This is Me . . . In Abstract Art
“So that’s my story,” I said to my dear friend, taking a sip of my re-heated coffee, getting up to re-heat it again.
“Do you think you could illustrate it with a few scenes?” I asked her eagerly. She had so graciously agreed to help me prepare to share my life story and hopefully offer some encouragement to some teenage girls, who would be my audience in just a few Fridays. These young women had also been through some very traumatic events in their young lives, and I wanted to share not just my story, but what got me through it, and my joy and hope on the other side.
With anticipation to hear her ideas, and already having visions in my head of which scenes she could focus on, wondering if she would choose the same as I already had, I waited for her response. She seemed to toss it all around in her mind for a few moments before speaking.
“I’m not that kind of artist, Donna. I don’t do scenes. I’m more abstract than that,” my friend started out, and I hedged myself up for what I felt was about to be disappointment, considering that I had asked too much of my friend on such short notice. My ideas seem to always be inspired by the pressure of a deadline.
But then she continued, “Here’s what I see. I imagine one big painting that encapsulates all of your story all at once. I’m very physical when I paint, and I make big swooping moves with my arms. I throw paint around. I make a big mess. I put my whole body into the piece. I can just feel all of the emotion and activity of the scenes you described. I’m excited just thinking about it. I’d like to try that, one big abstract painting. How does that sound?”
I was getting more and more excited as she threw her arms around describing her artistic process. “Yes! Yes, I love it!! I can’t wait to see what you create.” I responded with huge relief and excitement and renewed energy. This is going to be bigger than I had envisioned, I thought to myself.
Ooh, I should tell her that out loud, I thought. “I love your idea even better than mine. Thank you so much!”
After three hours of sitting at my kitchen table with nothing but tea and coffee, and having talked through all the emotional events and traumas of my life, we were both famished. She set off to her lunch appointment with another friend, and I said goodbye with plans to grab an apple and peanut butter and finish my other visual aids I was preparing for my speech in three weeks. (I’m so visual, I brought a whole carload of stuff!)
But before I start sharing too much of my story with you in my various blog categories, I would love to hear what you see in this painting right off the bat.
Please share with me…
What do you see?
What would you title it?
Does it move you in any way or bring up any emotions?
Does it make you wonder what’s behind it (besides the tree it’s leaning on)?
6 Comments
Bonny Truskowski
When I look at this piece of art and connect what I know of you Donna, my eye is drawn to the left hand corner. Small, dark colors that move mid way up up up into varieties of beautiful color. Like a wave coming up and over with a mighty force. A whoosh! Getting bigger and taking up more space. Spreading color and largeness and beauty. My eye is also drawn to middle right. The black in the yellow. And I wonder if this signifies the hurt, the loss you carry but that which is surrounded by yellow. Set apart and yet still part of the overall picture. A beautiful piece that cant be overlooked and adds to the story.
I see the journey of your life well represented. Love you my dear.
donnajane2361
That’s very poignant Bonny. Thank you so much for sharing! You know me really well. You all seem to know a lot about not just my story, but the undertones. That’s so fascinating. Many people are puzzled by me, but those who know me seem to know me really well. It’s very comforting. Love you Sweet Friend!
Tiffany Alm
I see a face that’s smashed or broken, and out of the top a flower blossoming. The yellow is light that surrounds you.
Beautifully broken comes to mind.
donnajane2361
I love how differently yet similarly folks are seeing meaning in this painting. I so appreciate you sharing what you see. That title fits well too. Praise God!
Darlene Sokoloskis
What do you see?
I see beauty from ashes. The black spots maybe representing ashes and the rest a beautiful fire. Not a destructive one but a beautifully powerful one that gives light, warmth and is powerful because it’s under control.
What would you title it?
Redemption
Does it move you in any way or bring up any emotions?
It moves me because knowing much of Donna’s story it speaks of redemption. It speaks of hope!
Does it make you wonder what’s behind it (besides the tree it’s leaning on)? What do you see?
I see many things and think of a redeeming, refining fire. The Holy Spirit is referred to as a fire but not as one that destroys but one that gives power and purifies. Luke 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:19.
donnajane2361
Wow, that’s a beautiful interpretation Darlene! Thank you so much for sharing what you see. I LOVE that title, Redemption. Praise God for that word!!! I’m so thankful for His refining fire as well. It’s a continuous refining too, and I’m so glad. There’s so much more, always more in store for us when we continuously submit to His creative plan and journey for each of us.