'Two Ravens'

Two Ravens / 36x48 / acrylic on canvas

As an artist, there are many challenging moments....like struggling with a painting.  But these days, after much toil, I have been feeling really good about the work.  Not right away, mind you, but after letting it sit and working again, over and over it seems.  I've been reminded that this work is actually work but also that good stuff takes time, no matter what it is.  Years ago I was told that I would have to make a decision about whether I was doing this work for myself or for others.  This wise women said that I had to do it for the process and commit to it regardless of others response because there isn't always a response - neither positive or negative.  These days as much as I have been challenged by the work, I cannot imagine not doing it.

This painting is very special to me because I created it for someone who is very special to me.  The two ravens represent siblings, family really, and the mandela moon reminds me of the months I spent in South America and Mexico as a child.  Ravens symbolize magic, messages, meaningful change and rebirth.  They are the light-bringers and truth-seekers.  I also grew up with many large ravens in the north and was always fascinated by their long life-span, propensity to mate for life, intelligence and sense of play.   I also knew I wanted to add feathers once I added the ravens since I constantly gather them.  Two feathers on the right represent the two ravens but I added three more on the left because five is my favorite number.

When I decided to add a moon, I had never created a mandela but decided that it would be perfect for this piece as creating one is about slowing down and being present.  Because a full moon is impermanent as a mandela is meant to be, and as the term means 'circle' or 'disc' in Sanskrit, the image is also symbolized in a Celtic cross, halo or rosary.  But as I added patterns to it, it reminded me Mayan symbols I saw in my youth in Mexico city when we went to visit relatives. 

I really do hope that this piece meets expectations as everything, including the colours and symbols, that was chosen was important for many reasons.  This really was a wonderful way to finish this week after three months of extreme busyness.