Changing Woman & Blue Coyote Coming Out of Darkness

This watercolor (11 x 12") was painted in 2008, several months before I was diagnosed with cancer. We might consider it a favorable prognosis. I might see it as about me, about that one crisis in my life.

But I think it is more meaningful. When I look at it now, it gives me hope that I can emerge from ongoing financial difficulties into a prosperity based on deep inner change. It gives me hope that as a people we can emerge from ignorance & greed into a rich harmony with all beings. It gives me hope that an alcoholic friend can emerge from denial & concealment into full health & honesty.

There are many kinds of darkness in the life of an individual, in the life of the world. The expressions on the faces of Changing Woman & Blue Coyote remind us that the light into which we so desire to emerge can be startling & formidable. 

May their simple voyage give courage to us all, to stop clinging to familiar darkness & emerge into the bright unknown.

Thunder Woman at the Ocean

watercolor, 12.5 x 13

Thunder Woman is mysterious to me. I'm sure she represents the spirit of Native uprising, not in the sense of violence, but in the sense of resurgence. I don't think she limits her support to genetic descendants of the original inhabitants of Turtle Island. I think she calls everyone to re-perceive in a Native way. It's the perception of all beings as family that she empowers, & the love & kindness that follow that perception.

These must be hard times for such a spirit, when so much is at odds with this way of seeing & behaving. I think she has gone to the ocean to recharge. The ocean is so powerful, so replete with awareness of the tiny nature of human life. Then there are the gulls, with their own humorous slant on everything from garbage to wind.

How wonderful to see this Great One, refreshing herself knee deep in waves, playing with bird friends. It's a good day.