Artist's North Star and Reflections of the Veiled

Between larger pieces, I was practicing with smaller projects, a couple of which stood out. First, The Artist’s North Star.

This piece came to life in a moment of weariness, when my energy was low and my larger visions felt just out of reach. My husband encouraged me to try something small and simple, just to keep up my momentum. I grabbed my oil pastels, set up my lapdesk, and began drawing intuitively. It felt relaxing to mix and blend the colors, letting the image emerge organically. And there it was, a beacon.

An orb of creation. A guiding light.

It reminds me that even in exhaustion or uncertainty, the spark remains. My creative light is always there, even when I feel furthest from it.

It is my North Star.

☆☆☆☆☆

Next, I created another oil pastel piece drawn across two pages, with the subjects facing inward as if searching for what lies within the unconscious mind. I later digitally stitched the two images together to form a single composition.

I chose veiled, cloaked figures because of their sense of mystery and concealment. They invite the viewer to search for meaning while also allowing anyone to see themselves reflected in the work. This was the point where my focus began to expand beyond myself and toward others. I wanted the piece to feel universal, because the message is not mine alone. At some point in life, nearly everyone encounters this kind of internal duality.

Within us exist opposing forces that help keep us balanced and grounded, yet can also make us feel like walking contradictions or hypocrites. Through self exploration, we learn to acknowledge and value these opposing sides, recognizing their strengths and weaknesses and allowing each to be balanced by the other.