I am starting a new series of personal pieces. These are coming to me as I go to sleep, or when I wake up, I lie in bed and think in sort of a mantra in my head, "What is it, what is it" and certain things come to me...slowly." It's hard to explain. I'm liking the illustration portfolio pieces because it is so clear what I am painting - and illustration is a nice balance to doing these personal paintings. It's a relief to try to paint a Madame Butterfly after sitting and wondering, 'Why is there something compelling me to have a tree trunk in this painting?"
Maybe answers aren't necessary.
But I do sense there are many things out there lately, that are there for me. Thins helping me in invisible ways. One person recently commented that all my recent work has a veil of sadness and it 'must be about your father's death."...Ummm, well, not really. While I do think of my father many times of each day, they are tiny seconds, of memories of him that come at odd times - his death is not anything I am trying to figure out. I think my work has always had a tinge of sadness though, I do see that. But I just feel that's because I am very aware how fast it goes by, or that it will go by. While my father's passing has highlighted many things, it is perhaps the realization that life is here now. I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a normal family with love and consistent guidance. While we certainly had our family dynamics, we are basically a grounded group with a maintainable amount of quirks. To my knowledge, we're not bothering anybody.
I'm pretty sure there is somebody out there though.
5 comments:
Katherine, i was going to say that since i read of your Father's death and how you looked at it, your work has become more imaginative, rich with life and color. Maybe a little dreamier....I hadn't been reading your blog for very long before your Father's passing, but i have been admiring your work past and present, and have noticed a deeper layer of understanding??? Maybe that is the word i am looking for. This is something life teaches us over time- Everything, everything is temporary. So LOOK now, enjoy NOW, savor it all, and for an artist, try to document it so that it is there for those who just don't see it that way yet...
What a beautiful, poignant piece.
You are so sensitive to the rhythms of life and so observant of tiny things most people miss. I'm sure living at Apifera heightens that, but I suspect you've always had that gift.
horray to personal work that feeds our mystic minds and pays attention to our hearts and passionate whims and daydreams! i've known your work for awhile, and while i'm sure your father's life has had an affect on you, i think your work has always been dreamy and free flowing. i think it all ebs and flows and i think right now you're just on fire. different moments in life cause sparks under our bums and in our hearts and i imagine his memories contribute to that as well. so just run with every little and Big bit of inspiration that's feeding you. it's contageous and i'm loving watching. it inspires me!
Maybe your work has a tinge of sadness in it because it is whole, and includes a bit of everything. Life without sadness might seem like a good idea, but art is all about contrasts...
this so speaks to me. One of my favorites!
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Thank you for reading! The farm and my art/writing keep me hopping, so might not respond immediately. Thank you for understanding. ~Katherine & Apifera ~