Ok.. so the phoenix was not necessarily born of ashes

BUT…I was struggling with the image of the Phoenix.. y’know the myth of the large eagle-like bird the was born from ashes, and then was consumed by fire and then again was reborn from the egg containing the ashes of its former self. So, it’s been used all over history, not that it diffuses the power of the myth, but actually, it reinforces it, I think. I have been committed to get back to painting every week, and this idea of being consumed by fire and then being reborn of the stuff, the remains, of the stuff that destroyed the life, is very fascinating. But anyway, in my most frustrated moment, I realized that my pallette was really tired and needed to be refreshed - y’know when everything looks vaguely purpley-brown - it’s time. When I place my dirty brush into the dirty bowl, the phoenix was born in the bowl - like an egg filled with ashes from the work of the day. OK… those of you who know me know that I am relatively pragmatic. This kind of thing does not usually make me all feeling connected to the ooey-gooey cosmic stuff of the universe when other people talk about it.. but man… you should been there. IT WAS AWESOME! Then - to top off the whole darn thing.. a Bald Eagle flew over my studio. In the 20 years I have been living here, I have not seen an eale with my own eyes.. so I thought that was , as Meg Ryan says .. “It was a Sign…”

2 comments January 16th, 2008