Carvings and paintings

Cow Skull Painting
(December 2012)

 



I started with a circle, dividing it into equal portions of black and white.  Many Aboriginal tribes hold these colours as significant.  Black represents introspection, self examination, and reflection.  White represents the wisdom of our elders.   The Turtle represents the earth mother and she is honoured for saving mankind from the Great Flood in many Native American folk legends.  The Turtle is the immortal mother who stoically and silently, carries the heavy burden of man upon her back.

The diamond is used to represent the wind, which is considered to be a living force in and of itself.  It is also a symbol of life, and as such each of the sides have a meaning.  They represent unity, freedom,eternity, and balance.  This symbol was chosen to carry the Turtle.

Wolf tracks indicate the presence of a teacher and also of spiritual energy.  The Wolf is a symbol of mentoring, teaching and wisdom.  When we cross paths with the Wolf, we are urged to be aware that we can all be teachers to everyone we meet.  In a single sentence, we can teach love or hate to all those we encounter.

The smaller diamonds on either side of the turtle's head is a symbol of the Eye of a Medicine Man.   A Medicine Man or Shaman was believed to have magical powers of Spiritual Healing and of seeing into the future.  The outer lines of the symbol represents the four corners of the Universe - North, South, East and West of the physical world.  The inner lines represent the Spirit world, which the Medicine Man had knowledge of.  The center circle represents the eye of the Medicine Man and his spiritual wisdom.

The beads are used to represent tears (not a traditional Native American symbol).  I cannot believe that there is anyone in the role of a healer who will not experience tears as they listen to those who have come for healing and support.  Unlike tears which evaporate and disappear these beads are permanent and are intended to represent the permanent burden taken on by the Medicine Man, the feathers attached to the bottom of those tears are used to symbolize the freedom gained by the one who has come for healing.

For one to pursue the role of a healer, one will need strength and knowledge of when to intervene with suggestions for change, and when to simply accept and acknowledge the pain being expressed by the individual seeking help and healing.

This skull painting then is intended to represent the parts of a healer.  It points to some of the knowledge required,  and it is my hope for success in my friends quest to become a healer.  This object was made for him.

          Medicine Stick
(July 2012)

I began this carving last summer after finding a branch lying on the ground in the Whiteshell ProvincialPark.  I did not begin the carving with any pre-conceived images, rather I simply followed the wood and let it dictate to me what images to render.

The Turtle is the head of the stick and it represents wisdom, it also happens to be a spirit guide for my friend, (I was unaware of this at the time). Below the turtle is a wood spirit who acts under the guidance  of the turtle. At the moment the tree spirit is calm. Below the tree spirit is a lizard.  The lizard is a creature that can cause discomfort among some individuals but is not intended to be a symbol of evil.   The tree spirit looks down at him but is not making any effort to stop him from climbing to see the turtle.  Below the lizard there is another tree spirit, only this time it's face is twisted as it is engaged in placing a block to the snake which is below him.  The snake is a symbol of evil that comes up from the ground, and if unchecked can bring harm to those in contact with it.  The snakes passage has been stopped by this tree spirit under the guidance of the turtle.

The stick then, is a tribute to and documentation of the Turtle's wisdom. I am not versed in traditional spiritualism, the medicine stick was made for my friend.  I hope it may be a tool for him to use as he pursues his quest to become healer.