Picasso Woman Scarf

Of all the hundreds of silks I’ve painted over the past 20 years, this is among my very favorites.  I love the soft earthy colors, the fluttering chiffon, and all the motifs.  I have used abstract glyphs as “writing” — the sort of symbol whose meaning seems to be at the tip of your tongue . . . but then is gone again.  (Also much the way my mind works at this age.)

The women portrayed in early Picasso paintings are unlike any others. They appear thoughtful and intelligent, still and substantial.  I have always loved this painting by Picasso and borrowed the image of the introspective woman for a couple of my paintings.  The oak leaf, one of my recurring motifs, appears here again as a symbol of strength and protection.  Trees always represent the cycle of life (as well as many other things). 

I first saw the figures of flying hounds in Marija Gimbutas‘s book, The Language of the Goddess.  They are used on prehistoric pottery produced in what is now the Ukraine circa 3900 B.C.E.  Dr. Gimbutas suggested the hounds’ symbolic role was that of guardian.  I think of them as symbols of interdependence in the web of life on earth.  I admire the way ancient artists portray such animated forms with such simple grace and economy of line. 

Mariah at The Joyful Jewel sold this scarf today.  She asked if I could give the buyer some information on the symbolism, so I’m sharing it here, as well.