Artists tend to develop their own visual language over the course of a career, returning again and again to certain motifs. That’s certainly the case for me with trees, women and goddesses, doorways and passages, ancient symbols, flowers, and animals — in particular birds — emerging again and again.
Having recently finished this small painting, Flying Free, I realized that flying women is another motif of mine. When completing a woman flying painting, I always experience a feeling of exhilaration, similar to the feelings one has upon waking from a dream of flying. My soul must be yearning to break free from the limitations of culture and society when these paintings emerge, as birds and flying are often symbols of freedom.
In addition, birds, with their ability to walk on land and soar high above the earth, reaching for the heavens, have long inspired us as links to the divine realm. Birds and flying hold spiritual significance for many cultures, and exploring this symbolism can lead to a deeper understanding of one’s own spiritual and personal growth.
I believe that a painting of a woman flying often emerges for me during periods of struggle with physical or emotional difficulties. These paintings, like a dream manifest, represent my spiritual journey—an exploration of my inner self—leading to a greater understanding and acceptance of my role in the grand drama we call life.
A quick internet search reveals flying women paintings abound. Most of this work is modern, perhaps indicating a shift in human consciousness as we seek a way to live out our soul’s purpose in life instead of following the ordained laws of religion and society. There is a desire to break free from the monotony and stress of life in the work-a-day world. Images of women flying are most likely expressions of women’s desire for freedom of choice over all aspects of our lives. Women from all around the world are flying free, breaking the chains that have bound us for so long.
Flying also symbolizes taking on a new perspective. Soaring high in the sky, birds can view the world below from a different, higher vantage point, allowing for a reassessment of situations and the development of a fresh outlook. Recently, I have been engaged in exactly this kind of reassessment. As if on cue, the painting appeared.
My painting, Flying Free, draws on the symbolism of Crane. Crane knows the way to the Otherworld, threading the path between the mundane and the divine while helping you find a balance between the two. Finding this balance has always been a challenge for me. I tend to live with my head in the clouds, dreaming of a world where self-understanding is more important than self-aggrandizement — a world filled with love, harmony and beauty.
Balancing my need to create art with my need to make a living has always been a struggle. This year, carving out time for the interiority needed for artistic expression has been even more difficult, leaving me often adrift in a relentless sea of mundane activities — day after day after day. Without the act of painting I lose sight of who I am, becoming lost and uncentered.
Here are a couple more of my Flying Women paintings.
Though I urgently want to move beyond barebones, essential, survival mode, my new painting, Flying Free, helped me realize that I have to accept my limited financial resources for now and get back to what makes my soul sing — painting.
If you find yourself in a similar situation where the realities of everyday life seem overwhelming, then look to the skies for some inspiration from our bird kin. Maybe you’ll have a flying dream and wake-up with a new outlook on life.
Judith’s art — originals, prints, oracle decks and books are available on her website: judithshawart.com
Here’s a direct link to prints and merchandise of Flying Free – click here
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Feminism and Religion 
OH JUDITH – OH – How I LOVE every single painting – your honestly – your poignant story is also ‘our ‘ story is it not? When I look at those paintings I can FEEL each one moving through me like clear flowing waters… and your love the cranes rivals my own – if we did not have them nesting in Maine, if I could not see them every fall I would be bereft… Truly – we both know the mythology around crane so it is not surprising that you paint them – there is a message here for every woman – how can each of us not be struggling? You need to see the work of Adrian Lopez who paints women and birds – He’s Mexican and lives in Abiquiu – the first time I went to his studio I stayed for three days. … I am so glad you put a link to your site – I would love to have that first one…. I don’t paint birds but every single dawning finds me listening to the first birdsongs… this is my morning meditation in spring and summer – now that the wether is shifting often I have to close the windows during the day but dawnings belong to the birds – I know almost all their songs even if I don’t see them… there is a poignancy for me this time of year because the spring cacophony is over for the year… but until fall the birds are still carrying on lively conversations… and are always soothing… and bringing moments of joy…THANK YOU – I hope other women enjoy these beautiful paintings as much as I have….Many Blessings Bird Woman
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Sara,
Thanks so much for your appreciation of my paintings. As you say, our love of cranes makes it not surprising that you resonate with the first painting of the woman flying with the cranes. i guess scientist believe that birds are the only surviving ancestors of the dinosaurs – quite an ancient connection there. That painting is available on my website right now as a print (in various sizes and on different kinds of media). I haven’t put the original up yet as originals live in a different place on the site. If you are interested in the original just reach out to me and we can discuss it.
I always look forward to November when the sandhill cranes return to New Mexico. It’s always such a treat to see them flying together in the sky, hear their birdsong and see them foraging for food in the fields of the North Valley and along the Rio Grande. And of course there’s the wonderful Bosque del Apache where one can see even more.
I just had a thought about how both of us love trees so much too. And birds nest and hang out in trees. Ah the wonders and miracles of nature never cease to amaze me!
I’m not familiar with Adrian Lopez’s work. I’d love to see it. Does he do studio visits for the public?
I love the moniker you gave me – “Bird Woman.”
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went to your site – want the first painting and the 2nd cranes -secret knowledge – didn’t find it – I am so illiterate when it comes to the computer…
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Hi again,
Let’s exchange phone numbers so that I can help you navigate the website more easily. If you reach out to Janet she’ll give you mine. I’ll let her know to expect that request. I’m off to my job/job today so we can talk tomorrow if you like.
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Armando Adrian Lopez – please check him out – wonderful man and gifted painter
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What an amazing essay and such beautiful paintings, as always! As our world seems to become more chaotic, I think your idea of flying to freedom may be just what we all need! I am reminded of Faith Ringgold, a Black artist who often included images of people, especially women, flying in her work. She once said “Anyone can fly. All you need is somewhere to go that you can’t get to any other way. The next thing you know, you’re flying among the stars.” It also makes me think of the story that was told among enslaved people here in America of how some people stolen from Africa could fly, but forgot once they were here because of being enslaved, until one day a woman was suffering so much that she remembered, and began to fly away from her enslaver, and then others remembered and the sky was filled with people flying away to freedom. Even those who could not fly were inspired by the sight to seek their freedom. I think the story is titled “The People Could Fly.” You have started off my day perfectly!
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Carolyn,
I learn so much from eveyone at FAR. I have heard of Faith Ringgold but not sure if I’ve seen her work or not. I’ll have to look her up and find her flying people pieces. And the flying story you shared that came out of the African experience with slavery is wonderful! What a great image – the skies filled with people flying to freedom. That story makes my day! Thanks for appreciating my work and for sharing your wisdom.
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Thank you Judith, also from me, for your exquisite, otherworldly-magical-mythical-and-yet-so-profoundly-concrete art works, and for your honesty in opening up some of your personal search… I wondered if you’ve ever approached the Goddess Temple in Glastonbury, UK, I’m imagine they purchase art on a regular basis and yours would be a gem on the wall! Sending so much love, Eline
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Hi Eline,
Thanks for your kind words about my work. I do shy away from sharing my own struggles but then at times I arrive at a decision that sharing them is a good thing as we all have our own struggles. I think that that sharing helps me and I hope others realize that we are not alone. Struggle seems to be part of life on this beautiful physical world of ours.
I don’t really know much about the Goddess Temple in Glastonbury. I’ll have to look into it. I’ve always dreamed of doing some large goddess painting for a sacred space.
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Absolutely, this is so important… to realise we’re not alone… I meant to add, Goddess House AND Goddess Temple, they are run by the same organisation, but in two different buildings!
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OK, Contacting Goddess House and Goddess Temple are on my “to do” list – such a long list.
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Fly free, beautiful flying woman. Thank you for sharing your work with us here. Thank you for keeping faith with your gifts!
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Thanks Elizabeth. Without that faith I do most certainly fall apart.
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Judith, those are absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. I tend to draw women flying with wings, especially butterfly wings. I never thought of women flying without even needing wings. How cool!
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Linda,
That’s so interesting that your drawings of women flying depicts them with wings. I also incorporate wings but those tend to be more “women transforming wholly or partially into birds” kind of images. Reflecting on your comment I think that my women flying with arms stretched out in front or by their side is a reflection of what I look and feel like in dreams of flying. I’m always flying above Earth with my arms stretched out in front of me or by my side like shows up in my paintings. Interesting details to consider….
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How wonderful to dream of flying like that!
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I love your flying women and I can relate. I tend to have dreams about swimming all the time and they leave me feeling as though I’ve been flying. But I also swim a lot and feel flying is very similar.
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I love to swim also. I never thought about how it has similarities to flying but now that you mention it I can see that. Unfortunately swimming in a natural body of water is not available to me much as I live in the high desert. But I am about to go camping by a lake and am so looking forward to swimming!
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I don’t often get to enjoy natural bodies of water either, so pools for me mostly. Oddly enough, I dream of swimming in pools! Next time you do swim, throw your arms out to the sides like a bird for a sec; you’ll feel it. :)
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I’ll give it a try in a couple of days. I tend to pretend like I’m a dolphin or a seal a lot when swimming. It’s be cool to swim like a bird flying.
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I love your work. I am also drawn to the symbolism of birds and have several bird tattoos. I’ve always associated them with breaking free. Your images of flying women are incredible and they stir something in me, a yearning of kinds. Thank you for sharing this work!
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Shannon,
I’m happy to hear that my paintings of flying women resonate with you. I hope to create some new ones soon.
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