Memories of a Soul
Of all the paths I could choose
this one led me to you.
Somehow you heard my call.
We're connected in time.
Roots and branches entwined.
The Tree of Life sustains us all.
- Kim McElroy
THE STORY BEHIND THE ART
This painting is inspired by a horse named Simone. Her owner is a man named Justin who lives in England. Justin and his mother rescued Simone from an unhappy fate when she was being discarded as an overused and unhappy school horse. He had never been with horses before, but through love, he helped her find happiness again in her life with humans. They were together for eight wonderful years. Then Justin had to move to India, so he found a new loving home for Simone. He commissioned this painting to remember her. He asked me to include the mythical tree Yggdrasil – the World Tree. He was inspired by the connective intelligence the tree represents. As I researched the tree, I was intrigued by the elements of a dragon, which is traditionally depicted in the roots. My intuition led me to depict the dragon in the branches.
The piece was a collaboration between Justin and I. We discussed all all elements and together we found the imagery to compose his vision. The space nebula idea was his final touch that added magic and impact to the composition.
When the portrait was complete, he was called back home to England. Simultaneously Simone’s life changed as well and they were reunited. So what started as a goodbye, became another hello.