Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Arts Alive
Friday, March 6, 2009
While cleaning out my studio and I ran across a piece that I did back in 2003. I can't remember what my inspiration at that time was for this particular piece however I do know how this piece makes me feel right now. Struggle and Strength. Everyday I struggle. I struggle with my child, my sister, my mom, my dad, my inner self, my job, my love, and the negativity that may surround me and things that I have no control over. Struggling is something that as I child growing up I was shielded from but knew all about. You see I was raised in a single parent home with a mother who struggled to survive but the strength of many men. She did this without my father's help to lift the burdens off her shoulders day after day. But not once did I ever see her cry or her anguish because she couldn't or didn't know how or when she would be able to get money to pay a bill or put food on the table. But the bills were paid and we were never hungry. You see my mother is a survivor. She shielded us from the struggles of her providing us with the everyday needs and wants. And everyday she did this with a smile on her face regardless of how heavy her heart was. As I got older and could see past the shield I realized how much my mother has struggled and sacrificed her needs and wants to provide me with a wonderful life. You she my mother is a Warrior. The word Love doesn't even carry enough meaning behind it to express how I feel about my mother. I just pray that I can grow to be the warrior that is She...
Okay enough of the reminiscing...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
FOUR=STAGNANT=RELEASE
My Lovestroke entitle
"Four=Stagnant=Release" has just been completed.
It took me quite a few days on this one.
I have been feeling somewhat stagnant is a variety of ways and my lack thereof led me to create this piece.
There have been "4" major things in my life that seem to have placed a hold on me and in my life in ways that "I" at times have no control over then at times I do. Right now I am trying to figure out how to rise from beneath the film covered water to make my way to a level of fresh air. Have you ever seen still water that has been sitting up for days and has this gross, grimy type of film covering the surface yet it is still transparent? And when looking into the water you may see various types of creatures that have inhabited the water and are squirming around as if they cannot figure out how to get out...
well... when I was painting this piece that's how I was feeling. A little overwhelmed, at lot stressed, trying to breathe...
Four=Stagnant=Release
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
2008 was good and bad to a sister but through it all I made it to see a another year and for that I am extremely GRATEFUL.
2009 I am...
Grateful that my life is mine
Grateful that I can wake up and toss and turn and moan about not wanting to get up
but grateful that in those moans- there are thank you's to my wonderful oh gracious GOD
for allowing me to
roll over and get out of bed- to go to a place
which sustains my life, my child's needs, my needs, and sometimes my wants...
My JOB... * not my career (but grateful that he's leading me on that path)
Grateful that my parents are alive and well
Grateful that my siblings are just that...
and alive and well
Grateful for familia
Grateful for HIM
I am so grateful that each and every morning I can open my eyes and SEE my daughter's beautiful face
And the ability to open my mouth to say to her I LOVE YOU
and continue to build her up with the self esteem, morals, ethic, and education that she will need to have today and future
Grateful that she is mine
Grateful that I have not missed those "ooohhh look at that or "smile" moments or just "moments" with my child
Grateful for all the wonderful friends that I had made throughout the years
Grateful my "friends" are really "true friends"
Grateful to be loved
Grateful to give Love
All of my LOVE
I have never been one to be stingy with Love
for it is what keeps me, sustains me, motivates me
I am grateful to the most high for my GIFT
My STROKES
GRATEFUL... GRATEFUL... GRATEFUL
Hello 2009.
Mel
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wild Buttas
"Mommy look at your Wild Buttas!"
"Daddy need a haircut, he got Wild Buttas!"
This piece was totally inspired by my daughter -Miss "Wild BUTTAS" Amber.
She is a girly girl and loves to be glamorous. Diva already was Never in "training" came out the womb that way.
As I sat looking at the canvas with Amber next to me trying to figure out how and what my love strokes would be... my baby looked up at me and said, "mommy paint my wild buttas and I need some headphones on too." So....here's what will be the first installment of my WILD BUTTA series. Enjoy.