A poem, a conversation, a ritual....

On the full moon, just organically, as I was burning sage and lit a candle I began to dialogue with spirit. What Im gratefull for in the now, what i just don't 'get', how much I miss the physical presence of my brother and grandmother, the thanks I have for my ancestors, teachers, guides and guardians in flesh and spirit, the hope to remain centred when working with my current goals. It was kind of a flow of words that came through in a flurry and when it was done I felt at peace. Im not sure if it was a ritual, a poem, a conversation or some quirky blend of all, but it shifted me beyond tears. It made me realise the potential beauty of simply creating sacred space and then being open. Ive never been one for reciting long memorised or read excerpts but to have a rave naturally felt damn good. I didnt censor, didnt feel the need and I think that was part of the catharsis. So often we control and clamp down on our hearts, to let it all hang out in a space constructed out of respect eased the human condition. Spirit took it all good naturedly as I channelled any excess energy to compost into the Earth below....

Natural history illlustration....

Before we moved from the urban jungle, I had applied to Newcastle Uni for a place in their Bachelor of Natural History Illustration, and to my surprise was accepted, but by then Id signed the lease on our new home, furthur north, and so was no longer able to attend. Recently I was delighted to find a new course of similar tangents run by Leonie Norton, externally from Sydney. Its a self paced process, periodically sending assignments in for feedback and comment. Modules include drawing techniques, painting techniques (largely watercolours) and then sections on reptiles, birds, mammals, plants, shells, feathers, crystals and rocks.So Ive begun study after recieving the first module last week.

This artform has always fascinated me, its detail and precision both a reproduction of natural beauty and an accurate description of the subjects characteristics which served as reference well before the age of the camera, and indeed still do today. Already my 'eye' is shifting, once you begin to look for natural source material the world comes alive with potentials and observation kicks in. Im enjoying the process so far....

painted skulls.....

In the first picture from left to right, is fish, roo and wombat.

It felt like an honouring of the animals passing when I painted these. I used acrylic and did many layers to get the colour strong, turning and holding the skull as I worked, exploring its shape and structure. Nature truly is the greatest artist and she speaks to us through the forms of animals, plants and landscape, so that these things become our teachers of beauty, and wisdom..