Beginning the Journey on Canvas

The first test was enlarging the small sketch to the canvas and then adding some acrylic colors

While the colors were bright, i knew it was just the first layer

Since I saw a bird and man, I researched finding Spirit Animals. Working with a circle, you create a quiet atmosphere where you can breathe deeply and allow the release of fears and expectations. For an artist this also applies as we are worried about messing up the concept.

Working with chalk, i was free to make circles and marks that could be erased later or serve as  a guide to the paint. I added a grass mat to ground me and the feel of pottery that quieted my hands.

As instructed, symbols of sacred medicine were added - sage and cedar as well as an old painted leather bookmark that I had in my studio.  As the person became more dreamlike and the bird more spiritual, I changed their colors. Now the bird appeared as a hummingbird to me.