Location: United States
I am Deborah Karen Tash, currently Artist In Residence for herchurch in San Francisco, CA..
Creating as a spiritual practice and means of self-expression has been the foundation of my work both as a visual artist and a poet. I combine both whimsy and the Shamanic influence on the path of beauty in my art. Working in series I allow idea, inspiration and dreams to guide me in the choices I make about what kind of medium and technique to employ for each piece. I work with painting, mixed media, sculpture, mask, drawing, fiber, collage and clay often weaving them together in a single multimedia expression. I continue to explore how to use symbol and image in order to uncover the shape and influence of transformation on my interior life and that of the viewer, as well.
Calling on guides, totem animal allies, spirits, angelics and archetypes, especially in my mask work, I explore the interaction of the human world with the other realms, the Divine Feminine and sacred sexuality striving to discover their energies as embodied in nature, as well as the spirit realms. Depiction of the archetypal realm and the energies of the gods and goddesses are fueled by my love of color. As a Mestiza I also explore both my Mexican heritage from my mother’s line in my poetry as well as my father’s English/Irish/Scottish line which includes Celtic influences.
Born in 1949 in Northern California I was shaped by both this dual heritage and a childhood marked by polio. Both of these influences contributed to my preoccupation with solitary activities and interior dimensions. Making art, dreaming, and writing poetry were augmented by telepathic conversations with screech owls that lived in the 100 foot Eucalyptus tree, my dearest childhood friend, which grew in my backyard. Early Shamanic/psychic experiences eventually led me out of organized religion and into the pagan community in my early twenties where I became a worshipper of the Goddess and the Divine Feminine which profoundly informed my art.
Here is a beginning sample of my work from four of my series: Soft Power Series, Talismans Of The Present Series, Spirit Voices Of Light/Totem Animal Allies Series and Illuminated Poems Series
“Soft Power Series/The Opening #4”
Mixed media: Paint, clay, fabric and feathers
24" x 24"
“Talismans Of The Present/Found Object III”
Mixed media painting with rose canes, dried roses and found object
12" X 18"
“Spirit Voices Of Light Series/Totem Animal Ally BUTTERFLY”
Mixed media painting: Mask, collage and lace
24" x 24"
One of the forty ally mask paintings in progress inspired by forty original totem animal allies poems
Ally Of The Dreamtime VI
Playing with the breeze
Your fragile wings dance
Fluttering without a sound
Ephemeral loveliness manifest after ordeal
You harbinger of blossoms and spring
Alighting for the briefest moment
On leaf or bud to suckle
Sweet nectar your due
You mimic the wings of faeries
Reminder of grace and whimsy
After a season held captive
In a cocoon of transformation
Melted down to your essential need to fly
Your tribe gathers
Covering whole walls
In a swarm of desire
Sweet wingéd messenger
You are not just a simple pleasure
Meant to delight and entertain
Pretty and meaningless
No, not you my guide
You are a gentle beacon of beauty
A reminder of strength in adversity
And the everlasting truth of the soul
29NOV14 TASH ©
“Illuminated Poems Series/Ancestor Song In Green”
Mixed media painting: Mask, Eucalyptus seeds, tags and collage
18" x 24"
Ancestor Song In Green
The mask of the ancestor song
Sits waiting in green
Gessoed and spectral as death
It serves to connect with a past
Morphed beyond memory
Becoming a portal into awakening
Bark, leaves and seed
Eucalyptus signature will claim
Spirit voices emerging
From the unseen depths
Surrounding daily life
Ghosts and shadows waiting acknowledgement
Ancestors gather as stones
Their voices riding on the wind
Calling for attention to details
Inherent in every prayer
Thanksgiving for what is already
True lessons of manifestation
The magicks of sorceress and wizard
Found at the behest of the Owl
Sink gently into Source
Drawing power from the Cosmos
Beauty fashioning every intention
Of gratitude and appreciation
The mask waiting in green
Unravels fear and reticence
This spirit door located in cellular memory
Nestles in bark, leaves and seed
To dance the sacred spiral
Unlocking all reverence for the ancestors
28FEB15 TASH ©
This series is of paintings, photographs and mixed media pieces inspired by poems I've written
Mixed media painting with Eucalyptus seeds, collage and tags
18" x 24"
Print Available https://fineartamerica.com
Ancestor Song In Green
The mask of the ancestor song
Sits waiting in green
Gessoed and spectral as death
It serves to connect with a past
Morphed beyond memory
Becoming a portal into awakening
Bark, leaves and seed
Eucalyptus signature will claim
Spirit voices emerging
From the unseen depths
Surrounding daily life
Ghosts and shadows waiting acknowledgement
Ancestors gather as stones
Their voices riding on the wind
Calling for attention to details
Inherent in every prayer
Thanksgiving for what is already
True lessons of manifestation
The magicks of sorceress and wizard
Found at the behest of the Owl
Sink gently into Source
Drawing power from the Cosmos
Beauty fashioning every intention
Of gratitude and appreciation
The mask waiting in green
Unravels fear and reticence
This spirit door located in cellular memory
Nestles in bark, leaves and seed
To dance the sacred spiral
Unlocking all reverence for the ancestors
28FEB15 TASH ©
Detail from the painting Ancestor Song In Green available as a print
Ancestor Song In Green I
Another day has accumulated
Stacked up atop a slow greening
The markers of loss alchemize
Shifting grief to growth
Like grass on an old grave
They encircle the day
Wreathing it with memories
Ancestors once lovers and friends
Helping to root and restore
While those who remain continue
Listen to the greening song of blood
Precious invocations of morning
Harvesting the light and rain
While the spirits watch and smile
Knowing the cycle of days
08APR15 TASH ©
Detail from Ancestor Song In Green available as a print
Ancestor Song In Green II
Mourning doves have arrived
Their melody punctuating sunrise
Gentle croon in the cold air
Echoing sleepless night
Soft grey feathers
Dotted with black
As if they have just returned
From the realm of the dead
Their voices bringing messages
Of those who have passed
Into the green glowing darkness
Of life after earth
Now that she evolves
Her vibration accelerates into birthing
While so many cannot remain
Their journey’s end reached
They sing now as ancestor voices
Calling out the names
To be woven into a new pattern
As time spirals into tomorrow
And the birds and beasts
Add the harmony of being
In the quiet solace of day
To the verses bequeathed by the moon
13APR15 TASH ©
Acrylic paint and gel pens on paper inspired by the inner daemon
12" x 18"
Big Black Cat
Where will she lead me?
Down the path away from convention
Deeper into my truer expression
Back to the ancient origins
Where getting my freak on
Was once the way of spirit walking
Slowly untangling each thread
To divine the authentic pattern
Before the cruelties of patriarchy
Twisted it in a mockery of control
Distorting with domination
Religion the tool
All the lies I've told myself
About the ways of my heart
The ways of my sex and desire
Forcing myself to chastity
To survive in a world
Where I had not yet found my heritage
She steps languidly from the cage
Her big cat nature unfurling
Like my own freak flag
Reminding me that "catting around"
Is what I long to do again
And she is awake and watching
09APR16 TASH ©
The images in this portfolio are from the Awaken To The Goddess Series.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/The Seeress”
This graphite pencil drawing is inspired by the Pythia of the Oracle of Delphi when it was originally a temple of Gaia and protected by twin giant pythons.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/First Study”
Working from a photograph of the artist looking in a mirror, this pencil and Prismacolor pencil study captures the mystery of discovering the Divine Feminine within while looking at the reflection of self. It is the first piece in a series of mixed media drawings entitled Reflections.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Reflections”
Second in the series of mixed media drawings inspired by the photograph of the artist looking into a mirror. Continuing to honor the Divine Feminine within while also knowing self in the reflection in a mirror.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Reflections I”
The photograph of the artist looking into a mirror is the theme of this mixed media piece. It is the third in the series of pieces titled Reflections. The reflection of the Divine Feminine and the inner self translated into art.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Reflections II”
In this mixed media piece inspired by the photograph of the artist looking into a mirror, both the theme of honoring the Divine Feminine within with self and exploring animal allies are depicted.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Reflections III”
Gold gel pen on paper is the media used in this drawing inspired once more by the photograph of the artist looking in a mirror. The Divine Feminine within and the self reflected are the theme.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Reflections IV”
Mixed media images inspired by the photograph of the artist looking at herself in a mirror depict both the Divine Feminine, self and animal allies.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Now That She Has Shown Me Fire And Water”
In this mixed media piece poetry has been added to the images of the Divine Feminine, self and animal allies. It is the last in the series inspired by a photograph of the artist looking in a mirror.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Runemal”
This painting was inspired by going through the Caldecott tunnel in California on a very foggy day. It depicts the spirit of the Divine Feminine as the earth.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Study For Deborah In The Garden”
This pencil on paper drawing was modeled on a photograph.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Autumn Reverie”
Totally imaginary, this pencil drawing is a tribute to the Goddess in the fall.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Barney's Hands”
Barney's Hands is a mixed media drawing inspired by the healing power of the Goddess in everyone's hands.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/In Her Image”
Bubbles and the hands of the artist mark this drawing dramatically. Both prismacolor pencils and gel pens are used in conjunction with acrylic paint.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Just Give Me Some Time”
A Prismacolor pencil drawing on colored paper whose central figure is inspired by the empowerment of women through honoring the Goddess within.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Reclaiming The Wisdom Of Medusa”
Medusa as a face of the Goddess empowering women to claim all of their Divine Feminine power.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Goddess In The Clay”
This piece is a ceramic triptych dedicated to the Goddess that can be hung on a wall.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/Muse Of Celebration”
Acrylic painting with gel pen.
“Awaken To The Goddess Series/She Is Here”
This mixed media piece has a central figure painted in acrylic and surrounded by images collaged on a separate frame.
“Ancestor Song In Green”
“Ancestor Song In Green I”
“Ancestor Song In Green II”
“Where Will She Lead Me Now”
