Sandhill Cranes

 Last night I dreamed of five Sandhill Cranes ascending from a field as I drove by with my family. The kids were little.

When I woke from the dream, I was reminded of the first time I saw Sandhill Cranes while birdwatching near Lake Erie in 1998.  Two cranes were riding the thermals and wheeling in circles with several Turkey Vultures.  In 1998, my children were small and the time I had for art was piecemeal.  Collaging and monoprinting were my media of choice at the time.  Collaging more so due to the ease with which I could start and stop working on a piece. 

 The collage featured above was inspired by my first Sandhill Crane sighting.  It is titled Grus Canadensis Dance.  (grus canadensis is the latin name for sandhill cranes)  Cranes have a courtship ritual which involves an elaborate dance which includes head bobbing, bowing and leaping. I'd love to see that!

Dream Chapel

Last week I dreamed of the shape of a church or a chapel against a dark sky with a  light glowing foreground.  The chapel shape literally seemed to glow and shimmer against the sky. 

I like to think of this shape as a Sanctuary.  Which according to Dictionary.com is among many definitions; a sacred or holy place, a place of refuge, asylum.

I'm reading Sue Monk Kidd's new book, Traveling with Pomegranates.  Sue Monk Kidd is one of my favorite writers and I'm so happy to be immersed in her new book which is co-written with her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor. What I like about her writing/thinking is through her various quests to gain understanding about areas like the Feminine Divine or The Black Madonna is the honor she gives symbols in her life.  Whether they be from dreams or  'chance' encounters.

I've been thinking about the chapel image from my dream.  The word Sanctuary is meaningful.  What shall I place in  this holy, sacred Sanctuary?    Why have a Sanctuary?

To have a place of refuge, not a place to hide, but a place of serenity.  A place to lay out ideas, joys, sorrows, dreams, laughter, troubles.

Happy New Year!

Painting from a Dream

About a week ago, I dreamed of a landscape somewhat like this.  It had a mauve sky, and a dark green treeline.  I don't recall the foreground so I improvised.

(In real life this painting's sky is more of a mauve, the camera doesn't relay the color accurately.)

oil on panel 8 x 16