Smokey White Floral Cards

I fought and struggled over what to write about this piece as it came together. The flowers themselves were a chore. I believe white is the WORST color to work with! Attempting to arrange the smoke “just so” was my second task. As that part came together my mind wandered to the Native cultures and traditions of “smudging”. After a great deal of research, I felt I could do better, later, to pay tribute to the Native rituals. “Playing” with the light was also a frustrating part of this piece. Mainly because adding just the dimmest of light, dramatically changed the shadows and perspective of the smoke. Features which I REFUSED to change due to the hours I’d already invested. IN an odd way, my lower back degeneration and delay in having surgery, worked to my benefit with this piece. Many other household “chores” took a back seat while I experimented and settled on the final piece. While I was researching the rituals of smudging I came across this writing by Chief Dan George. You may know him from several movies that he either starred or co-starred in. I got distracted from my smudging homework and became more involved in the life and times of this man. I plan to order several books he’d authored, for my summer/camper reading goals. I decided to share something he’d written, thinking after it sat on my desk for several days, it was appropriate for this piece…. Thanks for listening… May the stars carry your sadness away May the flowers fill your heart with beauty May hope forever wipe away your tears And above all, may silence make you strong Chief Dan George (July 24, 1899 – September 23, 1981().