"Forest Spirits"
Kindred spirits!... I love you FOREVER Sweet Heart!
I dug deeply into my photo archives in search of a photo which best expressed my feelings and emotions surrounding our celebration of Easter 2017 and an appropriate photo upon which to base my return to posting on this blog site.
We did enjoy our warm winter hiatus in the Barbados with my daughter Lisa in December and a refreshing visit with Deb's family and grand girls Ava and Ella for two weeks in mid February. It was a time for recalibrating... reevaluating and planning our future.
Allison's illness continues to hover even more menacingly as of late and I must admit my creative spirit has struggled to manifest itself. Life has simply become day-to-day and art simply has been a secondary diversion... a necessary one still... but hardly joyous as it usually is for me. My attention has been drawn totally to a role of love and support as it is required by Allison, Joan and Andrew. Deb has had my back wonderfully to allow me to do so.
I did get to read a lot... wonderfully uplifting books that for too many months had laid unnoticed. "My Spiritual Journey" by the Dalai Lama... and Viktor E. Frankl's philosophical masterpiece "Man's Search for Meaning" served to somewhat buoy up my beaten down spirit enough to activate my painting urge in a preparatory way for my return to Canada.
I reached back to where my search for artistic expression began... a series small expressive post card watercolours structured and strengthened by the addition of India ink. Each of these were based upon digital images gathered from this Bajan paradise that I found myself immersed in. Gradually "the flow" returned and with it a renewed spirit.
I even managed to spend an entire day in Anthony Hunte' s floral Eden painting a 30 x 24 inch canvas fully en plein air. Being a guest in this man's Garden of Eden made my spirit soar... so much so... that I resisted finishing the painting so that I might use the experience to transcend my usual painting approach. I just managed the courage to proceed and got back to it just two days ago here in the studio. I like where it is going.... but that is a truly florid and exceptional story for another day...
Stay tuned...
Once again... we struggle to regain positivity on this Good Friday. How could one view it as anything else than the nightmare this dreaded illness has become for Allison and each of us who love her so. Where did goodness and God go???
God has NOT left my heart. I reach our to him in my usual prayers... asking for the strength and courage to remain Hope... full and Faithful. We have been "lifers"... He and I.
I hesitated in posting this... or anything else... lest it offend or seem trivial. But it is my Truth alone and I do not press it upon others... even family members. So I decided to proceed. My writing has always been as important as my painting in reaching out. They have been inseparable really.
My Art and Writing have always been gifts that I have viewed as being something that I was given to be shared with others who shared my journey or thoughts. They record my Gratitude for the many smallish blessings that I continue to enjoy during the life that I have been given.
I choose to humbly share it here as an article of Faith for each of you to enjoy and apply in your own small corner of existence if you so choose to.
Good Painting ... to ALL!!!
Happy Easter... and rich blessings to ALL!!!
I can't tell you how overjoyed I was to see your post today! I am so glad you are back - and happy that you created these lovely "postcards from Bermuda" during your trip away from the chill of the north. I know your battle is still ongoing and Allison has our most powerful healing thoughts coming her way. I hope, when you feel the chill of fear, you remember the warmth of those sunny days at the beach. Stay strong. One day at a time is all you can do - it's all any of us can do, really, although we like to think we can plan weeks and months and years in advance. :). So glad you're back.
ReplyDeleteHi there Rhonda!... Thank you for such an enthusiastic and uplifting welcome back. Glad that you have enjoyed these wee Postcards from the Barbados. I think that they do capture the warmth and light of the idyllic landscape and aspects of a very unique cultural landscape as well. Bajans are such a generous and welcoming people.
ReplyDeleteI so miss the welcoming good mornings... good afternoons and good evenings from absolute strangers each and every day. A special place in deed.
We are doing our best - all of us and most especially Allison! Such a gift in my life.
Glad to reconnect with you too Rhonda. Thanks for checking in!
Good Painting!
Warmesat regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce there have been some changes to my being able to access my blog, yet suddenly I can do so! But I can't seem to be able to post anything on my own blog. I was just wondering how you were and it is so good to see you have just posted your news! Your postcards from Barbados are beautiful, so fresh looking and I get a real feeling I am actually there when viewing them. Thank you for sharing how you created them. I feel sad about Alison, but the great love and warmth of your family will sustain her and give her courage. I will light a candle for her here in Scotland at Easter. Bless you all Bruce. Best wishes Caroline
ReplyDeleteDear Caroline!... The blessing of the presence of friends like you has sustained my will to continue my work along with my promise to Allison to perservere. It has been a difficult journey for me as her parent... but I unable to fathom where she summons her courage from daily to face this ordeal.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that the wee postcards evoked the very feel that I wished to convey about this island paradise. Every artist should enjoy the good fortune of having spent a winter there!
Warmest regards and blessings to you in Scotland Lass!
Good Painting... and Happy Easter.
Bruce
I am also glad that you are back, and sharing your thoughts and paintings. I am also so sorry that Allison, and her family, are dealing with this illness. I will continue to include her, and you in my prayers. Welcome back, Bruce.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your continued interest in my blog and for your prayers. Both are extremely important to me Wendy!
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards,
Bruce
Dear Bruce - I am praying for your family and especially Allison. It is good you are back and able to share your art and thoughts. Take care and know that you are not alone. God Bless You!
ReplyDeleteThere was a happy dance here when I saw you in my blogfeed! So glad that you are able to post. Your postcards shine a light in what I know is a very dark time for you and yours. My thoughts as always are with you I am rooting for you all. Your opening photo is a very special one. My very best wishes.
ReplyDeleteDear Friend Debbie!... Thank you for your continued presence and prayers - both are very much appreciated at this difficult and challenging time in Allison's struggle and our own bewildered lives.
ReplyDeleteKnowing that you do not travel alone through life... especially during the dark times that accompany us all at various times in our human journeys is an uplifting and sustaining gift. Thank you for your gift to all Shermans... and especially Allison!
God bless you as well!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Good Sunday morning Lisa!... Uplifting for me as well to share conversation with you again after such a long time as well. It has been difficult for me to summon up the courage or will to post again... but Allison's wish and directive tio me was to do so... so here I am.
ReplyDeleteArt does indeed shine our Light upon a sometimes happpless and hope-less world for us all at times Lisa. Let us all ... as artists continue to join our hearts... our hands and our vision of a better place... so that others might "see" our good works... and shine too!
Shine on... with your own wonderful gift Lisa. I so look forward to seeing your work and posts as well.
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce