The afternoon light streamed through my open studio door and lit up my Heron.
It was good timing, I was coming to take a picture of the finished piece. I left the lights off to allow the soft natural light do what it does.
My Heron stands grounded on the earth. Her legs deep in water. Ted Andrews writes about Heron, “The longer the legs, the deeper the water the heron can feed in. The deeper life can be explored.”
It was Andrews’s book Animal Speak that I went to, to find the meaning of Heron when I decided to make one.
It’s there I read that the Green Heron, the kind that I watched fly over the farm as a juvenile this summer, has orange legs. But there is also a great Blue Heron that fishes in our pond and marsh.
So I gave my Great Blue Heron orange legs and blue/green feathers.
Andrews writes that heron people “follow their own path.” “It is not a structured way and does not seem to have a stability or security to it.” But security comes in their “ability to do a variety of tasks. If one doesn’t work another will.”
They don’t do what is expected, but “follow their own innate wisdom and path of self-determination.”
Reading about heron I saw some of myself and some of what I hope to embrace even more. It felt like an affirmation.
I understand that people find different meanings in Heron. And those meanings often vary depending on culture. I know I was drawn to heron to discover something about myself as well as share it with all of you.
In some ways, I’m too close to this piece. I feel like I can’t really see it.
So I’m glad I’ll be making reproductions of it. Not only so more people can have the image, besides Kathy who bought the original, but so that it can continue to speak to me and remind me of its significance in my own life.
Sewing the backing on my Heron.
This piece is beautiful Maria.
Thank you Crik. 🙂
Just a beautiful piece of work!! A great job, Maria as always.
Thank you Joanne. 🙂
Postcards too, please! When I give people books, I like to put one of your postcards in them to serve as a bookmark. And magnets are a big hit, too.
Oh, that’s really nice Jill. Thank you! I use cards that I love as bookmarks too. It a wonderful way to see them often.
I felt resonance too with what you shared about Heron through Andrews book. I’ve really enjoyed watching the progress of this beautiful piece.
This evening a Heron flew over the car as we drove home from getting dinner Barb. Heron keeps showing up. I’m not surprised that you share this meaning.
Oh, I just love that Heron is showing up for you in other ways too!
Yes, Barb, Heron is still with me. Maybe for good?
Maria, your Heron is just beautiful. It is almost too nice to sell! I hope there will be magnets with your lovely Heron.
I just placed and order for posters and postcards, but I am making magnets too Sharon. Thanks for asking.
Hi Maria… love your Heron, and
will purchase your cards!
There’s a pond in my townhouse community that a blue heron
visits fairly often, probably for
the last eight years. Always
stately, and always alone. Makes
me stop and reflect. Achingly
beautiful.
Oh yes, Sandra, It’s true. I’ve been hearing that Heron makes us stop and reflect from many people without using those words. But I think that’s one of the things about them. There is something in the movement and stillness, weather in flight or standing that leads to reflection. Maybe it’s partly because they are so captivating to watch and require some patience on the part of the watcher.