Hand crafted vessels

These are two of the vessels I crafted out of leather and mixed media for my healing oils.
You can view more of my art on my web site:
http://www.mariahhawk.com/

Click images to enlarge

Art Workshop and other stuff...

I need to begin preparing... to teach an art workshop this upcoming month. My art has usually been a solitary journey, so this will be something entirely new. I'm hoping it will be a positive experience for everyone involved. I've been experimenting with many techniques these last few years. My own unique designs and creations, which I'm rather reluctant to share. Like revealing a secret recipe that I've spent flesh, blood and bone perfecting. But... I opened my big mouth, so now it's important to stick to my commitment.
I'll only teach the fun and easy stuff.
Mark and I attended a lovely gathering of like minded people last evening. It was such a stimulating day from the time we first woke up until our heads hit the pillow well beyond the witching hour. And we've been invited to attend regular meetings there. I've been such a hermit lately... time to get back to where the action is I suppose...

Sail on Silver Girl

This is a watercolor I did of my daughter, Jan a few years ago. I think I like it better now than when I first painted it. The colors are so soft and silky looking.
Click on image to enlarge...
http://www.mariahhawk.com/

The tale of a Hawk

I walked into my living room a few weeks ago and there was this Huge, magnificent HAWK just sitting on the railing of my balcony, looking right at me.
I live in a high rise in downtown Portland, and have observed eagles flying several times right in front of my window here, but never actually had a hawk sit on my railing before (that I was aware of). The Hawk is my very special totem, and who I named myself after. I find this to be an extremely positive symbol for the upcoming year.
I haven't written in here for a while, got sick as a dog with some heinous virus right after I viewed the hawk, and we got slammed with a paralyzing snow storm for several days, but still prefer to keep a positive attitude. Hopefully the virus cleaned a lot of nasty toxins out of my system. At least it didn't kill me. Hmmmmmmmmmm... ?

Crone Wisdom

A new piece I created celebrating the wise woman and healer. It's time she became recognized and appreciated, as she had been long ago. This modern day America appears to have forgotten just how truly beautiful natural aging -with grace can be.
Sculpted leather, clay, mixed media mounted on a solid block of wood with the words carved into the wood.
Click image to enlarge.

Merry Christmas 2006

pretty little Alyson,

It was so wonderful to meet you with your big happy, welcoming smile. It lit up the entire room, as your mommy's smile did when she was your age, and your sister, Talina's glowing sunshine, that made everything right with the world.
I hope we can get to see each other more often now. I would like this very much indeed.
Thank you for sharing your fun toys with Mark and I, without even being asked. This shows a sign of great character and generosity. The way you hugged your new jacket like it was a beloved teddy bear, tugged at my heart. May it keep you warm and cozy throughout these long winter months.
You are a precious fairy angel made of rainbows, soft golden moonbeams and a fresh morning in the forest after a spring rain.
Mark and I wish you and your family a joyful, enchanted Christmas.
Be good to your mother. She is absolutely amazing in so many ways. Your daddy works hard and would literally die for you. Your sister Talina is one of my most favorite people in the world. Her and I practically grew up together, enjoying weekly adventures ice skating, shopping, movies, hiking, Oaks Park, fairy hunting, junk food, pajama parties, laughing our heads off making up obnoxious names/stories. Fortune telling, going to the coast, singing, playing with Barbie's, the doll house and reading her favorite mermaid book, among other things.
Hopefully you and I can have just as much fun in the future.
Also your aunt, Tegan. Equally one of my most favorite people.
You have a fabulous, precious family, so know that you are deeply, deeply loved.
http://www.mariahhawk.com/index.html

Solstice

Just for the Record...

Mark and I attended my old friend, Shastra's Xmas party last evening. It was such a warm, welcoming, loving, festive environment, filled with interesting conversations involving meaningful subjects. Quite a contrast to a few previous gatherings we had been at earlier this month.
It's come to my attention (once again), and I don't understand why it's always such a big surprise... that I'm being negatively judged by certain individuals in regards to my spiritual beliefs.
Up until recently I've learned to become extremely selective about whom I share these personal values with. And why, I wonder, has it previously been such a radical notion that harmony, healing, respect for nature, the planet, people who are not of our culture... a belief in a loving, forgiving higher power that experiences life through, around and within each and every one of us... Why are these loving, well intended values considered naive, immoral or evil? and why are people who believe in these beautiful ideals labeled and persecuted?
I don't worship the devil or demons. My creed is "Harm No One" and a belief that what we send out, is returned to us three fold.
I'm definitely not gullible, I'm painfully "awake" and aware that we create our own reality, and I'm also very well acquainted and integrated with my shadow (as is expressed in some of my art). This is the part of me that speaks out for, protects and warns me of impending danger. But it's only a defense mechanism (that sometimes gets me into trouble), and Not who I am.
I find it rather interesting that these people who judge me the most harshly, are the ones who have never actually engaged in any conversation with me.
For the most part I just let this stuff go, understanding that these people are morons, and it's not really about Me, considering they don't even know me. It's their problem, not mine. But occasionally -and especially after several emotionally charged experiences (challenges) over the last couple of months, it's escalated to an ultra sensitive climax... where I finally feel a need to have my voice.
So mote it be.

One glitch after another

I've been attempting to get my new web site http://www.mariahhawk.com/index.html open for business over the last couple of days, it was working great (finally), but then Mark decided to activate the link for the guest book, and for some mysterious reason this threw the entire program into yet Another oblivious cyber tantrum. Now it refuses to publish any of my changes. Rather frustrating.
Oh well........ I can still work off site, and when we get the glitches out, it will be all ready for the "Grand Opening!"
Yes, yes, yes.

Newest Art

Here is a piece I recently created, called "Unraveling". It's a sculpted leather and rag painting on hard wood.
click on image to enlarge

My Web Site

Did I mention I have a new website at http://www.mariahhawk.com/index.html
It's still under construction, as I've been experiencing several glitches along the way, but I have a few cool things in the art gallery that are worth checking out...
http://www.mariahhawk.com/index.html

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The Handfast Angel

I caught a few minutes of Sylvia Brown today on Montel Williams. This woman had shown her a photo of herself taken right after her mother's funeral service that looked almost identical to this one (except for the subject matter). Sylvia informed her that this was her angel watching over her. Check out the rainbow colored wings wrapped around us. This specific one of us was taken just before Sandra pronounced us husband and wife. The next shot was much sharper. I didn't enhance this photo at all. It's one of our originals. I'd wondered about it at first, but then figured it was just the sun, though felt connected enough to leave it in the slideshow.
Rather significant I thought.
We're going to Seaside for the weekend to rest up. Has been so chaotic around here for the last few months or so. Should be nice weather.
Click on image to enlarge

A Handmade Journal

A Journal I created out of creamy leather, bronze clay and mixed media.
Click on image to enlarge.

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My Cloaks

I attended my friend, Sandra's Croning the other evening, which had a profound effect on me for some reason and I decided to put into writing my feelings after this amazing event.
Sandra had presented me with a lovely wand that she had crafted out of owl feathers. There was a little blue feather stuck in between the bigger ones that appeared as though it were "hiding" -which her and I both felt was rather significant.
I had responded that that's probably because I do indeed tend to hide at times.
I woke up in the night after that, and reflected for a long time about my past/present relationships. Then I did a deep meditation and a releasing ritual.
Here is the metaphor that I wrote in regards to the little blue feather.

My Cloaks

Every now and again, when I'm feeling especially vulnerable, I'll wrap myself up in the cloak that I wove many, many years ago out of sharp thorns, barbed wire, icy winds and regret.
It's painful when I wear it, needless to say, and rather unattractive, but it keeps people at a distance and also provides the illusion that I'm safe.
I don't wear that bitter cloak as often these days. Just once in a while -when I'm feeling especially vulnerable, as I mentioned previously.
I wove a new one over a dozen years ago out of colorful rainbows, laughter, moonbeams and golden light.
I was forced, kicking and screaming to come out of the shadows. Forced by the Universe and by my own basic truths. Forced by the pain of yet another failed relationship and by my own essential "Self" to Awaken and to cast off the heavy dark cloak of anger, depression and despair.
This awakening was a rather painful experience in itself. But necessary for my own survival (and for those poor unfortunate innocents around me).
The light hurt my eyes at first, and I didn't want to open them. I was afraid of what I might see. I was afraid of the changes that I would most certainly be required to make. I was afraid that I might trust again and be betrayed... once again.
But this is life on planet earth. And so be it.
Yes, I trusted. And I also suffered more woundings after that, some of them very deep indeed, but I finally realized that none of these wounds were actually fatal.
Dawning this new cloak was ultimately a more joyful experience than I can ever hope to express in mere words.
Like sleeping beauty waking up to her happily ever after, it makes me feel beautiful, and joyous. People stop me right on the street to admire its radiance. They've even been known to jump out from the bushes and try to yank it off of me, wishing to bask in it's wonderful healing rays.
I wrap it around me as I spread the word that we All are blessed with a certain amount of free will to make personal choices.
I don't wear that bitter cloak as often these days. Just once in a while -when I'm feeling especially vulnerable, as I mentioned a few times previously.
One of these days I just may throw it away for good.

Awakening Crone

This is a new, totally original piece I completed a few weeks ago called "Awakening Crone". She's emerging (bursting) through the illusions. Casting off her ego and her mask
Think I'll try to create happier faces on the next ones. She looks rather disillusioned at this point. Coming into her wisdom. She's 9" wide and 12" high with the tassels, though I can make her any size. She hangs flat on the wall over my alter on a little nail. She's formed of creamy, luxurious hand dyed (by me) 100 per cent Leather -front and back with sculpted clay/bronzed and painted face. Papier mache highlights (for color and texture), as well as a felting fabric I created (my own secret recipe). Completely weather proof. Hang her inside or out.
Click on image to enlarge.

Cosmic Tsunami

A watercolor that I painted about a year ago. It's called Cosmic Tsunami. I've made a frame for it since this photo was taken. My frames are beautifully crafted out of leather, and mixed media. Very unique. I'll add them to my website soon -which is still under construction. We're in the process of moving right now and everything is in absolute chaos.
http://mariahhawk.com/
Click on image to enlarge...

My Guy, Mark

My handsome, brilliant sweetie, Mark.
Click image to enlarge

Talisman Pouch

This is one of the Talisman pouches I recently created. They have a secret little drawer that opens. Can be worn as a pendant or hung over your altar for good luck. Each one is totally unique. Sculpted out of leather & clay. You can access my web site to view more.
http://www.mariahhawk.com/index.html
Click on image to enlarge

Balance

What is required here is to integrate the dark shadow with the positive aspects and find a harmonious balance...http://mariahhawk.com

The Shadow Side of Genius....

Click on image to enlarge...
Mark and I were discussing the shadow side of the genius the other morning, and of the spiritual guru, etc... I disclosed a rumor I'd heard somewhere? that it was really Einstein's Wife who'd originally discovered the relativity theory. Einstein just took credit and ran with it. I'd also heard that he was a womanizer. Another nasty, gossipy rumor I'm unable to back up. Alan Watts Was indeed an alcoholic though. This I am sure of. And Aleister Crowley was a rather loving, innocuous (though powerful) white magician before he decided to tread the much more extreme darker path.
There are several examples of genius's and highly evolved spiritual type gurus completely focused and brilliant in their specialty areas, and totally out of control, running amuck in other "shadow" sides of their lives.
Later we were in the kitchen cutting up some wild salmon, and he waggled this sharp little weapon that he'd purchased from his daughter in law at a Pampered Chefs party in front of my nose, remarking "Isn't this a cute little knife?"
I responded. "Not if it's sticking in your ribs it's not."
He looked at me aghast, as if I'd gone mad and asked, "What?"
I replied again, "It's not so cute if it ends up stuck in your ribs. Everything is Relative." I reminded him of a Wayne Dyer talk where Dyer was explaining relativity, using his almost bald head as an example. He'd announced, "In a soup, this is a Lot of hair." And indeed it would be a lot of hair... in a very small bowl of soup.
Both Mark and I thought all of this was rather funny in a twisted sort of way, and laughed.
Anyway...
I'm just beginning with this blog thing. Started it a while back and then couldn't locate it again, until now.
I have a new Web site- MariahHawk.com that is also in process (hopefully I'll git er done someday soon). Very cool if you enjoy different kinds of Art, or if you're getting married (or handfasted) in the future. Or if you need a counselor. I wear many hats. Check out my handmade archetype sculptures in the art gallery, speaking of our shadows. They're like nothing I've ever seen before.
There's an example above. His cloak and wings are of wonderful leather, has a knit outfit, face, hands, feet are of handsculpted clay. All my own design.

Archetypes

This is a description of the Archetypes.
Click on image to enlarge.

The Handfasting

These are photos of my guy, Mark & I taken about two years ago...
We also officiate at wedding & handfasting ceremonies
click on images to enlarge
http://www.mariahhawk.com/index.html