Animal Shield : Moth Hexagon Painting

About This Piece. Moths. So much rich symbolism within the moth. Always brave and bold, moving toward the flame in the middle of the darkness, the moth is optimistic and passionate in its determined pursuit, even as it risks being burned. In this piece, the moth is grounded within her silver triangle while also being supported by the moon and interlinked circles of unity & community. If you look closely, you can see textures, shimmers, and a luminescent quality produced by a faux encaustic technique. I love that this piece from the Animal Shield collection is reminiscent of an ancient shield. I imagine it hanging on a wall and calling in protection of the earth and connection to the magic of the natural world. ______________________________________ Inspiration. I created this Animal Shield in 2020, as Covid-19 swept the world and we were asked to Shelter In Place for our collective health & safety. I had moved out of my shared studio and was working on a folding table in my living room. During this pandemic time, when humans were causing less immediate damage to our earth's climate (less travel, less pollution, etc), I wondered how animals around the world were reacting when we stepped back into our homes. Were they potentially feeling more relaxed, brave, safe, and free? Was the earth actually able to take a moment to rest & heal herself? This was the initial impetus behind creating my Animal Shields collection. The strong pull of Progress & Productivity is relentless in our modern world and it can remove us from quiet, grounding connections we feel in the presence of plants, animals, and the Natural world. There are lessons to be learned when we pay attention. Animal Shields are symbolic reminders to protect and connect with those that share this Earth with us.