~~May's Artsy Essay Contest~~

That time again for Judith HeartSong Artsy Essay Contest this months topic is

"If you could be any animal, Which one would you be...and why?"

If you like to try this months contest follow this link and take a chance and participate

Judith HeartSong: May's Artsy Essay

Once upon a time…There was a long path of soft green grass surrounded by a dense canopy of trees. The sunlight cascades through the branches, the light highlighting every tender blade of grass. A gentle breeze flows through the canopy and embraces a young woman who’s traveling this long path, she is lost and alone searching for a missing piece of her soul. She welcomes the silence around her like a long lost friend. For some time now she has felt an important piece of her soul was missing. She knows not where she is heading but something deep inside her tell her this is the path to find all that she seeks.

With every step she takes she feels the soft pillows of grass caressing every tiny toe, she smiles at the wonderful feeling of the tender blades of grass tickling the soles of her feet. The soft sound of a sigh brings the young woman thoughts back to the present, as she slowly looks up she is face to face with the largest animal she has ever seen. This creature is powerful and noble, he stands 11 feet tall on long strong legs. Skin as grey as a stormy summer sky. His tusks are as white as fresh winter snow. Yet his dark eyes are as gentle and wise as a loving father’s eyes. She smiles and bids the magnificent creature “Hello”. His large ears sway as he tilts his mighty head to see her better. He looks deep into her eyes, then ask her “What is it that you are seeking, Dear child?” . This catches the young woman off guard and it takes a moment for her to speak. “Wise Sir, I am on a journey of self discovery, trying to find a missing piece of my soul”. The wise old elephant smile’s a knowing smile “Dear child, Why do you travel such a long way to find what’s always been right in front of you?”. A look of pure surprise crosses the young woman’s face “Wise Sir, Do you mean you know the answers that I seek?”. The wise old elephant shakes his powers head. “Dear Child, You have always had the answers to what you are seeking, they lie in wait deep inside you, all you have to do is open your mind and heart and you will find all that you desire”. The young woman looks into the dark tender eye’s of the wise old elephant and she smiles “Wise Sir, I’ve been on this journey for so long, yet never once had I stopped and thought that I had the answers that I seek, that I can control my own destiny, That I make the choices to control my life and not to let life control me”. The wise old elephant smiles an even bigger smile “Dear Child, our eye’s are often closed to the power we hold within, only when our eyes are open can we accomplish all that we desire”. The young woman walks close to the wise old elephant and wraps her arms around his powerful trunk “Wise Sir, Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me, I will keep this knowledge with me always”. The young woman heads back the way she came a lot wiser with her eyes wide open and her heart filled with love and friendship for the wise old elephant. 5-27-08 by Kristal


Every since I was little I have had a place in my heart for animals, But one animal in particular has always had a special place with me. The elephant.. I collect them..When I was little I had an Aunt Evelyn and I couldn't say her name so I called her Aunt elephant.. I've had dreams with elephants in them.. Even one of a white elephant..


I feel most connected with the elephant. They are gentle nurturing creatures, yet very protective of those they care about. Family oriented.. Developing bond that last a lifetime. They build strong friendships (Herds) and defend both bonds even to death. They are intelligent, emotional creatures. They have strong communication and leadership skills. These are traits that I see in myself and there is no other animal on this planet that I would want to be then one of the most noble creature that walks the planet earth.

Here are a few photo's and drawings of mine of these noble creatures.

An African Elephant from the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk Virginia.

My Niece and Nephews at the Cleveland Zoo for the first time at a zoo and seeing an elephant (I love that they are waving at each other)

~~Drawings~~

Elephant studies - first one in pencil, second in charcoal and third in pencil.

All writing, drawings and photo's except for the topper photo which is a license free photo are © of Kristal and may not be used in any form without express written permission from me.