Welcome to the first blog of the New Year and to the first painting of my New Life…
Some ideas for books, inventions or even paintings are forged in fire. Stirred and stirred with seasonings from real life. Normally when I get caught up in a painting, I start with a story or narrative, hire a model and then figure out how to tell it in a visual way. This holds true this time as well, but now it is personal. This painting is a story of my life from the last 6 months. Going through a crisis can turn the world black. And believe me, I have had some black days recently. But out of this blackness I noticed something miraculous…
Last fall I took a break from writing this blog to deal with trauma my life. Once I started writing again (see last October 2018) I wrote that I wanted a new theme… Life is Lemon Yellow or- LILY- for short. But when I wrote last Fall about seeing the Lemon Yellow in my life, because yellow represents happiness to me, I did mean it. Although it is much easier to say it than to live it. I have gone out and bought lemon-yellow kitchen towels, I have surrounded myself with yellow things, including lots of actual lemons, but living “Lemon Yellow” is seeing the beauty and abundance in things we already posses and sometimes it is very hard to see. I must admit I haven’t been painting for fun or for beauty very much lately. It is hard to justify that when so many things demand attention. And we all have that… but I didn’t know it, but I had gathered many good things. My lights. My lemons.
So when I did start to think about painting just recently, the word “abundance” kept coming to me. It is very true that you never know who your friends are until something bad happens, and then those that are there for you are a true gift. And I have found myself with many, many gifts. Many things that make my life Lemon Yellow. These “lights” in my life have served as a source of strength and comfort and a reason to be happy. Old neighbors stopping by to check on me. My daughter getting me addicted to Brooklyn 99 so I laugh when I am numb. A good cuddle with a cat. New friends and new opportunities. I found I have an abundant life.
And at some point the idea for this painting clicked. So I brought back my favorite model, Jade… what a beautiful soul! And we created this image together. Art can be therapy too.
She stands naked in a dark void. Stripped bare. Yes, there is blackness and deceit and evil out there… (I have seen it up close) And she looks out on this world with a “what the fuck?” attitude. (If I have offended, please pardon… but it is the only phrase the fits in both venom and despair.) As she looks out on this world asking why – why events have happened to her, why selfishness reigns, and why deceit is left to flourish – she unknowingly is lit.
All she has to do is look down and see the abundance she already possesses… in her own arms… the lemons of her life.
“Abundance” pastel, 30 x 24″
Next week I will go over how this work was created. I will post photos and the layering process along with the doubts, second-guesses and the all important “ugly stages”… and there were many.
Yes, the world is dark and scary. And extremely unfair. And we can look around in anger, but if we can look down and see the abundance we already hold… well…
LILY LILY
So True!!! Last year was a horrible year and this just spoke to me. Thank you.
I am so glad…we all have our dark moments…you are not alone
Lily Lily when life gives us Lemons we make lemonade Christine.
amen!
Awesome, my dear Christine.
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Perfect! Both in meaning and in Light! Thank You for Sharing!
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Thank you for sharing, Christine. You are in my thoughts and prayers, daily.
thanks!! I appreciate it!
This is beautiful and very moving.
thank you so much.
Christine, this is both an extraordinary writing and painting. You bared our soul and thoughts just as she did. All lovely.
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What a great story to tell! Thank you! 🙂
thank you!!!!
Wowser! Now you’re talking.
diving in…..
That is one heck of a powerful painting!
Sending you good thoughts.
thank you!!!
God bless you for seeing the light in those sour lemons!
amen!
Love the glow…love…love…love
thanks!!!! think power!!!!!
LILY LILY!!! 🍋🍋🍋
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I have recently decided to organize my painting files by years in stead of one big file. Fortunately, today’s cameras attach a date to photos. It’s amazing how bad times are recorded by our art without our realizing it. When I was going through a couple of tough years (personal stuff, daughter’s divorce), I was unaware how much my paintings reflected it. I’m surprised the critique group I belong to didn’t say something! My paintings had no life, no joy, were dark values, almost no light. Over the past two years, my life has gotten lighter and my paintings reflect it. I think my art has informed me that things are getting better.
You too will find the joy again and your work will reflect it. It’s just never as quick as we want it!
I am sure I will find it to be true….yes, this one is different for me, darker and yet the colors are more rushed…but it felt right and still has something to say….
Hi Christine, I really enjoyed your blog…I hope you are hanging in there. You have the gift of art and you share it so effectively with others… God bless you .
thanks Brian!!! keep on painting!
Love the strength of light in the dark. Both literally and figuratively. Well done. Yellow is perfect for you since that is what I think of when I start a new painting after taking your workshop. “ Where are the yellows?, where is the light? “
You’ve been lemony this whole time.
thanks! I think I have always been lemony…now just finding it in the work…..
Love this! It warms my heart!
lovely blog. i don’t know what trauma had befallen you, but many of us have felt what you are now and i thank you for helping us all through it with your many talents
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I have always turned to my art in times of trouble. My pastels are always there to let my soul”speak”. I’m so sorry for your troubles, but so glad your marvelous talent has brought you through!!!!
thank you!!!
Pouring your soul out allows the cleanse to joyful. I feel the embrace of turmoil relaxing with your understanding starting to glow!
always a great way with words! so true…. thanks!
Sorry, I did not know what was wrong. My husband is dealing with prostate cancer and heart failure. Almost lost him to renal failure at Thanksgiving. So, have not been painting much the last six months.
You are such an inspiration to many. Thank you for allowing me to follow your artistic journey. Enjoyed the guild meeting also. God bless.
I am so sorry for your troubles. we all have our burdens, and you are too sweet to suffer so. I am sending prayers and support for your husband. hug.
Christine,
It sounds like you have been through so much these past months. But you have a great deal of talent and you have life. I’ve never had the crushing blows that you have obviously experienced, and for that I can be thankful. About all I can offer you is, try your best forget the past; it’s the past. Rise above the turmoil of that past and start a new life tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that.
thank you- great advice. one foot in front of the other….
Beautiful piece! I am so looking forward to seeing your process, and the ugly stage too! Thank-you!
get ready…some ugly pics posting tomorrow…..:)
Christine, your painting and words both are poignant. Art is meant for you and you are meant for it! I pray that your circumstances brighten like the yellow in your paintings! LILY!
thanks! I am so good. LILY!!!
I am so glad you are back to painting!!! This piece is so illuminating in sooooo many ways. I wish many more lilies in your life.
thank you! hope you are painting!
LILY!! I love this painting. I’ve seen so many of your paintings over the years but this one really reminds me of our midnight screams in the quad. Out of the darkness and frustrations, there is light and much better things to come.
you bet! Yes, screaming at the moon over over-exposed film from photography class, cheating boyfriends and from too much homework….good times, good times….
the glow of the “lemons” on her face remind me of sitting around the campfire (/shining a flashlight under the chin) while telling spooky stories as a tween. Boo!
hehe! love it!