52 Weeks #2

Another week has gone by and I'm happy to say that this work is really feeding my other work as well.  I'm glad I've given myself a week at a time as I can let the project stew in my mind a little before plunging in...though I tend to work while I stew, but at least I'm not limited by too short of a time constraint.  This bear reflects my love of the north...yes, I do still miss it.  And she looks like a protective mother to me - I love the look on her face.  Throughout my marriage, my husband has gifted me polar bears (carvings and clay sculptures) as anniversary gifts...1, 5, 10, 20 years...and I'm looking forward to another for our 25th Anniversary this year ;). 

Polar bears are fearless, known for their hunting and fishing skills.  They provide for their families, being highly responsible.  They always care for the weak.  Polar bear reflects purity, rebirth and transformation. Where brown bear represents community, polar bear, like a spirit, reflects solitude. The Inuit regard polar bear as the spirit of the North, the carriers of ancient wisdom.

Tomorrow I'll share the 'Artists in the Raw' book that I am privileged to be a part of which was written and photographed by Deborah Catton.  Later this week I'll post another completed canoe and then I'll be meeting with a fantastic group of female artists (also mothers) to begin a small support group...kind of encouraging one another and keeping each of us accountable. 

It's funny, as I had just completed a worksheet titled 'Unravelling the Year Ahead' by Susannah Conway and one question asked who your support group is - friends, colleagues, mentors, experts - and though I have wonderful and creative friends, we tend not to be able to meet as often as I'd like so I wrote that I would like to work with a group of incredible people.  And, the next day I received an e-mail asking if I'd like to be included in a group of smart, talented, professional women whom I admire and are also juggling the demands of motherhood that would connect weekly to discuss our goals and challenges.  Wow!  Talk about putting your intention out there and receiving an amazing response.  Life is good.