GUARDIAN ANGELBEE

20x20"
oil on linen
sold

Depending upon your individual point of view, the bee in flight might be poised to strike or hovering to protect. Being your everyday, garden variety cosmic muffin, who chooses to believe more in what she can't see rather than what she can, the hovering bee is most certainly there to guide and protect. However, that wasn't always the case and occasionally still isn't. In the recent past I've come to understand and accept that I see and hear what I think I'm going to see and hear and whether that's bad or good is entirely up to me.

I saw a documentary recently, following a traveling bus of comedians and the shows they performed at each stop. One night a member of the audience yelled something to the comedian on stage in response to a statement he made. He promptly retorted with defensive, angry jibes at the alleged heckler, soon becoming so angry he stomped off stage in disgust. The camera followed him backstage where he most likely expected his colleagues' sympathy and support. Instead he was met with blank stares and puzzled expressions. As he saw their reaction to what had just taken place, he felt even more abandoned and hurt. However, after a brief discussion it was determined that what the "heckler" had actually voiced was his heart-felt support for the comedian's comment. The comedian had, in the end, heard exactly what he'd expected to hear—rejection—instead of what was actually voiced—acceptance.

I guess one could also say, don't kill the bee just to keep from being stung. Or not.