Shared Flight

by Sally Miller and Patricia O’Neal

“As we celebrate women, what better way to express that spirit than by collaborating with a longtime artist friend? Our shared creativity and appreciation for feminine strength made the idea feel natural and exciting. One day, while admiring some of Patricia’s finished paintings, inspiration struck. “Why not combine your completed paintings with a series of cradleboards that I will paint to go with them?” I asked. The concept instantly excited us both—we could hardly contain our enthusiasm.

We began by selecting a few of Patricia’s recently completed pieces, each beautifully vibrant in its own right. From there, we experimented with a wide variety of cradleboards, arranging, rearranging, and envisioning how they could best complement her paintings. Eventually, we landed on a layout that brought harmony and balance to both of our styles. I chose to paint using her exact color palette, though with slightly softer tones, allowing her bold, confident brushstrokes to truly shine.

Keeping our theme centered around the strength and spirit of women, I decided to add symbolic birds to our collaboration. Each bird carried its own meaning: the dove representing peace and compassion, the owl standing for wisdom and prosperity, and the peacock symbolizing grace, confidence, and elegance. Before making these additions final, I shared the idea with Patricia, wanting to ensure it resonated with her vision as well. To further emphasize unity, all components are connected, enabling the piece to hang from a single hook.

This project became more than an artistic collaboration; it evolved into a shared celebration of friendship, creativity, and the enduring power of women.” ~Sally Miller