Darlene the Artist

It’s been such a long time since I’ve felt optimistic about the world’s future that for the past few years, I’ve mainly been focusing my attention upon the past. But as of election night, I perceive the time for me to move forward has now begun.

Of late, I’ve been languishing in a bleak world where even the brightest of hopes appeared dull gray against a pervasive pessimism which darkened my outlook. Like so many others who have felt disheartened and dispossessed, I was taken by surprise Tuesday night when I shared such strong feelings of renewed hope and optimism with so many others. I recognize this unexpected cascade of confidence as a true gift of healing both on a personal and a collective level.

To welcome, record, honor and spread the restorative healing properties of these uncustomary feelings, I’ve decided to lock the very powerful vibration of optimism that is continuing to wash over me into a resonant set of eight greeting cards. Three of them appear below:

In my capacity as sacred artist, I accomplished this through several means. First of all, I selected a positive and appropriate visual image to serve as a foundation symbol for my series. Because of its association with life, internal harmony and the perfection of nature and also being unencumbered with political baggage, the Nautilus shell became my inspired choice.

In direct relationship to the Golden Section and Fibonacci Series, the spiral structure of the Nautilus shell grows in perfect mathematical proportion and further evokes the ideas of protection, expansion and renewal-all things this country needs to feel safe and in control.

By transparently placing both right and left halves over each other, I recreated the beautiful geometry of fractal art hoping to represent ever expanding emanations of exuberant joy. Inspired by its lining of iridescent Mother-of-Pearl, I created eight differently colored versions.

The Nautilus is a nocturnal being that lives in a state of equilibrium with its environment. The Nautilus responds to both lunar and solar cycles even though it spends most of its time within great oceanic depths. In this regard, it is evocative of mystery and awe.

The Nautilus inspires us toward increased awareness of the innate healing potential pervading all life, and to embrace concepts of balance, health, and well-being in the world in which we live.

Another method of imbuing an art object with a specific energy signature is to sing and utter prayers during its inception. Using this form of focused intent, I sang “Happy Days are Here Again” as my mantra (lyrics appear below) throughout the entire creative process.

So I am rather proud to use my talents to capture for sharing this unique moment in time. Whatever the future may hold, this line of eight cards will always retain the life-affirming emotional energy of unabashed JOY.

May all who buy or receive these cards be inoculated against the poison of fear-based emotions and thinking. May all remember the moment when the promise of new beginnings suddenly became possible and faith in the American Dream became restored.