ENCHANTED FOREST OF VULTURES

On a dark and stormy winter's eve, a lamp glows in the sacred trees.

Circling silence in the quiet of night. Stillness with no sound of flight.

Entering into their final hours with solemn silent wings...

The wind turns and feathers rest on the breast...

Of the secret song they sing.





Poem and photography by Janette
These photos taken at Eagle Mountain Lake. Hundreds of black vultures nest in this region and on magical nights such as this, we have the privilege of watching and listening to their evensong.

Artist's Creed by Jan Phillips

I wish I had written the Artist's Creed....when I feel like I should be doing laundry instead of creating art, I read this!

I BELIEVE I am worth the time it takes to create whatever it is I am called to create.
I BELIEVE my work is worthy of its own space which is worthy of the name "Sacred".
I BELIEVE that when I enter this space I have the right to work in silence uninterrupted for as long as I choose.
I BELIEVE that when I open myself up to the gifts of the muse, I open myself up to the source of all creation.
I BELIEVE that my work is joyful, peaceful, and constantly changing, flowing thru me like a river with no beginning and no end.
I BELIEVE that what it is I am called to do will make itself known when I am ready.
I BELIEVE that the time I spend creating my art is as precious as the time I spend giving to others.
I BELIEVE that what truly matters in the making of art is not what the final piece looks like or sounds like, not what it is worth or not worth, but what newness gets added to the universe in the process of the piece becoming.
I BELIEVE that I am not alone in my attempts to create, and that once I begin the work, settle into the strangeness, the words will take shape, the form will find life, and the spirit will take flight.
I BELIEVE that as the muse gives to me, so does she deserve from me - faith, mindfulness, and enduring commitment.