Buffalo / Bison Series

Buffalo / Bison Power, Jessel Miller

I have not done an intense "Jesselism" piece in a while and somehow I woke with the spirit of the Buffalo/Bison in my brain. Letting go to the paper, and giving way to different incarnations, is both powerful and precarious.

During this painting process, I asked both Joy West and my husband, Gary, to give me their visions and insights. I am left vulnerable, yet wide open, when I ask for other people's opinions in the middle of a work of heART.

My Muses
I respect both of Joy & Gary when it comes to their intuitive abilities. They both had great advise and I gently moved and changed the painting following their rhythm and yet listening closely to my own truth.

The end result held a certain magic for me and even though the other paintings have their own appeal, I think Buffalo Power represents the best of all the versions I painted.

The good thing about taking photos as you go is that now all the other
images are available as prints and products at:

Jessel Miller Buffalo Versions.

I welcome all of you to share your thoughts and feelings about any of these pieces. Respond at [email protected]

LOVE
JESSEL and the Buffalo/Bison

Double Vision, Jessel Miller

Here is what came from this website about Buffalo Power

www.shamanicjourney.com

"Buffalo teaches us that true prosperity comes when we are grateful for what we have and when we live in harmony and love. You will live like buffalo when you know that abundance is present and when all relations are honored and known as sacred, when you express gratitude for all parts, all aspects of creation."

How often do we focus on what is lacking in our lives rather
than counting our blessings?

How much richer are our lives when we are truly thankful for what we have? This sends out a powerful message. Our beliefs and attitude towards our connectedness to every-thing also sends out powerful messages to the universe"

Here is what Joy West, one of my muses, wrote about in the process of watching this painting emerge. I would send her images daily as the piece evolved and we would talk about what we did or did not see or understand about the piece. I think her words are insightful and powerful.

 "It really takes the interaction between the painting (and thus the artist) and the viewer for a story to be told. It morphs with each new person who views it. In the beginning of this buffalo story, I felt no connection, could not tell a story. By the second incarnation, there was an awakening of sorts, but still no real story. By the third phase, we were communicating, these faces and I, of the respect and dependency the buffalo had in this land, of the native ability to shapeshift into buffalo/man, understanding and honoring while still slaying it, of conservation and consumerism going hand in hand. 
 
And here's the magic of storytelling for me: It takes just the right story from someone else for me to see the first two incarnations in a whole new light, to join in a story exciting and well worth telling, to see through new eyes."
Joy West 

Buffalo Abstract Start, Jessel Miller

Being a primary source of food and materials for many Native Americans, the buffalo (or American Bison) hold a special meaning in Native American culture. They represent the sustaining of life in addition to the trait of humbleness. Because this valuable resource can be scarce, the buffalo symbol is a reminder to take only what one needs.