18″ x 24″ – Acrylics [2012]
Shortly after my niece died, a black butterfly showed up in my yard. It followed me as I moved from garden bed to garden bed and was with me for several days. I asked, “Is that you, Mira?” as I had had other experiences in nature that I felt were connected to her spirit. I chose the Mexican tradition of celebrating Dia de los Muertas to honor, remember, and welcome her spirit. On their altars, they include four elements: Earth (represented by crops,) Wind (represented by a moving object – note the feather dropping from the crow,) Water (I am offering her spirit water in a glass,) and Fire (candles lit in her honor.) Brigid’s cross is on the altar…. A crow actually did drop a feather next to me during this week of the butterfly interactions.
Day of the Dead
Dinah Abbott | self-taught artist 