“Brijit, Baron’s Beloved”

Brijit, mother of the Ghede lwa in the flesh. Original Oil painting on Linen Canvas sheet, virtual matboard. Copyright c. 2012

Mamman Brigitte is a lwa that is European in origin, the wife of Baron Samedi, together they are the head of the Ghede family of vodou lwa! Brigitte comes from the Scottish and Irish sent to Ayiti who suffered through indentured servitude. Not as horrible and ultra violent as African slavery but a living hell all the same. Some contracted and signed themselves into slavery while others were forced into the situation. Many Celtic peoples were deported as slaves during the era of Oliver Cromwell back in the 1600’s,       for example.                                                                                                                                      Great articles discussing Indentured servants sent to the Caribbean:   http://www.newworldcelts.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=25&Itemid=40                            Article “The Redlegs of Barbados” By Edward T. Price: http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/CARIBBEAN/2001-04/0986680712

http://www.electricscotland.com/books/caribbean.htm

http://www.kavanaghfamily.com/articles/2003/20030618jfc.htm

Many paintings and art depict Brigitte and the Ghede lwa in skeletal form, I have painted her cameo profile as a beautiful flame-haired Celtic maiden in the flesh. Graves of the first female corpses buried in all  cemeteries of Ayiti are blessed in the name of Mamman Brijit. A sacred cross is placed upon the tomb in each burial place consecrated in her name. Mamman Brigitte drinks the special zesty rum of the Ghede lwa called Piman and she dances the wild, erotic Banda. People who drink Piman and dare to fake their possessions during a fet will burn their mouth out! Piman is straight rum with hot peppers soaked into it, the preferred drink of the Ghede lwa. When the Ghede are in the body of a vodouisant during fet, drinking Piman is like drinking water, no pain, no 3rd degree burns in your mouth! Otherwise you might as well be eating a fresh Trinidad Scorpion Pepper, a chili famous for causing acute blindness if its gets near your eyes! Leave the Piman drinking to the dead! Brigitte is tough-talking and tells it like it is, the Ghede are not shy about revealing secrets or telling the truth around anyone. She can curse like any sailor or trucker, using whatever “obscenities” that she chooses to use. Beyond death, all pain and suffering, the Ghede lwa do not adhere to the social rules of society in this world and they are not affected by them. They are free from the social reprimand that acting and speaking “raunchy and rude” will get you in this world. The Ghede lwa are spirits of fertility, death, resurrection and healing among other powers they have. They will talk about sex, having it, doing it, and about sex organs openly and freely. Mamman Brigitte is syncretized with Saint Brigid, the Christian nun and pagan goddess Brigit who is associated with flames and fire. The candles in my oil painting represent the sacred eternal flames of Brigid’s Kildare sanctuary in Ireland.                                                                                                                       http://kildare.ie/local-history/kildare/saint-brigid.htm

November 2nd, Fet Ghede in Ayiti is Brigitte and her family’s sacred holiday. On this special day the dead and the living come together. In violet, black, and white sacred colours of the ghede lwa, people gather in the streets of Ayiti dancing and celebrating, possessed by the spirits. Sunglasses, top hats and the powdered faces of the skeletal dead can be seen everywhere! Some Vodouisants links discussing Fet Ghede and the Ghede lwa: http://www.rootswithoutend.org/racine125/vleson2a.html    http://hermitsjourney.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/fet-gede-fun-and-surprises-on-all-saints-day-2/                                                                              http://www.ezilikonnen.com/society/fet-gede-2006.html

Brijit and her family are known to be playful. clownish, and rowdy but they are wise and can assist you with any problem you may have in your life. They have the best sense of humor in the world! Very funny with lots of dirty jokes and dark humor. Brijit and her husband are truly lwa of death, they can kill with their magic, bring illness and misfortune. But they can also heal, give life and resurrect. When you are at the end of your rope, something in your life is gone and it seems like it will never come back, Brijit and Baron will be the judge of that!

The Candle Lighter Awards!

Legba Candles for everyone

   My blog was recently awarded the “One Lovely Blog” and “Candle Lighter award” by Raven of Leyla and her blog Ravenwood: http://ravenofleyla.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/candle-lighter-award/ 

 I am delighted to receive these awards and here I award my candles to:

        Raven! The lovely lady who awarded me:  http://ravenofleyla.wordpress.com/

 Debbie Adams, talented artist and her work: http://adamsart.wordpress.com/

   Antonio Occulto, artist from Italia:  http://scratchandcolour.wordpress.com/about/

     Rumpy, Dede and a host of other adorable animals:    http://rumpydog.wordpress.com/

       Sue DreamWalker artist and poet:                               http://suedreamwalker.wordpress.com/art-and-hobbies/acrylic-paintings/

Victoria Porter, writer and poet: http://victoriaporter.wordpress.com/

 CheshireCat of the Hermits Journey blog : http://hermitsjourney.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/why-i-dont-do-new-age/ 

Louisey of African Alchemy blog:  http://africanalchemy.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/blindness-pagan-blog-project/

Otto Von Munchow, creative globe travelling photographer:  http://munchow.wordpress.com/ 

    Bokor Marco of deutschland: http://www.gratis-webserver.de/BokorMarco/2.html 

Sister Bridget, initiatory daughter of Mambo Sam, priestess of Ogoun:  http://voodooboutique.typepad.com/bridget/

Congratulations everyone and may your candles burn bright in the darkness of this world!

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

 

My best friend and I posing at the party! New Years 2012

 My lovely New Years day was spent dancing the night and the wee hours of the morning away with family and friends at Pure, my favorite club.

Posing with the guy from LMFAO. New Years 2012

The party rock crew was hanging out on the strip waiting for the countdown… 

Fireworks New Years 2012

 The crowd was wild and packed, waiting for the Foreworks to go off on the strip intersection near the Bellagio….

The family! New Year 2012

 2011 was a zany year with ups and downs for me and my family. 2012 will be another bumpy ride with many surprises in store. There are predictions and prophesy that say 2012 is a year of doom and gloom. For me, more love, life, art and magick!!!

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy Holiday season to all!!

 When I am not working, spending spiritual time with my met tet, or painting, I am a party animal and I get down! No better place for good catholic girls like me than the city of sin! And although this is not a real family type of town, the holiday season here is fun!

   Here I am and my husband and we were playing around the night of Christmas eve here in the lovely city of sin Las Vegas Nevada! We are forever youthful!

Me and a street performer on the strip. Rocking my new furry animal Ushanka (hat with ears)

   The Christmas season brings out the best in people, they are happier, kinder, and more spirited. Its sad that some people cannot be that way all the time, lol. My husband and I just bought some really cool Ushankas to wear for fun. They keep you warm and they are really cute.  If you like Raves you’ll see people wearing them there too. We originally bought them because we are going to wear them at Electric Daisy Carnival next summer!We were strolling around the strip and everyone complimented us on our hats and kept asking us where we bought them! I chose the wolf because it reminds me of le loup garoux and Marinette who is the guardian of werewolves. My husband chose the polar bear because he is an “ice boy” straight out of the cccp!

Posing with my new purse, YES my new purse!

 The holidays also brings out the impulse buyer in you. I was walking through the mall and I originally wanted a teddy bear backpack, but I could not find one, so I chose this adorable Hello Kitty backpack.

My husband posing with the Police at Starbucks.

   The holiday season makes everybody nicer and lighter in their mood! Its great! Even the police are nicer! They didn’t even get angry when an inebriated polar bear asked to take a picture with them! Look at them smiling and SO FRIENDLY! What’s wrong with them? LOL!!!

Posing with a man sporting the star of David

  The Xmas season also tends to bring people of different faiths together in harmony! And yes, its winter time and this man has no shirt on………Happy Chanukkah too, to all who may be browsing here.

Near the Xmas trees at the Mirage

    Christmas trees remind me of bonfires, everyone gathers around and there is warmth, love and togetherness. Truthfully I am skeptical about the birth date of Jesus, but its still fun to get and give gifts and just enjoy the cheer of the season.

Christmas at The Venetian

     My husband and I tried ice skating at the winter wonderland setup in front of the Venetian Hotel Casino. They had a beautiful tree lit up and everyone was posing with it. The ice turned out to be phony, just like the “pool water” at the gondola rides LOL. It was plastic ground with real ice skates. We fell on our butts many times and tried to do olympic style jumps and turns that just didn’t work out AT ALL. People laughed at us and pointed, it was fun.

My husband and my daddy enjoying the holiday season

This is one of my favorite family photos from a few Xmases ago, sometimes you take pictures that are just gems and they are priceless. I think I’ll title the above photo “Vodka meets Beer” or “Happy Holidays from our friends at Alcoholics Anonymous!” LOL! Christmas brings families together and that is what I love most about this time of year. The material things cannot match the feeling of love and happiness from just being with your family and those who love you. I don’t care about gifts really, family and love is my sustenance in this world.

        I am currently in the middle of a busy holiday time with my family but still working on the completion of my painting for Mamman Brijit. I felt it was appropriate to create a portrait of Brijit for the new year because although she is a lwa of death, she is also, like Baron, a spirit of resurrection and life!            

                                                                                                                                               Whether you are Pagan, Wiccan, Shamanic, a Vodouisant, Jewish, Catholic, Christian, or maybe just atheist, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season to all!

“Erzulie Red Eyes, The Separate Entity.”

Erzulie Red Eyes, as her own spirit.Original Oil painting on Canvas sheet. Copyright c. 2011

Erzulie Red Eyes is a spirit that walks so closely with Erzulie Dantor, some Vodouisants say that she IS Dantor herself. But Erzulie Red Eyes Is also said to be her own spirit, a seperate entity apart from Metres Dantor. This spirit is considered to be very dangerous. She is histrionic and violent, enraged and full of sorrow. Powerful negative emotion comes pouring from the core of this lwa. Those possessed by Ezili Zye Wouj will have the appearance of someone with extremely bloodshot eyes. The Ge rouge lwa always inspire me to look deep within myself, and take all the darkness inside me and use it for better in my life. Out of darkness and despair comes light, love and happiness after all! Here she Is, Erzulie Red Eyes, as I see her in the flesh, the separate entity!                                         Famous sacred songs of her sister spirit: “The Day I am Run Down”                 In Haitian Kreyol:                                                                                                                      “Jou ma’ koule
Jou ma’ koule
Jou ma’ koule
Map vomi sang mwen bay yo!”  In plain English:
“The day I am run down
The day I am run down
The day I am run down
I will vomit my blood and give it to them!” 

“Seven Stabs of The Knife” In Haitian Kreyol:                                                         “Set kout kouto, set kout pwenya,
Prete m dedin a pou m al vomi sang mwen,
Set kout kouto, set kout pwenya, prete m dedin a pou                                               m al vomi sang mwen, sang mwen ape  koule!”                                                               In plain English:
“Seven stabs of the knife, seven stabs of the sword
Hand me that basin, I am going to vomit blood
the blood runs down.”

“Simbi In The Nimbostratus”

               Simbi Andezo, Simbi Dlo ’round God’s cross in a rain storm. Oil colour on Linen Canvas sheet.                                    Copyright c. 2011

In my painting for Simbi I used the old Roman crucifix for symbolism of God. Vodou is called evil and satanic by popular opinion, but truth is, the Vodou lwa come from God. All energy, all life and all spirits are only possible through God. Without Bon Dieu, there is nothing!                                                                                                                                    Simbi Dlo is Simbi of the water and Andezo is Simbi in two waters.                                      You can find Simbi Dlo in springs, streams, any fresh body of water, he will be there. Simbi Andezo loves salt water and fresh water. The cycle of water in nature is Andezo’s main focus but he is also a powerful magician like Simbi Makaya. Simbi Andezo is a good friend of Ogoun Feray, they are comrades. These spirits are only a small part of a huge family with many, many different Simbi lwa.  If one makes a ritual for Simbi and soon afterward rain comes, this is a good sign from Papa Simbi!                                                    The Simbi spirits are all Petro lwa, they hail from the Kongo, in Africa.                             Gran Simba is considered the mother of all Simbi lwa.                                                         When it rains, when it pours, look up into the Nimbus and think of Simbi!

A traditional Haitian Kreyol song for Simbi  Andezo:                                                                                                                       “Simbi Andezo! Sa ki fe yo pa vle we mwen yo poko konen mwen.                          Yo bay mwen pwen a; se pou m mache la nwit, O! Simbi Andezo!                        Sa ki fe yo pa vle we mwen yo poko konen mwen.”  

In English:                                                                                                                                   “Simbi Andezo! The reason why they don’t want to see me is because they don’t yet know me. They gave me the magic spell; it’s so that I can walk in the night, oh! Simbi Andezo! The reason why they don’t want to see me is because they don’t yet know me.”

“The Papillon’s Machete”

Sword, Sabre, and Machete, for Ogoun Feray! Oil and pencil on linen canvas. Copyright c. 2011

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Oil and pencil painting for the unbreakable powerhouse, Ogoun Feray! Feray Fe! Nago Nation! Ogoun is often called Butterfly, a symbol he also accepts as an offering. His colours red and blue are great symbols of power and dominance. The flag of Haiti is of course red and blue, thanks to the power of Ogoun and the lwa, Haiti won their independence long ago! Ogoun’s sacred weapon  is the Machete, a large knife that is traditionally used for cutting unruly landscape, but it can also be used like a sword. Stainless steel Machetes have a bright, beautiful sheen to them, but the carbon steel blades are stronger, withstanding most use and abuse. Ogoun takes his machete during his possessions and he uses the blade to demonstrate that he is really in the person’s body. He can bend and point the blade on the person’s body he has possessed and they will not be hurt in any way! In many of his aspects Ogoun is a soldier, a healer, and a warrior. He is a loving husband of Erzulie Freda and known to be very fond of all women. Ogoun is syncretized with St. George, the holy spirit that slayed the dragon. The classical image of St. George slaying the dragon is used to represent Ogoun in his Petro aspect. Where there’s fire, there’s Ogoun and the Nago Nation, they love fire. Turn to Ogoun Feray to bolster your own inner strength and the inspiration to win all battles in your life!

“Damballah Ge Rouge”

My artistic interpretation of Damballah Red Eyes. Oil on Canvas sheet. Copyright c. 2011

 

          My oil painting of Damballah, the wise serpent of Vodou, in Ge Rouge form. Damballah is known as a great healer and a vessel of endless knowledge. His Red Eyed form is not worshipped in all Vodou societies, but Damballah and his wife Aida Ouedo are more famously known as the serpent and the rainbow.

Damballah Eyes Red, venom drops detail on canvas. Copyright c. 2011

            Damballah is fierce and bold in his red eyed form, but he is known to be a kind, fatherly lwa, who hisses during his possessions. Some cultures regard the snake or serpent as a symbol of evil and cunning. In Vodou Damballah is a benevolent serpent of the sky, father of all the lwa, who can bring good fortune, heal, and bless you with his wisdom.

“Erzulie’s Violini”

My original graphite pencil and oil colour painting on canvas. In honor of Freda. Copyright c. 2011

              I was moved by the spirit of Erzulie Freda Dahomey and the powerful rhythm of  Paganini’s Caprice no. 24 to create this painting. The little Italian cherub plays his instrument for Erzulie and his music makes roses and romance rain from the sky!

          Here is violin virtuoso Nicolo Paganini and his Caprice no. 24 played by one of the classical greats of our time, Yo Yo Ma on Cello:

                   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgAurilSDXQ&feature=player_detailpage

Bloggers with style awards!!

 

 

   My blog was recently awarded the stylish blogger award by sculptor extraordinaire and art connoisseur Cheshire Cat of Hermit’s Journey! My blog is very unique and my work is specialized, so I was very honored to receive this award!  Now, I shall list 7 things about myself and then award other bloggers I enjoy reading!

 

       1.) I am a rollercoaster enthusiast! My husband and I travel across the country riding the best coasters in the world. We are Six Flags season pass holders and we like to ride!  My favorites would be El Toro, Kingda Ka, Goliath, Tatsu, And Top Thrill Dragster. It NEVER gets old! I love it!

        Kingda Ka front row, the fastest and tallest coaster in the world so far, at 128 mph in 6 seconds, 458 ft in the sky! Not a good ride if you’re bringing little bitty kids for their first ride. The speed of the ride is so fast, its not really scary, its just so quick there is no time to be scared. If you put your hands up, you can dislocate your shoulder or break your arm:          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN8nv4tVFuA&feature=player_detailpage  

Me and the tallest coaster in the world! (And a serious case of rollercoastr hair, lol.) 6 Flags New Jersey

  El Toro front row, one of the best “woodie” coasters in the world, the speed was so quick my sunglasses almost flew off my face once:                                                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GMvlV6H-FQ&feature=player_detailpage

My snapshot of Woodie coaster "El Toro" 6 Flags New Jersey

 Nitro was a nice ride too, one of the best steel coasters in the world:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIP8M-iME2s&feature=player_detailpage 

Buckling up for the coaster! 6 Flags San Francisco, riding "Kong"

 

Snapshot of me and my Lubov at 6 Flags Magic Mountain!

 

Me and my Lubov riding X2 6 Flags Magic Mountain

2.) I like to dance, I often go out to the nightclub with my husband and we hit alot of pool parties in the summer. Very nice time to enjoy the weather here in Vegas! I appreciate all kinds of music, but European house music puts out alot of good beats! So House is our choice for dancing, partying and having a good time!   Me at Vodou lounge at the Rio in Las Vegas:

 

Photo of me posing near vodou symbols of Ogoun St, Jacques and Badagris on the carpeting of Vodou lounge at Rio Las Vegas! Copyright c. 2011

Photo of me posing near Vodou Lounge wall art at the Rio club. Modeled after Baron La Croix! Copyright c. 2011

   My husband and I had not been to the “Vodou Lounge” at the Rio yet, so I was excited to see some actual veves of the lwa in the decoration of the club!

Waiting in line to get into EDC 2011

Posing with Party animals at EDC!

Posing with Party animals at EDC!

My snapshot of the crowd at ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL 2011!

Me and my Lubov at EDC! Electric Daisy Carnival 2011!

 3.) I am a self-taught artist, I am the only painter in my family. The first oil pastel drawing I ever did in my life was in my 2nd grade art class. It was a picture of a Vodou dance around a bonfire. My 2nd grade teacher placed my drawing in a local gallery for showing and I was so dazzled! I kept working with oils from then on. 

   4.) I collect Mardi Gras Coconuts from the Zulu floats, I try to visit each year for Mardi Gras and to see family down there in Louisiana.

    5.) I am a big horror movie fan! I think I get it from my dad we would stay up late watching old episodes from Count Cool Ryder’s horror movie shows. I remember going to get his autograph when I was little! I like asian horror films best for their original stories and the plots and twists. My favorite movies would be: “Imprint,” “Grotesque,” and “Audition.” The french make good scary movies too though!

 6.) I love dogs, so me and Legba get along just fine! Dogs are sacred animals to Papa Alegba. I have a tiny chihuahua and a black cat.

Me and my puppy!

 7.) I am something like a “foodie” but at least I don’t get fat! I can cook up some really good  New Orleans cuisine but Italian food is my favorite. I visit many of the great restaurants here in the city, my husband and I enjoy dining. We like to eat at Zefferino’s at The Venetian, a lovely Italian restaurant.

My family and I enjoying New Orleans seafood!

 

              The style awards go to….

  1.) Denise Alvarado’s blog for hoodoo and New Orleans Vodou: http://conjureartquarterly.wordpress.com/   I love Denise’s paintings, her art is creative and always eye-catching! She has a nice journal she publishes on the craft of conjuring!       

  2.) The Hermit’s Journey: http://hermitsjourney.wordpress.com/ 

     This blog provides insight into the world of Vodou and working with the spirits from a real life vodouisant. The author of the blog is an art collector, and talented artist himself. When he sculpts the clay comes alive in his hands, his figures are vivid and imaginative.

 3.) A lovely blog for those who appreciate art from the old and contemporary masters:  http://foxpudding.wordpress.com/ 

  4.) Artists’ blog from prodigy and Painter Akiane Kramarik. She produces beautiful pictures of christian inspired art, she says she was inspired by god to paint. I ‘m not Christian myself but I do love angels and viewing religious art:  http://akiane.com/blog/

5.) The blog of Mambo Samantha Corfield: http://voodooboutique.typepad.com/mambosam/  Mambo Sam grew up with New Orleans Voodoo and she is also a Haitian Mambo Asogwe! She is kind, smart, and her magic is very powerful.

  6.) The blog of Houngan Hector! He is a master of magic and provides information on Santeria and Dominican Vodou as well as  Haitian: http://hounganhector.com/ 

 7.) Bokor Marco, a vodouisant from Deutschland! He teaches everyone about Haitian vodou in his country. Learn German or translate his blog:
  http://www.bokormarco-voodoo.de.vu/

                                                                                Mè konpliman!!! Congratulations everyone!