The Dark Feminine In Her Joyful And Harmonious Aspects

From the Artist: I was inspired to do this painting after meditating with the Black Madonna archetype. This archetype deals with transformation, healing, grief, sorrow, loss, and a deep and an enduring connection to the earth. During the pandemic, I had to come to terms with living alone. In my isolation, I did not feel that I could make it; I was filled with anxiety and despair. One of the things that kept me going was my poetry and art. I used my pain as inspiration where I visualized myself in Nature being soothed by the earth. In the painting, my hair is represented by the lush, green vegetation. In my tresses are butterflies - a symbol of transformation. I also put in flowers which have to do with female sensuality. At the bottom of the painting are peacock feathers which are flamboyant and represent spirituality. I felt compelled to add the third eye as a symbol of spiritual wisdom and the snake on the right side of the portrait represents knowledge. At the top of the painting, there is a beautiful sun rising and my prayer is a request for peace. Dona Nobis Pacem is Latin for ‘grant us thy peace.’ During Covid 19, I have learned to become my own best friend. I have also learned to experience a deep level of joy that I did not feel that I was capable of experiencing. I have learned about self-reliance and my reliance on a Higher Power for transformation and healing during this time of personal and collective grief.