MS2 Stillwell Painting

Stillwell 2020 10” x 8” acrylic & silver leaf on canvas $200 framed original A recent encounter with a spider in my morning coffee led me to learn more about their symbolism rather than be frightened of them. I learned that the spider represents growth, mystery and power. A tarot card for spider which reads: Creator of prosperity through life work, Dharma. “Its greatest gift is weaving the thread of dharma into a vast intricate web that supports the spider (and those around it) both financially and spiritually. It is hard work, but the spider neither tires nor becomes impatient. Its presence reminds us that creativity is everywhere. Be process oriented rather than results-oriented, and soon your “work” becomes like the weaving of a magical, priceless tapestry. Abundance follows.” I love the positive message and how it relates to the creative process. The work is further influenced by artist Louise Bourgeois (American, born France. 1911– 2010) who is recognized as one of the best and most influential female artists of contemporary art and her thirty-foot steel and marble spider, Maman (1999). For her spiders were ambiguous not only to be feared but also revered and their principal allusion is the archetype of the mom-patient, hardworking and indispensable, as spiders are to the environment. Silver represents attunement to the energy and flow of the universe and that of healing, love, and emotions. I’ve named this series of spider paintings after influential artists in my life. Stillwell is for my maternal grandmother Eva Stillwell who was a painter. my day-to-day art life on Instagram