Riley Charters

Riley Charters 2004

Twilight Morning Intrusion

oil painting

by Riley Charters 2004AD

The moon is still out, Venus is there too. The deer is waiting & seeing. During an early morning hike we came upon a group of deer. After disturbing their rest period , the all scatter up the grassy hillside except for one. Which stayed motionless in this little clump of brush.

The Justice Cathedral

mixed-medium

by Riley Charters 2004AD

I oftener wondered what the devil crows were doing when a flock of them looked to ganging up on a fellow crow. The gruesome fact of life is a mean death for a sickly or injured crow. This being a fact of life for them. The trial, the judge and the executioners.

The church pew is holding the sick crow up high the crows look to be discussing its future. A crow walks the ground either in the ill crows defense or against it.

Family Map (everyone else!)
Private Collection

mixed media on treated paper
by Riley Charters 2004AD

As I previously mentioned, one of my pastimes is researching native cultures and beliefs. I have been working on a series called Time Whorls, in association with the spindle whorls used in spinning wool for use in weaving or knitting. The time whorls are life maps marked by special or important events in the bearer's lifetime. It all begins in the center and continues to spiral out into the world.

Re-Arranging The Stars
The Path Gallery Whistler BC
oil painting
by Riley Charters 2004AD
Right on the edge
Of the World
Sat a Raven
The one with
The Black-Eye Galaxy
Wickedly, Gleefully rearranging
The Stars.

Spirit Caves
Eagle Feather Gallery Victoria BC
Oil painting
2004AD
On Sumas Mtn. there are Spirit Caves also known as Thunderbird, now endangered by urban developments encroaching on this mountain. There is much controversy between the city of Abbotsford, the developers and the Sto:lo Nation as some requests are being ignored by the city & developers. The Sto:lo Nation feels out of the loop in regards to the preservation of this site.
These caves were used as a refuge from the rise in the sea level by the First Nations people. The Sumas Kilgard Reserve is doing all it can to protect the caves, considered so sacred their own Sto:lo nation is discouraged against entering them. I had been up to these caves once when I was 16 & it is a magical calming place where you can look over the Sumas Prairie.

The Abbey
Eagle Feather Gallery Victoria BC
oil painting 24"x 30"
by Riley Charters 2004AD
Spiritual Places In Mission

The Mission Abbey can be seen for miles and as I walk along the river trails below I too can see this monument. What lives there I wonder.

Findings

oil painting 24"x36"

by Riley Charters 2004 AD

While hiking through local forest there are a lot of stumps left behind by the first cuttings years ago. They are decaying under the canopy of the second growth. Little sun or rain reach these stumps making it difficult for anything to grow in these conditions. To our amazement we found these tiny leafless orchids (Northern Coral-Root) growing in the dusty decay of the cedars.

Glowing

oil painting

by Riley charters 2004AD

Memory Marks

by Riley Charters 2004AD

Treasures

oil painting

by Riley Charters 2004

The Stave Lake banks are riddled with old growth stumps. When the lake levels drop in the late spring all is revealed. Not only are the stumps exposed but old petroglyphs & other treasures such as arrowhead points. A treasure trove for hunters & gatherers.

Our Lady Nave

Private Collection

oil painting 24"x30"

Riley Charters 2004 AD

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