JAGUAR LOOKING BACK
She appeared like this…
Jaguars have always fascinated me — the way their lithe, heavy bodies move silently across the forest floor, every step deliberate yet effortless. I didn’t plan to paint this one; she crept into my mind then onto the paper. Back turned, watching me with a steady, unwavering gaze. Is there strength in her stillness? I feel it, though I don’t have the words yet. After all, this is meant to be only a ‘study’ — whatever that means for me.
The deep red beneath her was always meant to be. I remembered a painting I’d seen once, where this exact color seemed sacred, and it lodged itself in my mind. On paper, it behaves differently, but I can imagine how it might sit on canvas in oils. The background pulses with something ancestral, older than me, something that hums quietly beneath the surface.
Calla lilies whisper…
The calla lilies appeared almost of their own accord. I love their velvety richness, and where I live they grow nearly wild. They carry elegance, resilience, and endurance. They hint at renewal and transformation, subtle shifts and new beginnings. And like the jaguar herself, they hold a soft, commanding power.
I added symbols too — an oak leaf, an embossed dragon, an infinity sign. Perhaps I’m not meant to explain them. For now, they speak of quiet power, inner strength, and presence.
A gentle nudge…
I’m not entirely sure what she’s saying. Perhaps she wants to become a full-size painting someday. Perhaps there’s more here for me to explore in my own world that might connect with others. I love the idea of the etched champagne glass, though I’ll have to practise my glass painting skills!
There’s something else in the air — a feeling that reminds me of the Bengal tiger in my Smudge book, ‘the Benevolent Uncle.’ I’ve always imagined him saying, “Well, what are you waiting for?” — a mischievous nudge from an old friend.
In her gentle presence, I sense she’s waiting for me to change, to transform. My shoulder accident has put me in a stage of reset, yet there is a richness about her — a quiet wisdom and strength. She feels here to honour, protect, and guide the earth in her own subtle, steadfast way.
Thank you so much for reading. Love to see you here.
See you soon ……blaze
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