Sacred Ground Painting

Description

Sacred Ground

12x36x1.5 Acrylic on Canvas

This painting was inspired by a memory from my childhood near the red bridge in my hometown, where I used to spend time fishing along the water. One evening, just as my mom was coming to pick me up, I noticed tiny turtle hatchlings climbing out of the ground for the first time, beginning their journey toward the water.

At the time, I was too young to fully understand what I was witnessing, but the memory stayed with me. Looking back now, it feels sacred — a quiet moment of life, instinct, and survival that rooted itself somewhere deep in me.

The turtle is surrounded by woodland flowers and medicines, representing the beauty and protection of those nesting grounds. The blues carry the feeling of water, memory, and spirit, while the bright reds bring life and movement into the piece.

This painting is a reflection of those moments in nature that stay with us long after childhood, even before we fully understand why.