It had been 3 1/2 weeks since I last painted. Starting a new painting was almost a bit intimidating, like I might have forgotten how. But for some reason, last night I was driven to pick up the brushes and a new masonite board that I am trying for the first time. It flowed beautifully all evening, and I feel like I'm free again.
The reason for not painting was my mother's sudden heart attack, hospitalization, death and funeral. It was a shock to my system, and one that is taking a while to recover from. Two days before the heart attack, I was taking a weekend painting class in multi-media. My last assignment resulted in a small painting of my mother's face. The facial expression was very fearful looking, and she looked rather ghostly. Having my Mom become seriously ill after painting the portrait kind of freaked me out. Too much of a coincidence.
I had been planning a spring art showing in my home, so I decided to go ahead with the showing - even though my mother didn't know much about my painting (due to her dementia), and she wouldn't appreciate the portraits I've done of her (she didn't like to see herself old), I will feature three portraits of her that I've recently done, including the "spooky" painting that I did four days before she died.
I re-read one of my favourite books, "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo, because I really feel that his son's experiences of heaven are what I'd like to think of my Mom as inhabiting. She is now with my Dad again, and that is wonderful. I dreamt about the two of them the night before Mother's Day, and particularly remember a comforting hug from my dear Daddy.
If you would like more information about my spring showing, visit my website at this link. All are welcome.
