Being Present

This shadow boxed is filled with jaw bones of small animals, and stones and tube worm casings and marbles found on the beach. The beach is a lovely place to find objects. I often come across bits of ceramic bowls and cups and even old dinner ware. I've found flow blue and roseville. I've found tiny bottles and glass stoppers. On the beach there are agates--you have to look hard at first, but then after awhile, they seem to appear without trying. I think this is like life--if you look too hard, you don't see. It's that soft focus that lets everything in--sort of a Buddhist meditation practice of sorts. Letting life in without resisting. Recently I read in a meditation book that nothing can stick--it just keeps going through--because we are energy. Interesting to think about. As an artist, it is the resistance that blocks the work. So letting go is the best--letting things come in--be like a window.

Number 23

This was the first shadow box I made. It includes a jaw bone from a small animal, a small bird's egg shell, buttons, ceramic bits from Italy, a birds wind, a key, a marble, and beads. This shadow box has significance for me, being that 23 adds up to 5--which is my birth number--if you've ever ventured into numerology, you'll see that numbers have meaning. This means that I'm to be a teacher--oddly enough--I am a teacher. The goddess is a symbol of my need for self expression as a female. I've been wounded around my femininity, as have so many other women. Supporting myself with loving kindness is the answer to rebuilding inner strength and a belief in oneself. Also doing art is a healing process, so I always allow myself the freedom to create.

Turning Knot

This painting was made into a book cover in 2005. My friend and poet, Kelli Russell Agodon chose this painting for her book cover, "Small Knots." To see the cover and read more about her, check out www.agodon.com/

Sound Current

This is an acrylic painting on watercolor paper. I tape down the edges of the paper first, using removable masking tape. When I peel up the tape after the painting is dry, I have a very nice border around the image. My inspiration for this painting came from the current on the water. Where I live, the Puget Sound is constantly changing colors and textures, from the wind, the clouds, the sun--even the rain. Snakes of current travel with the tides, the current moving in or out of bays and along inlets. It's beautiful, the smooth texture reflecting the light, edging the rougher grays. Of course the colors in this piece make use of artistic license.

Messenger of God

A plywood altar, painted with Daniel Smith's gold liquid acrylic, focuses on a Da Vinci drawing printed on a postcard purchased at the Codex show at SAM (Seattle Art Museum). The altar is complete with ginkgo leaves, ceramic shards from Italy, bottle caps, keys, stones, shells, feathers, and more. It is hinged so it stands, rather than hangs.

Shine on Sound

This painting was part of a quick series of work I did where the images all came out with swirls and spirals and if you notice at the top of this piece, bird shapes. Frequently images in up in my paintings, sort of automatic paintings if you like, and then I enhance the images that are there. They usually tell me a story, like this piece might be about the swirl of emotion I feel and how my life can be overwhelming, yet always there is a spiritual presence I can rely on for comfort. To purchase go to www.nancycanyon.etsy.com