Tag Archives: symbolism

Bringer of Light

For millenia, ravenBringer of the Lights have enjoyed a reputation among many peoples, as a powerful totem.  They symbolize change, internal growth, introspection and various warnings.  My favourite though is the belief that they bring light to us, the people of the world.  Coincidentally, I saw a raven on Christmas Day, which inspired this raven who brings that gift in the form of an angel.  May Raven’s gift of Light bless you all this Christmas Season.

Spirit Ponies Descending

Today you get a new large painting I’ve been working on.  Although it’s a continuation on the Spirit Pony theme, it differs Spirit Ponies Descendingin that  it’s entirely out of my head…no photo references at all. I loosely sketched the horses in pencil, and once I had them roughed in, drew them more completely in charcoal.  The painting part was fun, with multiple layers of colour and scribbling back into it with charcoal and gold metallic pen.

27 X 12″ on 300lb Fabriano Paper

Star of the West

Today’s painting was another one born by struggle.  None of the usual subject mStar of the Westatter seemed to hit the spot today, and it’s an odd little dance I do while trying to birth an idea that seems in sync with the season and how I’m feeling about it.  Somehow painting petunias just doesn’t cut it these days!
Eventually, this one came about….2 wise guys and a star.

Starry Night Bison

These days it’Starry Night Bisons so dark, and when it’s clear enough there are so many stars, which we we cling to for comfort.  For me, the season  conjures totemic images surrounded by darkness and light.  Today’s painting came with more struggle than usual.  Nothing seemed quite right to me till this bison came to mind. A sacred animal of First Nations People, he symbolizes abundance, and yet we see how vulnerable he was to our arrival on this continent.  Let us be ever mindful of our power to eradicate even such great power and abundance.

Today’s painting is #600 in my daily painting enterprise, which began on Jan 1, 2010.  It feels like quite a landmark, and that’s one reason I wanted to have a more symbolic painting than usual today.  I did miss a few days over the 2 years, and sometimes I posted photography, sometimes larger works I was creating, but mostly I managed to do a painting-a-day!  600 paintings and 50,000 hits on my blog really feels like an amazing feat.  I truly thank all of you who have come along with me, and I hope you’ll continue to do so.  Who knows where this is going?

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Toronado

This morning I found a painting of a surreal-looking black horse, and while I loved the Toronadocolour and movement in the piece, I disliked the fact that the horse was not anatomically correct at all!  So I decided to have a shot at it.  Rarely do I paint or draw anything that isn’t from my own experience, but it’s fun, once in awhile to exaggerate and stretch reality…like I do with the Spirit Ponies.    So here’s my rendition of a wild black stallion…What shall we call him?  Why not Toronado…the name of Zorro’s horse.

Night Ponies Running

MoNight Ponies Runningre in the spirit of fun, these are the spirit ponies on a starry nightwith the Northern Lights snapping and humming overhead while equine energy zaps and pops all around them. I really love doing these fun little paintings and am thinking I may try them in a larger format.  What d’you think?

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