Hello Fellow Warrior Wizards!
I created a little gift for you.
Of course, there is a back story that requires a bit of explanation.
I
know we have been all thinking about Bowbaya and sending her our heartfelt best
wishes for a quick recovery. B’s attitude has
been more than a little inspiring to me.
When level 75 of the Harry Potter game introduced the most beautiful and glorious
graphic of a Phoenix, it immediately evoked an epiphany.
A symbolic gift for B and the team! One of hope, battling (as the gifted spell casting warrior wizards we all are) to overcome obstacles,
and of resilience. We’ve all walked the road of hardship and adversity in one way or another. We’ve all fallen but have risen stronger, usually wiser, and marched on to face a much-welcomed new chapter.
It seemed only fitting that my next art project be that of the majestic, mysterious Phoenix.
A gift dedicated to Bowbaya and the HWR Team:
Use
this link to download a word document that contains a link to this watercolor, which also explains how to use this 16X20 image file that can be resized smaller to 8X10, 4X5 or even enlarged. (Note: When you click the link for the image in the word document, it will open in a new window).
You can make a
t-shirt by printing the Phoenix on clear iron-on paper, use it for notecards, a frame
art print, etc.
As I was working on this piece, we received news that my husband has been diagnosed with of an aggressive form of cancer, (treatable thankfully), the symbolism of the Phoenix Rising became even more poignant and meaningful, reminding me of the Rodney Atkins song, “If you are going through hell.”
I now find myself unconsciously chanting the chorus throughout the day:
“If you're goin' through hell keep on going
Don't slow down if you're scared don't show it
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there
Yeah, if you're goin' through hell keep on movin'
Face that fire, walk right through it
You might get out before the devil even knows you're there”
And I find the final verse particularly moving:
“I've been deep down in that darkness
I've been down to my last match
Felt a hundred different demons breathin' fire down my back
And I knew that if I stumbled I'd fall right into the trap
That they were layin', yeah
But the good news is there's angels everywhere out on the street
Holdin' out a hand to pull you back up on your feet
The one's that you've been draggin' for so long
You're on your knees you might as well be prayin'
Guess what I'm sayin'”
Okay, that's quite enough of the
sappy blathering and philosophical wandering of an overly emotional drama queen with an overactive imagination.
Hauling up the big girl panties and marching along.
Then. . .
this idea literally took a huge detour, evolving into something so much more.
Why stop there, I thought?
For all those that have traveled that dark hellish road of anguish guided by the just the slightest glimmering ray of hope, to eventually emerge into the light of a new beginning, couldn’t the Rise of the Phoenix become a universal symbol of survival?
Why, of course it can!
And it starts right here:
Just follow the same instructions as for the link of the other Phoenix image:
I thank you one and all
for being such a fabulous, fun and inspiring team. I’m so happy to have been invited to join
such an amazing group of people.
Onward to a bazillion more and new promising tomorrows,
Sue
P.S. Please feel free to message me via my Etsy shop if you have any questions or need help. I'm more than happy to walk you through whatever!
(The contact link on Etsy is on the upper right side under my profile photo.)
