Tuesday, December 2, 2008
at
5:41 PM
| Posted by
mARTa
I'm not much in the mood for Christmas. This has been a very difficult yeat for me. So much happened in my life, many changes. It began with menopause which came with oer 40 hotflashes per day, drenched in sweat, then chills and the mood swings. Hormone therapy took care of all that but left me with long and frequent menstrual cycles. Then a neighbor on drugs stabbed my son in front of our house and that left me with nightmares for months. My son ended up in the hospital but not seriously hurt. Soon after that my dear cousin who'd lost his wife a year earlier and left him widowed with 3 small children was killed in a motorcycle accident. And on top of all that my eyesight continued to worsen. I finally 'broke' and had to stop working. My salvation has been my family and friends and of course, my art. Through my art I can loose myself, sometimes for hours and forget everything else that causes stress in my life. Through art I have made friends; at my community college art classes, at the art museum and my special online friends. My online friends are never far from reach, a blog comment to boost my confidence, an email to tell me I'm thought of, a phone call across the 'pond' when things have been bad and face to face meetings which begin and end with embracess. Yes, art and what if has brought to my life is my lifeline.Now, I guess I really should begin thinking of Christmas and the tamale preparations!
This is a 16x20 inch oil on canvas. We are working on glazing techniques at school so I thought I'd try my own at home. This took over a week to finish because you have to wait for the glaze layer to dry before adding another layer. I think I was most succesful with the pitcher. 
Posted In
oil painting,
still life,
thoughts
| |
thank you for your post-this is my first time at your blog, but I'm also having a hard time with Christmas. I am just not in the mood to even put up a tree (but I will for my son, he's 15 but still-he needs a tree) I love your art and look forward to coming back again
Trish
Marta, I think this is such a beautiful painting. I loved it in its early stages and even more now that it has fulfilled its promise. The glazing on the jug is gorgeous and you have carved wonderful shapes out of the lemons and leaves If I could finish the year with a painting like this I would be extremely proud. The fact that you have painted it in the face of so much personal tragedy is inspiring.
Marta,
Your art is just soaring! I am so impressed with the beautiful big paintings that you are working on - and glad that it is bringing you some much needed time to process these transitions. A big huge New York size hug from 3000 miles away.
Marta, you are under no obligation to "do up" Christmas. Take care of yourself, do as much as you feel like doing, and no more. You have had a tough year. I hope you can find some peace in your art, but also other things. Watch happy movies, read happy things, get outside. I send hugs from the land of ice and snow!
Sherry
Marta,
I have been following your courageous personal and world travels for over a year now. You are a phenomenal person and I admire your strength and dedication. In this holiday season, please remember that your very being is your gift to the world.
Oh Marta, I feel your pain, life can be so cruel and unfair. You are such a loving and giving woman- which shows in your glorious art and all you do, I am sure. Christmas is hard when hurting and commercialism is so ugly at this time of year. Keep things simple and pure,You will find your way, take care of yourself and just love those who love you- and know life is worth living every moment.
God Bless
and ps I have awarded you on my blog (no participation required tho)
beautiful.
Finally I get to see your beautiful new easel. Your studio looks so pretty and inviting. I hope life is going better these days. It sounds like you've had way more than your share of scary stuff.
I'm with you on Christmas, Marta. I vacillate between feeling it's obscene and wanting to go shopping. Since we're going to my son's house for the holiday, we're skipping the tree this year, much to my husband's relief. You've really had a lot to handle in 2008, but all is bearable with the support and love of family and friends. The menopause changes alone can make one feel quite crazy. Here's to a more positive 2009!
Your paintings are lovely! Can't wait to see what you paint and create in the new year.... All the best for 2009! Hope life gets better and better for you in the future.