“Happy Memories”
[Right click and click on “Open in a new tab” to open it up big so you can see the image better.”]
It is just before 10 as I write this. I finished the above painting just a few minutes ago after working all day, 12 hours, to finish it. And the God’s truth is I am sitting here so completely exhausted I can barely type and I don’t know what to say.
I guess the thing I do want to say is that the further I go along with this the less it is my story and the more it is Maisie’s. I am drawing from my life surely but as she becomes more and more “her own person” it’s like I have created a character that is supposed to be with me at this time in my life. I quickly had plans and dreams about where it could all go but with this one I went really deep because I know the struggle, when you have had hard things happen in your life, to seek out the happy memories and hold them close. When I drew Maisie as a little girl my heart opened to such tenderness and compassion for her because I know that in the middle of her life in those years things were very painful and scary. And to capture and focus on happy memories instead of down ones is doing something for me. Something is being transformed in my life. Some part of me that has never healed through decades of nearly ongoing therapy is being healed by creating Maisie’s world, and seeing her as a little girl has touched me so deeply, well, you just can’t imagine.
Art heals. Art saves lives. You don’t have to make art because you want to be a professional artist, you can make art, marks on paper, stick figures if that’s where you need to start, but start however you can and draw your life, or make up an alter ego and watch what happens to her. In the process you will embark on a wondrous journey.
I don’t know where this will all lead, but it’s exactly what I need to be doing right now and that’s all I need to know.
I appreciate your comments and sharings about what you think and how you feel and what the art evokes in you if it does. That really helps me. Bless you for your help and support.
I am so super amazed at the wonder of this image, i hardly know what to say. The colors, the shapes, the unusual perspective, the joy of it all leaves me (almost) wordless! The happy little girl in a room full of life (including 2 goldfish!) with her dear dog companion, well anyone looking at this symphony of squares and circles and flowers and clouds would surely feel as happy as Maisy! (or is it Maisie, you’ve spelled it both ways.)
Painting all day! did you even know you could do that Maitri? You have become so enlivened (maybe even enlightened!) through this artistic awakening, and we are blessed to be the recipients of your creativity, verve, and daring.
Carry on! Paint on! Share on!
And yes, art is healing, amen. I know this to be true, as a writer, and as a teacher of writing. Painting, dancing, writing, singing, sculpting, weaving, photography — all the wonderful modalities available… may each of us to attune to the one (or ones) that beckon…. as you have, dearest sister.
xo
ka
Oh thank you so much dear Ka, you almost made me cry with this, it touches me deeply to read these words. And thank you for being my editor! I welcome that any time. I can’t believe I flip-flopped back and forth between Maisy and Maisie. It is supposed to be Maisie most especially because her dog’s name is Daisy and then though they sound alike they look a little different and I thought that was important. I may have done it before and not realized it so I really appreciate you pointing that out. The thing is I’ve been working on the art all day long on the days that I am doing it, I just get into it and it is so ALIVE I don’t want to stop, but it is late by the time I do the blog post and I’m so tired.
I will be doing an early blog post today and not drawing or painting because I have to go to therapy today and Rachel is coming over tonight and I can use a day off of painting. It’s like each one of these “scenes” that I create uses every part of me . I am not just drawing or painting “a picture.” I am writing a story and creating a world drawing from my own life and my imagination and I need to rest between “scenes” and let the well fill again. You know exactly what I mean.
I love you so much honey, thank you so much for being here with me…
M. xoxox
And how lovely the entrance to the mousehome is painted with a white ark, too.
Reminds me of artist Sven Nordqvist. He paints stories about old Pettersson and his cat Findus and there are little creatures on the sidelines of the pages living their own independant lives, which at first I didn’t even notice. Enchanted like Maisie’s cottage.
Very much looking forward to Maisie’s and Daisy’s next adventures.
Oh Silke I’m so delighted you noticed Cornelius, the house mouse. Maisie welcomes him and gives him bits of cheese. He is eating a piece in the picture but it’s so tiny I think many will overlook him, but I love having him in the picture. And I looked up Nordqvist and am delighted by his work and you know what? He was born on April 30! That’s my birthday!
And thank you for being here with me honey, it means so much. Blessings and love to you and Ben too..