honey wove the marrow

Crave Aurora

2013 12" x 13" watercolor, ink, and pastel

His head tilts back in abandon within the aurora. A universe breathes around him like a silent, slow-motion ballet. Cobalt kisses his neck and shoulder. His eyes fix softly upon an internal sight, caught up in feeling and observing and listening. His mouth is covered, but no words are needed. His body expresses love's trusting abandonment and intimacy.

The painting hangs in a corner of this studio where I sit composing. Right now, outside my window, a summer storm caterwauls and booms. At 7,200 feet elevation, this high country's thunder is a mighty force, sounding as if it could tear through the rooftop. The contrast is distinct between out there and in here, where I feel an oasis of soul-quiet. I look up at the painting again, and it seems to look back at me.

It reminds me that trusting may be one of the more difficult forms of consciousness to grasp hold of and develop, perhaps for all kinds of obvious evolutionary or environmental reasons. But when trust arrives and we are able to let it in, so comes vulnerability—an elemental desire to share authenticity and get to the barest bones of who we really are.

Charmagne Coe is an American surrealist. She creates inner and outer-worldly paintings with watercolor, ink, and pastel. Inherent is a deep respect for the nature of automatism, spirit and contour line. Her work has been included in publications such as Utne Reader, Luxe Interiors + Design, and Creative Quarterly. When she is not working in her little studio, she participates in international exhibitions. She also expresses wild expanses and heart-achy characters in pen and ink.

For more work by Charmagne Coe, check out our Online Sundries blog here.

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