Return to Sacred Hoop

In 1981, a heptagonal canvas, with its unusual seven sides, beckoned. More than just a surface to paint, it felt like a vessel awaiting a profound narrative. Without realizing it at the time, this blank form was to become a pivotal point, leading me on a journey initiated by a childhood dream and deepened by the enduring wisdom of Black Elk. Little did I foresee that this artistic endeavor would unveil not merely individual insight, but the expansive concept of unity embodied by the Sacred Hoop.

At nine years old, a dream of flight imprinted itself upon my young soul. It was an immersive sensation – the ground receding, air rushing past, and a breathtaking vista unfolding. Central to this vivid dream were what I perceived as immense, outstretched wings, carrying me effortlessly skyward. This experience resonated deeply, sparking an enduring fascination with soaring perspectives and a visceral connection to expansive wings, little did I know preparing fertile ground for a later encounter with Lakota cosmology.

Years passed before "Black Elk Speaks" entered my world, feeling less like a book and more like an intimate dialogue across time. Within its pages, Black Elk's voice, clear and resonant, shared visions that struck a chord of deep recognition. His boyhood dream, his bond with the spirit realm, and the potent symbolism of wings within his culture, all echoed nascent themes within me, stirred by my own childhood reverie. It was as though his narrative illuminated a path already faintly discerned, validating an intuitive understanding.

Inspired by this unexpected kinship, I embarked on a deliberate exploration into Native American cultures and traditions. Driven by a genuine thirst for deeper knowledge, I sought stories, listened attentively to teachings, and respectfully observed ceremonies. These immersions enriched my comprehension of interconnectedness, the cyclical rhythms of existence, and the potent language of symbols, shaping the artistic vision gradually taking form.

Returning to the heptagonal canvas, I recognized its seven edges not merely as a geometric choice, but as a conscious embodiment of the Seven Generations and the Seven Hoops of Nations – tenets gaining clarity in my understanding of Lakota thought and broader indigenous perspectives. Selecting acrylics and establishing a palette rooted in elemental hues – earthen red, solar yellow, azure blue, and pristine white – I purposefully laid a symbolic groundwork, a receptive space poised to articulate a vision of unity.

Brush in hand, I began to create the painting, understanding it now more accurately as "Return to Sacred Hoop"—a visual metaphor for my evolving connection to Black Elk's worldview. Layer upon layer, hue intermingling with hue, abstract forms emerged—not representational, but evocative of a journey inward and outward. The act of creation became a process of internalization, solidifying nascent insights and transforming this artwork into a tangible expression of an unfolding truth, using color and form where words proved insufficient.

As this heptagonal piece, now rightly understood as "Return to Sacred Hoop," neared completion, it acted as a catalyst, unveiling an unexpected dimension. The unique shape itself, the interplay of form and space, ignited an inquiry into sacred geometry. Suddenly, I discerned a concealed language within the composition, a universal code mirrored across cultures and embedded within the very structure of existence. The artwork became an entry point, unlocking a broader appreciation for underlying patterns and a sense of cosmic order.

This initial artwork became a springboard for further creative exploration, consciously shifting the emphasis from individualistic symbolism towards the encompassing concept of the Sacred Hoop. Subsequent canvases dedicated themselves to visually interpreting this principle of unity and interdependence. Intertwined circles and vibrant tapestries evolved, each artwork endeavoring to narrate a story, to articulate the profound reality of our interconnected existence, transcending personal vision toward a shared, communal awareness.

Years have flowed since that heptagonal canvas first called to me. The journey, kindled by a childhood dream and illuminated by Black Elk's profound narrative, has proven to be a continuous revelation. While initially titled "Eagle's Wings Outstretched"—now "Return to Sacred Hoop"—its deeper meaning has revealed itself to be about something far greater: the Sacred Hoop, the unbroken circle of life, the interwoven nature of all beings. The painting, in essence, transformed into not just a piece of art, but a visual step on an enduring path of learning, a testament to the potency of dreams, personal interpretation, and the timeless wisdom of universal interconnectedness, now consciously returning me to the Sacred Hoop