Rodomontade

Rodomontade

"Rodomontade"  - mixed media on cradled wood panel, 24" x 26" x 1.25".  Ready to hang.  Available here and at Artfinder.

Portland is a crow mecca. They gallop across the road in front of my little dog, as if to say "we can't even be bothered to fly away from you, tiny creature."  They accept offerings in my front yard and ask for water during the dry summer months.  They fly the same path past my back door each evening on their way home to roost.  And I do believe they hold sway in the Portland fashion world, as so many of us here have a wardrobe which is 99.9% black or dark clothing. :)

As I sit with the work of Rick Bartow, there appears the crow archetype as viewed by First Peoples - the trickster.  We might be tempted to make a host of assumptions given the word "trickster".  But, dear reader, you know crows like I know crows.  We aren't fooled by their antics and charm.  They bring us secret messages -  if we dare to open them.

The trickster archetype (our black-garbed avian) exists to question, to cause us to question and not accept things blindly.  This meshes nicely with one of  The Four Agreements - "don't make assumptions."

When a way of thinking becomes outmoded and needs to be torn down and rebuilt, trickster appears.  If you're like me, the first response to the mere suggestion of tearing down and rebuilding the ways you are thinking is to dig in your heels and furrow your brows.  I chuckle as I write this, because I'm learning that these responses are exactly the clue that says - yep, girl, this is what you need to dive into. - take a breath and get on with it already.  Dropping the resistance makes everything  easier.

​This archetype also materializes when you are stuck chewing on your anger and frustration. I know, those two can be mighty tasty, and it may feel temporarily good to roll them over your tongue.  But they can be transformed into humor, into acceptance and perhaps even a new path in the road to consider skipping down if you're willing to set them free.  Humor tastes like cotton candy rolled in chocolate and dipped in crushed potato chips.   Maybe yours has sprinkles and a cherry on top?