June 2014
I finally finished the phoenix wing!!!
It’s the final piece in my Fireplace Project, and by far the most challenging.
The pieces are roughly based on the 4 Elements: Earth, Air, Water and Fire.
Most artists will tell you that things in groups of 3 are more interesting and attractive. But Native American spirituality tells us that our society would be much more in balance if we connect with the number 4. There are 4 elements, 4 seasons, 4 directions, 4 stages of life, 4 aspects of life (spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical) and in Native American spirituality 4 sacred animals (Eagle, Bear, Wolf and Buffalo), 4 ceremonial plants (tobacco, sweet grass, sage and cedar), and the list could go on. With both ideas in mind, the 4 elements came together in 3 columns.
Each piece is a different technique working with paper. The larger vertical frames are 30″ x 16″ and the smaller frames are 17″ x 13″. All of the individual projects are now completed! The final Fire project was the most ambitious I’ve attempted and there were many working models.
These are the ideas/inspirations for the projects.
Earth
the inspiration: my finished project:
(from artist Peter Callesen)
Air
the inspiration (one of my popup cards): my finished project:
Water
the inspiration: my finished project:
(sorry – I don’t know the artist)
Fire
the inspiration: my finished project:
(From artist Calvin Nichols)
