Wildly Thank-Full

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian family and friends! 

Today, and every day I’m filled with gratitude for the bounty of Mother Earth and the many gifts of friendship that extend beyond all borders. 

Like the wild turkeys which thrive in the forests of Ontario – feathers glistening with colours much bolder than those found on domestic turkeys – may you revel in your ‘wildness’. 

May your harvest be plentiful, may your joys be abundant; and, when you are faced with life’s sorrows, may you find resilience to hold them with balance and grace. 

“Wildly Thank-Full”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 5” x 7”, Acrylic on canvas panel.   ♥

Sacred Datura

Sometimes I just need to stop...and smell the roses...or, in this case, the Datura. 

Native to the Southwest, several plants thrive on our property. Much like a Brugmansia, the huge white blossoms open in the evening; releasing a delicate fragrance to waft along the breeze, enticing moths to help with pollination. 

Like a moth drawn to the light, its soothing scent caught my attention early this morning and stopped me in my tracks. 

Revered for its medicinal qualities, many cultures respectfully engage it for vision quests and healing.  Symbolically, this member of the nightshade family is representative of “opening the doors of perception" to new, expanded experiences. 

My quick watercolor doesn’t begin to capture the essence of this sacred flower...it simply serves as a reminder to look beyond my present view of reality. 

“Sacred Datura”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 4” x 4”, Watercolor.  ♥ 

Blue Moon

The moon was very loud last night. 

In fact, it’s been loudly calling to me for the past two nights.  As the next ‘blue moon’ won’t occur until July 2015, it seems this one has a lot to say.

In honor of this special occasion, I pulled out our Ella Fitzgerald cds to hear her glorious Rodgers-Hart rendition of ‘Blue Moon’...and, another fave, Nanci Griffith’s  ‘Once In A Very Blue Moon’.   Contrary to these songs --  with lingering impressions that a blue moon is a time of longing – this current Blue Moon feels like a time of grand manifestation. 

It invites me to shed those layers that no longer serve...to embrace new opportunities that beckon...and, to dance with naked abandon in the early morning spotlight.  

What invitation does it extend to you? 

“Blue Moon”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 5” x 7”, Acrylic on canvas panel.  ♥

Great Tailed Grackle

This is a quick sketch of a Great-Tailed Grackle, also known as a Mexican Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus). 

Another day, I will do a color painting to try and capture the brilliant range of colors in his black, ‘purply-green iridescent’ body and extra long tail. 

Usually, when I see grackles, it’s in Spring-time; and, there’s a flock.  This guy was solo and quite vocal; in fact, it was his raucous cackle that first caught my attention.  Fascinating to watch, he casually strutted around on long delicate legs, putting one foot in front of the other (rather than hopping like some birds). 

Even though he kept his bright yellow eyes on me at all times, he was either very brave or not the slightest bit afraid of my presence (I’m guessing it was the latter). 

He seemed pleased when I complimented him on his impressive tail; as he put a little extra ‘pomp’ into his parade, while foraging for seeds in our yard. 

“Great Tailed Grackle”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 5.5” x 9”, Graphite.  ♥

Jasper

It’s hard to believe 9 years have passed since Jasper died.  I brought him home from the Sedona Humane Society on July 4th 1988. I’d been volunteering every Sunday, taking each dog for a walk, letting the cats out of their cages for a romp and bathing any animal needing a boost for higher "adoptability".

Jasper had the quarantine room to himself, having been brought in the day before – full of parasites and worms – hardly any fur on him, and fitting into the palm of my hand, with room to spare. The vet thought I was nuts to choose a kitten that was so gravely ill...but Jasper captured my heart. 

It took months and many vet bills before he fully recovered...a fighter, and a love-bug through it all. 

Paul and I have always had cats – all special; however, there’s never been one like our ‘Jazz’. He was wild, gentle, feisty, funny, ingenious, intuitive...typical ‘cat’ adjectives...but there was something extra-special about him.

He was a soul-mate of mine. For those who scoff at the idea that an animal can be one's soul-mate, I offer these words by Anatole France: "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."

Even now, every so often, I still catch a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye.

“Jasper”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 7” x 9”, watercolor.  ♥

Poetry Is Necessary - Thank You, Christopher Lane

Today’s painting is in honor of Christopher Lane. 

I did not choose this image.  It chose me.

It kept tapping my shoulder from the moment I heard the news of Christopher’s unexpected passing earlier this week...perhaps, partly due to all the ‘bird stories’ Chris and I would swap.  Or perhaps it was because, in many cultures, Crow is symbolic of spiritual strength and is the keeper and messenger of the sacred. Crow is also one of the most intelligent birds – very mindful, with a complex language and the ability to translate the mysteries of creation...the unformed, into form. Crow understands its mission in life, and reminds us to look for the magic that is around us at all times...alive and available, for us to manifest into creation. 

Christopher embodied all of those qualities and more.  He brought much light into the world through his generous spirit and boundless energy. Thousands of lives have been transformed through projects he created to demonstrate the healing power of poetry (NORAZ Poets, Young Voices Be Heard, Alzheimer’s Project, Poetry Out Loud, Poetry Slams, etc.).

‘Poetry is Necessary’ is one of the messages Chris brought forth.  His bright spirit will live on through his family, his poetry and the many hearts he touched along the way.   

“Poetry Is Necessary – Thank you, Christopher Lane”,
© 2012 Cathy Gazda, 5” x 7”, acrylic on canvas panel.  ♥

Happy Birthday, Mum

Today would have been my mother’s 86^th birthday. 

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. 

Each time, I bless her and wish her well.

Today, instead of words, the wishes were sent out in the form of a quick sketch on paper.

“Happy Birthday, Mum”, © 2012 Cathy Gazda, 9” x 7”, graphite and colored pencil.  ♥