The Water Bearer – acrylic painting by Heni Sandoval
My new painting, The Water Bearer is another painting for my Heni’s Happy Paintings Etsy shop. I’m pleased with her expression, she seems to be full of fun and enjoying herself as she pours water from her pot. During our travels through the villages in Southeast Asia and Nepal we saw women easily carrying pots filled with all types of items. The water bearer is the symbol for Aquarius, the water gives life and spiritual food to the world. The water from her vessel washes away the past, leaving room for a fresh, new start.
Last April we went to a family wedding in Hawaii. One of the highlights of our vacation was swimming with dolphins. While snorkeling at a coral reef I looked over to see a pair of dolphins swim by. We swam out to where there were more and watched them frolic. They were so playful and the beauty of the light through the clear blue water reflecting on their bodies was striking. Here is a photo that my niece took of them.
photo credit: Julia Kunze
I have always loved dolphins. Throughout my childhood every year our family went to St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia for a week in late August. We used to fish at the Point – a lovely spot where the beach met the marsh. I remember fishing on the rocks there and just waiting to see the dolphins that occasionally passed through. It was very exciting to spot them, they seemed so joyful and free.
Through the years I’ve dreamed about dolphins. As a kid I liked gymnastics but could never get past my fear of doing back handsprings. My dad said it was because I was so tall and had a big head; whatever the case, I never mastered it. I remember a powerful dream that I had in my twenties when I was going through a particularly tough time and feeling a lack of confidence. In the dream a group of dolphins swam around me and helped me do a back handspring. With their help it was so easy to do and I woke up feeling they had given me a gift.
Since getting back from Hawaii, I’ve been inspired to paint them, the painting below is my third one. Dolphins are a great example of just how joyful life can be. It is my hope that these paintings help convey that joy.
Heni's Happy Paintings 