Confluence: Paths of Friendship between Frog and Raven
This is part of the Neon Series, currently installed at 5th and Pike in downtown Seattle until May, 2025 as part of a partnership with Seattle Restored. Make sure to check out the others in the series. Merchandise featuring these are available in the store. If interested in purchasing the large format with neon lighting, contact me through the my online contact form, Instagram or Facebook
Full Neon Series featuring all 6 stunning artworks of native resilience
Today, I want to invite you into the flowing world of “Confluence,” a piece that speaks to the heart of human connection and the ever-changing nature of our relationships, a piece where myth and meaning intertwine to create something that resonates deeply.
Have you ever watched a river? Have you ever noticed how it flows, meandering and twisting, sometimes dividing into multiple streams, sometimes merging again into one powerful current? That’s what sparked this idea for “Confluence.” This artwork isn’t just about water; it’s about us, about the intricate ways our lives intersect, the friendships we nurture, the loves that inspire us, and the sometimes-painful separations we endure. It’s about recognizing the beauty in all of these moments, the beautiful mess of human connection that shapes who we are. And, more deeply, it’s about recognizing the profound impact that empathy and creativity can have on our world, and the ripples that those acts create.
“Confluence” installed with neon lighting
The Visual Symphony of Intertwined Streams
Visually, “Confluence” is a vibrant expression of this idea. Set against a deep, almost endless black background, the neon hues burst forth—a symphony of magenta, cyan, and deep blue, all carefully layered in gradients that give the piece a sense of depth and movement. It’s like watching a vibrant dance unfold on a dark night, the colors almost pulsing with life. There is a series of serpentine bands weaving across the black expanse, creating the feeling of multiple river systems. These bands are not static; they flow independently, mirroring the way different relationships change and shift over time. Sometimes they intersect, like the brief encounters we have that leave lasting impressions; and sometimes, they move in parallel, like relationships that grow alongside each other but take unique paths. Just as rivers create new landscapes and habitats, our relationships create our lives, continually shaping us in profound ways.
You see, the way these bands move is the most crucial part. They mimic the processes of the natural world, where flowing water alters the earth around it and shapes the landscape over time. This concept is intentional; it mirrors the idea that our relationships, like water, mold us, shaping our emotional landscapes in ways we can’t even anticipate. Sometimes, a connection might reroute our lives completely, creating a new path forward. And sometimes, like when a river splits into smaller streams and becomes isolated ponds, we may find a relationship fading off, changing shape, or evolving in ways that we never expected. All of it is a part of the human experience, and I wanted to capture that essence. And as those rivers flow, they are not only a visual representation of those changes, but of the deeper human needs that are required for those relationships to grow and evolve.
Mythological Roots: A Story of Creation and Belonging
I also wanted to root “Confluence” in the rich stories that are a part of my heritage. At the heart of this piece lies a story from Tlingit mythology, the tale of Raven and Frog. But to truly grasp the depth of this tale, we must first imagine the world as it was before. Before rivers carved their paths, before mountains reached for the sky, before lakes shimmered beneath the sun, the world was an expanse of ocean merging into flat land. There was no dynamic landscape, just the relentless meeting of water and earth, a monotonous horizon with no real features.
And in this world, lived Frog, a creature of both water and land, yet feeling lost and without a true home. Being an amphibian, Frog needed fresh water to thrive, but the only water that existed was the salty, unforgiving ocean. Everywhere Frog looked, he saw other creatures that had a place. He saw the fish in the sea, their scales glistening, moving in synchronized schools. He saw the wolves on the land, their paws firm on the solid ground, packs moving in tandem. He saw the eagles in the sky, their wings cutting through the air with masterful grace, their piercing eyes taking it all in. But poor Frog, he didn’t belong to any one place, and yet he needed both land and water to survive, and yet both were inhospitable to his needs. This made him feel like an outcast, a drifter in a world that had made its home. He was truly adrift, longing for a safe haven, a place to call his own.
Raven intertwined with the cascading river
It was during this time that Frog met Raven. Raven was a keen observer, always curious about the world, and empathetic to the needs of those around him. He saw the sadness in Frog’s eyes, felt the loneliness that weighed on his small frame, and understood his need for a safe and nourishing place to thrive. So, moved by compassion, Raven decided to help. Raven, seeing that the land was flat and featureless, saw the potential that lay dormant in the landscape, a possibility to create so much more.
In a powerful and creative act, Raven flew over the flat expanse of land. He then ruffled it, using his wings to agitate the surface, to pull up the land like a blanket on a bed. In doing so, he created hills and valleys, mountains that reached into the sky, and low lying basins that would soon be filled with the waters that flowed from the heavens. This was a transformative act, one that reshaped the world, and helped the land become the dynamic place that we know today. In essence, he created diversity, giving space for many different types of life to thrive, and creating a place where Frog could finally find the home he had so desperately been searching for.
And then the rains came. The water began to flow, carving paths through the newly formed landscape, creating rivers that flowed and twisted, carving out new pathways in the earth. Over the years, these rivers, through the natural process of evolution and erosion, broke off to form pools and ponds, giving Frog a place to thrive. These small bodies of water, interconnected by the rivers, became not just a safe place for him, but also a vibrant and nourishing place, just like the friendships and the connections that we forge in our own lives.
More Than a Myth: The Personal Journey in Relationships
Beyond the myth, “Confluence” acts as a powerful metaphor for personal relationships. It is a piece that holds a piece of me within its very design, and it has helped me think about some very intimate moments in my life. The way the river systems in this piece are entwined symbolize how people enter our lives, their paths sometimes diverging, and sometimes flowing alongside our own, just like the story of Raven and Frog. Even if relationships don’t last forever, they all have a lasting impact, they leave an imprint, changing our course in subtle ways.
Frog amidst the flowing river caused by uplifting the land
I’ve had friendships that were like a roaring river, that rushed into my life and then just as quickly moved on. Some have settled into gentle streams, always a part of my landscape, always there to offer comfort. I’ve had relationships that diverged completely and in unexpected ways, creating new landscapes in my own heart, as well as in my perception of the world. All of these relationships, the good and the difficult, have shaped my own personal journey, teaching me important lessons about the flow of life, and the powerful impact that people have on one another. They have also taught me the importance of compassion, and how one small act of empathy can create a vast, rippling change in the world around us.
I like to look at “Confluence” and think about how life is a journey of constant motion, much like the way a river flows toward a destination. Each moment, each relationship, every encounter, is an integral part of this flow, creating a tapestry of unique moments that ultimately define our lives. I find comfort in the fact that, just as rivers are always changing, so too, are we. This piece has helped me find peace in the transience of life, because I know that even the moments that seem insignificant, leave an important and lasting impression on who I am, and on those around me.
An Invitation to Reflect
“Confluence” is more than a piece of art; it’s an invitation to reflect on the rivers that have shaped your own life. Take a moment to think about the “Ravens” and “Frogs” you’ve encountered. Which relationships have carved new paths for you? Which have settled into peaceful ponds of memory? This piece is an encouragement to contemplate how we are interconnected, the way our lives flow and meander alongside those of others. And more importantly, it reminds us of the need to listen to those around us, to have empathy for the loneliness that others experience, because these small acts can have a powerful impact on the world.
Rain continues dripping out of the formlines
As I created this piece, I couldn’t help but think about how some of the most memorable moments in life are often the briefest. Like a quick rain shower on a summer day, sometimes these moments come and go without so much as a warning. And yet, despite the brevity of these moments, they leave a lasting impact on our hearts and minds. Every experience we have, from the people we meet, to the connections we make, creates a ripple effect that impacts us far into the future. They are not merely transient moments, but pieces in the grand tapestry of our lives, and they deserve to be celebrated.
I hope that “Confluence” reminds us all of the importance of these fleeting, yet impactful relationships. It’s about honoring the people who have walked beside us, even the ones who have only been with us for a brief time. These are the relationships that leave a lasting impression, that change the way we think, feel, and see the world. And more importantly, it inspires us to be the Raven for those around us, offering our time and creativity to help create a better world for all.
T-shirts available for purchase through the store
Final Thoughts: A Flowing Reminder
“Confluence” has been such a journey for me, and it is a piece that I am truly proud of. It’s a melding of vibrant visuals with very personal stories that I have carefully weaved into the piece. I hope this piece resonates with you and inspires you to acknowledge and cherish those meaningful connections in your life, past and present. I encourage you to take a moment to find comfort in the flow of the universe, in the way relationships change and grow, because I believe that they are a fundamental part of the fabric of life. It is my hope that as you reflect on this piece, that you may find the kindness and empathy within yourself to be that friend to those around you, to help create a better world for all.
I am so excited to share more of this series with you and to hear your thoughts, and I am beyond grateful that you are here to experience this journey with me. May “Confluence” serve as a reminder of the continual flow of life, the profound impact of the relationships we forge, and most importantly, the power of empathy and compassion to reshape our world.
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