So here she is made new and no longer feeling broken...and the background became green for the very reason that to her, green is the color of happiness.
old version: Broken Open ~ 2007
on the new version: I apologize for the slightest bit of the suns rays spread across the painting. Photographing artwork is not an easy thing. Lighting is very important.
Once again, I have taken an old painting and decided, just a couple hours ago that 'she', formerly titled 'Broken Open' needed to be revived, redone. So I gave her a makeover, and titled her 'Self-Portrait'... She is a red-head and even though I am not, I decided she should remain as one. Besides, I like to paint different hair colors on my paintings. She is roughly me, but this holds true for many of my figurative works because 'symbolically' they are me, or an aspect of me. This is true for many artists. ~ If you have an issue with nudity, please do not click the link to my art blog G A R A H S T A H if you are okay with nude art, by all means click the link. This is only my second attempt at painting a nude figure. I actually look forward to doing many more in the near future.
The before is 'Broken Open', a rather sad version and not very good, but I am rather pleased with how she turned out after her makeover. You can also click any painting on the art blog and it will enlarge the painting for you to view closer up.
and please feel free to 'follow' me there as well...
You know how this is: if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window, if I touch near the fire the impalpable ash or the wrinkled body of the log, everything carries me to you, as if everything that exists, aromas, light, metals, were little boats that sail toward those isles of yours that wait for me.
Well, now, if little by little you stop loving me I shall stop loving you little by little.
If suddenly you forget me do not look for me, for I shall already have forgotten you.
If you think it long and mad, the wind of banners that passes through my life, and you decide to leave me at the shore of the heart where I have roots, remember that on that day, at that hour, I shall lift my arms and my roots will set off to seek another land.
But if each day, each hour, you feel that you are destined for me with implacable sweetness, if each day a flower climbs up to your lips to seek me, ah my love, ah my own, in me all that fire is repeated, in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten, my love feeds on your love, beloved, and as long as you live it will be in your arms without leaving mine
and peace...and the sweetest of dreams realized such as love...
if you have not yet seen this wonderful film Amelie, then what are you waiting for? it's one of life's gems. a feel good film that will soften even the hardest of hearts...audrey tatou will make you smile in spite of yourself. love.love.love this film...
from Wikipedia: Amélie, literally The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain) is a 2001 French film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and starring Audrey Tautou. Written by Jeunet with Guillaume Laurant, the film is a whimsical and somewhat idealised depiction of contemporary Parisian life, set in Montmartre. It tells the story of a shy waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better, while struggling with her own isolation.
image source: sort of unknown- I title it 'Tenderness' - I can't locate its origins but I will say this, it is one of the most tender of all photographs of lovers, that I have ever encountered.
Contemplation: In basic terms it is a form of prayer or meditation.
For me, contemplation is something that I've indulged in since I was very young, though I wasn't even aware of what it was I was involved in. I have always been in my head, and have been one to think deeply on various issues, ideas, and theories. This is what I refer to as the 'philosophical soul' aspect of myself. There is also the 'mystical aspect' of myself that arrived almost unbeknownst. I have learned that there are times and things that should just be allowed to happen or not happen. We should never force and fight against change and inevitable new experiences. We have all heard the expression 'go with the flow' and this is what we should be doing. I have learned that Spirit or God or God/Goddess works in such mysterious ways that we simply need to go within, request, release extraneous thoughts, rest and then eventually we receive.
This most treasured and beautiful quote by Rumi, the mystic poet comes to mind:
When I die I will soar with angels And when I die to the angels, What I shall become You cannot imagine.
regardless of rainy skies - love the earth - love your SELF, love others...and share the colors of the rainbow - pay homage to the sunrise, the sunset, LIFE! Life is beautiful, so is the earth if we learn to care for it as we should.
earth day today!...my post on earth day can be found via my older blog
close-up view...she (mother earth) is looking quite sad!
our world ~ our responsibility
In celebration of earth day 2009!
The earth is ours to treasure to behold its beauty,
mother nature's beauty - we must as individuals do what we can
to help our earth survive. The little things can be a good place to start.
recycle, reuse, repurpose! It's all good!
Use compact fluorescent bulbs that preserve power and last more than 50-60 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs, roughly 6 years. They are more expensive, but worth it! They save a great deal of money on your energy bill. But be very careful when disposing of these as they do contain Mercury. Also on the positive side they save 2,000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases. (this is beyond my comprehension);)
~
Purchase reusable bags from your grocery store and use them
religiously so as not to use those nasty plastic bags that fill up our
land fills and do not disintegrate properly. I bought mine
from Wegmans and I use them for everything. I take them into other
stores (ha) and use them at the library, book store, at a local fruit stand. Their uses are endless.
~
Plant a tree! Plant a flower!
do all that you can!
walk vs. drive when you are able!
ride a bike!
ride a motorbike!
take the bus! - car pool!
I know there is a great deal of controversy
regarding global warming, etc but I for one
think it's quite obvious the major changes that
have occurred in the last several years with regard to our climate!
Join a group, make your voice heard
utilize this through the internet!
STOP GLOBAL WARMING!!!
Save the Polar Bears!
Save the Wolves!
Hug a tree!
Kiss the ground!
You know, if I had my own horse, I think I'd have to name him or her tuesday! I love this name and always loved the name on the actress tuesday weld!:) I also love horses and the dream (one of them) is to have a huge piece of land with lots of horses. I would have to have several as one would not be enough. I visit a horse that lives adjacent to my place and he is a sweetie but he's too small to ride. We all have our dreams, the life kind, the idea kind, the plans, the financial goal-setting kind but for me, the main one would be to create this sanctuary with more land, my (church) studio and horses. Maybe even raise some alpacas. I looked into this a few years ago and they are very cool and very lovable! So tuesday must be the 'dreaming' day! maybe that's why I like it so much!
Painting blue skies today! regardless of the overcast 'real' skies that carry with them this looming feeling. Mondays can be quite dull and also a bit melancholy...I prefer Tuesdays! :) and sometimes...
“There is melancholy in the wind and sorrow in the grass” ~ Charles Kuralt
note: I write of love because love is the single most important thing in life, and as one of my favorite quotes states: "Love is not an emotion, it is our very nature ~ Ravi Shankar
love~
Calli
ps~ the water in this image is supposed to be rippling, though the animated gif is not functioning here at blogger.
“Somewhere there is someone that dreams of your smile, and finds in your presence that life is worthwhile, so when you are lonely remember it’s true, someone somewhere is thinking of you.”
Out of this entire World Containing billions upon billions of souls Yours came to embrace mine Even kissed it!
A Cosmic force! Breathed out from the Heavens! destined? fated?
We may never know The reasons why?
Though, we do know That love was found! If only for a short while.
Dissipating, emphatically, NO! Temporarily flowing Into another realm Waiting, for just the right moment!
A teaser from the Universe, Seems hardly fair!
Though, I’ve a profound knowing That if I let my heart flame rest Perhaps walls will come crashing down Or the curtain fall And a different scene take the stage!
And solace can be found… No further complications… No disasters waiting in the wings…
Just Perfect timing! Perfect bliss! Perfect touching of our stars!
I've decided that Garahstah - Picture Maker (Native American in Iroquois) my old blog, should remain as the blog where I post new paintings or works-in-progress or other artistic musings, so as not to clutter up my Shades of Grey. (wow! not only a run-on sentence but by God, she's long-winded) ...lol
Please visit for new paintings or revitalized ones!
Comments are always welcome gems and please do visit often! G A R A H S T A H
I've decided that Garahstah - Picture Maker (Native American in Iroquois) should remain as the blog where I post new paintings or works-in-progress or other artistic musings, so as not to clutter up my Shades of Grey.
The following are a few paintings that I've not posted as yet to my art site, must get to work on that! These are experimental pieces. One 'Lady in Red' (see above) she's been re-done almost completely. If you visit my site you will see she had alabaster skin and now she is more textured, (she writes not knowing what word she is looking for)? I have also been experimenting on masonite board, which proves to be a nice little alternative to canvas, especially when I'm out of it, first time ever.
Comments are welcome gems and please do visit often!
~ Calli
Artist ~ for lack of a better title
Artist ~ up close & personal (close-up view)
Attitude
Down on my Knees
Autumn Storm experimental ~ acrylic on masonite board - landscape
Is that you? Having arrived from some not-so-distant place
With a remembrance of past Where and when you Showered love upon me! And, it was reciprocated with absolute joviality!
It strikes deeply! Such a deep, deep, and compelling resonance Whatever ‘this’ is… Wherever ‘that’ was…
Had its beginning in an Echo!
A quiet thing that has stood the test of time Though time, time is but an illusion, Yet this echo carried in the collective consciousness This particular part belonging Only to you and to me!
*this poem was conceived last night and suddenly I said to myself okay who did that song, I know, oh yes it's Mary Chapin-Carpenter - gosh haven't listened to country music in like 6 months or so but too perfect, had to put the song/video link below. This sweet image is of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, just because it exudes the 'playfulness' that this poem was born of... ~ Calli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIM30Gng92E
and here is a 'Classic' shut up and kiss me moment. Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman -
