My very first ATC (artist trading card)! These things are tiny and quite a challenge to paint!! But Daniel had gotten a little ATC package of sample papers and, of course, I took them and am painting on them now... (Daniel's art supply cubby is my favorite store!)
She decided that she would live her life with kindness.
(ATC, acrylics on vellum bristol board, 2.5 by 3.5 inches)
I used to be quick and sometimes harsh in my judgement of others, and often ruthless in my judgement of myself. Over the years, I've come to realize that we all carry our past and try to protect our wounds and underneath it all, we just want to be loved.
What do you think about this? How kind are you with yourself? Frankly, that is the hardest for me. How about you? I'd love to know...
And, my kind friends, I hope to visit all your blogs today!!
Love your ATC! I find them very challenging, because of the size.
ReplyDeleteBeing kind to myself is also something I find very challenging...
I don't know if you have an Etsy shop, Silke, but ACEOs are very popular on there - if you're at all interested in selling your art, that might be a good and inexpensive way to let the public "sample" your work. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day :-)
Beautiful painting Silke! I try to be kind to everyone. I get very uncomfortable when people say men things about other people...even if it tends to be true. It hurts me when others are being hurt.
ReplyDeleteI am kind to myself. I treat myself with respect and cut myself slack whenever necessary. I believe that every decision we make...is truly our own to make...how we treat ourselves and others is all part of that. If we treat ourselves poorly....it's a choice we have made.
It makes for a very peaceful and comfortable life.
p.s. about your kindness comment: I'm working on it. I try very hard, but I inherited this "sarcastic strek" and it's very difficult to conquer - wish me luck!
ReplyDeletep.s. sorry, I didn't notice that you did have an Etsy shop - I just saw it on your side bar. I'm going to take a look and check it out...your ACEOs should do very well on there. I have another friend who sells a lot of those.
How sweet! Both the ATC and your thoughts on kindness.
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice to wake up on a Friday morning, check on blogger and see your post on kindness. I'm going to have it as my word of the day. Everything I do and everywhere I go I will work on spreading kindness in your honor today. :)
Hi Silke!
ReplyDeleteLove the ATC. Yes, they are little devils to work on, though I must say I enjoyed the hearts I did before Christmas. I put the whole box of supplies away *in a safe place* and cannot find them!!! (as usual!)
Being kind to others is easy.....but boy-howdy, do I rip myself.
I think if there is one and only one thing I could change about me (other than shedding 20 lbs for health) it would be that.
Sometimes I think the nature of an artist contains a lot of self criticism. There is a percent we need to evaluate how we are doing with or work, but the rest gets turned inward instead of being disposed of.
I managed 1 ATC yesterday and was disgusted with myself that it wasn't more....see???? (sigh)
XXOO!!
Anne
A lovely ATC and a thought-provoking post! I, too, believe that kindness is vital to a happy life. I don't think I spend a lot of time criticizing myself, but I am capable of looking at others with a critical eye. The flip side is I am also capable of looking at people with a forgiving and sympathetic eye, and, like you, I am working on practicing the latter. Often when someone annoys me (after I calm down), I will ask myself, Does this really matter? And almost always, I realize that it truly does not. What anyone else does is not my business! I try to remember that we humans are all doing the best we can. And that is enough! (Thanks for reminding me of this important life lesson.)
ReplyDeleteHi Silke, I love your ATC and it is really a lot of work. I've tried them but I just can't paint small work.
ReplyDeleteAs far as being kind to others, I do try hard to do that. I have to think of this thought some more, but I know that sometimes I try a little too hard to be "nice" and it turns around on me and then I feel sad. I don't know, I will think harder on this. Have a great weekend.
your ATC is gor-JUSS!!!
ReplyDeletei couldn't agree with you more on how hard it can be to be kind to ourselves. My husband often tells me that he doesn't know anyone who is harder on herself than me!! Something I have been told by many, so clearly something i need to work on! I love leaving little notes of kindness for someone to stumble upon. I do it at the bookstore inside magazines, in a restaurant tucked in with the sugars, sometimes in those real estate magazines at starbucks....makes my heart happy to do those kinds of things....so maybe that IS my kindness to myself??
happy friday to you!
xoxoxo
loves and hugs,
k
Little snippets of your brilliant painting, how wonderful. I love the ATC and the tags too.
ReplyDeleteI find I have a much easier time being kind to others. I will have to work on the being kind to self part. Wonder why that is so hard?
Could be we are told in oh so many ways, that to be kind to ourselves is selfish.
Love and hugs dear one!
Lovely...just beautiful!Fabulous work!
ReplyDeleteYes..be kind always to the self..i think of it as a Mirror..that shines back out..reflects back in the world/ expands that power....I think the more we are unconditionally loving to all and especailly the self....we expand that love in the universe..and likewise we lessen it when we forget to be kind.
Beautiful thoughts and insights..lovely!
Bonjour Silke! Nice meeting you! Beautiful painting, wonderful blog! Will be back for more! Take care, LuLu
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, isn't it nice to go shopping in your pajamas? Does Daniel ever go, "Silke.....I know I just had these SOMEwhere...now where'd they go....."
ReplyDeleteFor real, this is an itty bitty ATC? I thought it was a full size painting! I love the dappled paint around her face.
Ah, kindness. Sometimes I think I am TOO lax on myself. I need to whip myself to get my bum up and moving.
Hi Silke, Oh my goodness I just love your ATC, she's so beautiful! You have amazing talent! I've always been such a big fan of yours!
ReplyDeleteKindness, yep that's one thing that we all really need to be aware of not only to others but to ourselves to.
Wonderful post Silke! Sorry I haven't been here to visit with you for a few days, I've been not feeling so well. I hope that you have a beautiful weekend!
Hugs and much love...
Bobbi
What a beautiful ATC, Silke. I understand what you mean completely about kindness. It has been on my mind a lot, lately. I try to be kind to others - even when they are not the kindest to me. As my husband likes to tell me, stand above. But I do beat myself up a lot - about a variety of things. Especially when it comes to pleasing others. You have given much food for thought. Thank you for providing such an inspiring post! xoxo Theresa
ReplyDeleteOh you could have said she measured 9"x12" and I would have believed. Yes ATC are teeny tiny! I feel like I am shuffling playing cards with them. This is beautiful considering you had to squint...did you squint? I squint with ATCs. I use magnifying glass. Oh I forgot, I am older than you. HAHAHA!
ReplyDeleteYes I am going to paint this weekend. I was hoping to start tonight but I am blogging instead.
Have a great weekend.
Tsup!
Oh, I just love your comments! You are making me think some more.
ReplyDeleteI guess when I say I try to be kind to others, I didn't mean being lovely no matter how I am treated by others - that wouldn't be being kind to myself.
But I do try to always be aware of where people are coming from - and I find that if someone is upset with me or not treating me well in any way, it is rarely really about me, but usually about how they are feeling and what's going on in their lives.
So, even if I choose not to be around them, I always try to understand them from their perspective, and wish them well. Does that make sense?
Anyway, thank you so much for your insight!! Much love, Silke
Oh - good for you Silke, now joining the ATC painters!! They're fun and quick to do! I've made a few - they are indeed so tiny and I'm like Ces, sometimes needing a magnifying glass! I wish more people would just be kind to one another!
ReplyDeleteLoved your little ATC. Thanks for the pep talk about being kind to yourself. I need to be kinder to my own self I've been rather hard on myself lately.
ReplyDeleteYes i understand you Silke, kindness does beging withourselves. It was a long road for me to discover this, but now i can never go down the path of self doubt again. Showing myself loving kindness makes it even easier to show it to everyone else.
ReplyDeleteoh life is just to short(and beautiful) to go any other way.
I love your painting. I am really getting inspired here, now where did i put my paints!?
(i borrow from chuck too, his various lenses and filters!)
love,
lori
silke, i think sooner or later kindness solves almost everything.
ReplyDeleteyou are wise to know.
love
kj