It was common to encounter chickens on a stroll through the neighborhood where I lived in Phoenix. Many homes also had Tibetan prayer flags on display. One day, I walked by some of these peaceful poultry pecking away outside a garden adorned with prayer flags, and my pun sense switched into high gear - “Meditate-Hen,” I thought. “I need to create a Meditate-Hen.”

Along the way, I did some research to see what chickens look like with their eyes shut. “Do they have eyelids?” I wasn’t sure! (They do.) And of course I wanted to know the proper colors of the flags and the correct order in which they appear. Turns out the flags are arranged in the order of blue, white, red, green, and yellow, and the five colors represent the five elements, with blue symbolizing the sky and space, white symbolizing the air and wind, red symbolizing fire, green symbolizing water, and yellow symbolizing earth. According to Traditional Tibetan medicine, health and harmony are produced through the balance of these five elements. I think this hen is feeling it!

This painting measures 5x7” and is created with watercolor and gouache paint on 140 lb. 100% cotton Arches hot pressed watercolor paper. It comes in a white mat that brings the overall size of the piece to a standard 8x10” - just find a frame you love and it’s ready to pop right in!