Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The Oonahnahmae Universe - Happy Heart Day 2010


On Heartsongs...

As I make this entry to accompany the website updates, I think of the movie "Happy Feet".  I got the movie for Valentine's Day this year, from my kids, who love the dancing penguins.

The story for those who don't know it, involves Mambo -- a fuzzy penguin, who can't attract the mate of his dreams, because he can not sing.  According to his fellow Emporer penguins, Mambo is an outcast, freak and will never fit in.

Mambo has another way of expression -- he DANCES.  His ability to create rhythm (tap dancing) expresses his heartsong -- his way...providing the ideal accompaniment for his lady-love.

We all have our own way(s) to express our Heartsong(s)...One of mine was in a poem written two years ago for my children -- which subsequently came to represent all children -- and further to that: The Child Within Everyone.

"The Oonahnahmae Universe" (aforementioned poem) has already been discussed in this blog -- check back to one of the first entries.

Jen is currently creating an illustrated version of the poem, which is also our way of beginning to storyboard.  These images are a sampling of how Jen creates visual metaphors for each line...Enjoy!


Stylized panel sketches for blocking...


Details of one panel (or facing pages) 
to include storytelling detail...



Underpainting of Panel #2...
(with some finishing started)



Panel #1 completed and ready to print.


I wish you a love-filled weekend...and that each day, you do something to make your heart sing!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Passing the Torch...



Olympia's Flame:



Today I went to the local Olympic torch lighting.  Passing the torch, in my mind, is the art of transition.  Transitions done well go unnoticed, like good editing.

I live in a town known for its retirement community.  It has been seen as an inevitable last stop -- before kicking the bucket.  The movie "Bucket List" incidentally, was not far off

As I contemplate passing the torch -- In life and death -- I consider my Grandmothers.  The closer they get, the more there seems to be a struggle with the unknown.  Hmmm...what a catalyst and opportunity to reflect --- Mortality.

I wonder...Are people unable to accept death, only when they have not lived?  Anyhoo (my Gma's segue technique)...today was about:

A Celebration of Life!

The slogan for Canada's 2010 showcase is "Paint the Town Red" and they did.  Flags were waving, cheeks were painted with the good ole' Maple and a great entertainment line-up kept our toes tapping!



The energy in the air was palpable, at moments I was overcome -- and I'm not really one for patriotism -- preferring a more global approach -- The Us v. Them thing is juvenile -- especially unattractive in light of the Haitian needs right now.  There is no "them".  We are all life...

There was no denying that there was a certain -- energy in the air.  The energy of potential, of possibility.  A bit of something bigger is good for small communities, where there is "Big Fish - Small Pond-ness."

Anyhoo, As Olympia's flame makes it's way to Vancouver, I started thinking of how many once-in-a-lifetime experiences we have?

Every moment is.

In that moment, with the crowd, I appreciated fellowship for something positive, transcendent really.   There is power in shared joy.  The announcer spoke on making a better Canada and a better world...and asked if we were ready for joy?

I am.  Despite the simplicity and seemingly obvious answer -- joy takes some doing.  It is a choice.  As is peace.  The some doing comes from the effort to reprogram.

Lightworker Archetypes:

The Aquarian torch bearers are The Holly King and The Oak Queen.



Celtic history would have it be two Kings, but we preferred the (I believe it is Russian) male/female hand-off.  The Male balances the time of the moon until winter solstice.  The Female energy nutures the light of the newborn sun.

I have been thinking of the lovely Lady of Oak this entire week.  Frankly, I miss her.  I miss all of the paintings that hung in our gallery.  They were illuminated and illuminating.  It will be so nice when we set up a new gallery and healing centre...

2010 is off to a blazing start...

We've had two busy weeks so far, this is literally the first chance I've had to blog in days!  Last night my daughter said, "Mom you work too hard, you should rest."

I thanked her for the concern and explained that I am lucky to work on what I love (in the evenings).  I also said, I'm spent, which is different than tired...I need fueling up or rest, because I'm in my productive time of life.

If she is noticing my fatigue, then perhaps I need to evaluate.  This is a good opportunity to assess balance.  Like yoga, meditation and other disciplines (cooking healthfully), it does take practice.

I use the crock pot a lot...and I've de-cluttered...It's time to focus -- I choose my life, but what life is that?  My divine purpose calls -- I choose to answer now...


Healing Art:

Jen's booking into March/April for commissions.  Her healing art -- portrait commissions  (Pets, Babies, favorite Athletes) are steadily increasing.

       




We are full of excitement for what this year has in store.

One milestone was already reached in the first week of 2010.  The website is paying for itself (and not via Mom and Dad buying the art)!

Thanks to everyone around the world who pops in for a peak, makes inquiries and purchases.

Namaste

Friday, December 4, 2009

The Aquarians - The Naeyad/Lucina


"The Light Bringer"
Jennifer Christenson 2007


Oil on Canvas - 4' by 7'


This lovely lady made her debut at Sirens & Swords first exhibition,  two years ago tonight.  This image represents the maiden aspect of the triple goddess archetype.

She is but one version of a life-force we collectively refer to as The Naeyad.  She celebrates the beautiful wildness in humanity (while it remains a teaching tool on the planet).   She is mother to all, protectress of children (and the child within).

The Naeyad takes many forms throughout our story.  She is everything and nothing, love and light, darkness and shadow, mountain peak and sea-floor chasm, sun and moon, summer rain and winter frost.


An Audio and Pallette Reference:

I'm listening to "A Song for a Winter's Night" as I write -- (Sarah McLaughlin's version - written by Gordon Lightfoot)...

Sarah's vocals invite me on a haunting journey...

"The fire is dying,
The lamp is growing dim,
The shades of night are lifting...
The morning light steals across my window pane,
where webs of snow are drifting"



"The Lane Less Travelled" - Rebecca Christenson 2007

The Beauty of All-One-Ness:

It is a blizzard outside and, although I have a preference for tropical climes, I love the solitude of a storm...Wind blows, drifts build and I reflect.  Whether the water around me is frozen or drifting on the tide...I am immersed.

Sarah's lilting lyrics comment on being lonely, but I haven't felt that in a long time.  I remember being such, but don't feel it...I don't emote.

There is a vast difference between alone and lonely.

Although it is a romantic gesture to miss someone on winter's night, it implies one is not whole without another.  External yearning ends, when answers are found within.

The Naeyad waits for this foundation of peace to be realized by all.

On Fractal Light:

I love the panes of glass Jen painted in this background.  The details are lost in translation via the blog.  If you have the opportunity to see her at an exhibition, you may be transported for a time, into one prismic pane.

If you have ever traced the frosted corners of a window, you know crystallization can be captivating!  Tracing frosty filaments is common in these parts.




Facets eventually combine or disappear as temperatures rise.  Which is a nice metaphor for human development.  The warmer we are to each other, the less separation occurs in the corners of society.

The Naeyad knows the necessity of contrast:

Lies increase the value accorded truth.

Certain mortality adds sweetness to life.

The bitter-sweet... star-crossed lovers...things that almost were, or never meant to be are at home in the company of this lady.  She exists in the spaces between, where our eyes can not fix.

The collective energy of The Naeyad is ever present and as elusive as the most distant star, hanging on the fabric of the cosmos.


The Greatest Gift:

The Naeyad's cryo-genic suspension ends, as we all learn to;

- love unconditionally
- give thanks for all that is
and
- enjoy living in a state of peace