The Sun and The Snake
Earlier this week I had a dream:
I was outside of the Blue Spark (a bar in Spokane) sitting on the curb with Michael. I looked at him and he smiled and when to say something but then I felt something. I looked around and realized we were not in the ocean and I was standing knee deep in water. Michael was nearby on a volcanic rock sticking out of the water - that was the only land I could see. Neither of us were panicked though.
Michael went to say something again and then he grabbed his arm. I felt a pain in my arm and did the same. When I looked down I had two tattoos, one on the inside of each forearm. One was the symbol shown above and the other was a dragonfly in a moon. Michael and the symbol above except with a thunderbird in the sun and what I think was a wolf in the moon.
After I had the dream I drew out this design. The sun design is similar to one that I draw relatively often and have for quite awhile, since I was a young teen. The snake (particularly the sea snake) is one of my totem that I have also had since childhood (though I have only recently realized that) which is why I think it is within the sun.
The snake comes to be when I am afraid and in need protection. I get the mental image of being completely wrapped in snakes all of them staring down whatever my fear at that moment is. I adore snakes, and while they have an unjustly bad reputation, they do deserve our respect for their powers. The snake thrives in the sun, something I can completely relate to as the sun gives me the power to accomplish my goals and thrive.
I want to paint this on my djembe drum because it is a design full of powerful symbolism. Drumming also building up my sense of personal power, sometimes I feel it is the heartbeat of my soul. My drum head is made of natural rawhide and I am told I can do with with acrylic paints and that it will not peel or flake (or most importantly damage the drum.) Has anyone painted their drum in this way before? How is it holding up?
February 5th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Well Gee. I had a dream last night that I got up and went to school, then realised I’d gone back to my highschool by mistake, instead of to my college, and thus had missed my class. =P
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February 6th, 2007 at 8:33 am
My dreams beats yours?
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February 6th, 2007 at 8:26 am
I’ve never painted a drum before, so I can’t comment on that. But I did want to say that the design you drew is stunning. Are you considering that tattoo?
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February 6th, 2007 at 8:31 am
I have decided to use henna to get the design on the drum head if you are wondering, I am glad you like the design!
As far as tattoos go though, I have not had the design near long enough to consider it yet, but probably not. It has to stay on my wall with minor modifications for a year and me still liking it, then a year without modification and then another year for good measure before I will get it. So far only one design has made it the first year (it is in its second.)
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February 6th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Lovely design
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February 26th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
hey, your artwork is beautiful, amazing, and powerful! you have the secret…your dreams! thank you so much for your work, as we love it here in los angeles!
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March 3rd, 2007 at 5:58 pm
your work is fantastic! thank you for bringing the incredible energy of your dreams into passionate artwork!
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