The Protector

Original oil painting on deep canvas, 40cm x 65cm

I go for walks from my home in Oxford daily, to immerse myself in nature. I try to be truly present – to smell, touch, feel and observe the wildlife around me. I have a favourite walk along the river, where there is a heron that’s a regular presence on the riverbank. I enjoy to stop and observe this magnificent bird. Mostly it’s still – watching and waiting. Sometimes it high-steps through the shallows, and occasionally I’ve even seen it catch fish. But mostly it’s still, self-composed, patient. It’s this stillness, I think, that inspires the stories and myths that surround herons worldwide, where common themes include persistence, longevity, good fortune, harmony, protection and an a link with the Gods!

This heron is a protector. She follows the tradition of the herons that adorned the shields of Celtic warriors as a sign of protection. She’s majestic under her ‘crown’ of knotted trees (a twist on the Celtic knotted herons that traditionally symbolise the balance of dark and light – bringing peace and harmony). I try to find the magic in the everyday, and that's reflected in my painting here – an everyday heron, and everyday winter trees, woven into a mythical creature of harmony and protection.

You may also like: The Protector Limited Edition Giclée Print