ghost of the woods

watercolor 1/2019

These big cats are called Puma, Cougar or Mountain Lion. They are solitary animals.  Her power comes as she moves through the world unseen, taking only what she needs, and silently marking territory so conflicts won’t be necessary. She is a ghost of the woods just like your soul is.

 When I lived in the mountains she had her den across the road and down hill a bit. Despite being practically on my doorstep I never, ever saw her. Just paw prints. I use ‘she’ because female seems appropriate.

And…yes….they are facing extinction.

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orca love

watercolor 5 x 7 11/2018

This painting was a commission for marriage spirit totems. In the sketch I quickly drew some sea plants just to complete the picture which was really all about the sketch of the hummer and the orca. When a customer orders a commission I like to give them some idea of what I plan to paint. I ultimately left the idea of underwater because a hummingbird doesn’t fly in the sea. Then it was my new plan to get a bit magical with the two totems. Tibetian clouds did it for me and some gold paint. Definitely more to subject than the sea plants. She loved it.

If you are thinking that I have stopped painting….I haven’t. I’m having multiple health issues and have been for some time. My heart is not working properly and I spent some time in the hospital this December. I would love to paint with the vigor that I had before, but that is not in the cards. Actually I switched to the tiny aceo cards in about 2009. No more galleries or big works. The cards were selling well on ebay and they were much easier for me to handle. It took me awhile to get used to the tiny format but I have grown to love it. I so appreciate all the kind comments that all of you write about my art. It gladdens my heart to give joy through my art and I have no plans to stop. Just a little more slowly for me.

Many blessings, Gretchen

seishin

watercolor 1/2019

The Japanese word for fox is kitsune. In the Japanese culture foxes are celebrated as magical spirits somewhat as western faeries. They are also protected and revered for just the beautiful animal that they are. The name of this fox means ‘spirit.’ Foxes teach us that sometimes to see the truth we must disappear into the background and become invisible.

‘Animals share with us the privilege of having a soul’……Pythagoras 

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