The gazing look to the future and her tear resonates within me. The story that she evokes in me is

 life with all its seasons. The nest representing the safety of our communities; a place of birth and growth. During this time of environment disasters, global pandemics, racial tension, and gender roles the permanence of communities are being shaken.  All these factors making the feelings of sadness heightened and the sense of hope diminished.

The old saying, “You can't keep the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair.” I chose to paint the bird in its nest and part of the nest falling from the girl’s hair symbolizing sadness over these losses. The bird is part of the corvid species, called the Siberian Jay. The corvid birds symbolize a new phase in one’s life. They are seen to bring intelligence and flexibility to life choices. The Siberian Jay are highly territorial and difficult to oust. Working together they employ a wide repertoire of calls to warn each other of predators. Neighboring birds try to trick the Siberian Jay by using their warning call, yet they ignore such calls and only trust calls from members of their same group. Much like humans with our sense of trusting those who speak just like us and not always those who sound like us.

I painted the women looking into the light symbolizing her desire to continue to move forward into the unknown with hope and trusting the Word, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. Despite her cherished community collapsing, she has grown stronger and is ready to move forward represented by her steadfast focus on unknown light.

I call this painting Nadya. Her name means full of hope. 

Framed

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