I am deeply grateful to announce I was awarded a 2018 Alexa Rose Foundation grant in the amount of $2,500 toward my proposed 8-day equine vision quest in Costa Rica, called "Journey into the Soul: Horses and the Medicine Wheel." The Foundation received 281 applications requesting over $1.0 million in grant funding. They ultimately granted awards to 67 local artists totaling $150,000. Wow, just wow. Thank you to everyone involved!
The mission of the Alexa Rose Foundation is to further the creative work of individual artists. In deciding what to propose for a grant award, I found the courage to ask for the thing that truly would propel me forward as an artist more than anything -- overcoming fear. The following is my full response to the questions in the application.
Who are you as an artist? What inspires you?
“Who I HAVE BEEN: I am a realist oil painter paying homage to sustainably grown foods, nostalgia and life in the West. I want viewers to feel present with my subject matter and believe it exists, like you could reach into the canvas and feel the texture of a bison or squeeze a lemon. I love making viewers giggle at my personified still life paintings with their irreverent titles. I paint landscapes to capture moments when nature enraptures us with a power that is otherwise fleeting.
Who I WANT TO BE: I want to create paintings that help people feel connected to all living things and remind them of their own greater purpose. Powerful artwork can ignite change, inspire and motivate. Creating such inspired art takes courage. One cannot feel hindered by fear. I want to overcome fear and create paintings inspired by my spiritual awakening. I know from divine inspiration that I have a role to bring people more hope and light through my paintings. See image 10, a new painting in progress.”
For what opportunity would you like to use this grant?
“I would attend an 8-day vision quest workshop called “Journey into the Soul: Horses and the Medicine Wheel” led by Rites of Passage (a company that leads vision quests) and Eponicity (leaders of equine-facilitated learning). It takes place at Lizards & Leaves Retreat near the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Activities are tailored to each participant to foster their individual learning process. From the Rites of Passage website: “The Medicine Wheel provides a framework for understanding ourselves within the cycles of life. Equine Facilitated Learning methods encourage us to look within ourselves to find balance, regain strength, renew spirit and rediscover our power...Together over the course of 8 days we will take a deep, profound, embodied, joyful and enlightening journey towards greater authenticity and self-awareness.” I will reconnect with the horse, my spirit guide. My photos, sketches and visions from this retreat will inform a new body of paintings upon my return.”
How will this opportunity make a difference in your creative practice and life as an artist?
“Last summer, struggling with anxiety and depression, I asked the Universe for guidance in a desperate prayer, “Please, send out angels to find my purpose in life and bring it back to me. I promise to accept it in whatever form it takes.” The Universe led me from one event, book or conversation to another, ultimately guiding me to a local spiritual shaman. I registered for her 10-month spiritual emergence program that began with a mindfulness retreat. The shaman led a meditation where I saw myself as a young girl riding bareback on a black horse, sprinting in a band of wild horses, invigorated. The little girl was free! I grew up with horses but have not ridden in years. In my awakening, I am receiving visions of paintings that involve children at play, sacred geometry, horses and spirit animals, mandalas and prayer beads. This opportunity with Rites of Passage will help me conquer my fear of abandoning safe subjects to create unbridled, inspired paintings. I believe this is my destiny.”