This was my 2nd painting made July 07' in 2 or 3 days. It was copied from approximately 7 different photos put together.I've always loved beautiful sunsets, butterflies, and flowers, but this one was more inspired by the love of 3 special women...
My grandmother told me she once had a field of sunflowers and I often wondered what that looked like until I found a calendar of sunflowers shortly after my sister Lynn passed. It included not only a field but many other beautiful shots of a wide variety of sunflowers. It was perfect timing because sunflowers were Lynn's favorite flowers and they also have reminded us of our sister Janet ever since she planted a huge one in front of her condo before her residence association made her take it down. At numerous special family events after Janet died 12 years ago, I'd give my mother/Lynn sunflowers to remind them that Janet was still with us in spirit.
One of the calendar photos had this beautiful shot of a butterfly on a sunflower so I had to use that one. Our cousin Judy said Lynn flew to her as a butterfly and stayed on her shoulder for a while before flying off shortly after she died. Then, our niece and sister-in-law told us that Lynn also flew to them as a butterfly which landed on Lynn's funeral program as they walked to her burial site following the funeral. Butterflies have reminded us of Lynn ever since.
I included a cardinal because it is not only one of the 1st of over 24 types of birds attracted to my yard when I began feeding them shortly after moving into my house, it's one of the most beautiful ones whose calls I instantly recognize.
The coreopsis flowers in the bottom of the photo I painted with the cardinal also took on a special meaning since I noticed on the 2nd day of painting that they were growing right outside of the aTi building and the art teacher told me they attracted butterflies. Of course I went and bought some to plant in my yard by the end of the program as a result. Don't ask me why they haven't been planted yet--along with more than half the other flowers, hedges, and trees I've bought since moving here 5 years ago.
2 comments:
Wednesday, October 15th 2008 5:45pm
Dear Joy,
You are the most remarkable women that the world could offer. As I sit hear today and type I am lost in this wonderful world of DeAnna Joy Whitley. My mind is consumed by your style and your grace. My heart pains and burns with a yearning desire to fulfill a prophetic dream to one day LOVE you with every breath that I take. I dream of a day when your paintings will truly one day depict a tuxedo and, wedding dress worn by yours truly and yourself. I dream of an original musical composition written by myself to celebrate our special day. So……I sit and see this:
Beautiful sunsets, butterflies, and flowers and, love of 3 special women.
These women: Grandmother, sister Lynn and sister Janet. I feel the love through this painting, moving me to tears , that is why I could not talk with you about this early a couple of weeks ago. I am moved to see TRUE LOVE through your eyes. Your family is your true love. There is an emptiness filled with debris of sadness with in my heart, but you must know that I make it a little more each and every day with each and every little step I make. I see my past with loved ones lost but happily remembered as I view this painting. You make me believe and look forward. I could talk forever about what Joy means to me. I call you Joy because there is no one whose name fits better then you. You truly give me JOY….you are a blessing to me, and I Love everything that you are. I hope and pray that one day I will live this painting of a bird so free to show you the world of true love as this painting has shown me. Today has been a difficult one for you and probably your mom as well, but hold on to these wonderful paintings as they have become some what of a sanctuary for housing your pain and feelings and emotions. Know that when you cry, the skies pour down rain, when you moan in sadness, the clouds begin to speak with thunder. When you have sad flashbacks, lightning strikes. When you are sad, the clouds cover the skies. When you hurt darkness surrounds us all, but when you smile the skies crack and there is much sunshine and JOY. You are my sunshine and Joy…thank you for always sharing you with me and never giving up on me…I will one day lift a class in cheer as a toast is being made in your honor in our special day. Your TRUE FRIEND forever…Harrold
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