Settling into one medium of art was hard for me; there are so many choices and one life isn't enough.  So at first I tried them all to see what my heart, mind and soul would liken to me.  Did I choose it or did the medium choose me? Sometimes our Universe works in weird and wonderful ways to show us or give us hints.

     I think it was when my dad handed me a copy of Gibran's “The Prophet” to read.  The poems and the look of his marvelous and mysterious drawings started to change my whole way of thinking...about everything.  One phrase always stays in my mind and even though it was meant for relationships I applied it to life and art.  "Let not the oak tree and the cypress grow in each others shadow."  To me the meaning was very clear not only about relationships but about life and art as well.  I was to find out that the more I explored away from the norm the more I found the truth and it was exciting.  How can you go back to the norm after that?

     My early efforts were in drawing and painting.  I went totally expressionistic and abstract.  In that I felt a joy of movement (I had danced also) that was an adventure in itself.  I continued with this until 3 years after my daughter was born.  Then there was a nagging call to try something else.  I started experimenting with found objects - collage and shadow boxes and things  altered, even before it was popular.

     A few more years went by and pottery took me by storm.  Like a bolt out of the blue I was hooked into the clay.  For over 35 years I worked in the clay, enjoying it's many wonders and surprises.  It spoke to me of its long ancient history and many cultures.

     As I continued on my journey into art and metaphysics many more opportunities opened up.  I came again full circle to painting and added basket making to my adventure.  It's all been good, and as I continue with 'all my art' and learning, it still amazes me that there is an exciting event just around every corner.

    The structure of art and life go hand in hand. I have never been disappointed.

 Raina Redhawk-2008