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Full of Beautiful Mistakes
"Full of Beautiful Mistakes" - mixed media on 300 lb watercolor paper, 15" x 22". Available here and at Artfinder.
Another of my favorites from the Freedom in Watermedia workshop with Stan Kurth, this strong woman appeared early in the workshop, and continues to speak volumes in the studio. She's declared herself done, and that's good enough for me.
I don't often talk about what I see in my own paintings. Letting the viewer decide without my input is better, usually. But this one speaks loudly to me, so I'll share some thoughts.
- She's facing the dark - holding a shield, horizontal lines stopped by her boundary...the shield is part of her and yet a separate shape. And she's relaxed - confident her shield will protect her.
- She's scarred - her thigh, her knee, her face. She's taken some hits, but they are now a part of her person, beautiful markings.
- She's inscrutable - no expression to interpret. Or to misinterpret. She doesn't care what we think.
- Her legs are large and tree-like. She supports herself. No weak-kneed schoolgirl, this one. She's formidable
So as I contemplated this painting - this warrior woman - I spent an afternoon listening to all the songs I think of as power anthems for women: Janet Jackson's "Nasty", Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation", Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire", Beyonce's "Run the World",, Lauren Hill's "That Thing", Ariana Grand's "God is a Woman" - to name a few. (I didn't require any coffee after that. Whoa! There is a lot of powerful energy in these songs!)
But there was just one song for the woman in this painting. And it isn't just a song for women, but for all of us imperfect and beautiful humans. Dear reader, this song's for you.
But there was just one song for the woman in this painting. And it isn't just a song for women, but for all of us imperfect and beautiful humans. Dear reader, this song's for you.
No matter what we do (no matter what we do)
No matter what we say (no matter what we say)
We're the song inside the tune (yeah, oh yeah)
Full of beautiful mistakes - CHRISTINA AGUILERA
11 Comments
embodied mystery and magnificence
Dotty! I will call her M & M. And eat some candy as I ponder your comment. xo
Well, the name of the painting is really good, I must say! At the same time, it was able to give justice to the name because the painting exceeded my expectation! The colors were representing mistakes for me; it says that mistakes can be a source of learning and knowledge too. That's why we should always see things differently; more of a positive way so we can learn from it. I am not an artist and painting has never been a craft that is close to my heart. But I have to say that I find this one really beautiful!
Thank you for your comments! And for spending time with this special painting....
She shows courage and strength! Beautiful use of negative space!
Carol! Thanks, lady! I love when the negative space is worthy of comment. Yay. :)
Bravo and Amen!
Thank you, Carl! A power anthem kind of day. Which you don't need, seeing how you've been wearing a cape for a long time. :)
I have a bunch of songs for that very purpose!
Carl - a playlist for those who would wear capes. Ha ha!
Ha! The frayed artistic cape of fear and self doubt. Luckily making art keeps those things at bay.
