This painting, “Silent Ascent,” came to me in the most unconventional of ways. I was driven to create this composition after a cold chill passed through my bones on a hot spring morning in the desert. While walking by my tallest cactus that morning, this half opened blossom fell at my feet, right amongst a handful of gray morning dove feathers that were scattered before me. As I bent down to collect the flower, a hot breeze came seemingly out of nowhere and carried the feathers away. As that cold chill still ran through me I was flooded with heartfelt memories of my dearly departed son. I felt his presence. He was there with me. My heart felt heavy and light at the same time, and it felt like he wasn’t just with me, he was a strong part of me. I immediately needed to know what cactus blossom and gray feathers represented. What I learned made my heart flutter.
Cactus blossoms are symbolic of several things, and according to some, they represent warm, enduring love that can withstand the test of time. They can symbolize maternal love, as well as spiritual growth. It is also believed that feathers have several meanings, and gray feathers specifically represent balance, knowledge, and wisdom. When they appear to be floating or drifting, they stand for the passage of time, or the transitioning of a spirit.
That hot spring morning, I didn't just come across a flower, I came across a higher understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. I was meant to walk by that cactus at that moment in time. The comfort I seek from the loss of my son can be found right before me in nature.
