Papillon ~ Healing Gifts from the Faery Horse

A horse named Tijs

In 2009 I met a horse named Tijs (rhymes with Rice) . He was one of a herd of beautiful Friesian horses owned by my client, Kris. She had commissioned me to paint two of her other horses, Wouter and Antares. All her horses were stunning and had wonderful personalities, but I was especially drawn to Tijs. Not only was he exquisitely beautiful, but he had a uniquely peaceful presence. I was curious if he had some insights that he'd be willing to impart.

One day while I was in proximity with him, I closed my eyes and asked him for a message about his spiritual essence. In my mind's eye, I saw a vision of his magical self standing in moonlit water with a tiny faery floating nearby on a leaf boat. I opened my eyes and immediately sketched this vision.

The next day in the late afternoon we had a photo session of Kris's geldings Wouter and Tijs playing at liberty. I was thrilled with their stunning acrobatics and grace. But within a few moments, I realized my camera focus was malfunctioning. I managed to get some photos but I was frustrated that I couldn't take full advantage of this opportunity to capture as many images as possible of their beauty. Then just as the sun began to set, my battery started to die. Tijs approached me and stood in front of me and I suddenly realized that his relaxed pose with the setting sun behind him was exactly what I had seen in the vision of him with the faery on the moonlit water. I asked him in my mind and heart if he would dip his head down a bit more just like he had shown me in the vision, praying that my camera would take one more picture before the light faded, and in that once-in-a-lifetime moment I knew he had read my mind because he did exactly as I asked.

The Universe Had Other Plans

Years passed and I kept myself busy with commissions and projects. Then sadly I learned from Kris that Tijs had suddenly passed after a colic episode. I was saddened to hear of his loss, and I was even more committed to creating the vision he had shared with me.

During 2022, in my research for The Council of Horses Oracle, one of the themes I wanted to explore was faery horses. The only notable historical reference I could find was a legendary faery horse known by the name Papillon. In a fable from the legends of Charlemagne, Ogier the Dane survives a shipwreck and finds his way to a magic castle. His guide and host was a faery horse named Papillon. He then meets Morgana and immediately falls in love with her. Depending upon the version of the story, she gives him gifts; either a crown of flowers, or a ring, that remove his illness, infirmity, and age, whereupon he forgets all his earthly memories and cares.

Fable reference

Though this was an inspiring theme, as it turned out there wasn't time enough to write and draw about all the mythical horses that I wanted to include in our deck. It seemed the creation of Papillon was meant for a special reason at a later date.

The Fae Invite Me Out to Play

That summer, after the intense pressure of the year spent co-creating the Oracle, I hit the ground running right back into the studio, creating portraits for my tolerant clients who had been waiting a year or more for their horse portraits. I had never worked intensely for that long with only a few days between pieces. The creation of the Council of Horses was a mission and a faithful commitment, and I continued to be blessed with a lot of demand for my portraits.

Somehow intuitively I realized that to create Papillon, my heart and spirit needed to remember the experience of creating art as a form of play. As it happened, a few months later I had some time between commissions so I allowed myself the luxury of easing into the creative process. Instead of the time requirements and expectations of a publisher, client, or audience. I softened my expectations of the process and the standard of realism and accuracy I had held myself to.

The fact that I'd had such a personal encounter with Tijs for this inspiration infused every stroke and color with even more meaning. Yet because it wasn't a portrait I didn't need to focus on the intricate details. I improvised, allowing the art to lead the dance.

Final composition

The first inspiration that arose was the idea of adding butterfly wings. This wasn't the first time I had created a butterfly horse, in fact, the first time was when I was about 16 years old. Since the word Papillon is French for butterfly, it seemed a perfect theme. I chose an Adonis blue butterfly for its colorful patterns and dusty blue hues..

Even my research became more playful. Instead of spending hours on my computer studying photographic images, I wandered my yard gathering specific shapes of leaves to imagine how they could form a boat, and floating them in a bowl of water to discover what the reflections looked like. This kind of process involved more time spent imagining than photographing.

The leaf boat in the water

A Message from Papillon

Despite these uplifting experiences, there was one disquieting event in my life that was keeping me on edge. It was both a personal and legal challenge that continually pulled me off balance. It not only involved my heart but also potentially might affect my work.

One day when I felt like I couldn't get started in the studio because I of my mental and emotional unrest, I felt compelled to take a walk in our woods. I decided it could be like a walking meditation with Papillon. When I reached the upper trail on my favorite lookout, a beautiful Western Tanager and his mate began singing just above my head. I stopped walking and paid attention, watching them until they departed. I had never seen such brilliant and talkative birds in our woods. Usually, the birds I saw were small, making only a cheep, and hiding in the undergrowth.

The birds in the wood

I thanked the birds, and before I started to walk, I looked down to get my bearings, and there at my feet was a butterfly wing. I stood still, quietly stunned at the incredible portent of the gift. I took a picture to preserve the experience of seeing it, and then I turned carefully and completely around in place, though not knowing why I did so, and there on the path behind me - were the other three wings. A complete set. I had stepped over them, and if it hadn't been for the birds I would have continued walking and I would have never seen this magical gift. I knew it was guidance for me from the Divine, and Tijs and Papillon. I felt a rush of empowerment and the sudden awareness and faith that everything I felt challenged by would be all right.

The entire set of wings of a Polythemus moth

The wings were of a Polythemus Moth. Polythemus is a Greek word that translates to "the many-voiced one" and is also the name of a one-eyed giant in Greek mythology. These intriguing connections only added to the magical properties of this gift. I admired the delicate fuzz and iridescent sparkle of the wings, and the oddly transparent eyes that seemed to be made of something else. These observations went into the creation of the art as I infused Papillon's transparent spirit wings with soft, sparkling iridescent pastels. The wings shone differently than the rest of the art adding a magical dimension that glowed with an otherworldly light.

The week I was completing the art, I went to a local nursery to buy a gift for a friend. I was astonished when I spotted a display of tiny toy faeries, complete with a river and faery in a leaf boat who with a shag haircut,looked uncannily like me as a child .

The faery in her boat

More magic at work

As I completed the art, I began to realize that as much as I loved and resonated with this work of art. That there was someone who might love it more. Tijs's owner, Kris. It had been a few years since we had corresponded. I emailed her to let her know that I had finally created the painting of the sketch I had given her fifteen years before. A few days later I received a phone call. When I exclaimed my pleasure at receiving her call and asked, "How are you doing?" her long pause spoke what words could not, and then haltingly she told me two things. The first was she was suffering from a life-changing illness, and the second was that she wanted to purchase the original. I knew then, that the Tijs and Papillon had more in mind than connecting me with my inner child.

Upon reflection, I felt that the faery in the boat also reminded me of Kris. I never know how the timing and themes of a work of art will unfold, but I always know there is a purpose. My art isn't merely for decoration, it is a portal for healing energy. My prayer is these spiritual connections can assist Kris in her healing journey. I know I will never forget the insights from the creation of Papillon and how the gift of the magical wings helped heal my heart.

'Papillon'

Prints available