"Timeless Remedy"
10 x 14 watercolor
My husband has been making a list of shows for me to enter this year. Some of them are national and some are local. He called me yesterday when he was at work to tell me about one that was local he just found out about. The deadline for entries was today and this show had a theme. It was "100 years of healing. . . the evolution of healthcare in northern Utah." And I thought 'Ok, don't have anything that fits that, and don't have time to paint something for it.' But then I thought maybe I do have time, because you know I love stress ;).
I've been wanting to paint this image for a while. I took the photo with the intention of painting it someday. It's me holding the hand of my youngest when he was 4 days old. So obviously this painting is very dear to my heart. But what I hoped to capture here was something universal (that's why I kept my face out of it). That intense love you feel when you're around a newborn. Whether the baby is yours or not, there's a powerful feeling around them. How fierce you feel about protecting them and comforting them. I tried to tie that idea to this theme, thinking of all the nurses who care for newborns and how they must feel being one of the first one's involved in this child's life. I remember, vaguely, seeing one nurse hold onto my youngest's hand while he was still screaming as they were putting him under the heat lamps. She could not stop smiling at him. That touched me. This was my child, but she looked at him with such tenderness. Like he was hers too.
I stayed up late last night painting this. I don't know if it will be accepted, but I'm glad I painted it anyway. I'm kind of proud of myself that I painted it in one night. And I like how it turned out, there are some technical things I would do differently next time, but overall I like it. And it was painted with feeling, that's the most important thing. I'm counting all the good things that came of taking this opportunity to paint this so quickly and branding them in my brain. So when I hear if it was accepted or rejected I will remember those and consider myself accomplished regardless.
I love the contrast between the little tiny hand and the larger hand. It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. So tender and emotionally rich.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know if it will be accepted? I'd bet all my money on that.
And you deserve to be proud of yourself. This one has turned out to be a magnificent piece of work.
Good luck to you.
This is fantastic!!!! Gosh I love your paintings! You never disappoint!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel :) I liked that idea too. Anything that shows how little babies are, I just love.
ReplyDeleteSujit, thank you so, so much. That really means a lot to me :)
Jen, thanks! You're the best you know?
Beautiful work, I'm so impressed with your determination to get the task completed. I'm more of a plodding artist! Good luck hope you get selected.
ReplyDeleteAww Crystal, this is adorable - fantastic and you can definitely tell it was painted with feeling. It's a great angle with lovely light. Kaye
ReplyDeleteWhat a great concept and you nailed it. If it is not accepted in that show then you don't want to be in that show.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful, Crystal.
Crystal,
ReplyDeleteYou are very talented. I love your work. I have no doubt you are going to be accepted in the show. I look forward to coming back to see more of your work.
This is super adorable!! And to answer your question on your comment on my blog... i have always enjoyed taking a TON of pictures when on vacation or really anywhere for that matter but this last christmas my mom decided that it would be a good idea to get me my first EVER Nikon D3000.... and OMG do i love it! lol... And i am glad that you enjoy my pictures as much as i do!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog Crystal. A really powerful image here, great skin tones)
ReplyDeleteyou must have been pleased to have painted this in one evening crystal it's a beautiful piece capturing a special moment ...wishing you goodluck .
ReplyDeleteYou have done it again. Just when I think you have outdone yourself you give me even more to be astonished at. You truly truly have a gift. I could never do anything like this. Especially in one night. I always love your work and the emotions you paint into them. Just think of the day your boys can look at these when they're all grown up and know how very much their mother loves them. It will be amazing. Luv ya
ReplyDeleteSarah, thank you! I am usually more of a plodder too, but I'm feeling motivated lately so I'm using it for all I can :)
ReplyDeleteKaye, thank you so much! I really liked the angle and the light too :)
Thanks Gary :) :) That really means a lot to me. And I think I need to start looking at rejection like that.
VKT thank you so much for your kind words! And I'm glad you stopped by my blog :)
Sam, thank YOU for coming to see my blog :) And for what you said about the painting, thanks!
Thank you Jane! I was kind of astonished I painted it in one night, that's a little out of character for me :)
Jenny Lee,
Thank you so much :) Your words lift me up, make me believe in myself and remind me of why I'm painting in the first place. Luv ya too. You are the best sister ever. Thanks for believing in me.
OMG! This is excellent.
ReplyDeleteKimberly, thanks! Lucky you with that super nice Nikon! My sister is an awesome photographer!! She has a Nikon, I have a Sony DSLR which I use mostly for reference photos for my paintings, and my boys of course. But I think it's great you have found a great way to show your passion for photography :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle, thanks :) actually, double thanks :) :)
I can hardly beleive that this was painted in one night! What a truly beautiful painting!
ReplyDelete