I am getting ready to hang some art shows. Lots of new work! The first of the shows is going to be hung at The Clinton Corner Cafe on the corner of SE Clinton St. and SE 21st Ave. The show goes up on Feb 1st and hangs through the end of March. Please stop by if you are in the neighbor hood and enjoy Stumptown Coffee and tasty treats.
"Let go (...it's time)"
I am working on a new series. Here is a little preview of what's to come. It's a celebration of nature and my appreciation for learning from the lessons that it holds. So simple and accessible are all of the answers when you look to nature.
I was in my studio late the other night after a LONG day of momming. Struggling especially with my ambivalence about continuing to nurse or not. Feeling torn between, so desperately longing to have my body back and NOT wanting to take away this comfort that Reese has known his whole life. Besides childbirth is it the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. At one point it was his only source of nourishment and vital to his survival. It has since become more of a comfort, a connection and a bond between mother and son. It truly is precious and sacred to me- Yet somehow, I am ready to call the whole thing off- mostly I am feeling ready to stop... Although I know that I will morn it, and the process of weaning is going to be an emotional one. The thing that makes me most resistant to stopping is that I don't know if the little guy is ready for it. I want to do it in the way that is the best for him... But any signs of quitting, on his end, are scarce. If I left it up to him he would nurse till he was 35, and well that just won't do. So... I do?... What then????
As I was saying, I was in the studio painting, getting ready for up coming shows... Thinking I am just painting... Simple pretty paintings - to fill in space for my viewings... When a little bit of magic seemed to be happening. You see the painting above was intended to be quite literal, speaking of a tree letting go of it's leaves because it is just that time of year... Nature gracefully bowing at the end of her yearly dance...
"Sweet was the Song"
Then I went on to paint the second painting "Sweet was the Song" (part of a different series for another show). About ten minutes from being finished I had all but detached the little yellow birds beak from the big green birds chest... when I noticed, OMG that bird is totally nursing off of that other birds breast! I could not believe I was so blind not to have noticed this sooner- or even to have done it consciously as some sort of process. But NOPE I was just filling the gaps for my shows. It is so funny how I totally painted my heart (in two different paintings) and didn't even know it. I am always amazed by how we manifest our feelings through our art and in our lives.
So there I have it, Magic! "Let go... it's time." and "Sweet was the Song". The answers to my situation.
