Hello Dear Hearts,
I was going to post about happiness, but I decided to post some portraits after reading and responding to a comment this morning.
The commentator was concerned for me..stating that:
“You do gorgeous work, however, I see nothing of the real you in your pieces. There is detachment and distance. Isolation and loneliness. None of your figures are even looking at you, the artist.”
I do appreciate the concern, and it made me wonder about the observations. So I decided to post about it….possibly to work it out in my own mind. :)
+++Detachment and distance++
I guess I am sort of detached from some things of this world…I always have been even as a child. It is difficult to explain. Though physcially isolated most of the time (by choice)…..I do not feel a distance. To the contrary, I feel a part of everything..every energy here. I don’t feel a separateness…I see myself as a part of all. Including my work, I see myself in every piece I have ever done…every stroke, every mark.
+++ Loneliness++
I do not feel loneliness and I never have. I have “felt trapped” in situations in the past, and some of my previous posts touched on that.
I do not dwell on it or even feel sad about it…for all those things were part of my walk this time in this world. I can honestly say that “Loneliness” has never been a part of this walk though. I have NEVER felt alone in the physical or spiritual sense. All one has to do is observe the world around them to see they are never really alone.
Split wood, I am there. Lift up a rock, you will find me there.
~The Gospel of Thomas (Line 77b)
I could say more about the spiritual world but I will let that be for now. Let’s just say that I know what I have seen..so I do not feel alone there either
I had not posted these pieces on here or my web site because I have only tried a few portraits and did not feel they were a good example.
So this is for that “concerned commentator”:
Here are some faces “looking at me.” :)
Please forgive the quality of the first two images as these pieces are under glass.
My Great-grandmother. (Pencil)
click on images to enlarge
This was my first portrait, and it is of my Great-grandmother. Even as a small child I loved a tiny photo of her on her wedding day. I vaguely remember her as I only saw her a couple of times. She was still a petite little woman..but her wedding day had long passed, for she was in her 80’s. I visited with her daughter, my Grandmother, on Saturday. She will be 101 in June. So maybe that will give you an idea of the age of the small photo I used for this portrait.
I can only hope I have the same genes…eh?
Max, our Father (vine charcoal)
Same pictures, but if you look closely you will see me in one of them. :O
My father graciously agreed to sit as my first live model for this practice portrait. He is quite a character…Scottish with no pretense, fluff, or fuss. I hope I captured a little of his spirit so you can ”see” it. :)
Some sketches from photos:
Young man (pencil) 
(graphite)
(pencil)
A live model/two hour pose. (vine charcoal)
Me. hee, hee. (pencil)
click on images to enlarge
As I said, I have not worked a lot in portraiture, but I plan to do so in the near future. I would love to render real people, not botoxed glamour portraits. I think…..
~there is so much beauty in the honest history of faces~
Well, enough from me for now. I hope all is good with everyone. I will try to post on happiness soon.
May we all pass a kindness forward..even if only a needed smile.
Look for me in the face of a flower…for i am there. :)
~gypsy-he♥rt
You are abundantly talented and possess the courage let it shine. Is that Mother Teresa above?
++Surfaceearth++
I thank you so much for saying that. I posted these today because someone saw me as lonely and isloated..detached from my world and my art.
You eased my heart a little tonight.
Yes, that is Mother Teresa. :)
Beautiful. I went back and looked at your gallery again, and I was going to write a bunch more, but I’ll leave it at beautiful.
++Moonbeam++ Thank you darling! You are too kind with your words!
These are absolutely gorgeous! Pencil and vine charcoal are probably my favorite mediums to work with. They are much more forgiving. (and boy, do I need forgiveness :P)
Art, like the heart, should never need to be defended, only expressed.
Blessings!
Fox
++Fox++ You are most kind! I love charcoal vine too…I love getting my fingers in it. Blessings to you too!
I was both happy and perturbed to read this. Perturbed to see that you had to deal with such ignorant nonsense, and happy to see this post filled with such gorgeous and soul-filled art.
The commentator claimed to know the real you well enough to judge whether or not the real you is present in your work. If not the real you, then what? Art IS an extension of us. How could it be otherwise?
I also do not see isolation and loneliness in your work at all. I see the delicate beauty of life in its myriad colors and nuances. And even if you happened to be someone who reflected isolation and loneliness in your work (and honestly, who doesn’t reflect these tender emotions from time to time?) then SO WHAT? Our creations are our children.
Anyhow, hats off to you for your incredible grace and eloquence in this post, and for using such an absurdly critical commentary to showcase some of these truly GORGEOUS hidden gems.
*Hugs~*
++Kalliope Dear one++ All is good. You understand me, I love your passion! You are such a light!! Hugs back to you!
I agree with what Kalliope Amorphous says: art is indeed an extension of us. However, since things are never black or white in life, but rather black and white like your remarkable portaits, I think artistic creations also live a life of their own. Don’t you ever get the feeling that something is completely finished and you must not edit any longer? Under this perspective, then, detachment might be considered the last phase of the artistic process, something like giving birth.
I don’t know what the commentator meant, but I’ll just tell you this: a friend of mine (a painter like you) once told me he had learned to cope with people’s comments on his works: they say more about the person who makes them than on my paintings, he said.
++Indigo++ so pleased you came by. art is indeed an extension of us…any form of creativity is…like your beautiful writing. I am not sure that I ever feel anything is finished…but I do finally let go. Your friend is right..it is all subjective…as I remind myself over and over. :)
All the sketches are good but the one of your father is outstanding. That one is really powerful. I get a real SENSE of this person in looking at this image particularly. It would also be a wonderful painting too. For some reason I see it with deep magenta, mustard yellow, black, ivory and hints of blood orange… I have no idea why it “looks” that way to me even though it’s totally in graphite/coal. GREAT WORK GYPSY!
++Hello Sibyl++ You are most intuitive…that is my favorite too. I think of all the pieces that is the one I feel most connected to. I may paint him someday. He traveled here to sit for me, and he was a very good model. He did not raise me so it was an interesting time together…even the silent moments. Thank you love!
What a gift you have! Looking at the portraits you’ve done, I feel as if I know these people. How wonderful that you are able to capture them so well.
Oh, and if you’d like to play, I’ve tagged you for the survivor’s meme.
++April++ Your feeling like you know them makes me so happy!! I hope you will not be too disappointed in me if I decline on the tag. With all the other stuff going on in my world…it is all I can do to keep this going, and visit all of my wonderful blog friends (such as yourself). Am I forgiven???
Really great to see the portraits of your great grandmother and father. You actually had the chance to meet her, too. That sometimes does not happen. You have longevity in your family. Lots more art to come!
++QM++ Thank you for taking the time to leave me a note.
It was special to actually see her and my Great-grandfather. As most, we grew up hearing my Grandmother’s stories of them. Like the time my Great-grandpa Helms was driving the wagon taking the family to see his parents and they saw their first “motor car” which spooked the horses!
Yes, we do have longevity in that side of the family which was rare in my Great Grandparents day! Yes..art…as long as I can breath! :)
Thank-you for sharing so much of yourself! Your portraits are great, they are real! I love how you thought out the feedback you recieved. Be in love! Be in Peace!
++tobeme++ It is I that thanks you for leaving me such a kind and inspiring note! Yes, love and peace…I agree.
Post on whatever you feel like, Gypsy Heart. Happy or sad or who you are or what you draw one day – or what you draw another…
I liked your faces. It felt like looking through a window, as though they were right there…
We comment coming from where WE are – not necessarily where you are…
++Annie++ Thank you dear one…you are such a sweet soul. All is good. I appreaciate all messages left here for me. All are for a reason. This has made me want to focus on faces again. :) I will be by to see you soon!
I love the portraits!!
cheers,
Christy
++Christy++ Thank you my dear. I hope you are in better spirits now. :) Write and paint when it comes to you…and when not..just embrace the still time for it will come again I promise.
Sometimes it is the stillness that gives birth to creations…creations unknown even to the creator. ♥
~cheers to you too!
Hello Miss Heart!
It’s interesting, because my time spent in the theater showed me this same thing….
Everyone who was watching my performance, would always be “seeing” something different.
And that’s actually a “good thing” when it comes to art.
Because what each viewer is seeing, we as artists, must always remember that it will be a reflection of how each viewer FEELS.
And, dear heart…I freaking LOVE THESE PIECES!!!!
I am especially drawn to Mother Theresa. I read a lot of her books…and just adored that little lady.
She was such a SAINT….tee-hee!
I also love the girafft (I THINK that’s how you spell it?)
I wonder what God was thinking when He created that wonderful creature?
(perhaps He was having “neck problems)
Thank you for aways sharing your spirit!
You are LOVED Gypsy-Heart!
++Ron++ AKA Joan/Lucy (tee, hee)
How wonderful that you act!! My little acting spell consisted of drama class (which I loved) and a few little plays!! I am not surprised about you, and I imagine you are amazing!!
Yes everyone “sees” something different…that ‘ole subjective word again. :) That is what makes it so deliciously wonderful..right?
I am happy that you liked the pieces! Mother Teresa was a special soul….an earth angel for sure! She was fascinating. What endeared her even more to me was admitting that she “doubted” at times.
Yes.. giraffes are fun aren’t they…they look like magical imaginary creatures! I think God most certainly has a sense of humor!! Some creatures look like they are made up from left over parts don’t they!!
I thank you for sharing your spirit too…
I am sending LOVE back!
Perception I think sometimes is a mirror, we see what we often reflect. Your work is simply incredible. I adore Mother Teresa and was so amazed to see your drawing. Namaste.
I think self chosen, temporary distance is what defines a true observer, i a o words a question of being able to evaluate a situation and surrounding before You get Yourself into it. Also to figure out what is important and what is not, and thereby retain integrity enough to leave at least something for the beholder to dwell on. Maybe that is what You do in Your artwork, Suz?
(Also, speaking of portraits and ancestors, I recently got hold of a wonderful photo of my grandmother as a 4-year old, surrounded by her family! I am totally pleased! Check it out if You want to, on my blogpost “Temperament”.
Lots of love!
Anni
++Surfaceearth++
I so agree..”preception sometimes a mirror…what we often see we reflect”
Thank you for your kind words of inspiration.
Mother Teresa was most certainly an earth angel..I believe one of the spiritually evolved beings!
Namaste’ to you too!
++Anni++
You may be right about my work Anni. I do hope to “leave at least something for the beholder to dwell on.” That is why I usually do not like to talk about a piece.
I looked at the photo on your blog…it so precious. I left you a note there. I only wish I could read your words. When I get that translation site again I’ll go back and read about your Grandmother!
Lots of love to you too!
wow, Suz as was, now Gypsy Heart, you are really making waves! I hope the urge to stop blogging has passed – at least for now!
**94stranger**
So good to “see” your words again we have missed you!
I thank you for your encouragment. I did get a grip on the blogging..it was a little overwhelming at first but I think I have it under control now. I always tend to go overboard with everything at first..I guess it is the crazy capricorn in me. :)
Ditto what Kallioppe said so well..I too was annoyed to read what was said but will not go over that again..Just wanted to praise you for having a scottish Dad..where abouts is he from? He looks like he has some highland blood..
oh and the portraits are great..portraiture is so difficult..
**mermaid**All is good my dear…no worries…that is some of what art is all about…perception and discussion..eh?
Not sure where my family is from in Scotland…I’ll see if I can find out. I have a book so maybe I’ll take a look in there. My grandmother will be 101 in a few months..but her memorry is going a tad.
Portraits are difficult….I hope to delve in that area some more soon. Thank you for all your comments…I love hearing from you from over there in Scotland!!
Your portraits are such a treat. I love to copy these old photos too. I collected quite a few when things were gone through after the death of my father-in-law. I may be posting some soon.
The connectedness your activities give you to your “world” is the kind of feeling I have been aware of in my own busy-ness. It is interesting to see it written by someone else.
**Sandra**
So good to see you out and about again~~
Looking forward to seeing the old photos you found!!
Have I said this before? It is great! Would love to see sketches for sale in gallery so I can do a tag on my blog!