Inner Landscape Original

Mixed Media on Paper (Ink, Gouache, Soft Pastel)

A winter’s light filters through an aspen grove, casting long shadows across fresh snow. Within this serene landscape, twelve animals dwell—some obvious, others cleverly concealed among the pale trunks and dappled shadows. Each creature represents an archetype of the self, inviting viewers on a journey of inner discovery.

Inspired by Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ Women Who Run With the Wolves, this painting draws a parallel between the wolf’s intimate knowledge of its territory and our own need to know the landscapes within ourselves. Just as a wolf knows every inch of its forest—where to find sustenance, shelter, and safety—we too must learn to navigate our inner terrain: where our creative spark ignites, what shadows harbor unseen dangers, what nourishes our spirit, and what drains our energy.

The twelve animals echo archetypal patterns found throughout human wisdom—from Caroline Myss’s twelve personal archetypes that ebb and flow throughout our lives, to the twelve disciples reflecting different facets of the divine.

The Twelve Archetypes:

Fox – The Trickster, the Fool. Cunning yet playful, the fox marks the beginning of your journey into the forest of self. It reminds you that not everything is as it seems, and that sometimes wisdom comes through seeing the world from unexpected angles.

Bear – The Mother, Resurrection, Divine Feminine. Embodying fierce protection and nurturing strength, the bear represents the power of renewal and rebirth.

Bear Cub – The Child, Wonder, Play. With eyes full of curiosity and paws ready to explore, the cub calls you to rediscover the world with fresh wonder.

Wolf – The Guide, Balancing community and freedom. The wolf understands the delicate dance between independence and belonging, and gives you strength from the 3rd chakra to do this. It teaches you how to honor your wild nature while remaining connected to your pack.

Deer – The Divine Masculine, Gentleness in Strength. Like the first charka, the deer embodies a masculinity that is both powerful and gentle. With its crown of antlers and soft eyes, it shows that true strength doesn’t always roar—sometimes it moves quietly, gracefully, with acute awareness.

Owl – The Hermit, Intuition, Seeing in the Dark. Perched in silent observation, the owl sees what others cannot. It represents the wisdom that comes not from books or education, but from deep inner knowing (housed in the 6th charka).

Magpie – The Shadow, Necessary Endings, Transformation. It represents the shadow aspects of your forest—the parts you might prefer to ignore. But the magpie knows that before new beginnings can take root, old patterns must end. It invites you to examine what you’ve been collecting and what you need to release.

Squirrel – Preparation, Energy. It represents your vital energy and how you store and spend it.

Rabbit – Creative Life, Fertility. The rabbit symbolizes the creative force that produces much from little. It represents your 2nd chakra where artistic spirit, your ideas, your ability to birth new projects and possibilities all live.

Sparrow – The Small Voice Within. Barely visible in the distance, just a shadow among the branches, the sparrow represents that gentle whisper inside you that’s often drowned out by louder voices.

Blue Jay – Communication, Voice. Bold and vocal, the blue jay represents your authentic voice and your power to communicate truth. It embodies the throat chakra—your ability to speak your needs, express your creativity, and share your wisdom with the world.

This original painting is an invitation to know your own inner landscape and to befriend all the archetypes within—those of the shadow self just as much as those of the conscious self. Like the wolf who knows every inch of its territory, may you come to know every corner of your own wild forest.