What this painting asked of me became incredibly powerful medicine. Its unfolding allowed me to fully anchor into in a field of grace as one of my nearest and dearest soul friends crossed over into the next plane. I felt her with me in every brushstroke: effortless, at ease, and totally ensconced in joy, love, and a radiant, mysterious sense of adventure that echoed a deep sense of familiarity
0 Comments
 Ouroboros is one of the oldest mystical symbols in the world. While the etymology comes from the Greek for “tail eater”, ouroboros has been depicted as early as 1600 BC in ancient Egypt and is even included in King Tut’s tomb.
The premise of a snake or dragon consuming its own tail symbolizes wholeness and infinity; it speaks to the natural cycle of destruction and creation, representing the unity of all things material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form. In Jungian psychology, ouroboros is an archetype of the process of individuation. One of Jung’s most frequently quoted phrases that I often reference in my teaching speaks beautifully to this phenomena: “Until we make the unconscious conscious, it will rule our lives and we will call it fate.” Individuation is the process of bringing the unconscious parts of ourselves to light; a welcoming in of all the aspects of ourselves that have been repressed or denied: individually, culturally, societally. Through this process of excavation, illumination, and integration of these denied parts- the self that feels inadequate, the self that feels ashamed, the self that compartmentalizes feelings, the self that feels like a burden to others, the creative self, the playful self, and so on...we call back our Soul’s divine birthright to inner harmony, wholeness, and connection to the unified field of Grace. This piece came to me like a flash of lightning and was completed over Easter weekend on 4/4. It features one of my beeswax ancestral mandala studies, heavily inspired by late mentor Richard Yarde, and includes 44 beings/88 hands- numbers that weren’t pre-planned, but ones that I learned afterward hold powerful vibrations of healing. 20”x20”, mixed media on canvas, 2021Ouroboros is one of the oldest mystical symbols in the world. While the etymology comes from the Greek for “tail eater”, ouroboros has been depicted as early as 1600 BC in ancient Egypt and is even included in King Tut’s tomb. The premise of a snake or dragon consuming its own tail symbolizes wholeness and infinity; it speaks to the natural cycle of destruction and creation, representing the unity of all things material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form. In Jungian psychology, ouroboros is an archetype of the process of individuation. One of Jung’s most frequently quoted phrases that I often reference in my teaching speaks beautifully to this phenomena: “Until we make the unconscious conscious, it will rule our lives and we will call it fate.” Individuation is the process of bringing the unconscious parts of ourselves to light; a welcoming in of all the aspects of ourselves that have been repressed or denied: individually, culturally, societally. Through this process of excavation, illumination, and integration of these denied parts- the self that feels inadequate, the self that feels ashamed, the self that compartmentalizes feelings, the self that feels like a burden to others, the creative self, the playful self, and so on...we call back our Soul’s divine birthright to inner harmony, wholeness, and connection to the unified field of Grace. This piece came to me like a flash of lightning and was completed over Easter weekend on 4/4. It features one of my beeswax ancestral mandala studies, heavily inspired by late mentor Richard Yarde, and includes 44 beings/88 hands- numbers that weren’t pre-planned, but ones that I learned afterward hold powerful vibrations of healing. 20”x20”, mixed media on canvas, 2021 In this video, I share how as a professional artist and creativity coach, I work with hummingbird energy and the heart chakra through my artwork as a tool for cultivating inner resilience, joy, and vitality during challenging times. This mixed media painting features a dreamlike topographic map background that holds the container for the vibrant floral, hummingbird energy. Save 10% on nature-inspired artwork, yoga mats, and enchanting original paintings with code YOUTUBE. Original mixed media hummingbird artwork available here. Heart chakra hummingbird floral art prints available here. My intention in creating this diptych was for each painting to achieve a sense of balance and unity, yet when joined together, expanding into greater horizons and possibilities: a mirror to inner growth❤  Crow's symbolism is as richly complex as the depth of its luminous black feathers. Archetypally, it is regarded as a gatekeeper between the known and the unknown, the conscious and the unconscious. Its home exists beyond time, within the very void of Creation. An omen of change, it speaks to the mystery of life's miracles, personal transformation, destiny, higher intelligence, and expanded perspectives.  Featuring a vibrant vista of Sedona Arizona, fragrant Datura (moonflowers) surround the viewer from vantage point of the South face of Cathedral Rock, looking out to Courthouse Butte shown in the center, which I learned from the locals is also known by indigenous peoples as the Council of the Elders 🌌
Shop prints here. 12"zx12" originals available for sale as of 2/21/21; email me for availability and pricing.  A year ago today I was in tears of joy at the post office with this Red Tailed Hawk Turning Phoenix painting, which was packaged with so much care and attention that it just barely made it into circulation 😂😭 This was created by commission for a customer who had found my work online and was looking to take bold action in honoring themselves on their path of recovery. Little did they know that at the very time they commissioned this work, I was deepening my own recovery path, as well.  I held the searing ache of leaving behind the patterns of familiarity; the courage to feel as deeply into the grief as into the new possibilities being created; the patience, grit, grace, and determination to persevere through the discomfort of separating from the known; and the faith to trust in the spectacular new vision that was being rebirthed. I painted for all of us with honor and love.  Little did I know just how much more universal meaning the offering from this rainbow messenger would take on in the weeks ahead. I feel so incredibly grateful to be connecting and co-creating through medicine that heals, honors, and inspires the soul 💜💕 🦅🌈
Shop Phoenix prints and Yoga mats in my Etsy shop.  It has been a ten year dream to paint dahlias that I grew from my own pollinator garden :) thanks to 2020 that dream came true! The camera vantage point is the view I greeted nearly every day since the pandemic hit and I got serious about my meditation practice. Meditating to the gentle pace of tending and witnessing a garden grow from seed and bulbs was incredibly healing.  I began this painting the day my heart got broken open over the summer. I didn’t realize what I was doing at the time, but I later came to see that it was becoming a meditation on personal resiliency, strengthening of self worth, and giving thanks for abundant healing Nature offers us, right down to the symbolism of the dahlia flower and succulent plants. Most of the flora was grown in my garden, and the turkey feathers were gifts I found on my walks in Swan Point Cemetery.  Bison came to me during my first visit to Sedona this summer and it has felt so good to open my heart to receiving its healing medicine of abundance, gratitude, and honoring the sacred. The turquoise beads came to me in a vision during a meditation.  By far the most technically challenging painting I’ve attempted, it feels so good to have stuck with it through all the uncertainty and barfy moments, lol! The magic of the finishing touches with those pops of sky blue and amethyst made it all worth it.
I feel so grateful to be sharing this art and these words 💜💜💜 it feels like I just completed a marathon! Prints available here. |
Joanna Elizabeth
|
RSS Feed