Painting – Little Floating Altars

art, digital painting, 33 Comments
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IMAGINE.
You are sitting quietly beside a little creek in the autumn sun,
listening to the trickle of the water
and a leaf comes floating by.
A small floating altar. Some of us as children made them.
We added a few twigs, maybe a small stone, and then sent them sailing on their way, most always with a giggle.
IMAGINE.
Today, you are the one to find the leaf sailing by…
This imagining, was the inspiration for the painting “Little Floating Altars.”
Upon this altar is wheat, two acorns, and two slips of paper with “Love” and “Laughter” written upon them. A key gently settles beneath the message. A dragonfly skims the water.
This is a gift for you, and your message.
This painting contains symbolism creating the message itself. Let’s interpret them one at a time.


Throughout history, water has been used as a symbol of wisdom, power, grace, music,
and the undifferentiated chaos that gave rise to the physical world. Possibly the current chaos we are all experiencing, will give rise to a renewed time of wisdom, power, grace, and music. The results of a harmonious relationship within peace. And we must choose this peace again and again.
A leaf is a symbol of growth, and the relationship between the leaf and the tree. What is your tree, your true heart, and the life giving energy that supports you?
In the Chinese tradition the leaves of the Cosmic Tree represent all of the beings in the universe. All of us together, the greater good of all.
Acorns have a deep and rich symbolism. The acorn as a seed, is a symbol of growth and unlimited potential. In its dormant state the acorn reminds us that we too, need periods of rest and dormancy to inspire periods of growth, to understand the importance of living within the seasons, with grace and harmony. Perhaps one of the gifts of isolation, is a time to reflect upon our “tree.”
The staff of life. Wheat symbolizes rebirth and resurrection, sprouting from the earth and feeding the people. Wheat is a product of efforts and the harvest is the rejuvenation of the spirit and the body. A bounty, a promise, and sustenance. It is also physics, our attention and emotions are our harvest, where are we placing our attention and emotions, with the truth or fear? One enables us, one dis-ables us.
In almost every part of the world, the dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity, and understanding the deeper meaning of life. In your heart of hearts, aren’t we all striving for acceptance and joy? The enemy of joy is separation, fear, and demoralization. Inhumanity destroys hope, humanity nourishes and builds love, understanding and support.
At its heart, a key is an opener of locks. Keys are symbols of opening and closing.  Sometimes a key means the difference between freedom and domination, or life and death. This key represents the truth, each day and in each moment, ask for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. See behind the smoke and mirrors, and take great comfort in the truth of your heart beyond fear. This key is courage.
Love and laughter is a direct link to the truth, and the greatest builder of the immune system. Love and laughter can be found in every moment. Try it, with each challenge or disappointment, chose to laugh even if it is just a physical chuckle. This first laugh will trigger a sense of forgiveness, a subtle calm will follow, then information for the next step full of balance and wisdom. Try a chuckle now, and an instant smile will follow. Keep Love and Laughter as the guardians at the gate.

Chin up, steady on,
pray for what you want, and not what you don’t want!

If you have made it this far, then I am deeply honored and
I thank you!
Peace.
Art Cards & Print

  2. It’s absolutely wonderful, I love the painting and the deep meaning of the symbols, a beautiful and precious message that will always remain in my heart, thank you infinitely for sharing! ♥️
    I send you a very big hug full of affection! 🤗😘❤️

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  9. So beautiful and engaging Liza! I resonated right off the bat with a floating leaf. I have memories as a child floating things down the water curbside after a rain and imagining all kinds of wonderful things. Right now I have a tiny raft I made out of found twigs and it’s my intention to take that to the creek in my town and let it go. I made a tiny back pack to rest on it, also with found twigs and some scrap fabric. I’m going to fill it with pieces of paper that hold painful parts of my life that I have and am in the process of letting go of spiritually.

    There’s so much symbolism here that has meaning for me. Acorns!!! I have a large oak tree that about every other year dumps tons of acorns. They are a challenge to rake up and easy to become frustrated with. That was until I read a bit more about their symbolism.

    I’ll stop there. I just appreciate the time and consideration you clearly put into your artwork and the writing that goes along with it on your website!!!

    Thank you.

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    1. O Catherine, thank you so very much!
 
I am in awe of your deeply moving, joyful, and courageous tribute to releasing the pain of yesterday and moving into your “now” without it. I am so tickled and excited for you! I am sure that same delightful joy as a child floating things down the curbside in the rainwater will come bubbling up to stand there beside you, and cheer “Hurrah! Lets do it again!”. I love that image. 

All of us suffer with painful past experiences, and I sometimes wonder if that is also a test of sorts, to choose to learn the compassion for others through the experience, and to then chose the courage it takes to let it go. Letting go what probably became a definition of who thought we were, but not who we really are. Three cheers to the unlimited potential of YOU! Your paintings are already a reflection of this kind joyfulness. 

Take a photo! My gratitude to you for letting me know, for this has been a great gift to me….and for the part of me that just wants to paint a “moment” that someone else says “hey! Me too!” – Thank you for sharing this – Liza.

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Thoughts?

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