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The past few years, I have found myself drawn to many things of which I realize now I have frequently taken for granted. The clarity of the sky, the billowing of the clouds, the sounds of nature, and of course the mystery and connection we all have to the plants, trees and all the little creatures who live in or around them.

This reality became the backdrop to color my heart, and my paintings. The world (and nature) becomes an inspiration and a gift with the introduction of the intricacies and artistry radiating from abandoned nests, pieces of a broken song bird egg placed on the ground after the hatchlings burst free (which are always mysteriously left in my path), or just the forces which continue to draw my eyes to the sky both in daylight and at night time (songs from above, floating of a feather or that of a leaf and the sparkle of the stars).

Because I see all of these as "signs", I've decided to research and paint the emotions and images attached to my findings. I feel that when combining visions with reality, and mixing real objects in a "dream-like" composition, I am able to offer the viewer the ability to explore creative thinking and feeling as I have.

As you can see, I retain a fascination with feathers, nests and eggs, as most of these images come from a foundation and respect gained from spending time in nature. My experience in "wild places" combined with my own curiosity has confirmed to me that we have done a great injustice to those native to US land (Trail of Tears)

I see now that those who walked this ground before me present strong earth-centered principles and have left many of these lessons present.

For me, my nature paintings with these earth symbols such as a feather, represents natural beauty, spirituality, and freedom of flight.

For me, nests suggest a warmth and security of home while eggs remind me of birth. As life guides me and nature assists with my own journey, I choose to carry objects of significance whether in thought or in hand of many of my important life passages. With my most recent visits by a pair of hawks who have permanently nested within my home ground, I feel particularly connected to them as one of my significant animal of inspiration. I continue to find wonderful feathers and gifts from my bird friends each day.

I believe that if traditions are based on experiences and knowledge, honor and respect. Many carry different meanings to different people. For example, there may be a specific meanings to having a hawk cross your path vs. an owl visit you at night (i.e. see definitions on animals and meanings). I believe that we need to be aware of how and why nature DOES communicate with us, regardless of the method.

The past few years, I have delighted in being the recipient of many unique messages and gifts which have been dropped from the sky on my path to teach me of something significant. More recently, on one of the solo nights of a Vision Quest, my birth sister who was thousands of miles away and her children found a hawk feather in their yard. During my time in the canyons, I assembled a clan of close friends and family members and asked them to think of me during this time alone. To them and to me this feather was something symbolic of my journey alone. They knew I was pursuing answers to understanding "how to widen the circle of my purpose". Part of what started my pursuit of the earth-related themes were feathers......how interesting they received one so carefully placed on one of my solo nights!

The simplicity of my paintings, the significance of each object within them, the colors selected and overall composition represents self-growth, release of the past, and the choice to fly free! I hope you enjoy each composition, and it speaks to you in it's own way.

I have much respect for the foundation of people who where in this country before us "whites" arrived. I honor them, and mourn the way in which they were treated and killed. This section is dedicated to their strength and faith in the great spirit. To all Native American and Aboriginal people - thank you for your gifts.