Gallery

Little Lamb

This painting entitled Little Lamb was my second painting and brought it about was the lack of sleep because of thinking of the pending trial. I thought to myself as a child we were taught to count sheep and that would put us to sleep.

I found the petroglyph black and white photo in the book written by David S. Whitley entitled, “Following the Shaman’s Path” which inspired me to paint this picture.

It was an example of the patterned sheep found through-out the Cosco range. The image that I expanded upon can from a panel located on the floor of the wash, on the right side, and partly facing down the canyon on Marker J2 to J3.

Upon examining the photo and the painting I reversed the sheep facing to the right. I felt this was right at the time and do not know why

I slept good that night upon completion of the painting.

Rainmaker One

Rainmaker One came to me from the petroglyph in David Whitney's book depicting panel eight as a frequently copied Coso-Rain-shaman. In the silage of the book it highlights that Native American accounts indicate that figures such as these portray the shame transformed into a spirit being. Like all such figures, they combine natural and supernatural characteristics. 

The rock painting inspired me to paint this painting. Maybe in my sub-concious about writing about the drought I could bring on the much needed water to the high desert.

Rainmaker Two

The following day I painted Rainmaker Two when the clouds were cloudy and the sky grey. After I completed the painting a light rain came about.

With the light rains these were unearthed in my back yard. Pieces of obsidian that have been apparently groomed as tools. 

You can see in the photo how nicely the piece fits in the hand. Thumb and index finger relaxed and natural. A tool of some sort for scraping.

Mama

I call this piece Mama. The evening I painted this I longed for my mothers arms. She died last year but will always be in my heart.

She was inspired from the collection of drawings from the book "A Study of the Cosco Patterned Body Antropomorphis" by Caroline Maddock.

The inspiration came from her documentation of Sheep Canyon in Big Petroglyph Canyon. These are called Serrate Figures and this is just one of two figures found in the range. In the book it states that there are two figures and most likely done by the same person.

I sent a photo to my brother upon completing the painting and he gave me a humble yes, Mama.

Mini Desk Top Petroglyph Paintings

I started painting these 3 inches by 3 inches mini paintings as a representation. They are like mini avatars depicting the power of the petroglyph in the larger paintings. It is my hopes that these close-ups on their faces will be as powerful as the paintings themselves. It is a gentle reminder that me need  to live gently on the earth and because of that we are protected.