I Will Make Your Burdens Light

I will Make Your Burdens Light

Angels are described in the bible as 18 foot tall creatures with 6 wings and two heads, or as wingless men. Supposedly an angel is neither male or female, and they usually present themselves to us in a form that is comforting and non threatening.   My Angels come to me in the form of paintings.  Sometimes they are a painting that resides in my mind for several days, and sometimes they just present themselves to me as I am painting.  This angel came to me today as I was painting at my mother's house, and she came to help make our burdens light.  This is a painting of an African Angel, and as you can see, she is carrying a pot on her head.  This pot is supposed to be holding our burdens.  She is covering her mouth to show us that as she is carrying our load, she will not disclose our burdens to others.  She was created to bring comfort to those of us who are troubled, whether it be over something big or small.  Whatever it is that is troubling us, she will carry it away with her in her little pot, so that we can let it go, and set ourselves free.

A Little Bluebird Told Me You Were My Soul Mate

For starters, this was not the painting that I intended to paint today, but none the less, it is what I created.  I sat down with the intent to paint "Going to Hell in a Hand Basket,"  which will come at a later date.  That painting still resides in my head, however, it will have to materialize at a later date.   To be honest, this is not my favorite, but I like the idea behind it, and I LOVE the colors.  This painting is supposed to represent "true love" or "soul mates," and how imperfect true love really is.  The blue birds in the picture are a reminder to us that we are born into happiness and fulfillment, but we sometimes get so lost and wrapped up in the everyday events of our lives that our happiness and fulfillment seem rare.  The bluebird reminds us to take time and enjoy ourselves, or in this case each other.  If you get a chance, read a little about the symbolism of the blue bird here.

A Bluebird Told Me You Were My Soul Mate

Grounded with Dreams

Grounded with Dreams

I have loved giraffes ever since I met my current husband.  Mainly because he painted this picture.  I have loved that painting since the day Joe and I met.  There was something about those eyes.  Gentle, but strong...  knowing and caring.  Since that day, I claimed the giraffe as part of my animal totem.  No, I am not weird (okay, perhaps a little).  Animal totems is just something the some Native American tribes put together to represent their animal guardians.   Not sure how "real" their magic is, but it is fun to read about animal totems.  

Honestly, I have been far from happy at my job, but since 78% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs, and with our economy in the shape it is in, I feel selfish complaining (but I do it any way)!   The giraffe has a LOT of things that it represents.  One thing that stood out to me is how the giraffe has it's feet on the ground, with it's head up in the clouds.  One  writeup described the giraffe as being grounded yet expansive.  I needed something at work to remind me that despite the fact that I would rather be doing something else, I need to remain grounded and focused on the work that is expected of me, yet I need to keep dreaming for something that brings me happiness.  That is how I came up with the painting, "Grounded with Dreams."  My feet are planted firmly on the ground, prepared to do what needs to be done to support my family and assist my customer, but there is always a dream running around in my head!

The Awakening : Kundalini

I was having a really bad morning.  I was feeling kind of like I was going to be stuck where I was for quite some time.  I pulled into work, parked my car, and started to gather my things, when a Cardinal flew at my window and persisted to attack my window.  At first, it startled me, and then I thought "Hmm...  wonder what that means..."  As soon as I sat down and got logged in, I looked up Cardinal Symbolism, and I found an article that said that Cardinals represented an awakening of the soul which is sometimes referred to as Kundalini in yoga circles.  Long story short, it meant that things were going to get more lively.  Thus the following painting was born.



The Awakening : Kundalini

Cardinal Symbolism

Awakening

Sarah Mae Westie: I will keep you safe in my heart.

My mom and step dad lost their dog Sarah to Lymphoma, so I painted this for them so that they can imagine what Sarah's heavenly companion might be like.  I never know what any of my angels are going to look like until I am done.  I may know how they will be sitting, or perhaps what color dress I may paint on her, but she doesn't take shape until I start painting her.  In the case of the "Hell" Angels (Through Hell or High Water, I will be there for you."  I didn't even know it was going to be painted in hell or that I was even going to paint myself in the picture.  I just wanted to paint the Angel version of my daughter. It is fun to make up as I go.  In this case, I knew that my Angel was going to be sitting, and that Sarah was going to be propped up on her legs.  Rest in Peace Sweet Sarah!  Say "Hello" to my Pippin and Quigley.

Sarah Mae Westie: I will keep you safe in my heart.

Tree Angel Revisited

Last night I couldn't sleep, because something was missing on my "Tree Angel."  So I stayed up a little later than usual and lit up the tree by placing a moon behind it.  This gives a halo effect, and hopefully brings the tree out a little bit.  My husband recommended that I don't bring the tree out too much, because it would take away from the angel.  I agree.

Angel Series

It seems like the last several paintings I have stuck with the "Angel" theme.  These are the last three starting with the latest.

Tree - Centered & Balanced

I had been taking yoga for a couple months now and I have been really enjoying it.  This angel was inspired by the famous "Tree Pose, which is supposed to help one to achieve center and balance.

Through Hell or High Water - I'll be There for You!

Dedicated to my daughter.  Actually this is supposed to be the two of us.  I did not plan for us to be in Hell, it just turned out that way, so I went with it.  :)

Rainbow's Angel

Dedicated to my beloved Pippin and Quigley.  May they rest in peace.  They had been there with me for 17 years.  They were truly my best friends.  They are now blessing someone up at Rainbow's Bridge.  Until we meet again, Pip and Quig!