The Kiss of Motherpeace is my own rendition and celebration of the Goddess of Compassion, Kuan Yin. She was introduced to the world through Buddhism, though She is and always has been within us all since the beginning of time. Throughout the ages, She has been pictured in white robes, either sitting on a lotus flower or riding upon a dragon (or two!) over the vast blue sea. With Her, She carries a small vase filled with Healing Water, which She pours out upon the world to quench our Thirst and soothe our aching hearts.

This painting was inspired by a sketch I did of two goddesses kissing, which told a much different story. I was motivated to paint it, but after drawing the figure on the right, something new began to Emerge. I created another figure (the Walnut Seed Deva on the left) as representative of receiving this Divine Mother’s Love. I sat with this for awhile, waiting for a clear message from Spirit as to what this was really about. I could also Feel the painting asking for a serpent of some kind, like a totem animal.

One week later, on New Year’s Eve, I was convinced that this Holy Woman on the right was Kuan Yin. It was all I could See. I started my research, and lo and behold, Her mode of transport is a dragon — The Great Protector! — Clearly this was the serpent energy I was tuning in with. This was an excellent affirmation that I was on the right Path, but this was not all: Two weeks later, the Chinese New Year came along, and in my readings for this special holiday I discovered that Kuan Yin is the patron deity for this year! She blesses the Year of the Ox. It was all very auspicious timing.

I drew Her with a full pregnant belly, even though I’d never seen Her pictured with one; but later on, I got another confirmation: Kuan Yin is also acknowledged as the goddess of childbirth and fertility. She has never (to my knowledge) been rendered with a full belly, as I have done, but in the Buddhist tradition, She is directly invoked when lovers wish to conceive a child. The Signs just kept on coming, one after the other.

Naturally, I drew in the vase that Kuan Yin is so often pictured with, which linked to the walnut seed deva perfectly: a tree seed being receiving the Water-Love Blessing from the Goddess. Channel complete.

The Flower of Life pattern in the sky is a representation of space and time, a visual expression of the interconnection between all sentient beings. There is a vast amount of information out there about this sacred geometric symbol, and I highly recommend taking some time to research it if you are unfamiliar with it.

The column upon which Kuan Yin sits is very gender-specific in form and exhibits one of the most crucial aspects of the Divine Masculine: the ability to support the Divine Feminine. Among many other qualities, masculine energy is secure, stable, and focused. I was compelled to use this force as a champion platform for Her Grace. Each of us holds both yang (male) and yin (female) attributes, and to integrate these energies equally within ourselves is a wonderfully healthy achievement. In the center of the pillar is a six-pointed star (i.e. a Merkabah), a symbol for the Heart Chakra and the Perfect Union between male and female. The very end point of the dragon’s tail comes from the center of this sacred symbol, signifying the manifestation of a great Vehicle of Transformation, which is what the Merkabah is, literally translated as “chariot.” To summarize, Kuan Yin flies upon an entity birthed from the perfect balance of yin and yang. The end of the dragon’s tail is in the shape of a three-pointed Celtic knot, which signifies infinity. Throughout the entire composition is the energy of 3 and 6, The Holy Trinity and Divine Union.

This project began on Winter Solstice of 2008, and ended on Winter Solstice, 2009. A full year cycle is complete!

I am pleased to share this work with all of you, and I hope that you inherit as much happiness and joy from it as I have. Without my commentary, this piece speaks for itself in many ways, but I am glad to share my Process and the whole of my personal Vision with you.

Be well and Blessed Be!