I love exploring the spirituality of the forgotten feminine, be it in dreams, myths, or truths hidden in mysterious legends. It is one of the things that my art allows me to explore…the mysterious!

There is a Navajo legend of the Changing Woman. According to this legend, Changing Woman comes closest to representing Earth and the natural order of the Universe. She represents the cycle of the Seasons, Birth (Spring), Maturing (Summer), Growing old (Fall) and Dying (Winter), only to be reborn again in the Spring. Changing Woman is mysterious and meant to be explored and shared.

(To find out more on this Native American legend, visit: http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Changing_Woman-Navajo.html).

(Image: “Changing Woman/ShapeShifter”- Mixed Media)

There is a sense of the mysterious, everywhere, our challenge is to bask in it, share it fearlessly and allow it to shape us, not conquer it until it is only dust that slips through our fingertips.

How do you define mysterious? Does it excite you or make you tread carefully?  I look forward to reading your answers and comments.

Our humanness is a mystery. Peace to you and yours.

Exploring,  the concept of animal totems and nature-based stories, there is a lot to be learn through nature, especially the animal kingdom. I adore bears and not just the cuddly plush toys.  It’s the real bears that I have an affinity for.  The quiet, swift,  adaptable, solitary, very protective of their young, independent, wild and ferocious bears. These traits are human traits, too! Many we can identify with.

Many indigenous cultures, have myths and legends where animals are the main characters. The stories play an important role in teaching and continuing  native traditions through important life lessons.  I am fascinated by all myths, legends, history, fairy tales; stories of  fantasy and imagination involving nature and the power of female archetypes. These stories still have the power to teach, influence and empower you. Researching these traditions have led me to many resources, numerous experiences and dreams! Just simply put, “good stuff”.

So as the bears are slowing turning over from their deep sleep winter hibernation, because there is a little spring wind hanging about. I decided to honor these magnificent creatures. So here you are,  a new painting to delight in, “Bear in Mind”.

Hibernation is almost over, let’s take our heads and bodies out and enjoy the hints that nature is dropping us; letting us know Spring is coming, slowly, but surely. Get out and explore nature, it’s time for us to add to the stories of old.

Peace.

After being in the Grand Canyons over the holidays and seeing the majesty of color in those wild canyons, I couldn’t help but use an image of a painting, I made some time ago  of the wilderness (“Kaleidoscope Woods”).

This is how I see the wilderness, a riot of color!

Ahhh…I can’t imagine life without color or the wilderness, it provides balance.

I’m ready for the adventure of “wilderness” this year, I think that translates into adventure. Let’s live life to the fullest!