HOWARD LAMAR THE ICONS

Howard Lamar’s icons form an evolving visual language within his work. Some draw upon forms that are
already familiar, while others were created by Lamar to explore ideas for which existing visual language
seemed inadequate.
Some icons begin with recognizable forms whose familiar associations may expand, shift, or acquire
additional significance within Lamar’s work. Others are forms Lamar developed as part of his own visual
and philosophical language, engaging aspects of experience, perception, consciousness, and reality that
may be less readily identifiable.
The meanings offered here are intended as pointers rather than definitions. An icon may hold several
associations at once, and its significance may change through its relationship with other icons, the
particular artwork in which it appears, and, of key importance, the personal experience of the viewer.
A few clues. A place to begin. An invitation to look.
ANGEL
Benevolent and beneficent forces of the universe · Joy · Protection · Guidance · Blessings
A benevolent presence. The Angel watches over people, who are always getting into mischief, and may
accompany the Muse.
MUSE
Creativity · Inspiration · Humor · Celebration · Whimsy · Magic · Possibility · Spontaneity
A lively messenger of creative and celebratory energy. The Muse blows its horn to command attention or
encourage everyone to calm down. Hearts or Stars may emerge from its horn to announce love, joy, or
celebration.
CAT
Domesticity · Contentment · Appreciation · Satisfaction · Enjoyment of Life · Sensuality
Everything is as it should be.
FISH
Plenitude · Abundance · Ease · Generosity · Pursuit · Gratitude
Associated with the experience and appreciation of the good things in Life.
SUN
Energy · Warmth · Strength · Power · Purpose · Focus · Light · Enlightenment
A source of warmth and light, the Sun also represents the human spirit of Enlightenment.
STAR
Universe · Infinite Creative Possibilities · Hopes · Dreams · Aspirations · Guidance · Inspiration ·
Intuition
A guiding force associated with the Universe and its infinite creative and experiential possibilities.

Howard Lamar · The Icons · Website Draft · August 2026

MOON
Favorable Forces · Fondness · Romantic Love · Peace · Mystery · The Unexpressed
The Moon may accompany two people, suggesting something unexpressed or unexplained between
them. It may also signify romance.
ENERGY
Determination · Change · Movement · Inspiration · Influences · Intentionality · Will
Unseen forces at work in the world.
TRANSFORMATION
Change · Movement · Shifts in Perception · New Experience · Opposing Forces in Unison
Two or more forces, sometimes seemingly opposed, that act together to shift and move energy, creating
a new way of experiencing.
PRESENCE
Awareness · Observation · Groundedness · Witness · Curiosity · Inquiry · Investigation
The state of being consciously present and non-judgmental to what is being experienced, with awareness
of one’s sense of self in relation to all else, and others.
BIRD OF DISCERNMENT
Wisdom · Intuition · Insight · Knowledge · Awareness · Balance · Movement · Discernment
The first icon Lamar created, and one he considered fundamental to the thematic development of his
artistic exploration. The Bird is usually depicted with two legs of different lengths, straddling two worlds:
one leg in the “real,” tangible or material world, and the other in the “unreal,” invisible or metaphysical
world. Its attention and presence shift back and forth between the two as it observes, assesses, and
discerns. The Bird may appear on the man’s or woman’s shoulder, informing and guiding intuition as the
individual navigates the decisions and experiences of life.
CHARIOT
Growth · Transcendence · Expansion · Perspective · Understanding
A shift of attention can move us beyond the mundane, everyday world toward a more expansive,
spherical perspective from which a being, event, or experience may be understood differently.
BOAT OF LIFE
Adventure · Growth · Flow · Personal and Experiential Evolution · Seeking · The Unexpected
The movement of the individual through experience, and the personal evolution that can emerge through
that journey.
FLOWERS
Friends · Family · Loved Ones · Innocence · Life’s Gifts
Flowers indicate the friends and loved ones who inhabit and enrich our experience of life, as well as
innocence and the gifts encountered along the way.
HEARTS
Purity of Love · Attachment · Connection · Devotion · Gentleness · Romantic and Non-Romantic
Love
Love understood broadly as connection and devotion, rather than solely as romantic love.

Howard Lamar · The Icons · Website Draft · August 2026

INFINITY
Infinity · Consciousness · Perspective · Within and Without · Duality · Balance · Subjective Reality
· Expanding Possibility
Lamar’s Infinity icon is a face-in, face-out form drawn as one continuous line. Its two profiles express a
simultaneous awareness of within and without, and the understanding of consciousness as nonlocal and
with limitless possibilities for experience and expression.
The image can be perceived as an axis rather than a fixed line, with its center shifting according to the
evolving consciousness and viewpoint of the viewer.
Infinity also connects what Lamar describes as objective, “flat-world” reality with the vertical, subjective
realm of No-Time.
For Lamar, Infinity marked a major turning point. Emerging in 2007, it opened a new investigation into
consciousness, perception, point of view, and the limitations of fixed perspective.

Howard Lamar · The Icons · Website Draft · August 2026

A NOTE ON READING THE ICONS
The icons are not intended to function as a code in which one symbol always produces one prescribed
meaning.
Icons may interact. Their relationships within an artwork can create possibilities beyond the associations
of any icon individually. Meanings may also develop as Lamar’s artistic investigations evolved and as
additional artworks and artist materials come to light.
The glossary therefore offers a way into the work without determining where the viewer must arrive.
The icons are pointers, not answers.