"Dancing Bear" study by Kate Dardine (sold)

This 8x8 oil on canvas is a study for a larger painting. It is a commissioned birth totem painting for a client, and has the words "On the day you were born, Bear danced to the beat of your song," written along the 1-1/2" gallery-wrapped edges.

If you are interested in learning more about commissioning a birth totem animal painting, or just want to learn more about your birth totem animal, please contact me. Each commissioned piece has words written just for you incorporated into the design or along the edges. They make wonderful gifts for others or are perfect as a gift to yourself!

The paintings in my series of the twelve birth totem animals, called "The Heart of..." are available as limited edition gallery-wrapped giclées - click here for more information. They are also available on tiles, mugs, T-shirts and notecards - and as a 12-month calendar - through my Online Boutique.

"As we learn to listen to Nature, we break down our out-worn perceptions. We find that magical creation is the force of life inherent in all things. And it is this, above all else, that Nature teaches to those that will learn from her." _ Ted Andrews, Animal Speak

See more of my work at www.KateDardine.com.

Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Liam's Flicker by Kate Dardine

I just finished this 8x8 commissioned painting - it is a Christmas gift for a little boy born in June, so his birth totem animal is a woodpecker or flicker. I chose the flicker because it is commonly seen in both urban and rural settings, quite often hammering its tune on the side of someone's house! If you are interested in commissioning me to paint a totem animal for yourself or a loved one, please contact me. Commissioned paintings start at $100.

My series of twelve birth totem paintings can be viewed on my website.

Birth totem gift items (tiles, canvas bags, calendars, etc.) can be viewed and purchased here.

"As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can." John Muir

Kate Dardine is a Daily Abstract Painter from Colorado, USA

"Strike While the Iron is Hot" by Kate Dardine

This is a commissioned birth totem painting I just finished up for a client. It is an 8x8x1.5" oil on canvas. For more information on having me paint your birth totem animal, please email me.

View more paintings at www.katedardine.com.

Kate Dardine is a daily abstract painter from Colorado, USA.

"The Heart of Beaver" birth totem painting by Kate Dardine

The Heart of Beaver is a 10x10 oil on gallery wrapped canvas. It is the final painting of my series of twelve birth totem animals. Click here to see the whole series. The Beaver Totem reminds you that you have to act on your dreams to make them a reality. It is time for action! Beaver can show you how to construct wonderful dreams. In essence, Beaver tells you to believe in your dreams as if they were real. Build on them as if the dream is your reality. Beaver is the birth totem animal for April 20 - May 20.

See more of my work at www.KateDardine.com
Selected fine art giclees are available through the Art for Conservation gallery.

Kate Dardine paints from her log cabin studio on the wide open plains of northern Colorado, USA

"Wolf Wisdom" by Kate Dardine

I've been thinking abut painting wolves for a long time, and have always had a great interest in them. I recall a time at a zoo, many, many years ago. I was looking into the wolf enclosure and had the extraordinary experience of locking eyes with a wolf. It wasn't a challenge, but rather an exchange of some deep emotion, a longing - and in some weird way it felt like recognition between us. I remember I broke gaze first, and the wolf slowly turned and walked away. I was left standing alone with a most indescribable sense of sorrow.

Do you feel an affinity with wolves or other animals? Check out my Totem Animals or my series of birth totem animals.

"Wolf Wisdom" is 24x24, oil on gallery-wrapped canvas. Click here for more information.

Kate Dardine is a daily abstract painter from Colorado, USA.

The Heart of Hawk by Kate Dardine

The Heart of Hawk is #11 in my series of birth totem animals. Hawk is the birth totem animal for those born between March 21 and April 19. Click here to see the whole series so far.
www.katedardine.com

Kate Dardine is a daily abstract painter from Colorado, USA

"The Heart of Wolf" birth totem animal painting by Kate Dardine

The Heart of Wolf is the 10th painting in my 12-painting series of birth totem animals. Click here to see the whole series so far. “Wolf is the pioneer, the forerunner of new ideas, to teach and share with others what they have learned. Wolves have an enormous sense of family as well as a strong individualistic urge. Baying at moon is wolf's desire to connect with new ideas just below the surface of consciousness, for the moon is a symbol for psychic energy.” - excerpts from "Medicine Cards" by Jamie Sams. February 19 - March 20. Read more about Wolf here.

www.katedardine.com

Kate Dardine is a daily abstract painter from Colorado, USA

The Heart of Otter by Kate Dardine

"The Heart of Otter is Bathed in Joy." Otter is the birth totem animal for those born between January 20 and February 18. This is the 8th painting in my series of birth totem animals.

Birth totem otter is an individual who has incarnated into this particular lifetime to immerse him/herself in the fountain of knowledge. Read more here.

www.KateDardine.com

Kate Dardine is a abstract daily painter from Fort Collins, Colorado.

"The Heart of Deer" by Kate Dardine

One of a series of 12 birth totem animal paintings, all 10 x 10, oil on gallery-wrapped canvas. Click here to see more paintings in the series.

Kate Dardine is a daily abstract painter from Colorado, USA.