Golden Flight of the Waxeye - Gold & Light Series

A Portal of Light and Ancestral Whispers

In Māori mythology, birds are seen as sacred messengers, carrying wisdom between realms. The Waxeye, or Tauhou (meaning "stranger" in Māori), is a quiet yet powerful guide—symbolising renewal, connection, and the ability to navigate life’s transitions with grace.

In Golden Flight of the Waxeye, I wanted to capture that moment of stillness before movement, the space where transformation stirs. The warm, fiery reds and glowing golds evoke Papatūānuku, the earth mother, her energy a reminder of passion, creation, and ancestral strength. Below, the soft greys and ethereal whites reflect the unseen, the whispers of spirit, the unknown path ahead. The Waxeye sits poised at this threshold, embodying the wisdom of trust, lightness, and deep knowing.

This tiny bird, so often overlooked, is a true kaitiaki—a guardian of change. It reminds us that guidance is always present, that even the smallest steps forward are significant, and that new journeys often begin in the quiet moments of reflection.

Part of my Gold & Light series, Golden Flight of the Waxeye is a reflection of transformation—the sacred dance between the seen and unseen, the past and future, the physical and the divine.

What wisdom is waiting for you in the spaces between? The Waxeye is here to guide you—listen, and step into the golden light of your own becoming.

This mixed-media painting is 12 x 36 inches.