As I paint, the ideas I am exploring take on a life of their own.  There is a sort of “zone” I am able to tap into which allows me to intuitively respond and create.  This is vital to me: a need.  I have not been painting for awhile now, needing to spend time and energy on the promotional aspect of being an artist.  Because of this, I am getting a very strong urge to get back to the studio part of this career: the painting part!

This painting is ironically one of my favorites: I say ironically, as it was one of my least favorites as I began it.  Because of this, I allowed myself free reign to tap into the magic, and the animal forms “spoke” to me, and the painting became what it is now: animal inspired!

“Petroglyph Symbology” 11 x 30” Watercolor and Gouache on Paper

A kinship with nature is created through acknowledging the unity that exists between the elements. “The earth and myself are of one mind.” Chief Joseph

A petroglyph is a rock carving which is found on boulders, rock walls and in caves. They date from between 300 – 3500 years old. The intriguing thing to me is that nobody knows their original purpose or meaning. Much can be inferred, but little is known for a fact.

Petroglyphs depicted in this painting come from images found at various sites in Wyoming. The oldest depictions are found as pecked-out imagery. Later, outlined shapes became prevalent, later followed by painted imagery. Often, one image overlaps those from another time, suggesting that the message is more important than the previous images themselves.

Animal forms such as owls, thunderbirds, birds, elk, and turtle provide their intrinsic powers. The human form is prevalent at many petroglyphs sites. Here, I am reproducing a warrior with shield and sword, wearing a feathered headdress.