Description
The Beauty of Being Devoured
This original artwork is hand-drawn, woodburned by hand and then meticulously painted with gold and technicolors to create the magical realism you see in the end product. This was accomplished on a long oval live-edge slice of basswood, which is stunning in itself.
The imagery of this piece includes a Great Blue Heron standing in a stream with its mouth open about to devour a Crayfish. The crayfish is lit up by a golden sun. Near the feet of the heron swim trout and a watersnake amongst water lillies and golden ripples. The image, which is true to the biosphere of my home, is also symbolic of a larger mystery that we are all entangled within- the life/death energy cycle. Though the thought of death and being eaten are fear inducing, the incredible reality that energy is never lost, only transferred between living beings is one that can bring comfort and awe.
Like this crayfish who was plucked from the safety of the water and chosen to be the feast of the heron, we do not know when it is our turn. Our bodies are fragile and our destinies remain unknown. What may seem a cruel and too-soon fate for one, is a delicious and gratifying meal for another. The heron, needing every calorie it can find to withstand the harshness of winter, feels no regret in meeting its needs. And, the trout and snake (also prey of the heron)- bearing witness to this sacrifice- may live to swim another day.
The natural world is abundant with stories like this- both harsh and unyielding, yet fulfilling and balanced.
I believe there can be beauty in being devoured. We are all connected in this web of energy exchange, and the giving of life to sustain more life is a sacred sacrifice. The heron and I thank the crayfish for this ultimate gift.
Copyright 2024 BeeSymmetry Designs
This piece will ship for free to the United States. If you purchase this piece and live outside of the US, you will be invoiced for shipping fees to your respective country before it is sent to you. Thank you for understanding. Please feel free to send me an email inquiry if you have any questions!
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