Ancestors awakening - The Journey North

This new Body of work is based around jouneys to the northern parts of the British Isles and starts off in Orkney

The three swallows in this painting were inspired when witnessing 3 fledgling swallows preparing to fly. During a visit to Dumfries and Galloway, also journeying to the Neolithic rock art in the area. 

I built up the image in layers with designer gouache and with liquid latex as a mask, then removing it. The standing stone, Long Meg is viewed from how I think it may have been seen in1500 BC. There is a lot of symbolism around the Swallows, Fireweed, the Megalithic Standing Stone and much more to interpret with this image, this will be revealed in Mellissa's poem regarding freedom our ancient ancestors, current days and this image.

My key reason for painting this image, is for creative freedom, sovereignty and the choice to be a natural being.

During a research trip to Orkney, to gather images, we visit ancient places to get a feel of the magic of the islands. This is my first painting using symbolism from Orkney and the Sea Eagle. Inspired by one of the most fascinating ancient archaeological sites located at South Ronaldsay cliffs.

The Isbister Chambered Cairn - better known today as the 'Tomb of the Eagles'. The tomb once held an amazing collection of human bones, many eagle talons, ancient artefacts, and is estimated to be at least 3000 years old, some of the artefacts in the tomb are dated to 5000 years old...

The Sea Eagle in many cultures is a totem that is closely related to males, the essence of water and hunting. Also, many thousands of years ago ancient ancestors may have gone through sky burials and picked clean by sea eagles, making a human spirit connection to the sea eagle.

Also in the tomb were around 100 ancient human sculls, Clearly making this monument a significant tomb. In the visitor's centre, we got to hold some of the ancient artefacts’ and get a real sense of how it may have been during the Neolithic time on Orkney.

Visiting the tomb and looking over the cliff to sea, instantly inspired me to start this painting within the body of artwork, first. As the symbolism linked to the Eagle are vast and a good place to start creating modern myths within the painting. Also the expansion of conversations with Malissa and her creation of the poem to go with this image. Hearing the poem last year made the hairs on my arms stand up, it was that good. But since its been added to, the poem is truly mythical.

This painting has been created in many lays of designer gauche paint and has Orkney symbolism on each layer. Representing the passage of time that seems significant today, as Sea Eagles are said to be reintroduced to Orkney very soon...

This is the image is now available on Etsy as fine Gilicee Prints -
Height: 38 Centimeters
Width: 28 Centimeters
Materials Hahnemuhle Bamboo 290gms acid-free art paper

 I had this image in my mind for a fair few years, but I never felt like it right time to create it. However in January 2020 I decided, now is the time.This image was initially inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft, some of his symbolism and the colour purple. Mainly, I consider octopuses very shamanic, they shape shift, can change colour, adapt quickly to their environment, are good communicators, problem solvers and are clearly very intelligent.
Around the Shamans head is hidden runes that spell out 'Awaken Remember' and the second row of ancient text is from Orkney, thought to be Ogham writing that means 'A Blessing of the Soul', there is a mythically made protective Bind-Rune and lots of ancient Petroglyphs in the layers of pattern, from Albion, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.There are a few saga's of mythology, poetry from Melissa and my story behind this image, but I have given enough to conjure up an idea. As this painting is about now and how we manifest the future, to transmute many of our creative thoughts into reality. I do feel there is a counter culture emerging, of magical people, the ones on the edge, free thinkers, the myth makers and the creative, they are stepping up and into their power...
Information on the bind rune in my painting:
I have designed a Bind-Rune and painted it as the last symbol to be added onto 'Shaman of the Deep'. The runes have been enchanted while painted and smudged with 'Mugwort'. A small ceremony to empower, inspire, to add mythical magic and protection. My reasons for painting a shamanic archetypal energy is to infuse the future with potential, therefore I would include ceremony is reach into my subconscious to animate the painting into being. I know this will sound a bit melodramatic, but it is fun and meaningful to do ceremony.Ancient bind runes are extremely rare inscriptions, but are common in earlier (Proto-Norse) and later (medieval) inscriptions. Bind runes may have been ornamental and used to highlight the name of the carver or today open to our own interpretation, based on the understanding of runes. Like a three-card tarot reading.The Bind-Rune that I created is intuitive, some of it was presented in a dream about butterflies and liberation. To add more power and intent to my painting, within this Bind-Rune are the spiritual or mythological elements of Rebirth, Creativity, Liberation, Protection, Honour, achievement and the warrior, with a secret rune hidden and to be awakened at time of battle for the element of surprise. This battle could be a spiritual battle, of becoming more self-aware, seeking within and revealing the secrets we all know but do not yet know how to express.The Elder Futhark Runes that I have interwoven with intent are Dagaz, Sowulo and AlgizThe beauty of this Bind-Rune is that it symbolically represents a butterfly (transformation) and is the last image to be added. It would only fit with balance where it ended up, within a circle with many meanings.For people who know the runes or studying them, there is a whole Saga of archetypal and magical mythology with all three of these runes, all very positive and on the path of enlightenment. I could and will at some point say more about this Bind-Rune but for now, it is your myth to think of is you wish. 

 A megalithic standing stone that I picked out from the many within the Ring of Brodgar on Orkney.For this artwork I was inspired by the microbiome and mycelium of the land and the ancient internet, an interwoven connective and natural thread.Some of the colourful shapes on the stone and floating around the painting are my interpretation of very large stylised mushrooms spores. Also in keeping with the lichen growing on the stones of Brodgar...Nature evolves then thrives with cooperation and balance, starting with bacteria then mushrooms and Mycelium that created the Microbiome the planets, natures internet, many millions of years ago.Humanity really do need to start to cooperate, to create ecosystems and ways of being that support life, instead of consuming with no balance. Scientists on the edge of scripted science are starting to think creatively, instinctively and realizing the miracle of life and sustainability is about cooperation.The keys to creation are within us all, on a molecular and consciousness level. When we dig deep into our subconsciousness, then we will open all the answers necessary to stop any impending annihilation of human life on this planet.Cooperation and love is the key, especially when connected to nature .Our ancestors knew this stuff, Orkney and places like Brodgar are very magical and some of the stones call to you, this stone, in particular, drew me to it. The symbols within the painting are found at the Ness of Brodgar, all over the island of Orkney and on the mainland of Scotland. The standing stones were created for good reason and way back not so easily, but the lasted thousands of years, to nudge an ancient memory we all have.The original 'Awaken Remember is a large painting size A0 33.1 x 46.8 inch, in the medium designer gouache on acid-free Cotton Fabriano watercolour paper.Available as a fine art print. 

This Neolithic monument of Orkney is iconic, and a powerful place to visit. The stark stones are tall, elegant and full of mystery.

This Painting is from the view of a small creature near ground level looking up at the stones from a different perceptive. These three stones face the full moon rising and the nearest is as tall as the others on a small incline giving the impression that the others are smaller, but they are of similar size. Curving into perspective with all the stones as a circle. Sadly many have not lasted and been demolished a long time ago, by those not realising how wrong it was to destroy such an ancient magical place.

We visited The Stones of Stenness several times both day and night on the full moon. I had the opportunity to drum within the stones on my own for 15 minutes and the sound was amazing, carrying far and vibrating with energy like a theatre. Whilst there, a family of three women from Hawaii turned up with drums, with the intent to honor the full moon with ceremony, chanting and drumming, as did we. The were pleasantly surprised those from England still remember the power of ceremony. It was great to be there with them watching the sunset and the moon rising.

We had also been doing full moon Drumming on Holcombe Moore high above Ramsbottom near Bury UK for nearly a year. As a group of us started to think, that bringing back ceremony to the land is needed. Having done this we learnt how enriching and powerful it is to set intent, to heal and let go of stuff in ceremony. I think meeting people from Hawaii who do ceremony as a cultural thing still today, whilst in Orkney. Helped me become more aware of how much we had forgotten.

I can only speak for myself, but have to admit that connecting to the land and naturally forming unscripted ceremony. Has given me a lot of confidence and has help me realise that collectively and individually, that humanity is powerful when we focus intent to do amazing things.

I think there is a mythical connection with the Stones of Stenness, the Ness of Brodgar and The ring of Brodgar. Especially with synchronicities of people from other lands turning up to drum and honour the full moon.