Not long after I began painting small works on wood blocks, beginning with my “medieval” flowers, there came the moment when an actual being emerged....the very first of my forest women. It was December of 2016, shortly after my birthday, in the winter following my mother’s visit from overseas. I think I was seeking some company, perhaps just the wise and loving friend I needed to be for myself, and I found her by painting her into my world. She had a confident and serious expression, somewhat imploring, maybe mildly impish and chastising...who knows, but like a Buddha presence, her calm expression blinked at me from out of the wood grain. She was the first of many more forest queens and crowned princesses to enter the room, and they haven’t stopped arriving ever since. I named this first one Winter Solstice Queen, and because she is my “first born”, I think she quietly remains my favourite:
 |
| Winter Solstice Queen ~ oil on wood ~ 4” x 6” |
In January of 2017, I painted the Olive Forest Queen. I was pleased with her ice blue eyes, they were sultry and intelligent, and I gave her a head wrap and collar of snow leopard fur. The following month, came the Princess and the Pea, a red haired braided woman in simple dress, with a single pea atop her crown.
 |
Olive Forest Queen ~
oil on wood ~ 5” x 7” |
 |
Princess and the Pea ~
oil on wood ~ 5” x 7” |
Sadly it turned out that the wood panel upon which I’d painted the Princess and the Pea had developed a fissure across the centre of her face, and a crack formed. I later had to refuse a buyer for the piece due to this flaw. Of course the natural grains and divets in the wood and catches of paint in these pieces are part of the charm, but in this case I worried that the painting might separate, and so I have kept her with me. I began to apply a fine varnish to all the ensuing works, and have never had another problem with the wood...and I love the way the grain is visible within the flow of each forest backdrop.
Over the next two years, between other works, I’ve painted a total of ten forest women, and am now working on my eleventh. They each come with a specific story of their very own, and to have one of them near you is to know you are being kept company, and reminded of your own strength, talent, confidence and ability. I still foresee compiling them into a book, or perhaps a set of oracle cards, or even a calendar.
In the meantime you can follow me on Instagram @raonasa.deertrails to learn more about the details of each piece, and message me there or comment below to enquire about purchasing cards, prints or originals.
 |
| Birch Tree Princess |
 |
| Spring Princess |
 |
| Night Blossom Queen |
 |
| Olive Tartan Queen |
 |
| Pond Princess |
 |
| Northern Princess |
 |
| Serenity Queen |
