Merry Christmas + Illustration Fri. - 'messenger'

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

My offering for IF's word this week 'messenger', a quick sketch in my moleskine journal. I had a few ideas but with limited time today decided to go with the dove - a 'messenger' and eternal symbol of peace & hope. I was curious to see if there were any other references to doves, with respect to animals as personal totems and found this bit of commentary:

Dove/Pigeon's gifts include - bringer of peace and love, understanding of gentleness, spirit messenger, communication between the two worlds, maternity, femininity, prophecy.

Doves carry the energy of promise. When inner agitation is banished from our thoughts, words and feelings, the goodness awaits us. So we are able to receive the gifts doves present us, healing on all levels - emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually - is of utmost importance.

The Dove represents peace of the deepest kind. It soothes and quiets our worried and troubled thoughts, and enables us to find renewal in the silence of mind. In these moments of stillness we are able to appreciate the simple things in life.

I couldn't have phrased that last line any better, I think I'll add it to my wish/vision board that I put together every New Year.

Wishing you all the blessings, joy & peace of the season - however you celebrate it.

Merry Christmas!

EDM #124 - something yellow

watercolor sketchbook, 5x7, 140lb coldpress

Something yellow - with a hint of blue and red, one of my favorite color combinations. This started out as a pencil sketch in my garden journal but I decided to transfer it to this sketchbook because of the texture and weight. Most of my journals can take light washes but heavier applications are better suited for this paper. I love this sign with rusted wire hanging simply from a nail on the fencing in my patio area. And actually there's a lot more fencing and lattice that I left out so I could concentrate on the focal point :)

The color yellow has many meanings, but to me it symbolizes happiness, hope, sunshine, cheerfulness, warmth and relaxation. I've always liked surrounding myself with words that have special meaning to me and Peace is one of them. It's a universal word I think and associated with everything from the political 60's (the word originated with the Ancient Romans: peace, pax, as absentia belli, the absence of war) to a state of mind. To me it symbolizes serenity, a sense of calm, tranquility, stillness and balance.