MATISSE BLUE KACHINA, by Barbara Kennison. Collage. Kachina’s are central spirit figures/intermediaries between the spirit and natural realm. The belief among Native people is that everything on earth has a life force serving to guide indigenous people to connect and communicate with and learn from this spiritual essence.  The blue color central to this work reminded me of the blue Matisse used in many of his works.

MY SUNNY DAY, by Barbara Kennison. Acrylic on canvas. The inspiration for “My Sunny Day” came from my observation of a meadow beyond the backyard of my home, containing tall grasses with shrubs and trees in the background. It was a sunny afternoon, clear sky and moderate winds. I made a sketch on a piece of scrap paper and took the paper down to my studio in the lower level of my home and painted what I thought was akin to what I had observed. The scene evoked memories of Andrew Wyeth’s work in what seems to me to convey a sense of simplicity in its detail and subtle use of color that are (unlike mine) muted and transparent. I view him as a master of light and subtle shading. His application of paint (watercolors and tempera) to achieve earth tones and movement is outstanding. One thing that my work may have in common to Wyeth’s work is the emotion evoked by the composition. I think that is why I laughed to myself, once my work was finished, and remarked, “Andrew Wyeth, this is “My Sunny Day.'” Unlike Wyeth, my medium is acrylic, which allowed me to achieve the effect that I wanted.

SUN’S RAYS THROUGH PAUL WELCH’S WINDOW, ST. FRANCIS CHURCH by Barbara Kennison. Abstract, acrylic on Canvas, 36”by 36”. I have had the opportunity to frequently sit in the central area or space of St. Francis Church (which is often referred to in an architectural sense, as the nave) and gaze on the reflection of the sun’s rays cascading through the stained-glass windows encircling this sacred space. It is the play of light rays that inspired this work. (Click to enlarge this image.)

BIRDS ON A WIRE by Barbara Kennison. Collage. I am fascinated by birds sitting on an electrical wire along a country road as if they are in some sort of meeting.  They sit, appearing not to have a care in the world until something moves them to take wing.

COLLAPSING SCAFFOLDING by Barbara Kennison. Pen and Ink. Inspired by the tragic collapse of scaffolding in New York City in October of 2020.  It is amazing how scaffolding has the strength to allow workers to travel up and down the side of a building and carry the weight of heavy objects propelled upward to the top of a structure.  Just one wrong move can bring the structure down, endangering the lives of workers as well as onlookers below.

MAGNIFICATION OF CELLULAR PROLIFERATION by Barbara Kennison. Pen and ink. The division of cells is a miracle, essential for all forms of life. This process has an intricate order, form and beauty, capturing our reverence and respect.

SATURN’S FLARES by Barbara Kennison. Collage. Saturn is a planet that has held great fascination for me. In this work, I tried to focus on a color palette of pale yellows with a hint of oranges to portray the flares that occur from the explosive magnetic energy buildup of gas layers that surround the planet.

KATISHA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Katisha, meaning “Wise Beauty.” Katisha, nearing the final stage of her pregnancy, remains open to receiving community members seeking her quiet wisdom in how best to respond to a troubling situation. In Katisha’s presence, the member reveals their concern. Katisha’s unwavering acceptance without judgment places the individual at ease. After questioning the seeker, Katisha, in her quiet wisdom, encourages the member to listen and act on what their heart is telling them to do. To learn more about soft sculptures, click here.

TIMBER RIDGE I by Barbara Kennison. Collage. This work is based on the beautiful vistas at Timber Ridge recreational area a short distance from Traverse City, Michigan

THE ENCHANTED FEATHERS, by Barbara Kennison, acrylic on canvas, abstract. The idea for this work evolved from listening to Igor Stravinsky’s “The Fire Bird.” This composition was written for the 1910 Paris season to be performed as a ballet. In this composition one of the themes is the “Enchanted Feathers,” which I attempted to convey in this painting. The feathers of the fire bird glisten and are strong, powerful, magical, signifying beauty and protection in the face of evil, {in this case, the demon named Kashchi} who had captured several princesses and inflicted harm to anyone seeking to rescue them.

BOSQUE DEL APACHE: BIRDS ON THE WING by Barbara Kennison. Pen and ink. Bosque del Apache is a wildlife refuge located in southern New Mexico. Bosque del Apache translates as “Woods of the Apache.” Sandhill cranes migrate to this area, arriving in early November and leaving at the end of February. The refuge provides food, protection and shelter for these magnificent birds and other forms of wildlife. If you are lucky, at sunset, you can see and hear the cranes “fly in” at dawn and “fly out” in the evening. The sound created by the cranes’ wings and the sound of their vocal interaction are a remarkable and memorable experience, which always serves as a reminder to the wonder, power, strength and beauty that this refuge provides.

RHAPSODY IN BLUE, by Barbara Kennison, acrylic on canvas, abstract. This work was inspired by George Gershwin’s composition for solo piano and jazz band, which he wrote in 1924. In listening to his work, one can easily hear the cacophony of clattering sounds, which is depicted in the abstract design put on canvas. Gershwin made the statement that he “frequently hear(s) music in the very heart of the noise.”

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THREE SISTERS, by Barbara Kennison, collage. A few years ago, I was at the Taos Pueblo and saw three women wrapped in colorful blankets of varying shades of red.  Hence, the inspiration for this work.

TOTEM, by Barbara Kennison, acrylic on canvas, abstract. Totems are ancestral sacred objects that serve as a special emblem for a family, a group of people or a clan. I have memories of my trips to the Northwest and Alaska where I witnessed firsthand these magnificent structures and was filled with intense awe and deep respect for what they represented. Reflecting on my experience served as a reason to express the feelings evoked by the memories and apply it to the canvas. $700.00

CIRCLE OF LIFE, by Barbara Kennison, abstract, acrylic on canvas, 36″ by 36. The idea for this work emerged out of listening to Disney’s soundtrack of the “Lion King.” The art form of the “Lion King” addresses the circle of life from birth to death. I love the poetic words that comprise the lyrics for the “Circle of Life.” I quote the beginning of the piece.

From the day we arrived on the planet
and, blinking, step into the sun.
There is more to see than can ever be seen,
More to do than can ever be done.
There’s far too much to take in here,
More to find than can ever be found…

This is the transcendental language of life, where the circle expresses itself in meaningful and beautiful forms.

“MADRE DE LOS SECUESTRADOS (Mother of the Abducted), by Barbara Kennison, pen and ink, abstract. Around the world, infants, children and young people are being abducted. For the family and friends, this tragic loss cuts deep. I was eight when my classmate was allegedly taken and to my knowledge she has never been found. The entire community was on edge for what seemed like an eternity. I was frightened, confused, and unable to express my thoughts, which I buried and went to school as if nothing happened. It was even more confusing when my classmate’s parents withdrew from the community and eventually moved. I think they may have moved to gain some relief from their intense psychic pain. Today, I am still haunted by the loss of my friend.

COSMIC FORMATION by Barbara Kennison, acrylic on canvas.
When I think of the creation or the beginning formation of the cosmos, an image of a powerful systematic explosion of energy emerges. This phenomenon is characterized by strong color variability that is not chaotic but ordered, reflecting a purpose, which to me is to support the development of all life forms. Here lies the deep mystery of an organic whole comprised of a thousand elements in harmony beyond our ability to fully comprehend or fully experience.

ANCIENT ARTIFACT IMPROVISATION by Barbara Kennison. Pen and ink.
On the Anasazi and Zuni land in the southwestern area of the United States or in the mountainous regions of Guatemala, I am fascinated by the unearthed ancient pottery shards safely protected by the people who are their descendants. These shards convey a story of the human and sacred history and culture. The lines, shapes and symbols painted on the surface of the artifacts, when studied intently, takes my spirit in a direction where I am moved to create designs without preparation – designs that are my own and something I cannot replicate. Hence, the creative unplanned execution of this design is presented here.

COULD THIS BE DARTH VADER, aka, ANAKEN SKYWALKER?” by Barbara Kennison, pen and ink, abstract. The Star Wars films hold a fascination for many of us. One day, I happened to be thinking about Darth Vader, formerly known as Anaken Skywalker, and how he could turn away from what he was originally, namely a Jedi, who has been prophesied to bring enhancement and then falls, joining the evil force of the Galactic Empire, working against and destroying the Jedi. At any rate, my interest was piqued by the shape and character of the costume, leading me to create this work.

NUESCHA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Nuescha means “light footed.” She is one who walks as if floating on the earth and yet is swift like a bird. Children look up to her and love to follow her through the woodlands. She is very protective of the children. The children know she watches over them, and they trust her. To learn more about these soft sculptures, click here.

BENEATH THE SEA’S SURFACE by Barbara Kennison. Collage. When I was in Dubrovnik, Croatia, I was fascinated by the beauty of the Adriatic Sea. The crystal-clear water and the play of light as the waves lapped against the shoreline provided a peaceful interlude from the activity in the Old Town walled city square. Witnessing this rhythmic action created by the waves led me to wonder about life beneath the sea’s surface and the research done by Jacques Cousteau. In this work, I tried to capture a sense of, wonder and mystery, present in all forms of life beneath the sea’s surface.

BLACK AND BLUE by Barbara Kennison. This work was inspired by the murder of George Floyd 5/29/2020 by Michael Chauvin, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This incident resulted in a local and global protest of racial injustice. The blue represents police brutality with calls to reform leading to a ban on chokeholds and neck restraints. The black, (which is larger than the blue), represents all minorities who have experienced trauma at the hand of corrupt policing throughout history. As result of the George Floyd incident, positive changes are taking place in policing. There is still more work to be done.

CASCADING WATER MIXED WITH SNOW, by Barbara Kennison. Acrylic on canvas. Winter in the mountains is a special time when the sun is turning snow into water. Sitting on a rock overlooking the river one can witness the power of the water as it cascades over the snow and down to the valley below.

AUTUMN APPLES by Barbara Kennison Harvesting apples can be a fun experience. Walking through the orchard on a warm fall day and deciding which tree to pick from, gave inspiration for this work

NATIVE TRILOGY, by Barbara Kennison. Collage on canvas, abstract in 3 sections, The design in Pendleton wool Indian blanket inspired the design for this three -paneled work.

TAOS: THE PLACE OF THE RED WILLOWS by Barbara Kennison. Collage. Red Willow is the name of the people residing in the Taos Pueblo. The Pueblo is surrounded by the Taos Mountains of the Sangre de Christo range. The Red Willow creek runs through the middle of the Pueblo. It is a beautiful and sacred place. I love this area!

THE SQUARES CANNOT CONTAIN THE CIRCLES by Barbara Kennison. Pen and ink. In doing this work, I had in mind how squares are exact, hard, ridged and fixed.  Circles, in my way of thinking are soft, free flowing, spontaneous with the ability to move around, through and over obstacles like squares.

CERIE by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. The name of this figure is “Cerie,” meaning “sincere.” Cerie is a person who is single-minded in all that she does. Others watch her with loving eyes as she goes about her daily duties of assisting others in various ways. She is never self-seeking as she is well aware that to act in this manner does not help her or others. It only leads to destruction and alienation. It is sincerity that binds others to her and thus everyone benefits from her actions. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

BUBBLES OUT OF THE BOX by Barbara Kennison. Pen and Ink. Who does not love to see bubbles, whether they are floating on the surface of bathwater or in the air as the bride and groom leave the church or at a child’s birthday party. Bubbles lift our hearts and bring smiles to our faces. It might seem strange but not impossible to see bubbles floating out of a box to delight our fancy and make us laugh.

KAME by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Kame means “adored royalty.” Kame is descended from royalty. She is aware of her role in the community. She is regal in her dress and the manner in which she carries herself. She is somewhat separate from the members and is known for her tenderness and blessings. She honors others with her presence and never places herself above others. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

WOLF MOON by Barbara Kennison. “The Wolf Moon” is a collage on canvas and was inspired by my observation of the mid-January full moon, shimmering through the trees onto the crystal cold snow covering the ground. I could see this view from my kitchen window. It was a special moment to witness this phenomenon in the stillness of the night while others were sleeping. I may have always felt a strong connection to the moon, and I am aware of its power on everything in our universe. In some Native traditions, the title “Wolf Moon” was derived from hearing wolves howling beyond the villages during the period of the January full moon. This, of course, may be a myth as howling may occur for other reasons than the appearance of the full moon. Wolves are pack animals and howling may be a signal for such activities as calling your mate, alerting there is danger or signaling a need to gather for a hunt. At any rate, I like the myth! In my work I wanted to convey the image of the moon as it appeared to me, stationary, bright and silvery illumination casting its shadows among the clouds. The juxtaposition of the cut paper application on canvas, in my estimation, achieves this result. The title for this work is fitting, given the time of the year the moon was visible to me.

STRONG HORIZONTAL LINES by Barbara Kennison. Collage. In the midst of strong lines, I attempted to create in abstract form elements (line and color) that convey a sense of harmony and freedom. To me, this piece has a hint of Art Deco design.

SHANIKA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Shanika meaning “quiet one.” Shanika is known by community members as thoughtful and wise. Many seek out her counsel. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

COSMIC PHENOMENON: PLANETS ALIGNING by Barbara Kennison. Pen and ink. On April 14, 2014, the sun, earth, moon and Mars could be viewed in alignment, which was a rare event and a marvel to all of us who had the opportunity to witness. Some say these planets are not in perfect alignment but have the appearance of being aligned. It leads one to question what type of impact does this occurrence have on us, as it is said this phenomenon alters or decreases the gravitational pull on the earth, which may set the stage for earthquakes and other activities.

KETZIA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. The name of this figure is Ketzia , meaning “confident.” Ketzia is known to her community as one who inspires others to recognize and claim their gifts and use them in a manner that embraces and enables others to do likewise. Ketzia knows the greatest gift one can give to another is the gift of self. which strengthens and empowers others to do the same. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

TASNIT by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Tasnit means “spring.” Her woven, colorful garment reflects the spring flowers growing in the woods and near rivers and streams. She loves to walk in the forest in the early morning hours and is fascinated by sunbeams shimmering on the grasses, the ferns, and the flowers. She utters prayers of thanksgiving for the beauty around her. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

ODINA – “Mountain Girl” by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Odina resides in the mountains. She often imagines herself to have the spirit of an eagle. Looking at the tapestry of her homeland, which is comprised of brilliant sky, a variegated canopy of green, rushing rivers, cool streams and blue glacial lakes, her spirit soars to lofty heights, like that of the eagle. She is looked upon as possessing a deep spiritual quality, which serves as a sign of strength in the face of obstacles. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

API by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Api means “rejoice.” She walks straight and tall through the forest in her blue robe. Others look up to her, admiring her strength and beauty and often remark how her posture reminds them of trees. Her walk among the people serves as an invitation to claim their identity, stand tall, with feet firmly planted, rejoicing in the power, strength, beauty and splendor of all things, even a single tree. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

LEILANI by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Leilani means “heavenly girl.” She is looked upon as holy and spiritual, instructing others in the community on spiritual matters. She uses stories from the ancestors as well as chants and drumming to convey the power of the spirit world and the strength and comfort one gains from placing oneself in a sacred space. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

RUNA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. This is Runa, which means “celestial glow.” Runa is young, free spirited, and charming.  Running and skipping across streams, meadows, and into the woods is her favorite pastime.  Children love to follow and imitate her activities.  When the children are with her, there is much laughter.  She has a shy and yet warm and catching manner that attracts adults and children alike. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

KAWLI by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Kawli means “enthusiastic.” All the women and young girls love to interact with Kawli as she exudes a zest for life and allow for all living things. She has an uncanny ability to use humor in a positive and instructive manner allowing others to quickly grasp her instruction and learn effective ways to care for themselves and others. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

SEATED FIGURE, BACK VIEW by Barbara Kennison. Pen and ink. The shape in this piece represents a seated object of some sort and is left to the viewer to draw a meaningful connection based on their thoughts and emotions aroused when looking at the design.

RACHAELI by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Rachaeli is one who helps others. She has no children of her own and eagerly volunteers her service to mothers in need of child care assistance. Given her years of experience, young mothers often seek her advice and emotional support while caring for their newborn. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

HYA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Hya means “bright.” Hya has an engaging smile and a delightful disposition. Although somewhat shy with the tendency to avoid large gatherings, she is very comfortable interacting with small groups and has a special affinity for babies and young children. It is not uncommon to see her sitting comfortably on the grass encircled by a group of children as she regales them with stories she learned from her aged relatives when a child. It is the stories that enabled her to learn the traditions of her people and hence she has become one of a long list of culture bearers as she passes the same stories on to the next generation. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

CHAELI by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Chaeli means “life giving,” and her role is one of quietly and reverently reminding the community about the sacredness of creation and the need to celebrate with a sense of gratitude. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

HESTIA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Hestia means “star like.” Hestia loves the quiet and solitude of a night walk beneath the starlit sky in the clear and crisp air away from the encampment. As she walks the tension in her body subsides and her whole demeanor seems to change as she is more relaxed and at ease with herself and the world around her. She loves this time, which allows her to regain her sense of purpose and derive meaning from everything that has demanded her attention during the day, much of it having to do with finding food, caring for her children and being present to others whose struggles are akin to her own. Under the starlit universe, her energy is restored, allowing her to rest well at night and begin the next day with a spirit of renewal. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

NAKECIA by Barbara Kennison. Soft sculpture. Nakecia means “pure.” This is Nakecia’s last pregnancy as she has many children to care for. Nakecia holds an abiding belief when it has to do with the birth of a child. She states, “a child is a gift to be received and to be cherished for the child’s face is the face of The Great Spirit.” It is the pure of heart that recognizes The Great Spirit – The Creator of all that is good. To learn more about the soft sculptures, click here.

REGATTA FLAG FOR SAILORS by Barbara Kennison. Collage.

NEEDLES AND TWO BALLS OF YARN by Barbara Kennison. Pen and ink.