Passions of an Odd Chick

Monday, September 28, 2009

It's finished...

It needs a few more minor touches but it's finished for the most part. I thought I would be elated but mostly I'm just very tired. I don't even know if it's good anymore. All I know is that it is the very best I could do with what I know right now. I gave it everything I had, and all the talent I could muster. I had to accept at some point that I couldn't make it the perfect gift. I wouldn't make it the perfect painting. It is just a painting by a very new artist, an amateur with a warrior's heart. It is what it is. You can't imagine what your comments and encouragement did for me! I would have given up many times along the way without your help. Honestly.
This piece taught me that I had romanticized a lot of the artist's process - that he happily painted his huge canvas, knowing exactly where he/she was going and whipped the final product out with joy and glee and a delight to all. It is a wrenching process, a struggle, a long, long climb and finally you reach the top of the hill and you have to sit down and rest for a moment, catch your breath, before you can really enjoy the view.

All I can hope for is that it brings beauty and joy to the space, and honors and blesses those I love.

17 comments:

Michelle said...

It's beautiful!

Just like it always was going to be...

exhausting isn't it :)

xx

Karin Bartimole said...

Peggy, it is beautiful!! I love the way the birds truly move with flight, strong in the center, fading out at the edges. The book has just enough presence without over powering; the openness of it's pages mirroring the open wings; the colors are vivid and uplifting, rich and inspiring - bravo!!! I would be overjoyed to see this every week - your church will be so grateful. Do you have a title? Sometimes that can be just as hard for me to come up with as the piece itself!! Well, I just have to say, I applaud your courage in taking on this big project for your first commission - a little time off to recoup is well deserved! I can honestly say it's rare for me to feel elated after completing a big project either - sometimes there's even a period of let down. I think it's partly an energy depletion after putting so much of self into something.
Take good care, Karin

Unknown said...

wow! maybe it's a little bit like going through labor and childbirth ..... it sure looks like you birthed a beautiful baby though! embrace it and love it as your own .... and have a rest :)

*jean* said...

ooo it's gorgeous!! will you share a pic when it is hanging too??

*jean* said...

have you ever read the agony and the ecstasy? is is a fictional account of michealangelo's life....

i applaud your vulnerability and honesty about the process...

it turned out beautifully...

Anetka said...

I love how you can feel energy in your painting. It's very uplifting and soo positive. I am so happy you didn't give up and finished it. It' perfect Peggy! Talking about romantic vision about artist..well I still belive that unless you let creative energy flow easly without trying to control it, painting can be refreshing and relaxing. I recommend reading a book "life, paint and passion" by Michele Cassou, of course only after a well deserved rest! All the best. Namaste.

Molly B said...

Peggy the painting is absolutely beautiful and I know that everyone who sees it will appreciate it. It is a very special gift. Relax and get some rest and enjoy your beautiful work.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I love the sense of light and movement. The one dove at the top just glows. I like the earthiness of the colors too. They keep it from getting "saccharine" spiritual if you know what I mean.

Poetic Artist said...

It is beautiful..done by a wonderful blessed artist.

Sorrow said...

It is a thing of beauty.
truly
made more so by the climb and the struggle?
I don't know, but I do know the pieces that resonate with me the most, are the ones that had a lot of energy pushed pulled and dragged threw them.
It is beautiful
as are you.

Anonymous said...

WOW! It is wonderful...I would love to see it hanging in person.

e.e

Judy said...

Beautiful painting, amazed at your art!

L'Adelaide said...

it is lovely and yes, it's lots of hard work, the bigger, the worse it is....it just about killed me painting my oak tree and am now about to begin a 4foot canvas of a quail...am I crazy? yes...but this is a gorgeous success and I adore those white birds.
xox

Caterina Giglio said...

this piece is so beautiful and uplifting!

Renee Howell said...

"It is just a painting by a very new artist, an amateur with a warrior's heart." I love this line you wrote. Love the art, too. We are all practicing - forever, aren't we?

Beautifully Recreated said...

It is beautiful. What a blessing it will be to all those who see it. It has a real presences and peace about it. It is amazing what can be produced when resting in Him. Bless ya

DALowe Artist said...

INCREDIBLE! It gives me chills. It is a very spiritual piece and it's obvious that you have given birth here! Congratulations! A HUGE success!