'Without Guile'
watercolor 5" x 7"
I talked a little about this before in my post Sunshine, so I won't elaborate too much (or try not to anyway, I'm rather long winded have you noticed? ;)
Last week the challenge for the Daily Paintworks was The Color of Music. I'd been thinking for a while about one of my favorite songs by the Black Keys, 'Everlasting Light', and how it reminded me of my third son. This song could apply to all of my children really, but I associate this song with my youngest.
After he was born I fell into a deep depression. Which seemed so unfair since my heart was full of love for this baby, and all I could think of was that every little thing about him, his soft downy hair, his snuffling sounds against my cheek, his sweet smell that I still can't define filled me with nothing but joy. But still, there was this incredible sadness that I felt weighing me down.
It was the thought of his smiling face waiting for me that got me out of bed every morning. So I let household chores go and sat and rocked him and felt him heal my heart. He's my everlasting light.
Let me be your everlasting light
Sun when there is none
I'm a Shepard for you
And I'll guide you through
I'll hold and never scold
In me you can confide
When no one's by your side
Loneliness is over
Dark days are through
They're through
A train going away from pain
Love is the coal
That makes this train roll
Let me be your everlasting light
Great post! Cute little painting, and I love the Black Keys!!! They did all the music for the movie Limitless. :D
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Crystal. Sure to touch many hearts today.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post and painting.
ReplyDeleteCrystal this is great! I am always in awe of your beautiful portraits! But then you go the extra mile and write something incredible! What a great story about the bond between you and your son. Love the painting!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Crystal and WOW what a face! NObody paints babies like you do!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post, and wonderful painting, Crystal! I admit I'm not a kid or baby person, but really, this portrait of your son is remarkable; his eyes in particular are breathtakingly done.
ReplyDeleteYou have a gift for portraits (and watercolor).
Even though I've never experienced it, my heart always goes out to moms who have suffered PPD. As you say, it is unfair and cruel, I think.
Crystal, your post is so touching! And that sweet boys face is just beautiful, you have such a gift. I too suffered depression after my first son was born. When I got pregnant with my second I was scared, it's like this dark cloud take holds of you and you don't feel like you have the tools to get out from under it. I intentionally timed my pregnancy to correspond with our move. I thought maybe if I was so busy with everything else I just wouldn't have time to get depressed. It worked to a certain extent, but when we were moved in and everyone was back at work, I had a newborn, a toddler and a house of boxes to unpack. A day at a time it got better, but it was rough! Thank you for sharing this post, I think women need to know it's something a lot of us go through and that it will get better:)
ReplyDeleteSweet post and darling painting. How neat that you'll always look at him and remember how his smile helped you. Love the sparkle in his eyes and the shine on his skin.
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post. Carrie is right, it's nice for women to share their own experiences with other women. I was lucky and didn't suffer with depression but I do know others that experienced the same feelings. The painting of course is just adorable. His tongue actually looks wet! And I just want to squish those squadgy little cheeks and give him a big kiss!! But then he would probably be the one to feel depressed after that, lol!! :0)
ReplyDeleteI can whole heartily relate. I have dealt with PPD and I know exactly what that feeling is like. Thank you for sharing your own story and also your incredible work.
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting of your son and a heartwarming story to go with it. I went through a rough period after my third child was born, we had just moved, it was winter and I didn't have any friends there. I used to go crawl into bed in the mornings with my two older children to help me get through that rough time.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! The artwork is just precious!
ReplyDeleteOMG that is so sweet. You are create the most wonderful portraits of children--I have never seen better! :-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful, as usual! I like those lyrics too. What exactly does guile mean anyway? Examples anyone?
ReplyDeleteUn portrait plein d'amour... Gros bisous à vous ma chère... Je comprends ce que vous avez ressenti après la naissance de votre enfant...
ReplyDeleteJe le ressens à nouveau aujourd'hui... mes enfants ont grandi et ont quitté la maison... C'est une grande brisure en moi.
gros bisous
Crystal such an adorable painting.You capture the innocence of children so well.Look at those twinkling eyes.Awesome!
ReplyDeletecrystal, this is an amazingly moving post on every level. and the black keys!!! how cool are you? incredible work as always...BRAVO!!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, what a profoundly beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting and love hearing the story that goes with it.
ReplyDeleteabsolutely adorable! Incredibly painted.
ReplyDeleteDepression is something I am too familiar with. Its wonderful how you have channeled it. I like the way you cropped the face in the painting -really captured the innocence and of course the light in his eyes!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! I've been gone far too long but I saw your post and HAD to stop over!!!! You're incredibly talented! I can't even believe it... well I can, because you're that awesome but I had to share!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous weekend!
Hi Crystal! This portrait is gorgeous. You were the one who inspired me to paint baby faces. I used to be so afraid to paint them; I thought it is so tough and one little mistake can ruin the portrait; but you made me brave to try. I am painting a little girl face these days and it is such a wonderful feeling that I get doing that. It is amazing how our painting make us happy. I think it is something that relates to the energy that kids have. When we paint them we kind of getting this energy and multiplying it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Irina
Sweet little baby- your portrait makes me want to pull at his cheeks!( He wouldn't like that, I know)
ReplyDeleteYour writing leaves me speechless- always, as does your art!
Hi Crystal. Your portrait work is stunning. It really is.
ReplyDelete