D.E. Valenza

Mystified

“Conjuration” is the act of calling upon, invoking or summoning a spirit, ghosts, demons, gods or other supernatural beings by means of a magic ritual.  In this painting, the central figure is the powerful Conjuror.  In the right hand the figure is holding a feather and in the left has captured one of the seven sister stars of the Pleiades. The conjuror is surrounded by a golden halo and has a white eagle on the head. According to some  legends the feather will blow in the wind & carry prayers to the Creator, hopefully, evoking the spirits to bring rain and keep harmful entities at bay. The white eagle connects to the spiritual side and is a sign of a spiritual teacher.I wanted this painting to be spiritually evocative representing the Holy trinity.The other figures, part of the Holy Trinity, are the Shield Maidens. These figures are influenced  by Native American and Viking cultures. Their regalia ( fine & decorative clothing ) is my own mode of symbolic self expression. This painting is a continuation of my other series- “Visitors to the Cornfield” and “The Galax Gemini” which are a collection of free floating visitors from another world.

Life Shield Series: Prayer Sticks

Early peoples did not have a written language, so they devised symbolic representations of their surrounding environment to communicate. By using abstract organic designs they could express their spiritual essences, their dreams, thoughts and emotions.These mystical visions that express my spiritual essence, my dreams, thoughts and emotions are part of my own visual vocabulary -a reinvented or a reinterpretation of abstract indigenous symbols. I consider them to be connected to the cosmos, have universal meaning and are spiritual, communicating a life force energy and balance.The language of these symbols, some not being truly identifiable but many are found throughout indigenous peoples and open up for interpretation by the viewer.

The transformation or morphing of the forms can be identified by my use of organic shapes and juxtaposed rhythmic geometry of deliberately off kilter but balanced elements within the composition.A quote from Oxford Reference on Indian Space Painting is a good description of my Life Shield Series : “Symbolic elements sometimes occur, but non-objective forms predominate. Shapes are more often organic than geometric, and the surface is emphasized at the expense of figure-ground relationships.” 

Power Of One Series: Enlightened Observer- The Sage

Mixed media on Fabriano Paper. Cut and painted paper. The Enlightened being- One can make a difference- One can become more. The eagle on the Sage's head- a messenger? A connection to the spiritual side? I feel it is the the sign of a spiritual teacher- a sage with spiritual powers.