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I have always felt so connected to Frida Kahlo. Not because I'm an artist, but because of her endurance through pain and physical challenges. Actually, even more so because we have the commonality of being RBK (right below knee) amputees. I have been an amputee for over 50 years, so I can relate to her exploration in art through the spiritual journey that this takes one on. I've created many Frida Art Dolls over the years, but my most recent one held great meaning for me. This time I decided that I needed to portray what lies beneath. This piece is a Cloth and Clay creation. When I sewed her body I used an acrylic medium to actually paint her prosthetic leg and her lace up red boots.

Those scars that we acquire in life, the residues from trauma, they stay with us. But how they remain with us 5 years later are different than how they present 10 years later. The emotions attached can transform as we heal and as we grow. As we move through the grieving and healing processes, our perceptions of our selves and our scars walk through the processes too. Until one day that wound that was horrific and painful can change into a beautiful scar that has helped to build your character and reminds you of how strong you really are. These thoughts are what I tried to portray in my recent painting "Our Scars can be Beautiful". In the painting I placed the scar on the Goddess's abdomen, yet it doesn't appear as a scar but just a part of her design. There are blooming petals surrounding her body, and all of the flowers and design in the mandala around her represent the healthy goodness that she now attracts with her experienced spirit.

Understanding that we are not victims that Life is happening TO but that we are delicate souls that Life is happening THROUGH, can greatly change our perspective. It helps in understanding the importance in seizing the moment... in passionately and fearlessly going on this wild ride...and appreciating our existence in this beautiful messy life.

Have you noticed as we grow older how our holidays change? How they evolve into something different? When we are raising our families the holidays revolve around the kids, then as we get older and they get older the priorities shift and the celebrations change. Now older I found that some of those holidays weren't even really very important to me. As I have grown and changed, so have the things I want to celebrate. So, over time I have changed the things that I celebrate and how I celebrate. I have even found that I kind of create my own celebrations for the things I find important. Celebrating SIsterhood is one of them.

The Atlas Moth has a special place in my heart not only for its beauty but for its symbolism. Some say it was named after Atlas in Greek Mythology, who was deemed to hold the weight of the skies on his shoulders. Sometimes don't we all feel like that? Things can feel heavy with all of the literal, as well as perceived, responsibilities on us. Moth medicine can teach us about camouflage - when to be seen and not - and the importance of discernment in who we show our vulnerability to. The energy of the Atlas Moth embodies Strenth and Perseverance. This is reinforced with the color symbolism of the shades of orange, known for passions and relationships. It can allow us to have better senses of who to surround ourselves with - who respects our highest good - who is safe in our world.

The Norse Goddess Freyja is known to be the Goddess of Love, Beauty, Fertility, Sex, War, and Magic....but she is so much more Complex and Powerful than that description. I've worked with Freyja for 12 years, and it has always been meaningful on so many levels.