22" x 30"
Acrylic & Sumi Ink on watercolor paper
Original on loan, private collection • Limited edition prints available

The “Sword of Honor” painting was created out of a day of reworking previously painted canvases and paper pieces. The orange and gold paint is the original brush work. The red and black movements were added, years later, upside down of how the painting is viewed today.

Within the orange and red brush strokes I see an image of a woman warrior, kneeling - being knighted. Upon seeing this image, I instantly heard a soft voice within say, sword of honor. Knowing the painting would not be finished this day, it was set aside. Because the image is powerful for me, I pulled it out frequently to study it and to listen for intuitive guidance of what the painting needed to be complete. Alas, months later and nearly forgotten in a stack of archived watercolor pieces, I glanced over the woman warrior image and gut instinct moved me to strike a single black brush mark, knowing instantly this would call it finished.

Further contemplation of this painting created dialog with patrons and colleagues. Several thoughts about the single black brush stroke emerged as most viewed it as an image of a victorian black dress while others viewed it as a modern outfit akin to a cocktail dress. Yet another spoke about how the woman becomes warrior like as she seems to be stepping out of or leaving behind the societal demands of perfection, represented by the black dress.

For me, this painting is a poignant personal metaphor that echoes of one of my favorite Biblical passages; Ephesians 6:10 - 18. Of which speaks " . . . taking on the full Armor of God. The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And to stand firm against the powers of the dark world . . . ." I view the black brush mark as a traditional victorian dress with bustle and corset. A metaphor of conformity, oppression, and a life bound in stoic darkness. A totem of her walking dead life from which she once lived, is now behind her. The red and orange sweeps of paint represent a woman of strength with vitality, value, and integrity. I see her bowing on one knee in honor before the Creator, accepting her life of purpose - a woman of light bearing Armor of God; free to experience life and all the joy and sorrows that it offers, contrary to the powers of the dark world.

Brenda Heim, 2005