Day 18 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Revisiting My Roots 6 x 6 Watercolor on ClayBord

When studying this underpainting I saw several constellations and many interesting small patterns.  There were brilliant stars as well.  I was thinking of the constellation Virgo but then thought it would be too hard to deliver that design.  I spent several hours this morning researching Huron, Itasca, and Cherokee symbols, textiles, and art.  I was amazed at the beautiful art and wealth of information available for anyone who wants to find information on Native Americans.   I went for the figure in a robe and brought in a landscape since we drove up to Government Camp at Mt. Hood yesterday for a family event.  The contrast of the dark trees is still with me today.  I painted them more in the style of the symbolism I saw online.  At the end I had to add the Big Dipper since it is usually visible in our NW skies.  A little tribute here to my father-in-law who taught all of us about the stars and to my son, Eric, whose interest in studying keeps us all informed of the latest in our constellation.  Maybe she is a medicine woman releasing the stars into the night sky........  I've never been short on imagination!