Grandmother Raven
Watercolor on board, colored pencil.
Ravens are intellegent, interesting birds with distinct personalities. Last year I taught a watercolor workshop in Yellowknife NT, 100 miles south of the arctic circle, a place that must be the raven capital of the world. Many women I met there also like them and had stories illustrating just how special these corvids are. Raven flies through the spiritual traditions and myths of Celtic and First Nations peoples. Sometimes with positive associations, other times not, depending on the culture telling the story.
This painting was created a few years ago and the exerpt is taken from the portion of my notes describing the way I personally relate to ravens. My father died a few months ago, prior to that he was cared for by my mother and myself, with home health (hospice) nurses coming by every three days. Watching a loved one slowly depart mind and body over a course of days, weeks, months and even years is something many women (and men) are doing these days. Our children grow up, but within a few years we begin caring for aging parents. This painting celebrates not only raven and the waning moon, crone phase of life but the way observing the decline and death of loved ones can sober a person. We look death straight in the eye, realizing that the empty darkness within the skull’s socket is our fate as well. This realization, once it hits you in the gut, is strangely liberating and can shed new light and perspective. Sometimes, at the end of those long days taking care of dad and witnessing all that transired, I’d stand outside in the Texas night. I’d breath in the cool, cedar scented air, gaze up at the moon and try to process it all, just like the woman in this painting.
“From birth, when we enter the world of light, until death, when we journey outward through the center of the Big Dipper and onward to the land beyond the pines, women own the power to perpetuate tradition and culture. Worldwide, regardless of patriarchal society’s efforts to negate, steal, and belittle this truth, woman is the cohesive balance within the family. Our caring hands deliver new life, and often escort life out of this world as well, when we care for and accompany our dying relatives to the very end. Our love and actions weave the strands of life within family and community into a cohesive net. When society convinces us otherwise, or prevents women from doing so, the net frays and unravels. The burdens are often heavy, yet women endeavor to perpetuate their powerful role within family and community. All women are sacred, carrying within the promise of future generations. Nothing and nobody can take this away. “
Text and image copyright Helena Nelson -Reed. Please do not use without written permission.
Grandmother Raven belongs to the following groups:
Birds and Creatures of Flight, Mature Woman and The BirdsAvailable for sale as Greeting Cards and Laminated Prints
Matthew Scotland
your work is stunning, and great description, beautiful
Patricia Anne ...
dito
coppertrees
Very nice Art
RavenSoul
WOW! I adore both painting and words Helena. Its saddens me yet relaxes me to know someone else understands.. if that makes sense. Thanks for putting this up. Love Vonne
RickF
Great work!
Sande Elkins
Gorgeous art work and profound words. I’ve always said that we learn nothing during the happy times in our lives; it is the difficult, sad, and sometimes tragic times that teach us and strengthen us. Sometimes it seems like a long dark tunnel but we come out the other side transformed.
helene ruiz
excellent
J W Baker
Fantastic work as always – Bravo!
catherine walker
magnificent
Ariane
As a woman this is so profoundly moving.
Judi Corrigan
Another excellent & inspiring creation Helena.
Meeli Sonn
Great description. Very good work.
linskudd
Wow – Helene. Such wonderful words, how true as well. Gorgeous painting – you have such talent. And Raven, the bringer of healing, initiation, protection and prophecy. Well, you know I love your work.
richardredhawk
such an awesome work
Wendy Slee
Your words and art have such a profound effect, they speak so eloquently a truth that is deeper than our dreams, they resonate through me, as if echoing a hidden part of myself….. all I know and believe….. you have such a gift….
I find your beautiful Grandmother in this piece to be the image of the one I wrote the following piece for….I saw her in a vision and she gave me the poem…
I would love to dedicate it to you and thank you for the beauty and wisdom you bring forth to our world…..
Medicine Woman
Helena Nelson-... in reply to Wendy Slee’s comment
If anybody hasnt done so yet, check out Wedy’s medicine story. Its a perfect mate to this painting and stands alone in itns own right. I feel humbled this is dedicated to me because that honor isnt deserved. Whatever you feel when looking at my art is from within yourself. My sincere thanks, Wendy.
velveteagle
So beautiful.. You do make one feel good ..Thank you for sharing such talent..
Paul Stephen ...
Beautiful compelling image and words thankyou Helena Paul :)))))))))))))))
Anni Morris
Usual stunning work Helena, well done :) ~ Anni
Dawnsky2
beautiful ,, very beautiful!! :)
saleire
Outstanding work…..truly gifted!!!!! I love the writing and have my own raven story to tell. This story is both moving and so full of love and light that I am thinking…...you should write a book about these things…..it would uplift and bring peace to them.
Peter Zentjens
Impressive work again Helena
sandraellen
.....if i could paint, draw and write like you…i’d be a ‘happy camper’
—love your ‘style’—sandratheyellowfury
You’re so cool. We only have crows here and they are at this moment scratching around the roof above my room. They annoy some of them in the house but not me. Caaaaaaaaw!
Heather Rivet...
fantastic
Susan Epps Oliver
A truly beautiful image, Helena
Sarai
Absolutely astonishing. My kind of art!!!!
S
danita clark
Stunning artwork Helena, and the narrative is valuable, a reminder ….
she is so familiar ,
and i could go so far as saying she reminds me of my own grandmother; a moving piece.
Van Cordle
Wonderful creative work Helena!!
Tahnja
you know what Helena? You have this way of reaching down deep in my soul with your work that is so very, very special. God bless you and your work always
Wendy Slee
Thank you so much Helena…... I think you are too humble. You are right in saying that what people see and feel from your art is only a discovery of what lies within them…but that being so – you have a the gift for holding up the best mirror I have ever seen!!!!!
Jennifer Prome...
You have such a beautiful work!! the lines and colours are so graceful. the feeling that comes looking at it is wonderful. Congratulations :-)
Skye Ryan-Evans
Greetings Helena, I am deeply impressed by your spiritual artistry. I adore many of the subjects you have included in your portfolio and know that I will be stopping by regularly, to view more.
It’s a joy to make your acquaintance. Namaste, Skye
Skye Ryan-Evans
I just now read the entire text accompanying this masterpiece and I am just as moved by your words as by your artworks. Thank you for sharing your powerful insights. I agree wholeheartedly with your message and stance when it comes to Raven, Spirit and Womanhood.
Blessings to you, Skye
jennyfnf
I could not read or see the image without failing to catch the connection. What a wonderful way with words and a presentation of pure love.
Adrian Kent
Your work is truly great, love it all.
brianjarvis
neat colouring
louisegreen
Your incredible paintings always tell a story Helena, you have an amazing gift to share through your beautiful art.