- Published on
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.
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.
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?
6 Comments
Jen, so much to explore. So much magic, mastery, and mystery to plumb. And the light you've captured! I am agog. And fired up!
Dotty! Thank you my friend. I can't wait to see what your fired-upedness creates! xoxoxox
I love this painting! Perfect colors and shapes! It has power and makes me think it is here to deliver news or in this case force you to change how you look at something. The blogpost is fascinating as well. One I will do some research on for sure.
oooooh thank you Carl! If this image and words is causing a little curiosity and a tempting path of research and contemplation, then my job here is done. ha ha! Thanks so much for your constant support and feedback. :)
Just pops out from the background. Love the drips and drops and collaged moon! We don't have, or I haven't spotted any, black crows, but we have lots of the hooded variety. Saw one at the pool this summer take out a closed bag of potato chips from a kid's backpack and have a feast! Sometimes putting a pecan nut on the road and wait for a car to crack it!
Carol, I had to google hooded crows to see what they looked like! Rather an elegant bird compared with our behemoth crows here. Absolutely lovely!
