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This is one of a series of paintings personifying the earth as it is: a powerful female force. I literally see the presence of Mother Earth in so many ways. Mother Earth’s Presence sees her spirit travel in a fast fluid motion in the way the tall grasses move and sway, as she makes her presence visible. The water behind the image is also her, and an even more powerful feminine power. This piece is also a study of sweetgrass but at a macro level. Mother Earth is also the sweetgrass. It is like our own hair. Fine and silky.

On a yearly basis, Mother Earth goes through four stages. The first is the birth. This is the spring when the earth awakens from a deep slumber, triggered by the Father Sun. The earth, no longer frozen, is warmed by the sun. The buds begin to form and color begins to appear. A child.

The next stage is as a vibrant, virile, beautiful, and full-of-life adult. This is how I am depicting Mother Earth in this piece, with her long, flowing hair trailing behind her.

In the third stage, Mother Earth ages with the leaves turning into hot fiery colors. The grasses turn into a light, soft and soothing beige. This is nourishment for the future. As winter comes, her hair turns white and you can see this in the winter when a fine coating of brilliant white snow clings to the trees. Or when a freezing rain coats the branches and they glisten like diamonds in the morning sun.

The fourth stage is Mother Earth’s hibernation. Mother Earth goes into a deep slumber. It is sleep. It is rest. The spirit needs quiet to rejuvenate. Its soul travels through the air, invisible. It slowly gathers strength, preparing to be reborn.