect to be back soon. Thank you again!

May peace surround you and all that you touch.