Years ago,my beautiful friend Jessica took me to a Sara Groves concert in Baltimore. Her voice and talent were inspiring. She is an artist who has the gift of manifesting others feelings and thoughts through her song writing and voice.
When I painted this summer, I created a large version of my "Fly" paintings which incorporate a child blowing a breath of inspiration and a painted "quilt"motif. A typical comment was that my paintings have a haunting quality but in one of my critiques someone observed that the stitching around the "fabric" panels, looked more like scars.That was somehow perfect as much of my work alludes to my past and to childhood memories and experiences.Listening to Sara's music this morning made me think of my own work.
I haven't painted much since this summer and I have not returned to my "Fly" series.
I think over time, the past,the errors, the misjudgements,the regrets, the hurt, the pain,the neglect,the sorrow.....seem "less like scars and more like character." I think it's called healing:)I love you Jessica:)
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Thank you for bearing you heart and soul in your blog writing and art. I very much appreciate how God has allowed you to connect to such a depth in your work. I pray He will lead others as He has me to enjoy the depth your work reaches.
ReplyDeleteDear Claudia,
ReplyDeleteYou really are very gracious. I am motivated by a desire to express my innermost emotions and thoughts, my love, often my pain. It does tend to make others uncomfortable. This summer, when I was in NY, I was distressed about how people often view me as "reactive" and "sentimental". It is who I am.I was surprised by how supportive the critiquing artists were towards my work. One artist told me that people crave my authenticity in expressing my story and that I should avoid those who discourage me or "mis"lead me elsewhere. I am not holding on to past pain, I am transforming it into something beautiful in the only way that I know how:)
Claudia, your encouragement is greatly appreciated. Thank you again:)