Shaman’s Dream/Emergence is about establishing an internal dialogue and communication between the lower mind/ego and the higher self. The vision came to me in a dream that was beckoning me to wake up and become a clearer mirror for myself. In the dream, the vivid colors in the wings, the purples and reds, were shimmering and reflecting back and forth to each other symbolizing a dialogue between the higher and lower self...a time for personal transformation.
In the summer of 98’, I journeyed into the lower realms of Antelope Canyon in northern Arizona. The canyon’s only entry is via a rope ladder that gains access to the underground passage which has narrow undulating walls that offer no escape in the event of a flash flood. The previous spring twelve people lost their lives as a raging torrent of water rapidly filled the normally dry canyon while they were hiking. As I moved through the ominous setting, the walls were always within an arm’s reach. I could sense the spirits of the people who had recently lost their lives. They were forced into a higher vibration in a dramatic way. These feelings remained with me and became the setting for Shaman’s Dream/Emergence.
In the winter of 98’, I began this painting to help me transform negative feelings. As I painted , my lack of energy and luminescence forced me to come to a complete stop. In a effort to let go of this lethargy , I visited one of my favorite canyons. As I laid down on a massive rock, a huge butterfly fluttered continuosly around me sending me messages to emerge and wake up from the dreamy, sleepy state and come into a more awakened aliveness. When I got home, this inspiration assisted me to create a positive inner dialogue between the lower mind and the higher self.
Emergence!
Note all the animals in the painting, each with its own symbolism.