24"x36" canvas, acrylic, cloth and paper collage. This is the second in a proposed four of Inward/Self Portraits. I relied in the beginning on the meditation and journal suggestion: Crowned child of the wind which has resulted in the title "Crown of the Wind". For this piece I was looking for essence, the spirit of my child within...this essence that I have been dragging around for years and years, finding ways to create joyfully. I studied Tamayo's work and began with a large piece of charcoal and paper towels. Eyes closed, left handed I was hoping to fill the entire space. Thirty drawings, no, no, no wiping with my towel over and over until this head seemed okay and then the body, legs and arms followed. I used an old tea towel for this doll like dress, the crown is lace used as a stencil and her heart a clock reading midnight. I related to the story of Cinderella as a small child having a bossy sister and also loved the stories of Raggedy Ann. The color began in reds and then to a turquoise with the addition of a favorite of mine, soft yellow. I like her, she speaks of my childhood dolls and digging back over 50 years into my childhood and who I was early on and how I became me now was a messy job involving mending and gluing and remembering.
I'm deciding to finish this series with three pieces instead of four, combining the suggested titles into one. I have a slice of a moon with hand sewing that I had made close to 15years ago and I think that will be my beginning point. I have some large abstracts in my head calling me so for right now I will do only three. This has been a rich experience this inward journey...a taking stock with so many memory connections. There was a wonderful topic on Kick It Up a Notch...Advice to a Younger Self. My take on the subject is that I am the exact result I need to be from all my life experiences and choices...granted they were not all great and many misguided but all in all the threads (good and bad) have nicely weaved themselves into me and my life. Anyone taking stock lately? Greeting the person you never imagined? Or in the place you could have never known? These three pieces, I hope will be my statement of "Here I Am".
I love this ideal you are doing.. It can make us realize we still have the child inside of us, if we will let it show..
ReplyDeleteMary Ann, I appreciate reading about your inward journey. It is often the introspective posts that stay with me long after I've read them. You've captured the feeling of childhood in this piece. Love the tea towel dress and the clock. It will be interesting to see what you do with the slice of moon.
ReplyDeletethis picture and the words you write are wonderful. I admire the self-exploratory journey you are on. The picture is haunting really, as dolls so often are. I agree too, all that we have done before is what makes us who we are now. Had we done other things, we would be someone else. :) Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteIt's so childlike in it's simplicity, but with all the complex underlying processes showing the travel to it's current destination.
ReplyDeleteLove that you didn't smooth the wrinkly fabric, and the stiches speak of many mendings on the journey.And the clock,,all the elements you have added speak volumes about the 'becoming'.
I love her,,,and loved enlarging, to really get the feel of the work.
What a wonderful post,Mary Ann. The piece is fabulous - everything you could want it to be - and like you, such inspiring work is the result of all your life experiences.
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfect portrait of a creative life, filled with mystery and complexity. Can't wait to see the next one.
I too am always intrigued by your journey... I never feel so clear on my path... life right now leaves me little time to be and just think... the clock looks like a compas to me... and the child very whimsical... Roxanne
ReplyDeletewhat an interesting way to explore your 'inner' child-- and the inner thoughts you have and bring to the image.
ReplyDeleteYour work is always personal and rich. You are an inspiration to me Mary Ann. But I guess that how Ducks on the pond are....
ReplyDeleteKatelen, Sometimes the child within is the best part of ourselves!
ReplyDeleteRobyn, Thank you, the child and the steps back were loving and sweet...the slice of moon is yet another challenge!
Suki, Sharing is my blog purpose both in art making and what is behind the images...thank you so much for understanding!
Babs, Thank you for the word 'becoming' all these years on the path of becoming the person I'd never planned on becoming! ha
Patrice, Thank you for seeing this piece as 'everything I could want it to be' very encouraging!
Mary Ann, this is such a sweet piece - it certainly has the feeling of a child - it reminds me of the gingerbread men we would TRY and make when I was growing up - all things childlike :)
ReplyDeleteRoxanne, Thank you for seeing the clock more as a compass and I like whimsical!
ReplyDeleteDonna, Art making alone is an adventure and then adding personal story for me seems to deepen the adventure.
Leslie, It's so sweet to find ducks on the pond...inspirational ones! ha
Oh Jeane, The operative word is TRY to make! I wanted the child of me to have the marks and shapes of an unabashed creation around 5(a very good year!)ha
ReplyDeleteWhat life your little inner child shows. Somehow I always fail to find my inner child. Is it because I wear this on the outside?
ReplyDeleteCrowned Child of the Wind
ReplyDeletewhat a magnificent ideal. idea.
Merry Christmas, and a great sacred door into the inner blessing.
What a lovely post. I always cherish the child inside of me. I think artists haven't loose sight on their inner child, that's why they can create magical worlds.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful inward journey, i love the painting, i love the tiny stitchmarks on the left leg (i think they're stitch marks)
Sweet greetz!
Your inner child is like all of ours...both on the inside and the outside!
ReplyDeleteMansuetude, Ideal or idea...it's all good.
Enjoy your holidays!
Momo Luna, Thank you for your comments...made my day!
The stitching is real...I used a heavy waxed thread.
Mary Ann, I do see the Tamayo here. But that child is pure Mary Ann! I love that inner tyke.
ReplyDeleteI love Tamayo too and I do see the influence, but it is really all yours, and I find it exudes a sweetness that draws me in. I love this idea and i may have to experiment with it in my journals. thank you!
ReplyDelete