Questions are always around us whether seen or under the surface
Why do bad things happen?
How can they not understand?
What is the purpose?
Where do I really need to be?
'What Do You See?'
16x12 Oil on Linen - Framed
I called this 'Nalda's Angel' for so long it seems a little hard to have the final name for this painting. Nalda is a orphan in Port au Prince, Haiti. I started this painting on January 10, 2010. On January 12 Nalda's life and mine were both rocked with the earthquake in Haiti. I was able to find out that she made it through and was safe and her painting would bring tears to my eyes as I continued. Her life will not be the same, Port au Prince will not be the same. My own will never be the same after my time in Haiti and my continued work there.
What I saw when I was looking at a photo of Nalda were eyes filled with wonder and questions that seemed to ask "What is out there?" Maybe I should have given it that Question title but I saw in her eyes a deep longing for more. What would she see that MORE to be? Maybe for her it would be a family to embrace and love her. To me, I saw an angel sitting with her and bringing her peace, protection and that love that we all desire.
'Where is Your Focus?'
20x16 Oil on Canvas - Framed
While in Guatemala the children are all around us. Mayner was one who was there regularly and such a beautiful face. I have several photos of him. One where he is staring intently as someone is climbing the very high coconut tree. You could see the reflection of the climber in his eyes. When the idea/vision came to put a globe in an eye, I knew I would use Mayner's photo.
Art and life are so very similar. Things happen that you capture in your memory and label it good, bad, OK or many times with a question like "WHY?" Often we look at our daily life and things right in front of us to find those answers but I think many of them are still further away and the reason will not be found until we venture further out of our cozy comfort zone.
'Shower of Blessings' - Are you open to receiving?
12x36 Oil on Canvas
As I was doing the daily devo morning paintings, my last one that is not posted was the start of a hand. So many thoughts came to mind with that I knew it was time to bring it to canvas instead of my little daily papers. I know that 2010 will bring some shifting and sifting to my life and to my creations.
'Shower of Blessings' is a beginning - my hand was very closed, gripping onto the security found in my job, my routine, my perceptions of what is true, right and normal. I found myself in a very hard place that I had to let go of many things I felt were blessings. When I released that hand and control, I found treasures and they haven't stopped coming. The more my hands are open the more that comes my way! I no longer feel in control of my destiny but know that God has wonderful plans. That is true freedom. Not always easy and pretty but so very worth it. I am very excited for the unknown that lies ahead!
I ran across a quote that goes so well with this painting.
"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with." Billy Graham
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'Emotional Flow' Triptych - Have you hit a little turbulence?
No life is immune to the rollercoaster ride of emotions. If we aren't feeling something then part of us has died even if we are still breathing. New things arrive continually whether we embrace them or not. It is a part of the journey called Life. The background to these was done all at one time. Each individual square was finished on different days where I had different emotions flowing. |
Journey 6"x6" Oil on Canvas | Confusion | Renewal Painting wraps on 1 1/2" side |
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