"Tears of the Phoenix" -- completed!

The Phoenix is a magical bird who lives 500 years, but, when old, can set itself on fire only to emerge young again. The Phoenix tears are thought to heal wounds.

This assemblage unites images of blood, bone, fire and tears. The tears have been captured in the glass vial on the side. The shape of the glass bobbles at the bottom not only suggest flame, but are the shape of droplets, and the color of blood.

The wing bone is from a pelican; the tiny skull is from a shore bird. Glass mosaic in the background looks like veins of fire, reflected in the blood-red eye of the Phoenix.

This piece was accepted for the 53rd Annual Spring juried exhibit of the Redwood Art Association at the
Morris Graves Museum of Art in Eureka, CA.

"Tears of the Phoenix"

After visiting in Hawaii for two glorious weeks, I felt sure some inspiration would come through from Pele because there IS flowing lava happening right now.

What came, however, was the Phoenix -- and some sense that our blood, and fire and birth and death are all connected. So, here's my beginning work with my newest assemblage. The tears of the Phoenix are thought to be curative.

There's a mess all over my art table. It will be fun to see how this proceeds.