Sometimes, in a state of pig-headedness I can’t hear the guidance of my ever whispering inner voice that explains myself to me. In fact, I avoid Tarot readings because, quite frankly, I don’t wanna hear about who I am at particular points in life. That’s probably why I have visions. They’re kinda like sign posts of what I internalize about the world around me, and whether I wanna know it or not, these crazy characters pop up and shove it in front of my eyeballs. So I paint what I see and uncover new relevance in my work each time I share it with others.

Which brings me to The Artist. Unrealized by me at the time of its creation, this is a visualization of the purpose of my work. It depicts my view of the world and the artist I aspire to be. Perhaps upon reading this key to its iconography, you too may find some familiar characters from our shared reality.

The Iconography of The Artist

The Unheard feelings of those who are victimized by the greedy, self-serving actions of others appear as ghostly shadows in the background of a 'civilized' world. (In many of my works, fish represent feelings as expressed emotions.)

Umbrellaman protects himself and his partners-in-crime by hiding their greedy, self-serving deeds.

Lust searches for the next thing that it believes will make it complete, not recognizing that which it needs for wholeness exists within itself.

Carnivorous Pigs eat their young as they indulge their immediate hunger with no thought of their effect on the future.

The Artist sheds her meat suit and dons the yoke of divine inspiration so that she can make visible that which is invisible, or ignored, in the external and internal realms of humanity.

The Rising Snake uncoils the force of Kundalini within the Artist, giving her strength and clarity of purpose.

The Over Intellectualizing Guy spends so much time rationalizing the actions of others that he can't see the effects of those actions. Trapped by his thoughts, he is ungrounded and unable to act. (Detail from my watercolor 'The Artist'. This work is now available as an on-demand print. Find it by clicking Shop Framed Prints in my profile smart bio.)

The Bystander stands at an emotional distance, perhaps unaware of the struggles of The Unheard who are victimized by the abhorrent actions of others.

A Divine Spirit exists in each of us regardless of our life's station. If we listen, it can inspire us to compassion so that we may act with kindness toward ourselves and others.

The Teacher reminds the next generation that Ignorance and Fear can create an overwhelming cacophony through which it is difficult to hear the subtle guidance of our Divine Spirit.

You can read the story this watercolor tells on my website HERE, and purchase framed on-demand prints at Metaphysical Art Gallery HERE.