Wednesday Art Salon

"Gretchen in the City" - mixed media on gallery-wrapped canvas, 36" x 36"

Two weeks after the 30 in 30 challenge, and my studio is overrun with malarkey.

Recently I was warned by a friend to watch out for gators in the storm drains here in Florida.  I have to admit, there hasn't been a single gator in sight since my arrival in June.  But that doesn't mean they aren't out there.  My mind stirred up a bit of imajenation about this and tossed it onto my largest canvas ever! 

So what does the alligator mean for those who come across it?   Native American wisdom holds the gift of the alligator is to fully appreciate and integrate everything in your life.  Digesting pleasure and pain, laughing when you're too serious, letting go of rigidity.  If a gator appears to you, she might be advising you examine the facts of a situation before taking action or passing judgment.

Gator medicine asked you to count your victories and honor rites of passage in your life.  Honor your progress.  Slow down and take time to appreciate all you've accomplished.  An overwhelming message of the alligator is to avoid getting caught up in the judgment of others (for artists, I believe that means create the work without worrying what others will think!)  and to focus on your own process and growth.

Above all, the alligator teaches patience and timing.  Gator people balance their own emotions with the facts before moving forward, taking time to observe and process a situation.  If the alligator has appeared to you, she may be warning you something has escaped your assessment...you've missed an important piece of the puzzle.  Stop and look.

As for me, I will be looking carefully at storm drains and sewers, lakes and ponds.  Looking for a big, pink alligator named Gretchen.

​This piece is available, ready for hanging.  Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com