Monday Art Salon - June 8, 2015

“Stork” mixed media on paper, 
26” x 18"

I’ve been cleaning my studio the past week or two in preparation for our big move to sunny Florida.  Old paints and stubs of pencils, dried up pens and half-started projects found themselves victims of the big purge.  Of course, I uncovered a ton of treasures during the process as well, things I will look forward to using in my new studio space next month.

One of the simple treasures I uncovered was a large piece of watercolor paper, the remnant of a huge piece I had cut up for a class.  The piece was long and narrow, a little uneven in parts and rough around the edges, but for some reason it had to be painted immediately.  (Art supplies speak to me that way sometimes.  It may be crazy, but it works!)  I had in mind a tall bird, but wasn’t feeling herons or egrets or flamingos.  As I mulled my choices, I remembered the dozens of hikes my family has taken in Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Florida, where families of nesting storks can be seen at certain times of year.  So a stork emerged on the paper within minutes, and dazzled me with his brilliance for several days of play on the paper.

Once the final touches were finished and the stork delivered safely to the framer, I had to know: what message did this stork have for me?  There are no babies on the way around here (thank goodness!) which would be the most traditional stork lore.  But storks mean so much more than new babies...

The stork represents renewal and rebirth.  They are closely tied to water and to feminine energy (alright! channeling my inner priestess!)  They are a symbol sacred to Juno, the Roman goddess of hearth and home, who is a warrior for safety.  The stork symbolizes protection at home (just what I need for a new abode in a new place!)

In Chinese wisdom, the stork represents long life and prosperity.  It also symbolizes good luck and prosperity specifically from unseen sources (who doesn’t like a little serendipitous prosperity?) and this resonated with me.

Stork energy aids you in new beginnings…which is exactly what is in store for me this month!  Moreover, stork energy brings you calm and peace through the transition of a new beginning.  Now I like that message quite a bit, and feel really touched this stork decided to visit me right now, just before a move, to bring me his wisdom.

This piece is available.  Framed.  Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com

---