This painting called “Saying Goodbye” was done for an organization I am actively involved in for a show about death. It was rejected for the show, as they were looking for pieces more universal in nature and dealing with the figurative aspects of death, not something so explicit.

When I painted this piece, although I did use people I know and love (and loved) I did not see it as being specific to these two people. Death is something we all face eventually in life; and my piece is intended to share the emotion of the moment of death. It references the tenderness of loss, not of any individual, but of many who have lived this experience. 

My artist friends have described the painting as poignant, powerful, capturing a real moment in life, deep with sharing a sadness that makes you think about the life you are living now.  It was painted to reflect how people who have undergone loss may feel, and how it affects their life going forward. The painting captures “the moment” you no longer exist. 

The local art gallery had originally asked if the organization had reached out to me to ask if I had been contacted about art of the exhibit. I had not been asked about art for it.

The local art gallery is having a show called “Kindred”, so I asked if they thought this was appropriate for the show and they thought the piece showed love and caring and they are happy to have it in the show. On another note, I was in an arts festival this last weekend and I put this painting in the front of my space. Although I received many compliments on my other work, not one person said a thing about this painting. It was anniversary of my late husband’s birthday and I showed it to honor him. It made me think that people are afraid to talk about the inevitability of death.

I did a second painting for the exhibit at the art gallery from a photo I had taken when traveling with friends. I called it “The Best View of Life”. I posted the painting on Facebook, but my friend asked me to remove it, so I did. I took a photo of it, but the photo does not show up on my iphone or in my photos, so I guess the Cloud ate it.

You never know how someone will react to one of your paintings? I paint a wide variety of subjects, so I’m not surprised when some are not liked or appreciated, but I personally know I wouldn’t say anything to the artist if I felt something was wrong about the piece, but some people think criticism is acceptable. It’s kind of like, would tell a friend she looks fat in an outfit she selected to wear? I don’t think so!

Helen Mirren once said: At 70 years said, if I could give my younger self on piece of advice, it would be to use the words “F* off” much more frequently.

Too many years are wasted trying please, be liked, and fit into places never meant for us.  We bend, compromise, bit our tongues – util one day, we realize that none of it ever really mattered.  The opinions we once feared, the obligations we felt trapped by, the people we exhausted our selves for? They were never worth the weight we carried.

So, to my younger self: Speak your truth boldly.  Don’t’ justify your decisions to those who have not place in your life.  Stop explaining yourself to people committed to misunderstanding you.  Protect your time, your energy, your peace.  And if something doesn’t serve you, have the courage to walk away – without hesitation, without apology and without looking back.

I like how Helen Mirren thinks!!