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| Toad to Toad, cold wax and oil on birch, 8X18, $375 |
In many cultures, frogs are a symbol of good luck and abundance, partly due to the very large number of eggs it lays at one time. In Rome, the frog was a mascot believed to bring good luck to the home. In Ireland, the frog is considered a relative of the leprechaun and capable of playing tricks on you when least expected. In Australia, the Aborigines believed that frogs brought the thunder and rain, to help the plants grow. It's easy to understand that idea as in actuality, frogs usually bury beneath the earth and come out in large numbers when it rains to quickly lay their eggs.
In that same vein, the Celts believed the frog represented curative or healing powers because of its connection with water and cleansing rains.
The three-legged toad from China is the traditional pet of the immortal Liu Hai, who is the Chinese god of wealth. In Japan, sea-farers wore frog amulets when traveling across the river for a safe return. The word for frog in Japanese is 'kaeru' meaning 'return'.
The frogs in our pond inspired the artwork above that I did with cold wax & oil. The symbolism of the frogs could mean all of the above, but I hope from hanging it on a wall it would remind one to swim through rough times and life transitions. Like the egg that grows into a tadpole and eventually a frog, we all go through transitions that change us and make us stronger.
This piece is hanging at the Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, 121 N. Churton St., Hillsborough, NC. Click on the image to visit my site to see more paintings.
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