Lord Anhelm

With my new watercolour pencils (love'em!) I made this portrait of Lord Anhelm, my hooded raider from the journey to the House of the Serpents.

For Shari

The wise, all knowing crone, holds a secret in her hands. She tells the young maiden who has sought retreat in the Hermitage that 'every life so given mysteriously bears within it the seed of its own death'. Life given and nurtured by Mother Nature is finite. Mother Nature gives life which ends in death. Not taking life for granted in the face of this mortality is an acceptance of this truth Shari. Each of us need to spare a moment to meditate upon how to live and nourish and nurture ourselves and those whom we love. This action is life affirming.

Prayer Lights - For Shari & Family

copyright Monika Roleff 2005.

Twilighting with Camera

Standing out on the balcony gazing at a distant eagle crossing the sky. I grabbed my camera, but snapping away I did not once capture the eagle. Nothing lost, however, as the ever changing twilighting mesmerised me.

I had a need for a pint of milk, so using that as the excuse and jumping out with camera in hand, I made it my mission to share this wonderful night-sky with you. I can't walk very fast so taking the two blocks to the store recorded the sky over a one half hour period.

This might give you some idea of what a wonderful place Vancouver is geographically. Though winter is expressed many places by heavy snowfall, ours are confined to the ski slopes nearby. We haven't yet had a frosty night.

This very inexpensive camera I bought with my Christmas money several years ago never ceases to delight me with reliable quality, without a doubt it is one of the best purchases I have ever made. I was in such pain and feeling heavily nauseated, then came this sunset and for a time it was all suspended, truly, art therapy with a vengeance. Now I am going to do some serious warming up in my electric blanket with a toastie (grilled cheese). Life is good.

Juxtaposed

This milky haze pulls together the discordant vision of the trees and the transformer towers in such a hauntingly beautiful way.

One can almost forget that the towers are not organic, but one will not forget which is the Creator's work.

Faerie Faces

copyright Monika Roleff 2005.

Fog Lurks

Adding a dimension to the otherwise everyday sights of this wrecked little crackhouse and a park where dealers do business while others walking their dogs in the same park. Suddenly the sound has damped and the world slows to a crawl. God gives permission to see the world a little differently, hazed and not quite real.

Carousel Memories

Today I spent hours sitting with Darryl in the Oncology day ward as they dripped chemotherapy into his veins. As I sat I drew and we remembered the days when we were young and went to Luna Park together. The Carousel bought back memories of carefree days, of the giggle palace, mirror maze, river boat ride and old ghost train. These days we ride a far different carousel and wonder when the ride will end.

First Snow

A fresh light dusting of first snow on the ski slope on Mt. Seymour as seen from my window this morning.

Studies in red

These are three spreads I did in Rachel's book entitled "Miss Scarlet goes on her travels"


this one is a picture of the doll Miss Scarlet against a background of red oak leaves. The haiku reads:
Red autumn leaves
soflty floating down to earth
Drift of memory



This one is called "reaching for red"


this one is called "Lady in red" - the background is made up of the words to Chris de Burgh's song of the same name but the red ink doesn't show up very well in the picture

Yellow Native by Water

copyright Monika Roleff 2005.

Baba's Life Drawing Class

Baba is modelling for life drawing classes. Consider:
"All that is left of her natural beauty.
Her skin is intact,
Her bones are as they are
No need of paint and powder
She is as she is no more, or less.
How marvellous."
Ikkyu (fifteenth century)

Green Soul Hand

copyright Monika Rolef 2005.

Some Sparrow Girl Drawings

My power hand (soul hand)

"This is my power hand.

All the thoughts and colors of the world

are inside it, flowing through

my arteries and veins.

All creativity is a part of me,

and I am organically a part of all

creativity occurring in the world,

now, always, and forever.

I may fear that I have no access to this power

but all I have to do is reach out my

HAND."

Candle Glow of Light

copyright Monika Roleff 2005.