Painting through grief - painting with hope!
I'm at a threshold in my life - my mom has just passed. I was her primary caregiver and we lived together for the past 7 years. She was my best friend and greatest cheerleader. Some friends have asked, "are you painting?" - and I know they know. Painting is my way of coping, of giving thanks, of planting seeds for future possibilities, a way to express my feelings. So today I am putting up the easel in a beautiful sunny place and I will begin again. Mom and I started this painting together. It contains tracings of our hands and our fingerprints too. I'm glad I was able to do that with her. She watched me paint often and was able to see my solo art show last year. She was very creative, and spent her life encouraging others and inspiring them through the beauty of Ukrainian folk art. As a museum curator, she lectured and demonstrated traditional Ukrainian art forms to thousands of school students and civic groups. She was awarded many grants from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, to facilitate the passing on of these art forms from Master Craftsmen to Apprentices. I am so proud to be her daughter and feel her with me in all I do. I am very blessed and grateful for our relationship. I know not every mother/daughter relationship is the same. So, we all have our paths to walk, each so unique and with it's unique challenges. Writing these blogs, I hesitate - how much should I share? My art is me. My art is the expression of my soul. Knowing my personal journey, I would hope would make your experience with my art a bit richer, maybe add another layer of depth to what you see.
If you've read this far, thank you for taking the time! Contact me and let me know you are there out in the web! I would love to send you an art card as a gift in appreciation! Just write your address in the message box and I'll choose one for you!
Blessings, Kristine

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