MS5 St. Phalle Painting

MS5 St. Phalle 2020 10” x 8” gold leaf & acrylic 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. My friend saw some images on my Insta story and sent me 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. Gold represents light, both inner-light or self and outer light - universal Silver represents attunement to the energy and flow of the universe and that of healing, love, and emotions. Copper represents the goddess of love named among the seven metals of alchemy, representing Venus, both the planet and the Roman goddess whose functions encompassed love, beauty, sex, fertility, prosperity and desire. I’ve named each of these 10 spider paintings after influential female artists that have touched my life. • Duesberry • Stillwell • Bourgeois • Frankenthaler • Neil • Cotton • St. Phalle • Mitchell • Nevelson • Kohlmeyer • Follow my day-to-day art life on Instagram