trying to post more regularly, not succeeding

Two large works on paper, appr. 90x150cm, in the photograph just up above they are still in their first stages....

Gradually creatures find their way into the images; I've started reading about the symbolic meanings we attach to these beings, I guess they help us humans in general, and me in particular, to visually articulate my hazy ruminations. At the same time I draw and paint these specific animals because I enjoy drawing and painting them: they are the animals I am surrounded by, they are part of my daily humdrum life, like the apron & the tea cup. 

Even so I very much appreciate the extra layer(s) that can be provided by the symbolic value of cultures worldwide.

'The Dog: fidelity, watchfulness, psychopomp or guide of souls...'

'An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols' J.C. Cooper, 1993 edition Thames&Hudson

'Bird: transcendence, the soul, a spirit, ability to enter into a higher state of consciousness' (ibidem)

'The Hare, a lunar being, is a creator and transformer,(....) a nimble mind outwitting dull brute force(....) the feminine yin power, fecundity lust dawn new life...' 

'Beetle: scarab, the sun, the path of the sun, self-creative power, resurrection...'

'Eye: the faculty of intuitive vision, enlightenment, knowledge, the mind...'(ibidem)

'Butterfly: the soul, immortality, rebirth, resurrection 

Stag: solar renewal, creation, fire, often associated with The Tree of Life' (ibidem)

not a lot to add, other than wanting to say how much I'm enjoying making these large pieces, discovering drawing and colouring with pencils! who would have thought?

p.s. a day later and I find I do have something to add here: in my mind The Girl is one of my alter egos, functioning as a kind of support or frame to use instead of making literal self portraits, enabling me to let the imagery arise as I work; I may start with an idea of what I want to make, but as soon as I think I know how it will turn out I can't be bothered, so the drawing or painting itself is what leads to the images. In a conversation earlier today with 2 other artists on the subject of {self}portraits, I suddenly realised that the Girls's blind eye could be interpreted as my mother's blind eye, that She might not just be me, but my mum as well. It's weird how I learn to look....Full circle....Like most of the above symbols are about birth/death/resurrection, one thing we all have in common is being born from a woman, a mother, so much is about that: being born into this world and having to deal with that.