This last month has been an emotional roller coaster for me what with having to quit my job due to severe anxiety and finding out two weeks after the fact that the major panic attack I had was really a heart attack. Waves of fear and emotion have tumbled me over and over and tears have fallen like rain at the drop of a hat. Facing one's own mortality is so very difficult even when you know that "the Lord is my Shepherd" and "my times are in His hands".
My submission for Photo Art Friday depicts the waves of emotion that swept over me and the boy at the edge of the ocean represents me at times of deep distress. This is where I go . . . to the ocean where I am reminded of how small I am and how big God is. The placement of the chimes with the raindrops are like the eyes of God who sees me and has compassion on me.
Our challenge this week was to use Bonnie's "Dropped Petals" texture (below) as a background for an abstract creation to which we would add another texture and 1or 2 other elements. I was not able to stop at 2 and wound up adding 4.
This blue-green swirl that became the waves started out as one of the maple leaf logos from the 2010 Winter Olympics which I put a twirl distort filter on. I duplicated the image about 6 or 7 times and moved them about the background. I set the opacity at Hard Light 77%.
Next came the second texture "Ephemeral".
I seem to have misplaced the original image that I made the "weeping eyes" from but it was from these same wind chimes. In the Cutout Studio of my software I trimmed away all but the rings and marble and then duplicated the cutout and spaced them on the next layer.
The boy at water's edge also went into the Cutout Studio where I trimmed away most of the water and some of the shore on the left.
Last of all I added this of image of a banana tree through a rainy window at Normal blend mode, 74%.
I found this project very challenging but am grateful that it provided an outlet for expressing some of the stuff going on in my life. And I think that is what art is all about, don't you?
Linking with Bonnie @
I found this project very challenging but am grateful that it provided an outlet for expressing some of the stuff going on in my life. And I think that is what art is all about, don't you?
Linking with Bonnie @
Oh Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear this news. Please know that I will be praying for you. Your artwork is beautiful and a beautiful expression of your soul. How true it is that art, be it via music, the camera or painting, can be therapeutic.
ReplyDeleteHugs...
So very sorry to hear of your distress and resulting heart attack, Andrea. It is hard to face our vulnerability and mortality. Your gorgeous art is a direct reflection of your beautiful, vibrant heart.
ReplyDeleteTake heart.
Andrea, your abstract is really magnificent! So sorry you've had such debilitating anxiety that you actually had a heart attack. Sometimes it makes me very angry that the current world of work is so laden with stress that people are having more and more ailments, some life-threatening. I keep wondering what needs to happen so the corporate bottom line is not more important than the people who serve. I hope you find solace in your artful journey. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteAndrea I am so sorry to hear that you actually had a heart attack. Please do take care of yourself (I'm sure you already know to do that). It's good that you found this challenge a creative outlet to express your feelings. It turned out great and I love all the motion of the piece.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I am so sorry to hear you've had a rough go. I hope the days and months ahead are full of comfort and healing. Your images are beyond gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a chance to be happy on this, your birthday. Every layer added is an image of beauty on it's own. The way you chose, cut and combined the colours and textures really reflects the turmoil you must be feeling. It's a beautiful image Andrea. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteAndrea, you amaze me... there is nothing you cannot do !
ReplyDeletePrayers of healing and peace lifted for you dear friend. You are pure beauty!
God be praised!
I, too, have found great peace in the ocean. and I have found myself looking at Life through the wrong end of the telescope, too, and the resultant dizziness has been overwhelming for me. what I find Now is that I am stronger, healthier, and perhaps "heartening" is that creative outlets and opportunities for expression are wonderfully healing.
ReplyDeleteyour piece here is just striking and BEautiful.
I'm just in awe of your ability to express yourself through this art form and I could just feel your heart here. There is nothing like the ocean, the waves, and the great expanse of sky, water, horizon, and the beautiful sounds it all makes. It is soul music, eye candy, lung cleansing, mind clearing and who knows what else all in one God-given package. I'll be praying for you. . . in fact, you were in my prayers after reading one of your comments somewhere else in blogland. So glad I stopped by today. It was so good for MY soul!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear you have had some health issues. I hope you are recovering well. This is a lovely piece and all the thought and emotion you put into it makes it even more lovely. I am constantly surprised and awed at how art/photography draws me closer to the beauty of God as until 2 years ago I had no interest in it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Thanks for sharing. Also, thank you so much for dropping by my blog and for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteCapture Life,
Kathy
Andrea, your images and words always connect with me on the deepest of levels. You have my prayers -- always. You have my support. Be gentle with yourself and know you are loved by even those you have never met or seen. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Andrea Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI am praying you are already onto your next project. The intensity of this work must be a balm to your troubled soul and (literally) broken heart. Bring it on! We who drop by here need every little bit you give us. You give us an outlet for our own distress and emotion through your media. You also give us a companion to walk through the valleys. Your transparency seeps into my hard places and softens them for the journey. You will never know all the decisions I have made that were closer to the heart of God because of something you have posted here. The words in your blog title, the art of life is to get the message, gives me daily focus. Much love. I echo what Susan said above.
Dawn
So sorry to hear about the difficult times you're going through. I hope making this beautiful piece of photo art brought you some happier moments.
ReplyDeleteYour picture really does express how you were feeling. Such beauty in what must be a difficult time for you.
ReplyDelete