A while back, I read a book on Animal Totems. While I know that anything can be taken to extremes, I liked what it had to say about animals characteristics.
The idea originated with the Native Americans. They believed the creator had placed animals on this earth to help and to teach us. They lived close to nature and animals were a large part of their life and gave them knowledge of their environment that helped them survive.
In a survival situation, animals could lead them to food. If they observed behavior, a bear, might show them where honey or fish could be found and a wolf might lead them to deer or other game they needed.
They also believed that animals came into their life at certain times when they needed wisdom to handle something or to give comfort, for example:The wolf could teach them about honoring family and loyalty. The owl could teach them the value of being observant, whereas an otter might remind them of the need to play. A mouse saw the small details and it was after reading this, I came up with the name for my store. For them it was a way for the creator to communicate to them.
For a lot of modern people, I think the power is taken from the Creator and given to the animals to the point where the animals themselves are worshiped, but that is not how the original Native Americans believed.
In modern times, many stories have been written about a dog, cat and even pet bird that comforted a loved one left behind after a death or how they've rescued a person by letting someone know their owner needed help or even alerted people to fires.
This generation has also learned to use animals for therapy in senior's homes and hospitals. A few years ago, I took care of a group home for people with physical disabilities and I never saw more joy expressed by any of them then I did when I brought in an wild duckling that had been abandoned by it's mother on the hot pavement in town.
Growing up on a farm with dogs, cats, cows, goats, chicken, ducks, geese etc, I always knew animals had the power to calm and heal so I was happy when research revealed that pet owners live longer and are better able to handle stress. This new idea that they could teach us something was even more fascinating to think about.
As I studied more about this, I came to the realization that each animal has their own characteristics and unique way of dealing with stress, loss and the difficulties we all face in life. I recently watched a video showing crows mourning the death of one of their own. The whole family gathered at the site and it was easy to see how upset they were.
Later, when my daughter developed an interest in horses, it was at a time when the equestrian world was discovering how horses could be used as therapy animals. Apparently, horses work very well for women who have been in abusive situations as the two find a common ground quickly because horses are prey animals and women often feel like prey animals too.
So thinking along that train of thought, I developed a line of products with the characteristics we can learn from and here are some examples:
Who knows what more we will learn in the future about our relationship with animals.
The text on the cup states that Otter teaches us to take life as it comes, be curious about everything and most important take time to play.
Cougar teaches us to balance strength and grace in body, mind and spirit to find our power.
Raven teaches us that even in the darkest times we can find light and bring out the good.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Yes, it's Ravens again.
Most weekday mornings, I take a beautiful drive along the lake to pick up my daughter and because I'm either driving or don't have my camera, or I don't have batteries for my camera or it's full and can't take anymore photos, I miss all these opportunities to take photos.
The lake is very narrow and deep so that it takes a lot of wind to disturb it and you don't usually see waves or anything but ripples, but one evening as I was dropping her off, there was the perfect combination of elements to make a stunning photo. The water was a perfect mirror reflecting the shore with all the hidden cottages and rocky bluffs and the sun was setting so it was at an almost horizontal angle making it highlight everything in a surreal way. I hadn't seen anything like it (that hadn't been photo shopped) so I pulled off into a lane leading up to the park, only to find a handful of other people had done the same and were standing in awe and amazement. Unfortunately, once again, I had no camera and home was too far to go fetch one. I keep hoping I'll see it up on the internet or something from somebody else.
Well, all that long story to say, I never catch great things with my camera and I've come to the conclusion, that is why I draw. Now about the ravens... every morning I used to walk my dog. It was just before work and so always around the same time. Every morning, I would hear a flock of ravens fly overhead. They came from the mountains to the East and flew directly overhead to the Southwest I noticed it even more when I saw them return every evening the opposite way. Then one day, I had to take a load of leaves and debris to the city dump and recycle place and there they were.
They were circling over the area where they dumped the city garbage. Then it occurred to me that in the morning when I saw them heading Southwest, they were heading off to work. They spend the day looking for food and in the evening, return to their nesting sites, just like we do. It's quite comical and kind of reassuring at the same time to think about them having to go to work too. I've watched what was obviously the younger ones play around, diving and chasing each other, being silly, while the older ( much bigger and some with feathers missing) are more sedate.
I feel like I have a relationship with these particular birds because when we first moved here, I was homesick and it was something familiar and reassuring to see and hear them. There were just a few of them around town but unfortunately they began to make noise early in the morning. I'd hear them and think about the large numbers of senior citizens in the area who don't sleep so well and probably didn't appreciate the noise. Sure enough within a few weeks, locals had convinced the right person in government that they were not to be tolerated and they began shooting them.
I was horrified and it really changed my opinion not only of the area but the attitude of the town. Over the years I kept an ear open to hopefully hear one or two and although it took about five years they did come back, only now they just fly over the town. They live high in the mountains and avoid entering it completely.
Ravens live a long time, up to 40years in captivity, so I can imagine the surviving ones have passed on the knowledge that this town is to be avoided.
At any rate, these paintings are my tribute to these wonderful, often misunderstood and very intelligent birds
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Weddings
Spring is coming and with it weddings. I fought it for a while but finally decided I'd better make some wedding products. Who else needs more items for one occasion than a bride. Whereas someone may purchase a greeting card online for a person's birthday if they have a particular interest and that design is hard to find locally, that probably won't add up to enough people to make up an income at Zazzle.
When I look at the pro-sellers, not only do they have lots of designs but they cover weddings, so since I was unable to make any new designs, I thought perhaps I could rework some of the older ones and here is my attempt. This is the album but you can get all the invites, thank yous and save the date cards to match
When I look at the pro-sellers, not only do they have lots of designs but they cover weddings, so since I was unable to make any new designs, I thought perhaps I could rework some of the older ones and here is my attempt. This is the album but you can get all the invites, thank yous and save the date cards to match
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Ravens
I haven't had free time to create new paintings lately. I had a bit of a studio, moved it and that really killed my creativity so I haven't settled into a new spot yet. Nothing seems to feel right, so creating any kind of art is a real miracle lately.
I didn't want this blog to sit neglected so I decided that I could inspire myself to paint by watching some birds but since it's too dark out to see real birds, I checked out videos on Youtube.
When we lived in the north, Ravens were noted for being able to get into any container, if they could smell food in it. Often, you would see bags or packages in the back of a truck, parked in a parking lot and the Ravens would be feasting. The colder the weather, the more Ravens you saw. If you did a study, you could probably tell the temperature by the number of Ravens spotted. I guess the colder it gets, the more desperate they are for food and willing to put up with humans.
My favorite Raven watching events are in the spring. They are courting each other and trying to impress but what an amazing ballet in the sky. They synchronize their flight perfectly, swooping and diving in sheer joy of the moment. I have always found it difficult to look away and no matter how pressing my responsibilities are I always had to watch until they were gone.
Needless to say, I was pleased when I found video with some of their flying on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dV8cvqSQXk
Here's a video on their intelligence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8L4KNrPEs0
I will eventually do a painting of a Raven but really don't want to portray them in the dark sinister light they usually receive.
They are amazing birds that deserve a lot more respect.
I didn't want this blog to sit neglected so I decided that I could inspire myself to paint by watching some birds but since it's too dark out to see real birds, I checked out videos on Youtube.
When we lived in the north, Ravens were noted for being able to get into any container, if they could smell food in it. Often, you would see bags or packages in the back of a truck, parked in a parking lot and the Ravens would be feasting. The colder the weather, the more Ravens you saw. If you did a study, you could probably tell the temperature by the number of Ravens spotted. I guess the colder it gets, the more desperate they are for food and willing to put up with humans.
My favorite Raven watching events are in the spring. They are courting each other and trying to impress but what an amazing ballet in the sky. They synchronize their flight perfectly, swooping and diving in sheer joy of the moment. I have always found it difficult to look away and no matter how pressing my responsibilities are I always had to watch until they were gone.
Needless to say, I was pleased when I found video with some of their flying on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dV8cvqSQXk
Here's a video on their intelligence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8L4KNrPEs0
I will eventually do a painting of a Raven but really don't want to portray them in the dark sinister light they usually receive.
They are amazing birds that deserve a lot more respect.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Earth Day
I just remembered that Earth Day is coming very soon. I know Easter is too, but Earth Day is my son's birthday so it's harder to forget, even more so because he is such a strong advocate for doing things right.
They say that as you age, your role changes and your children enter the parent role and you become more irresponsible. I was kind of looking forward to those days of being irresponsible, but will have to keep it a little in check around my son.
Having remembered it's Earth Day, I wanted to create some products for it. In the past, I'd read some wise advice given by Native Americans and thought they would work well with these designs.
They both have a Native American Quote on the back
They say that as you age, your role changes and your children enter the parent role and you become more irresponsible. I was kind of looking forward to those days of being irresponsible, but will have to keep it a little in check around my son.
Having remembered it's Earth Day, I wanted to create some products for it. In the past, I'd read some wise advice given by Native Americans and thought they would work well with these designs.
They both have a Native American Quote on the back
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