Second painting for the lobby of the Choctaw Nation Casino Skytower in Durant.

"Okhina - Ohoyo - Yakni, River - Woman - Heart of the Earth"

Perhaps it is easy to see that the the river shape is also a woman's shape in this painting. The water movement is dynamic and flows around a bold path created by many textures and layers of color that emulate the actions of nature.

One of the most important ideas I've learned from my indigenous sisters here in Oklahoma is that there is no separation between us and the land or rivers or plants or animals. We are the same and intertwined. The ideas I've explored in my paintings for so many years have added resonance as I engage more deeply with our native cultures.

Over the last few years I've started constructing painting titles by exploring Choctaw words before I consider English words. I love finding Choctaw words that convey nuanced meanings.

(With me in this photo is my husband, William F. Matthews. Thank you for your patience and support while I worked on these paintings .)