A Brand New Day!: December 2009

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Last Day of the Year

I'm heading off to work with a few thoughts on my mind........namely...so whats with 2009? Was it a good year, bad year. Did I learn anything or see anything of lasting value? Were there life changes, good or bad?

Despite the horrible downturn in income, we have been learning about doing with less......and its OK. The state of the ecomony wont be a lasting negative to me, for it has brought much goodness out.

This was the year that my religious ideas morphed. While I remain a lover of Christ, I have gravitated to a universal God appraoch, in which ALL of creation, ALL people groups regardless of cultural religious beliefs, ALL animals, plants, trees, ALL creation, animate inanimate.... ALL are guided by spirit (God)

When I took a fresh appraoch to my beleif system, and used the Anishinaabe beleif system and teachings as my new guide, I came to the same place of faith. I saw the same God. I understood creation in a differant way. I found a personal God honouring way. I then compared my fresh look at what I knew. Not what the words said, but what the personal results were. I arrived at the same place with a differant view. I praised God and added this new found wisdom to my being and then sought more.

I then met Wahe Guru and learned about my Sikh brothers and sisters. Again, I went with a fresh appraoch and found my God there. I spilled my tears of repentance on the floor at the Gardwara when I realized just how big and gracious my God is. My Sikh brothers and sisters have taught me much about love, joy, responsibility to truth, family, faith. That is when I truly realized the error or shortness of my ways.

I then learned about a cosmology or another understanding and appraoach to God. I learned about the concept of Sovereign Integral and worked through the process in my mind and being. I have seen the fruits of such a faith, though I still have a philosophical issue, seing myself as a servent vs a master. I do however live by the three tenants of the Sovereing integral. I beleive in Greatfullness and all expressions of gratitude. I beleive in unity of all things and I also beleive in nurturance. If these three tenants would be practiced by all of creation, then we would certainly have a better world and much better people.

So then I went to a chapters bookstore and armed with a coffee, I stood and read the Koran. I reflected on some of my Muslim brothers and sisters, their behaviours, their struggles. I read the God honouring words and felt a certain peace. I love my Muslim brothers and sisters and someday we will truly unite. There is still a strong cultural boundary between us, which is too bad. When the boundary is lifted, we will see their true beauty.

So I decided after all this to STOP the search. Everywhere I looked, I found my God. So I turn back now and embrace my first love, Jesus Christ. I do this however, with a greater understanding of the one who has all power and knowledge. I beleive I have the power now to love ALL of creation, regardless of culture and beleif system. Some know Christ, some do not....YET. When we all come together as one, we will all know ALL.

The box that I carried God in exploded into pieces this year. I stand in awe.

Anyway, I said more than I intended as ramblings often do. If I dont get back to my terminal I want to wish you all a happy, peaceful and reflective 2010. My prayer is that you not be offended by what I say, but that you would use my ideas and thoughts to find your own path home to God. As a friend told me, you must start that journey from within, for that is where Gods precious seed can be found.

You are beautiful and whole and you have purpose.

blessings to you

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Kelly's Family Tree

One of my supportive co-workers said....um do you think maybe someday you could paint me a picture? I asked Kelly about the color of her room and what size she wanted. She said she only wanted something small and her room is white walls and green trim. I had painted this a few days ago and it spoke to me. Kelly has 5 people in her family. She is a wondeful, joyful person and accepted this painting with pure happiness.

I wrote on the back in pencil...not dry brush...Family Tree; The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness: may you forever feast on these fruits.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Young Thunderbird

"Young Thunderbird is Encouraged by His Community and by The Great Spirits Provisions"

Three Panels

I am young thunderbird.

I am being encouraged in and by the Thunderbird School of Shamanistic Arts.

There are four specific Thunderbirds who have helped me.

They are depicted by the four birds in the outer panels.

The dark green line upon which the painting sits is the Creators timeline.

The lightergreen line that springs from time is the creators provision vine.

This was a gift from the creator.

It contains all things we need to survive in abundant unity.

It is the Garden of Eden

a place of direct access to God.

The green leaves represent food sustenance.

Blue dot, blue center is soul medicine

Blue dot, red center is love and fruit medicine

Blue dot yellow center is knowledge and spirit medicine.

These blue dots are like the creators medicine pills.

They are bigger and better than mere dots.

They represent the essence and perfection of Gods creation.

The circle itself is full of meaning.

Look to the medicine wheel to get a better understanding of the perfect circle.

These perfect circles of good energy that come from Gods creation vine.

The two lines of communication extending from the larger birds are the two thunderbirds who directly help me most. Those are lines of communication that send me not only encouragement, but also extend from me to these peers, as I too nurture and encourage them.

The two smaller birds are thunderbirds I admire and who also encourage me to a lesser yet equally as important extent. Their lines of communications and connectivity are to the vine.

The line of communication from young thunderbird goes to the knowledge and spirit circle.

I bear the cross in my heart,

for I am a vessal of a reconcilled Jesus Christ.

It is He who resides in me,

the Holy Spirit,

The Great Spirit,

the Alpha and the Omega,

the One With all Knowledge and power.

It is the great spirits vine that keeps me connected

and gives me abundant life.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Transformations

Once the serpent is dead, peace can prevail.

Having served its purpose,

This painting was re-painted to signify

this resolution.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Butterflies and Medicine

My glasses are making me ill. I cant see the painting without them and I get dizzy with them....doh. I decided to play with a red background and try my hand at butterflies again. Red is hard to photograph, but it sure feels good to the heart to look at in 3D real with my broken eyes.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Milestones

"Complete"
copyright © don wright 2009

Content"
copyright © don wright 2009

I called this post Milestone because last night I hit two milestones.

I feel like I am breaking free from self and beginning to feel a certain Nirvana. Thank You P and Jimi for the encouragement. I said to my wife this morning that I had a weird out of body experience. It was like I was above watching myself. I felt a "zone" in which things were going blurry...hahaha. This morning I woke up with a headache. As I began to paint and o try and recapture the moment, I felt a blurryness again. My wife handed me her glasses and when I put them on....I could see!!!! So much fopr out of body experience....I am going Blind! Well not blind but I now learn I am short sighted. I need my wifes glasses in order to see the paintings up close...DOH. So today, I am using glasses. This is indeed a milestone. So ther you have it, a certain freedom from self coupled with the realization that "self" is getting old and the warranty is up. Eye doctor here I come!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

An Evening with the Paintbrush

"The Garden of Eden"

I bought myself a five pack of stretched canvas and a tube of red paint on the way home from work today. I was quite relieved that my only reponsibility tonight was to paint. I tried my hand at birds and butterflies and Norval trees. I call this piece "The Garden of Eden" This is where I was hanging out while in the zone.

"The Other Fish"

It isnt easy being the other fish. Being the other fish makes you differant from the rest. Maybe it means you are shunned or rejected. Maybe on the other hand it means you are unique and special....dare to be differant!

Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, God in me

Heres a beautiful song I heard.

I thought I would share it with you all.

Its about Jesus and the wonders of Gods love.

Jesus, Emmanuel,

God with us,

God in me

I praise you with all of my heart

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Thunderbird's Slay Serpents

My wife took one look at this painting and said "OH Don! Its so violent. Is that blood? No Don this is not nice. This is definately your most...I mean only violent piece!" What could I say? I told her "sometimes it hurts, but Thunderbirds Slay Serpents....Thats just what they do. I'm not asking you to like it.....hate it...but the righteous act of the Thunderbird must be accomplished...Thats just the way it is with Thunderbirds". You see, Thunderbirds are the last bastions of truth, valour, honour. They are guided by principles of the spirit. You cant buy a true thunderbird. They are not for sale. True Thunderbirds know the value of life in Spirit and are warriors for truth and justice. Thunderbird's Slay Serpents......Thats just what they do. My wife said..."oh ya...well Serpents dont have blood!" I said "They do when they are being slayed by a Thunderbird!" This serpent is dead. The painting is not finished,.....but it is finished.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Eyes

"Eyes" don wright 2009

I've always heard that eyes are the windows to the soul. I've always beleived that.

I was painting the other night and learned that I can have as much love intent as I want, but if I dont put the eyball in the right place, its all lost.

Here is an example. The loon looks angry, I think because the eye is forward. The fish, on the otherhand, looks scared, I think because thew eye is looking back at the loon. He's probably scared shitless that the loon is going to poke his eye out!

I think I'm gonna try fixing that and explore a little bit with eye placement.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Becoming One

Well there is nothing like learning as you go. You make your mistakes, you try not to repeat them. You learn cool tricks and you try to use them. You learn conventions and try to speak them.

Ritchie taught me that there wasnt really such a thing as a mistake and that often it is a leading. However, in the life of a newby painter sometimes mistakes are just mistakes. I was mixing my paints as Mark had taught me, however, I made my paint a little too watery. I thought hhhmmm a little watery but what the heck. So I applied the paint. Since I am full of myself and like to encourage myself, I lifted the painting to admire. Of course, going from horizontal to verticle causes watery paint to run! Duh. Of course. So I think OK, Ritchie said go with it as a leading. I tried to blow on the paint to mimic more of that drip look. Well of course that just made a mess! and so, I stopped. Took a deep breath. Let the paint dry and I fixed it.

Also, I becan to mix shades of paints. I must remember that I might not see a differance when its wet, BUT wake up in the morning when the sun is out and I sure noticed it! A what the heck; Mistakes and all, this piece was a lot of fun, and if nothing else, I got a chance to practice my Syllabic Signature, which was a gift from a friend.

In case you missed it, I have been using a Cree sylabic signature that spells Don and Sue. The "and" is a unity and equal "and". My wife asked me why I used it, even though she was fast asleep in bed and never even touched the painting. I told her...."cause I like it, it makes me feel whole". She said......"So do I, Those sylabic symbols belong together"

So there you have it.........."Becoming One"

joy in unity, united as one.

Friday, December 18, 2009

A Brand New Day

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Smelling the Roses

My favourite roses are the wild ones. I like to stick my nose in and take a deep deep nasel inhale. The fragrance sticks to your nose hairs and the smell stays for many breaths, In fact, sometimes I can even smell them in my dreams. I like to close my eyes. It helps to focus on the smell. Have you ever noticed how smells can trigger memories? When I smell Chanel, I think of my Gramma. When I smell Lilac I think of my wife. Oh, when I smell Lily of the Valley it reminds me of my motherinlaw. Come to think of it, I bet heaven smells like lilly of the valley. We have a ton of lily of the valley on our property. It grow prolific under the shade of our Maples. Any way, I drifted a bit but not really........ stop and smell........ close your eyes and dream.....
and then remember that moment. That moment when time stood still.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Hi Hanni - Heres a Tribute to my Gramma

Hi Hanni

Thanks for dropping by my blog and reminding me of your precious freindship. Thanks for the condolences and the suggestion to paint something for Gramma.

Hanni, I had an estranged relationship with my grandmother. I was outcast many years ago. Through no fault of my own, I was disowned. Well disowned would be an improper word, because I know that my Gramma loved me. She just had some social troubles. I continue to love my gramma, even though it was years since I last spoke to her. I have painful memories, Yet I have good memories. I remember once calling her up and asking how she was. She told me she was lonely. I said Gramma, it doesnt have to be like this. She said...Yes it does. She chose the seperation and I just had to accept that.

This small painting, 5" x 8" is straight and to the point. My gramma is the turtle. On the turtle are the only offspring who knew her. The circles represent her two daughters, and her son, and her five grandchildren. The Center Yellow Circle is my Grampa. Thats it. While there were many circles that could have been added for her great grandchildren, she chose to swim alone. Despite this, she is still my Gramma and I love her. Her ashes will be put with my Grampa.
In the spring time, we will meet as a family and have a small memorial. We were all outcast Yet we all carry this love for our Nokomis. We will celebrate the good and the future and forgive and forget the past. May she truly rest in the peace that evaded her.

Patti "Rainbow" Wheeler - The Rainbow Machine

This is a Rainbow Spectrum cast from my Patti Rainbow "The Machine"

This is a closeup through "the machine"

Here is another closeup of "the machine"

Patti Rainbow is a known "caster of rainbows". She made this magnificent "machine" out of glass and solder. She made this piece specifically for me. It hangs in my window and is casting rainbows in my living room. Patti taught my wife "stained glass" workmanship. Sue wouldnt dare even attempt a "machine" It is very intricate and the angles have to be just right. I love my rainbow maker. Rainbow makers have been a part of my life since Patti became a Rainbow............Now I'm one too!

Big Red in the Tub - Patti Rainbow

This small painting is a mere 2" by 3"! Now that I have begun to paint, I have a whole new respect for Patti. This peice was made for Sue and I when Patti and Barry had their RV at our place. Big Red became a companion while they visited. I dont blame Red a bit cause Patti always had a secret stash of Tuna! Patti and I both have the same type of hot tub. It is here we see visions and dream dreams.

Big Red was failing and quite old. He was old when he adopted us some 8 years ago. He just wandered in from the street and set up camp. He recently wandered off into the sunset. He spared us both the indignity of euthenasia. Big Red is in the big hot tub in the sky. Thats where cats go isnt it?

Blessings Patti and Barry.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Memory Lane

This is a picture last September 08 when we set up camp in Temagami. I ended up leasing a spot for the green machine over at Emerald Lake Camp at the top of Hwy805. I just received some bad news. It looks like they are re-opening the gold mine. I dont know what the impact will be. Certainly this would be good for business at the camp, yet it may lose its appeal to me. I will pray and hope for the best as I dont really want to relocate. Its a great camp and awesome people. I will remain optimistic.

Emerald Lake Swan - Sacred Temagami Trout

This trumpeter swan landed in Emerald Lake this year.

I honoured it in this small painting

Friday, December 11, 2009

Another Gift From a Friend

A fine artist friend sent me my name in Cree as he knew I was having thoughts on how to sign my work. I really liked the gift and so he helped to add my wife's name Susan. Since my wife and I paint together and since she is always in my mind and heart, I will use the above signature on my work. I will use this signature in honour of Spirit, Friendship, and Unity. With a grateful heart I thank my friend for taking a supportive and nurturing interest in our work and our lives. When I sign this signature, I will also honor his great heritage, a heritage, I have come to learn, that we share in Spirit. Thankyou my friend.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Hey Jimi....You still out there?

Hey Jimi
I noticed from my web counter that you visit frequently, but the URL you are using points to my archives. Not sure if you realized that or not. You are probably wondering....where is that guy? Anyway, use this link
http://keepupwithdon.blogspot.com/

I trust all is well.
don

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

a gift from an artist brother

I just received this gift from a friend.

This is my name "don" in Cree.

It is beautiful.

I love it!

I shall use it to sign my paintings.

Thank you my friend.

You are a rainbow!

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Duck and Trout

North and South

East and West

The Spirit Moves

All is One

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Freinds of Temagami - Alex Mathias

http://www.friendsoftemagami.org/

Here is a great picture of Alex Mathias, Temagami Elder, at the Changing of the Seasons Ceremony, held at Lake Obabika this year. UNfortunately, I couldnt make it this year, but did still enjoy the Old Growth the weekend previous. Alex lives there at the foot of the Old Growth, being a spiritual protector and caretaker of his family inheritance. The location now is a protected Park, yet new logging plans will bring destruction within 800 meters of the sacred Spirit Rock.

In this picture, Alex Mathias would be sharing his love and wisdom. There would be probably 30 or 40 people seated on the rocks in a circle in front of him. He would have probably asked for the feather to be passed, giving each person the undivided and uninterupted right to talk. Person after person would likely talk about how much this forest means to them.

Freinds of Temagami is an organization that works beside our native people to help protect and safeguard this amazing treasure for generations to come. I think this year I must register my membership and put my money where my mouth is. I think its important for me to stay in touch with this oprganization, just in case I am called upon to "sit in" at a protest. I have a vision of being chained to a tree and then being taken to jail for public mischeif. In my dream, I am one of many. It will take many for the machine to see. Sometimes dreams are just dreams yet sometimes they are glimpses of our future......bring it on.

peace, love and blessings

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

My sister and I drove to Petroglyphs Park. I am such a cowboy. I figured we would drive there, hop the gate and have a self guided tour...WRONG. Well not too wrong.

We parked at the locked front entrance and hiked,,,and hiked,,,and hiked to the back of the park. We got to a big chainlink fence with a big no admittance sign. There behind the locked fence was a big locked building. It became very obvious that this was not going to end in success.

We looked down at the gravel below us and there were many amayuar artists reditions of the Petrglyphs carved in the gravel. Of course with weather, water and time, these were hard to see. Teehee, they too were fascinateing even though they were probably only a month old!

Anyway, my sister and I made a date to return. This time, I am going to make the proper arrangements. I think I will contact an elder or the band office up at Curve Lake Reserve. I will tell them my story and I will beg for a teacher to meet us there or perhaps we can take part in a ceremony. I intend to see these Petroglyphs and I intend to see them in person and up close.

On my way back, I stopped at Alderville. I like Smokes gift house. There are some AJ Devries paintings there that I enjoy. He is a great young artist that has caught my eye. I also bought a new medicine pouch to replace the one that was stolen from me. The attendant told me they have ceremonies at the Petroglyphs Park and that if I talk to the right person I can be invited. I also noticed a number of new business in Alderville. It looks like a nice community.

Anyway...so close and yet so far. I will rely on my Gods amazing grace and serendipity to complete the journey. Stay tuned for Part Three.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Question From The Newby

Ok so I finished the painting for the college student and he is really really excited. He told me that I captured his Minds Eye perfect....what a joy!

So here is the question. How do I finish the painting. Do I treat it with anything or spray on anything to help preserve it? It is raw acrylic paint on canvas over particle board(I presume)

If any of you paint masters know the answer or any better suggestions I am all ears.

peace

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Death of a Matriarch

My gramndmother just passed away about an hour ago. She was a whopping 99 years old. Her name was Helen. I have many fond memories. We used to call her Torchy, because well...she was torchy...hehe. I remember standing in line at a bigbox store waiting for the gates to open on sale day. I dare anyone to butt in before my grandmother. She leaves 2 daughters and a son and numerous grand and greatgrandchildren. Rest in Peace Gramma.

Anger in Your Heart Will Comsume You Too!

Everyone has a right to be angry. However, when the anger becomes a driving force and when anger is not dealt with properly, it can become even bigger and manifest itself in our daily living and being. Anger makes us do and say things that we shouldnt. Sometimes anger becomes like a veil that covers our eyes. Soon we find ourselves behaving in ways that are personally destructive. Yes we deserve to be able to express our anger, BUT if we dont take ownership and ultimately forgive, then that anger "backfires" and fills our souls with all sorts of displeasure. Anger breads anger and turns into hatred. Anger becomes a self fulfilling prophesy in our lives and soon that anger just takes over, making us bitter and ultimately spiritually dead.

I have seen this kind of anger ruin peoples lives. While there are fruits of the spirit waiting to enrich our lives, we choose instead to harbour resentment, anger and hatred. Ask yourself if you are a strong enough vessal to contain a lifetime of anger. I think you will agree you are not. This beloved anger becomes a ball and chain and steals our joy. No, ultimately we must make a choice. Lets not anger govern our lives. We are not slaves. We are free. The most beautiful expression of a free man is forgiveness.