The Inner Journey of Valerie Chelonis:
SACRED FACES, Images of the Ancient Ones
Painting was extremely painful in the beginning. I had not touched brush to canvas in over 20 years. I cried through brushstrokes, overcome by emotions that had been buried, but which emerged as I started the creative process again. A friend of mine, who was instrumental in inspiring me, and pushing me to express myself creatively, reminded me to face my greatest fear and the result would be the discovery of my heart's desire.
"MAKES PEACE"

"MakesPeace holds cougar medicine and is a hunter. MakesPeace is very self-sufficient and respectful, with good manners. MakesPeace survives on the land using the collection of weapons he has made himself. MakesPeace has a knife made from deer antler, with bow and arrows of sumac. MakesPeace is a loner and is at peace within. MakesPeace feels content when he is out by himself. MakesPeace is very much the warrior."
Stories of the Sacred Faces facilitated by
Laura Gordon, Spiritual Visionary
I had completed a template of 13 canvases based on indigenous cultures of North and South America when Sekhmet asked me to do a painting of her. On a 36" canvas. Which was daunting enough in itself. I had been working on 12" circular stretched canvases. It took me probably 6 months to move through the inner and outer process of painting her image. For weeks the canvas sat on my easel and I would growl at it when I walked by! I faced my self-doubt, my fear, my anger and resentment, my feelings of inadequacy. I knew that I was painting an aspect of myself, a major facet of who I am, so, to express those qualities of Sekhmet and to embrace them as my own, was a heartwrenching experience. In order to do her image, I had to trust myself, and my process at a much deeper level than I had before.
I was given the opportunity to heal my emotional body, and my heart, with Sekhmet's love and support, at a level I am still recognizing for the major shift in my well-being that it has been, and continues to be. Sekhmet offers healing of all our aspects. My focus has been on healing my emotional body and my heart. One of the most valuable things we can do for ourselves to bring ourselves into balance is to accept and embrace our emotions, our Feeling body. Our Heart knows. If I had allowed the wisdom of my heart's knowing to guide me in my life, instead of my logical mind, I would have been empowered to make more appropriate choices for myself. All based on my heart's direct perception and wisdom and ability to discern out of what FELT right to me.

Sekhmet embodies the Wisdom of the Knowing Heart. Through my alliance with her, I have reclaimed my Heart and my ability to recognize my truth based on how I FEEL. My heart informs my mind as to what is true for me and what best enhances my well-being.
Sekhmet takes us into the darkness, where, in order to move to the other side and into the light, one must Trust, and Surrender. We must allow ourselves to be Moved by the greater forces in Creation that we were birthed out of. The Cosmic Mother of all Creation. Sekhmet, as the Goddess of Love, Fire, and Shadow, teaches us that by feeling, transmuting, and moving through the dark places in our psyches, we are transformed by the fire inour hearts and are able to manifest our dream of Union, within and without.
![]()
ABOUT VALERIE'S SACRED FACE IMAGES:
These thirteen images are a collective of essences and function as tools of awareness and healing. They contain gifts. To receive each gift, open your heart, breathe in, and feel the love these Ancestors have held for you to embody at this moment.
These ancient teachings have been held in trust and are being given to the children of earth at this time in history as we are reborn into the awareness of our origin as the One Heart with Many Faces.
The Ancient Ones are holding the dreams of the people, which have been hidden in the hearts of mankind. These are the memories of unity, of joy and health, of community, and the remembrance of what was meant to be, as a way of life, for the people of earth.
Each one of them represents an aspect of how it feels to live, and to love, here.
RedDeer speaks, "Life lives with life on this planet, connected, and in harmony with one's community, with the Earth, with oneself. That is the intention. We are a template of feelings, of the awakening of feelings, which reconnect people to their own hearts, and to the Earth."
The Sacred Faces depicted in these images lived on earth at one time as members of a tribe. They lived in areas of the North American continent, from Mesoamerica to Canada and Alaska.
MoonDancer, Gift of Cycles, says, "Life is a gift to live, with love".
![]()
GREETING CARDS
Available as Individual images for $2.00 each or get the set for $24.00
PRINTS: 8 1/2" x 11"
Individual, $15.00; Sets of $13, $75.00 (Larger sizes available upon request)
COMMISSIONS
Commissions available of original images. Personal images requested are intuitively created in cooperation with the client. All images are painted on circular stretched canvases.
$300.00 - 12 inch canvas; $500.00 - 24 inch canvas; $700.00 - 30 inch canvas; $1000 - 36 inch canvas
valerie.chelonis@angelfire.com
For more information about Valerie and her art work, please visit her web-site at: http://www.horse-talk.com/valerie/
© 1999 VALERIE CHELONIS
![]()
Return to Sacred Sekhmet Artist Index
This Web-site is © 1999 Fifth Way Mystery School