Sunday, February 21, 2010

Painting my Soul...

Soft Pastel on 9 x 12 inch 200 lb. Sennelier Pastel Card

I dedicate this painting to our friend Renee. You have taught me much about boundless love, great courage, the healing power of laughter, and living life with abandon! Knowing you has changed me. Thank you!

I've been sitting here trying to write about how this painting came about, but I have no words. I was in that creative space and she appeared on my paper. She came from deep within and when I look at her, I can't quite describe how I feel, except that I know that she is part of me. Words are sometimes so inadequate, don't you think?!

P.S. Looking at her again and reading some of your comments, I feel compelled to add that even though she looks sad, sadness was not what I felt when I painted her. Far from it, I felt expansion, I felt freedom, I felt pure joy, exhilaration and great love! This woman has seen much, yet she knows with certainty that all is very well in the great scheme of things...

32 comments:

  1. This is the most powerful piece you have done so far. You are right -- words can be so inadequate -- and so it is hard to know what to say about it, but this is a very moving piece of art. I think you are brave to post it here. I see a lot of sadness in this painted lady, but I also see a lot of strength. I think perhaps she might represent your past, but definitely not your future.

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  2. Renee would be so moved by this. It is lovely.
    The eyes have seen so much....

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  3. this is very thoughtful, Silke, you're a wonderful dear lady, you know that.

    xxoo

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  4. I know exactly what you mean......
    Sometimes, even if you have words, they are not adequate......♥

    XXOO!!
    Anne

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  5. Hallo Silke,
    ich gebe Beth recht, das ist dein stärkstes Bild. Es hat eine ganz besondere Anziehungskraft.
    A great sunday to you and DanielS
    Janine

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  6. Words may not be adequate, but Silke, this pieces is your soul bared. The colors are wonderful. The look on her face is so perfect for the situation...conforming her heart to The Will of God. What a deeply moving piece. I hope that you and Manon can send an image to the family to add to Renee's side bar with all the artists that she became muse to. It speaks volumes of the person Renee is. All my love to you, Deb

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  7. Words are very often inadequate for the emotion and love that we can feel. And most often so when we think of Renee. She is a light unto the world that will be sorely missed.
    May we all have just a piece of her spirit to carry with us now.
    Love you Silke!
    A beautiful tribute to a dynamic woman.

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  8. silke....i agree with beth--such a powerful piece. your sacred use of purples and blues is the first thing that hit me head on--it is so clear this comes from your soul.

    then i see sadness, confusion, in her eyes. she will need time to understand. how well i understand that, silke; you have painted the deep and true emotions we feel as we know renee will not be with us any longer in the form that we know and so love.

    do you know human being silke? she is a poet and lives in iran. her spirit rises above the oppression she must feel everyday. i look at this woman you have painted and i think human being would be comforted by her. sad yes, but thoughtful and courageous too.

    i love deborah's comment about you and manon's images added to renee's side bar. she is right.

    love to you, silke, together strong

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  9. Silke...she is so free and direct and stunning. She is so absolutely full of emotion and powerful.

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  10. Beautiful piece..I know Renee would love this..not only the painting but your words. She has had the same effect on my life...I love her so..am a weepy wreck. Thank you for such a wonderful post! Hugs, Sarah

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  11. WoW!!! This is so beautiful and stunning! Look at those colours!! It expresses strength and wisdom. Love how your art is progressing Silke! Love, Annika ;)

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  12. silke please do send this to renee, i know she would love it so much. i'm sure this painting is all the things you say, and much much more. i wish i had something to contribute as well. she knew i loved her.
    sending love to you too.
    lori

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  13. wow silke, you amaze me with each and every painting you create. what a wonderful, soulful woman!
    kelly

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  14. Silke there is such richness, depth, soul, a glow about this painting. Though I don't know Renee, I am getting such a wonderful sense of this amazing woman through all those that have loved and been touched by her. A spirit that strong will be with you always. Beautiful post.

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  15. absolutely beautiful and your dedication to Renee is so heartfelt. Renee is such a special, special soul. Look how SO many of us were drawn to her and she has inspired us and lifted us up.

    Yes...words can be inadequate at times, can't they??

    love to you!
    xoxoxo
    k

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  16. My dearest Silke, I wish renee could see this. She will see the sadness and feel the pain yet hope peeks through.

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  17. Indeed, a very powerful piece! Thank you for sharing this very intense painting.

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  18. How beautiful and it's a great idea to do a painting for Renee. Renee would definitely love it. I miss her.
    It's a great job and I'm tempted to start a painting as well. Thanks for sharing.Have a great week. Oh, those colors are deep and I love deep colors.

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  19. I imagine we are all feeling adrift on a sea without a sail...the prospect of losing our dear Renee is too difficult to put into words, your painting is a lovely expression of so many emotions.

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  20. Oh, Silke, Silke, Silke! Your women have always had a classic elegance to them. But now...oh my! There is so much fiery passion and fluid movement here. The blending of colors is quite stunning, like fired glass. The textures are wonderful! I wish Renee could see this. She would be so deeply, deeply honored. It is as if you have taken her energy and captured it in this painting. xoxo

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  21. Words don't need to explain - she is lovely.
    The color palette is incredible!

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  22. Sometimes words are just not needed. Your soul painting says it all. it is beautiful, just like you are.

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  23. I so agree, words are inadequate. I sometimes wish we could simply understand each others thoughts instead...it would be so much more real. So with a few bumbling words let me express that I find this to be a very deep and impressive painting. What I see when I look at it is strength. For some reason it brought back childhood memories of Frank Frazetta's work -

    http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&q=Frazetta+conan&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=VviBS6vuNIjIsAOR-fyRBA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQsAQwAA

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  24. GORGEOUS! I think she is my favorite!

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  25. Very moving...such deep and rich color...filled with joy and inspiration..Love it...the colors and the pastel style work so wonderfully together....!

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  26. very touching... i love this...the colore are so gorgous. make me want to try pastels.

    xox
    linda

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  27. Really like this piece...VERY nice!

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  28. I see the possibilities of something new coming her way plus the bright pinks makes it more happy than sad

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  29. This woman, got power, -insight, and love,--is faithfull to herself and others, visited her inner self, and came back ,happy and fulfilled.

    Love Dorthe

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  30. I see strength and depth in this painting...

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