This is "Maya". She is powerful. If you see her in person, her eyes have speckles of olive green, sweet orange, deep dark brown, and gold. When I began her, like most of the women I paint, I have mucho resistance which turns into frustration and moodiness. Painting people is like giving birth for me. I've never given birth but in a way I am giving birth to these women who I've never met, they even have an energy and message that I didn't intend, but is unique to each one.
It's so bizarre when I finally complete a piece because it never ends up with how I started. I've heard many artist have this experience. Somewhere along the way, the painting takes over and this woman emerges and she's telling me what to do! I had a different title picked for this piece, but I clearly heard the word Maya. Then I painted tears running down her face and I wanted to darken them but for some reason no matter now many layers I added, they remained really light...so I went with that. I guess she wasn't feeling as sad as I wanted to portray her as. Okay. Then she seemed to want something on her face, but to me her face was so pretty why muck it up? But this bad-ass Egyptian, Indian, Mexican, American Indian Goddess wanted some bad-ass warrior marks. I was like "damn girl, you want to cover up those high-cheek bones!?" and she was like "do it now". Yikes.
I later researched the word Maya and found that in Hindi it means
the Grand Illusion. Well now that made perfect sense because I felt this feminine being with her fierce stare out into the Unknown, had discovered an illusion that would be no more. Yeah, she told me this too, so don't think I'm just making stuff up. So for the longest time Maya believed she had no power. Because of this lie she had anxiety about the past, future and especially in the now. She kept searching for her power through a variety of external worldly ways, like money, success, beauty, relationships, etc. But due to a recent rebirth experience she found her power had been INSIDE her ALL ALONG and always would be. Oh snap! No more searching ever? That's gonna save her a lot of energy. (I told her this but she didn't laugh). So that was the illusion...that her power would show up later or through something else. But our greatest point of power is right NOW, in this NOW.
She greets the world with new deep brave and beautiful eyes. She KNOWS her worth. Wow...I'm getting chills. I wish for all of us including myself to always know our worth. And to set boundaries so that we only allow what we are worth into our lives and that we allow ourselves to open up receive what we are worth. (That means don't block your good, and enjoy your joy).
Maya has every culture in her, because it really doesn't matter does it? She is a child of God and that is what matters. She's facing the world with her new (but not new at all) strength, courage, and wisdom. She knows she is whole, and she looks forward to lovingly protecting herself, those she loves, and living her life in this divine powerful way. I love you Maya.
I know she won't be with me long, like most of recent painting I do not become too attached because I know they will find a new home to inspire, heal, and speak to someone else (or some many) in.
love to all,
miss cruzé
Another deep, complex, and creative expression (free style) from Artist, Sky Pacheco, based on my painting "Cherry Blossom Girl".
