Tag: #birds

Totem Animal: Turkey

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Totem Animals, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Color Turkey WM

Today is the day to honor the turkey. I am happy with how this piece turned out. I used prismacolor markers along with colored pencils on this one. I think it turned out a lot better than my past totems. The colors pop and the shading was easier to accomplish. I’m surprised it took me this long to incorporate my markers. I am going to start using them with all my pieces from now on.

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Turkey Symbolism

The turkey is a huge symbol for connecting with nature. It is known as the Earth Eagle. The males have fleshy growths that hang over their beak called “snoods” that they use when challenging other males. This “snood” represents for the third eye. It is time to open our own third eye. Mother Earth will share her wisdom and guidance. Turkeys are a symbol of the harvest and using the land properly to nourish ourselves. Turkeys live in large groups representing abundance. They live full lives with full bellies and we should be doing the same along side our family.

It can be easy to get lost in the materialistic battle to “get ahead” but it is time to stop thinking that way. It is not about how much stuff you have but rather how many lives you have touched. Instead of focusing on personal gain and keeping everything to ourselves, we must share what we have with others. We shouldn’t be greedy but instead have an open heart and be sure that everyone is taken care of. 

The turkey is a powerful symbol for Thanksgiving. They are the biggest teacher of self sacrifice and giving. The turkey sacrifices it’s life to feed us. We must show respect for the turkey. We should be willing to make sacrifices, as well, to help others in need.

Let us remember to give this Thanksgiving and help anyone who may need it. The holidays can be difficult for many. It is important to look out for each other. Give away!

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Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you have a lovely time with your family and get stuffed with yummy food! What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Let us know in the comments below. If it’s turkey, remember to show your respect.

Until next time,

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

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Sources:
Animal Speak by Ted Andrews
Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams & David Carson
Ending quote by Maya Angelou

 

 

 

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ZenTurkey WIP

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Sketchbook, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

BW Turkey WM

I was originally going to start working on skunk as my next totem. I saw so many earlier this year and even though the temperatures are growing colder, they are still appearing to me. They must have a message that I need to receive! I apologize skunk but I will have to complete you next week! I figured this week was appropriate to honor the turkey and discover what lessons they have in store for us. Some of their symbolism is obvious, some is not. I will go into more detail on that in my next post on Thanksgiving Day. The turkey’s symbolism will be accompanied with the completed drawing in color. For now, I have completed the ink portion of the piece. I am pleased with how it turned out. I didn’t have to go to work today, another rain out, so I had a lot of time to myself while my son was at school. I put on some headphones, listened to some tunes and zoned out into my art. That’s the best way for me to do great and efficient work. I get so “in the zone” that when my husband tries to get my attention he scares me every time! I don’t even realize he is there. Luckily, I have grown a super power to not let bumps and jerks affect my drawing hand, so no drawings were harmed in the process.

I hope everyone is ready for Thanksgiving. I know I am! I am going to stuff myself until I pass out! Thanks for stopping by this week. Check back in a couple days and see the completed turkey totem!

Until next time,

“The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.”

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Ending Quote by Norman Vincent Peale

 

Updates from the Road

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in FSM Updates, Travel

Hey All!

We’re having a blast in Ohio. My parents, son and I took the boat out on Lake Erie this past Wednesday. We caught a bunch of perch and fried them up the next day for a fish fry with my brother’s family. The kids went swimming in the pool and we hung out with the horses for a bit.

Today we are exploring Grand Rapids, OH and later a bike ride at Oak Openings Nature preserve in Swanton, OH.

Then, tomorrow we begin the long drive home. I have many photos to go through and share, to include my daily photos. I’ll be working diligently when I get back to get all these photos posted! I can also get back on track with my totem animal drawings and their symbolism. I have a few photos of the wildlife in the area as well, mostly aviary. Perhaps one of them will inspire my next piece.

Check in next week to see the adventures!

Until next time,

“Adventure is out there!”

Totem Animal: Mourning Dove

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Totem Animals, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Morning Dove Totem Color

My latest totem piece is a gift for my grandfather. It is a mourning dove with my own personal symbolism attached to it. You can check out that story here. I am very happy with how the final piece turned out. The pose is unique and active. The wings were my favorite part to draw. Creating feather patterns and following the elegant curve of the wing fascinates me. I have always loved wings and feathers. It’s as if I use to have my own and dream to have them back.

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Mourning Dove Symbolism 

They are a symbol of feminine energies, motherhood and nurturing. They feed from the ground showing us to stay connected with Mother Earth. The dove is a messenger from a higher power. You can hear their call more often at dusk and dawn. This is when the veil between the physical realm and spiritual realm is the thinnest. They bring a message of love and peace. It is time to put your mind to rest and remember to love yourself and others.

The mourning dove is a symbol of new birth. Remember your creator, your Mother. Her energy can help create a new life. A new you! The mourning dove can guide you down a fresh path. No matter what burdens our past we must “mourn” and move forward towards a brighter future. A future full of compassion and comfort. Native Americans use to listen for the mourning dove, knowing it would bring them to water. Be at ease and let the water carry you to a new adventure.

If the mourning dove has flown across your path today, it brings peace and hope. Let go of what has passed and make room for more love. Connect with nature to take advantage of the nurturing energies she provides. This will give you a regenerative boost in the right direction. Fret not and let the waters gently carry you to your next chapter.

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Thanks for stopping by this week! I hope the mourning dove has brought you at ease as it does for me, every time I hear that call. Have you seen a dove recently? Share your story in the comments below!

Until next time,

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope to give you forever.”

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Sources:
Animal Speak by Ted Andrews
https://www.whats-your-sign.com/dove-symbolism.html
Ending quote from the movie “The Notebook”

 

 

 

 

 

FSM Updates: Mourning Dove WIP

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in FSM Updates, Sketchbook, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Morning Dove Totem BW

I finished the ink for my latest totem drawing. I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I usually have my Zentangle book handy so I can use official tangles in my work. This time I created my own tangles and was happy with the results. I want it to be 100% original and unique since this is a meaningful gift for my grandfather. I can’t wait to see how it will pop with the color added.

I want to start a realism piece very soon. I have focusing a lot on my totem animals and Zentangle as a way to clear my mind and work on my time management. It has been a while since I have created a realism piece and have decided it is time to get back in the saddle. Speaking of saddles, it will be an equine related piece, which is another subject I have neglected. I can’t call myself an equine artist if I don’t have any equine work!

I will also be working on my website. I have a lot of fun playing around with the customization and will be working on making everything neat and easy to find.

Thanks for stopping by. Check back next week to see the completed mourning dove piece and the symbolism behind this beautiful creature!

Until next time,

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” -Will Rogers

The Call of the Mourning Dove

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Sketchbook

Morning Dove Sketch

It has been a crazy week and the weather is really starting to heat up! I finally started my next totem piece. I haven’t been able to get more than the sketch done at this point. I will continue to work on it and share the completed piece next week along with the mourning dove’s symbolism.

This drawing, however, is very different from the others. It is going to be a gift for my grandfather. Long story short, he has been through a lot lately and hasn’t been feeling the greatest, physically or emotionally. I haven’t seen him in sometime since we live states apart but I would still like to try and cheer him up.

I have a memory with my grandpa that I think of often. When I was a little girl, about five years old, both of my parents had to work in the mornings. They left before I got on the bus for school so for a short time my grandfather, Grandpa Pooch as I called him then, would stay with me until the bus came. We would sit at the end of our long driveway in his old truck and listen to the birds chirping. He taught me what a mourning dove’s call sounded like. We would wait to hear it and then call back to it.

Oooowoooo whooooo…. whoo…. whoo.

As a child, I felt like I was having a conversation with the doves because they would respond every time! Who am I kidding; I still do it! We did that until the bus came every morning. Now, I hear the mourning dove’s call and that’s the first thing I think of. It will be interesting to see what the mourning dove’s symbolism is.

Once I finish the piece, I will mail it to my grandpa and hopefully it will bring a smile to his face. Thanks for stopping by this week. Check back soon to see the final piece!

Until next time,

“It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”