A Year in the Making...completed

Painted Mare-War Pony, Series “Shaggy Bark Hickory”

The prayer below is embedded under the painted mare image. Glimpses of the prayer are seen. The powers needed to restore the status of our planet have left me with a heavy heart. The work it will take and good strong hands with prayers to see the importance of what we have and for the next generations to come. Just this feat is one we should all paint up for and be willing to head into battle.

The Crow is here to remind us that order needs to be restored. The Pony all painted up, red ring around the eye is for good vision. The three lines on the lower next are for the number of battles rider and pony have been together. And the rain and clouds are symbol of water clear and clean for our survival. The shaggy bark hickory leaves and nuts are to symbols the need for clean air.   Part of this series is a wake-up call to state our basic needs are not being met but instead are being stripped from us by greed.

Earth Prayer

"Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air,
and all green things that live.

"You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things."

Black Elk: Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, 1863-1950

Prints available on Fine Art America...Here 

Painted Mare-War Pony, Series “Old Oak”

To continue the series, I’ve chosen again a female essence to portray the strength needed to awaken our souls to the plight on this planet earth.  I’ve chosen part of an Uta prayer to guide us as we enter the fall season which is my favorite season. My experience with horseback riding lesson has me attracted to the painted ponies their beautiful markings.

This mare has a lightening arrow on her hind quarter; symbolize the speed she travels when in battle.  And the red ringlet, circle around her eye represent alter and keen vision.  She has been in many battle as you can see by the five yellow line on you neck area.  Her season is Fall, with the tall grasses waving in the wind spreading there seeds.  The feathers hanging from you main represent power, she is old like the oak tree and knows her power is in her experience and wisdom. She is a might force to reckon with.

Earth Teach Me to Remember

Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light.  Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands alone. Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which sores in the sky.  Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep in the rain 

Ute, North American

Prints available on Fine Art America... Here

Painted Mare-War Pony, Series “Cottonwood”

After reading many years ago the book Black Elk Speaks in a college class, on Myths and Visions, I’m drawn to the symbolism from his visions and stories.  The talk cottonwood tree is a very sacred tree, one is picked on tree day before the Sundance begins. The cottonwood will stand in the center of the sundance circle. The cottonwood is extraordinary sacred for two reason, it is the tree that taught the Lakota how to make a tipi by the shape of the leaves, and when the upper limbs are cut you can see the five point star of the inner bark. 

This painted pony is a mare but the symbolism came from the meaning of a horse I didn’t met but hear about at the horse stable I take my riding lesson at.  Cloud was his name, though my series is about the female essence need to nurture our spirits and Mother Earth back to good health I pull from the energy of his spirit.  I hear he was a very smart one and that many rode on his back the young the most, the symbol of the cross in her front shoulder represent that.  The red ringlet is for alertness and keen vision.  The small little figure on the hind quarter is one of small boy to let us know she was good with people and enjoy the time with them.   On her front legs she as four orange lines to share with us the number of times she has succeeded in battle.   The blue arch on the front leg symbolizes the constancy of the attitude she had on people, she is like a ray of sun.

Prayer

While I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw;

for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and in the shape

of all shapes as they must live together like one being.

Black Elk: Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, 1863-1950

Prints available on Fine Art America...Here