Sea turtles are beautiful, elegant creatures. I was inspired from my recent trip to the New England Aquarium to make my next totem piece the sea turtle. The black and white version came out alright but I was much happier with the piece after adding color. The natural patterns of this particular sea turtle resembledContinue reading “Totem Animal: Sea Turtle”
Category Archives: Totem Animals
Totem Animal: Manatee
Manatees are the “Buddhas” of the waters. They look like heavy, cumbersome boulders yet they glide through coastal waters gracefully. They swim slowly, peacefully at about five miles an hour but can reach up to 15 in short distances. Manatees live in small groups called aggregations though sometimes males create larger groups during mating season.Continue reading “Totem Animal: Manatee”
Totem Animal: Squirrel
Squirrels are everywhere! They are always scurrying around… looking…gathering…preparing. Have you seen them? Red, grey, black or maybe even flying? If they have scurried across your path they have a very important message to share. It’s time to start preparing for the future. Start stockpiling whatever you may need on a rainy day to getContinue reading “Totem Animal: Squirrel”
Totem Animal: Rhinoceros
The rhinoceros holds an ancient wisdom… They have been around for about 50 million years starting with their ancestor, Paraceratherium, the largest of all rhino species. They stood over 16 feet tall at their shoulder! This ancestor is also shared by horses and tapirs. Rhinos have actually been mistaken for horse-like creatures before. After beingContinue reading “Totem Animal: Rhinoceros”
Totem Animal: Owl
Owls are everywhere! There are over 200 different species of owls in habitats ranging from deserts to forests to snowy tundras. They are all around us yet we seldom even notice. Being nocturnal and having fantastic camouflage, they could be right in front of our faces and still go unnoticed. But if you are oneContinue reading “Totem Animal: Owl”
Totem Animal: Raccoon
Raccoon is a powerful totem. These fuzzy ninjas of the night represent protection and generosity. It is common for males to band together for greater strength against predators or other male raccoons from different territories. A group of raccoons is called a gaze. The gaze will have a dominant male who will stand watch andContinue reading “Totem Animal: Raccoon”
Totem Animal: Moose
I have always wanted to see a moose in the wild. I have yet to have the opportunity but until then I can incorporate them into my work. I enjoyed creating this piece very much. I still try to rush through my work sometimes if I get too antsy but creating zentangles and doing soContinue reading “Totem Animal: Moose”
Totem Animal: Deer
If you live just about anywhere, deer are abundant. You may see them in the fields as you drive down the road. They might be in the woods, darting away as you hike closer. Perhaps they even make their way to your front lawn to munch on your shrubs and apple trees. My favorite experiencesContinue reading “Totem Animal: Deer”
Totem Animal: Cicada
I took a small break from ZIA’s and did a realistic sketch of my latest inspiration, the cicada. I have been seeing an abundance of them this year and learning so much about them. They are oddly beautiful. Like a, “Your so ugly, your cute” kind of thing. Their colors are so vibrant with anContinue reading “Totem Animal: Cicada”
Totem Animal: Frog
Ribbit….Chirp…..Croak….. You can hear them calling. It’s like a choir in the night. What are they singing? Native American teachings say they are calling for the rain. Frogs embody water medicine. Water surrounds their entire existance. They begin life in the water and they must learn to swim with it. Only when they have masteredContinue reading “Totem Animal: Frog”
