I just finished one of my favorite projects ever – a custom Cat Shaman for a delightful person in Spicewood, Texas. She had seen the piece, above, at Marta Stafford’s Gallery. It was already sold, so she asked if I could make one for her with her own mementos. Of course! What fun!
She mailed me a box of little treasures along with handwritten notes about what each one meant to her. There were scraps of linen and suede, pins and teeth, elephants and medals.
Putting all of these precious things together in a meaningful way was a bit overwhelming, so I started at the beginning by choosing the proper earthenware cat head.
This guy looked pretty wise. I figured he could give me advice as I went along. “Trust the Process,” he said.
It was kind of amazing how things started fitting together inside the little “heart box.”
When you work with other people’s sacred objects, it can be a bit intimidating, but it’s also a privilege – I enjoyed the stories about each piece as I progressed with the assemblage. There are a lot of memories and symbols packed inside this little box!
I kept adding and subtracting and rearranging, and through trial and error, the Cat Shaman guided me through.
He’s going into his packing box today for his drive to Marta’s Marble Falls gallery – Diana, I hope you love him as much as I loved creating him! Thank you – what an honor!

Cat Shaman for Diana, Lyn Belisle 2017
how wonderful .I can really feel the spirit in/of this work and the care taken
Thank you! It’s so much fun to work for a person you have met
I just love this piece. Swoon
Oh thank you!!
You continue to be my inspiration on my own journey. Love this.
Grateful hugs
Love this, love shamans, check I still love petroglyphs! Obviously artist Bill Worrell is a friend. He has a new book out “Outside that Line’s” you might enjoy.
I hate auto correct!
His shamanic work is so wonderful! I’ll check out the
Book xo
Idea…love it, maybe a workshop on using sacred objects in a frame, etc.???
I love this piece. You continue to inspire me on my own journey . Thank you.
Great piece Lyn
Hello Lyn,
love this one too. Do you have the cat faces on etsy? i think i need some!