I thought I had embarked on a new series of fable paintings and assemblages when I realized with my latest painting, “Pity the Blind” that I have been there all along. A fable imparts a lesson or sage advice and unlike a parable it often involves animals, plants, inanimate objects and forces of nature that are anthropomorhized- given human qualities. An author of fables is called a fabulist & the word “fabulous”, strictly speaking, pertains to a fable or fables though it has taken on the meaning of outstanding in recent decades.Don’t you just love that word “fabulist”!?

I just finished “Pity the Blind” this week- (and will have professional photos posted on my website soon)

It all began with my trip to Bali & Java last spring & the beautiful relief carvings that I saw of Bird Women with a Tree.  Please see my previous blog for a photo of one of the carvings. What was their story- their meaning? Not knowing, I made up their story: the Bird Women represent the sacred feminine & the tree became the Tree of Life. I chose the postcard “Pity the Blind” because metaphorically, for me & my story, it represented pity for those that are blind to the sacred feminine, to the beauty of this earth & the knowledge of the Tree of Life. The sage advice- given by the Bird Women-”Don’t be blind to all that is part of the Tree of Life including the sacred feminine & have pity for those that are”.

There is a sensuous feminine lotus bud in the center of the tree that blossoms into a lotus flower at the top. In Buddhism the heart of all beings is like an unopened lotus- representing love & compassion.  In Tantrism it is the symbol of the feminine principle. The pink lotus is reserved for the highest deity.The Bird Women are the guardians of the Tree of Life & the messengers of its knowledge for all beings.

The eyes see the knowledge- they are not blinded by ignorance, anger, prejudice or self absorption.There is a lot of texture in this painting- I used stencil paste to create it.

The background has animals- birds, insects, reptiles, water life and plants -painted so that it looks like a worn fresco.

When I was done with this painting I turned my attention to an assemblage that I have been wanting to create that centers around another fable. I took one of the doll heads off of my Burning Man bike & attached it to this old rusty can.

I also began creating another bird woman out of a bird body & a doll head.

I’ll tell you the fable & show the paintngs on the sides of the can of a fierce dragon & silly white unicorn/cow animal next time. I love being a fabulist- how about you!?