Back to the story of this wonderful woman. I was once made to feel embarrassed and somewhat humiliated when an art teacher/critic gave me public s--t when I said, I was touched with the emotions of depression and pain whenever I looked at a sculpture of Rodin, and did he have such emotions? I almost walked out of the lecture, and I still think that I should have. If this "teacher" hated the fact that art connected to emotion, I felt he had very little to teach me and he was really missing the point of art.
Art is a vehicle to explore the self and share the emotions and experiences of life. Art creates a link to each other in a way that is unique. Art is an unseen unspoken language that we all understand if we give ourselves permission to.
When I did this painting, I connected to her, the subject, the gentle and beautiful person. While I was working and struggling with creating a new technique, I was also exploring her emotions: What was she going through? What was she thinking? Was she problem solving? She was in the park in front of the church, did that have something to do with her expression? Where did she come from and where was she going (I mean globally also)?
I was also struggling with some of my emotions, some of my unresolved issues, and trying to let them go. It is clear to me of what I was thinking and feeling when I look at this painting. This is where I was sharing with this woman, I feel what she is expressing in all of that emotional rainbow of her moment. I connected.
I realize that there may be technical problems with the painting but I am more focused on the human connection. Art does not have to be perfect or photographic in its detail, it is the potential in the art to connect that is the most important thing. I hope that this painting will give you that, and allow you a moment to feel and then create compassion in yourself for others when you see this expression.
This painting was created on Derwent for watercolor pencils (A4) homemade gesso (talc based), hydrus paints in spray, alcohol and water, windsor and newton watercolor markers (LOVE THEM), and hours of work....