"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

4.27.2010

okay, now it's finished!







Have you ever kept looking at a painting and you just knew it was not finished? That's how I felt every time I looked at this. I think I realized it needed more layers. Even though you cover stuff up that you may like, you cannot get the result you want without the layers. You can't fake layers.

So, I added words, more paint, more drips and splats.

I am pleased!

27 comments:

thekathrynwheel said...

G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. This has such depth - I see what you mean about the layers. Vibrant, bold and colourful, I love it. Kate

CountryDreaming said...

Absolutely LOVE the finished version ... the black makes the whole painting absolutely striking and gives the other colors a resounding dramatic boldness. Love the varied mysterious symbology too. So when are you bringing this to a gallery?

iHanna said...

That is so true, and I think it's something I still struggle with. Creating pretty layers that I then will cover up and "hide" to make other layers that you have no idea how pretty they will be... :-) I will keep at it, your words encouraged me.

Beautiful painting!

Unknown said...

lol...you can't fake layers! I love that. You just have to keep reminding yourself that its ok to cover stuff up and do it! : ) So pleasing in the end

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Perfect! Glad inspiration struck and you had the courage to take it the distance with the layers. There's something so grounding with the use of black, the drips and splats just pulled everything together making all the elements unified somehow. It's a mystery :-)

jgr said...

WoW! It's awesome, I am a big fan of the drips!

Diane said...

It's perfect, Mary, and the answer is yes--you know when it needs more.

Cori Lynn Berg said...

I love how this turned out.. just gorgeous.. course blue is a special color to me...

Unknown said...

Hi Mary,
I, too, live in Woodstock, ga. I was so surprised to see that you live there, too. I work at Woodstock Elementary School. I enjoy various media and just have fun with art. I'm in Woodstock everyday having fun with the kids as their school counselor. I have two grandchildren who are a huge part of my life. Would love to connect with you.
Cristasycks@bellsouth.net

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Perfect! You are right that it added depth and I love the house at the bottom.

Just Be Real said...

Very nice Mary. I love the transition that you showed from the other post to now in the painting. Just like with the transformation of the caterpillar to the butterfly for real.

Kendra@Creative Ambitions said...

Mary... I love this!! Love all the colors and layers!!

Kendra

A - Zinnia Productions said...

Yes! I can see how you put the soul into it now. So beautiful and intense. Love it! oxoxo
Zinnia

Martha Lever said...

Thanks, Mar, for your inspiration, in your art and in your words. Or should I say..His Words!

Say It In Color said...

Another WOW....I was laying awake at 5AM....I am NOT a morning person....but was going over the many many "layers" of my life (which seems to always involve a lot of clutter and stuff) and wondering about all those layers of my life....it is so many layers....and I keep adding more layers....and my feet hurt! I know this seems strange....this comparison....but I hope all those layers end up as beautiful as your painting. I know HE works in us with who and what we are....hopefully they are HIS layers that are being added and not just mine...but HE IS my purpose for doing what I do...everything I do is with Him in mind....another layer being added at this moment....covering up some old layers...your writing has helped me to see a different dimension of Him in my workings....a long story! ....but thanks for your insight into your own and His own work in you to help us see the work in us....a beautiful painting! Learning when it is finished and when to stop and give it a rest is what I hope I recognize next....Hebrews 4 comes to mind. Love you!!

Buffy said...

Hi Mary,I know what you mean,sometimes I'll leave something sitting there for a week,maybe more until I add that one little something that makes it finished. I love the black that you added,it's a perfect touch. I also love all the layers and the drips are my favorite.

The Charm House said...

Mary, I love this piece!!! I could sit and look for time upon time. I am so thankful our paths crossed. I so need to dig under all of this wedding stuff and find an art project to work on. I NEED IT!!! LOL
Love you,
Yvette

Marthann's Musings said...

Mary, love this post and the one before it. Tried then to leave a comment, but, my computer was being screwy for some reason. Love the pieces. Your work is so amazing and colorful.

Unknown said...

Honey I Love this painting, everytime I think I've found the one I love best you come up with yet another!!! Yes, it's awesome and looks finished....you are just so wonderfully talented my dear baby sister...love you bunches

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

So Mar are you going to set up an Etsy shop?
Re my blog post: Refinishing floors is a big job and you would have to move out of the house for a few days while varnish gets laid and dried. We had large portions of the floor that had turned grey from moisture, so it had to be done before they were damaged too much. Big job, big decision, consider all the costs :-)

Butterfly Works said...

Mary, Thanks so much for your comments and prayer for our retreat; God surpassed anything that we could have imaged....
Thanks too for sharing the book "listening Prayer"...it is amazing and changing my life
in many ways.....
I love your picture and it takes much courage to stop and then go back to finish....Great job.....
Hugs and Blessings,
Nancy

Martha Lever said...

Thanks, Mar! I am still loving that fabulous butterfly!

S. Etole said...

yes ... the amen of a painting

Nikki (Sarah) said...

this is the way I feel about my writing..it's a great feeling when you can step back and smile. Love this.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

You get busy on that Colour workshop so you can tell me if it's worth taking and I'll keep you posted on the collage one :-) I am like you, collage is something I struggle with but the workshop does give you elements of good design and technique to pull it together. I know what your already do would fit right in with more extensive collage, the trick is to know the tricks!

Jane Farr said...

Love it Mary!! Bold and beautiful!!

laurel said...

I love both versions. Gorgeous.