How to choose a meaningful gift

This time of year seems to be filled with special occasions like graduations, weddings, anniversaries and in my family, we've got plenty of summer birthdays, too. There's nothing quite as wonderful as giving a gift that holds special meaning and one way for a gift to have meaning is for that gift to symbolize something.

We often do that when we give jewelry that has a special symbol in it like a cross or a birthstone. Other artworks can have symbolic meaning as well, becoming one of those meaningful gifts that will be treasured for decades.

Here are some common symbols found in my artworks:

• Hearts that can represent love, the human soul, or strength.
• Nests are homes, perfect for someone starting a new life together or out on their own for the first time, or a nest might represent a family structure.
• Feathers or wings can be interpreted as taking flight, beginning new adventures, or for me often stand in as a reminder of an angelic presence.
• Leaves, branches, trees and plants all are examples of growth, growing, or new beginnings, and many plants can have different more specific symbolism.
• Seeds, seedpods, or anything that carries seeds can represent potential and the start of something new.
• Butterflies and dragonflies both represent transformation and new life, as well as taking flight and/or new possibilities.

Everything in Its Time is a small (8x8") artwork that features a delicate bird's nest, incorporating leaves and dried flowers, with an egg that holds a butterfly. The title is a reference to the famous verses in Ecclesiastes that mentions "a time to sow and a time to reap," as well as a whole list of different seasons of life. 

Endless is an eight inch tall anatomical heart-shaped artwork with dragonflies and a maple seed layered over bits of maps, that can show your enduring love for someone who is stepping out into new adventures and has all kinds of possibilities ahead of them.

Mountain Blue Swallowtail is another piece that can symbolize a transformation in life, new beginnings, or just knowing that the recipient loves butterflies. Swallowtails can also represent good fortune, happiness, and longevity.

No matter what kind of gift you are giving, it's always a joy to find the just the right gift for the right person. If you need help choosing the right gift of art, just reach out and I'll do whatever I can to help you