Empty Vessel (acrylic/canvas)
“To refill the empty vessel of my soul with wonder at the miracle of each morning.” ~Gerald M. Levin, ceo/aol time/warner
Well, here it is Monday again. I hope everyone had a nice weekend. My weekend consisted of work at Drayton Island on Saturday and rest back here on Sunday. A nice balance, I think. :)
Our work on Saturday was moving a small building (12′ x 24′), because island life means doing a lot of things yourself. So my job was pretty much the one woman ground crew, though I did drive the gehl tractor once. I do like to drive the tractors! One is a john deere tractor, and I am pretty familiar with it. The other one is a gehl and I am still in the learning phase, because it is a lot more complicated . So sometimes I go backward instead of forward or up instead of down…I think you get the picture. :( Needless to say, I do not drive the ghel often, and when I do it’s usually in wide open areas. hee, hee.
I did have a little mishap last weekend. I jumped on the golf cart (not used for golf by the way) to quickly retrieve my camera so I could take some shots of a flock of beautiful birds. Well, somehow I drove into the sparkling new air conditioning unit and knocked it sideways!! Unfortunately, the unit is attached to the old house we’re renovating. Yikes! Thank goodness, my husband was able to pull it back around and no permanent damage was done. We did agree that I would no longer take that little short cut..I mean it is a little difficult to explain how you crash into a huge unit when you have acres to drive on. Hmmm..is it possible that I was looking back at the birds and not where I was driving. :O Maybe it’s best if we just move on from my escapades!
How ’bout we ”talk” about the quote and the painting. Apparently, Gerald M. Levin said this concerning his wishes after his retirement. Do we have to wait for retirement or some other event to wish the same…of course not! We can choose to do this every day. Does it have to be major miracles to refill our souls…no. Quite the contrary, the key is the miracles around us all the time..day and night. Sometimes we overlook the little miracles that are unfolding every second. I know it can be a challenge especially when you feel worried, stressed, or burdened. I promise if you embrace this you will “see and feel” the affects.
It can be something as simple as a single flower or looking up at the moon and stars. You may even see a shooting star…remember the Shooting Stars post. I know some of you may be thinking I am in la la land..and I may well be. I can only speak from my own journey here. I have been in the depths of despair, and it wasn’t material things that soothed my soul…it was the little miracles unfolding all around me. I won’t go into a long story about those times, but trust me at times I thought my heart was irreversibly shattered. Until finally, I awoke to find…morning itself the miracle!!
As for the painting it’s a still life that came before I found the quote, but I see the quote in it. I often paint and the message remains hidden to me too..until the painting reveals it’s meaning. The meaning can be different for each viewer. That is why I usually do not like to say what a painting means to me.
I will share this about this piece…pomegranates have symbolically been linked to the emergence of spring (beginnings/rebirth). some familiar subjects of mine…a sliver of a musical instrument, the tin box (aka magic box) again, and an earthen bowl. I’ll leave their meanings up to you..if none at all that’s okay too. After all ’tis only paint.
Well, dear hearts enough of my ramblings today. I confess I debate on writing these little messages. I hope you do not find me condescending for writing such things. Sometimes I think I am the one that needs to hear the messages…so please forgive my thinking out loud.
May we keep refilling our souls!
Right now my heart is filled with love and…
it is spilling over,
~gypsy-he♥rt
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Lovely. And as you know, I have a particular soft spot for The Divine Ms. P ;-) The pomegranate trees are blossoming around here now, like orange-red trumpets getting ready to herald in a bountiful, fruit filled year.
I love the fact that the four elements seem to be represented here, too. The pomegranate (juice = water?), the tin bowl (metal), the musical instrument (air) and the bowl (earth).
Awesome. Balanced. Beautiful. And I also love the way the bowl is open, facing the viewer, as if asking:
What Will You Fill Me With?
:)
*Dear Grace~ You made my heart smile. Thank you, and and yes..the four elements!!
I am so glad you are back…you are always so intuitive and a being of light!
I love the idea of re-filling the vessel with each day’s bounty. Lovely.
*Bo~ I love that idea too!
So glad you liked it…thank you! :)
Good Monday afternoon to you, Gypsy-Heart.
The blog gives you the power and permission to wonder out loud any thing your heart or mind fixes on.
And as far as being in la-la land or condescending – you will tend to bring in people that see the world the way you do – and that’s why they like your blog and writing and thoughts, so not to worry.
If Levin’s quote is something you feel or believe or can make happen every day, you have given your soul and life a gift :)
*Annie~ I always love your input, and I thank you!!
Persephone and the pomegranates, I know the story well. I really enjoyed your post about looking for things to refill your soul. Your painting is wonderful and full of meaning.
I’m also impressed you drive a tractor (even if you hit things). lol
*Rhea~Hello! Thank you stopping by and leaving such a sweet note.
As for my tractor driving..you might not be as impressed if you saw me driving it! hee, hee Let’s just put it this way..i doubt I will ever make my living that way! :)
I hope you will often stop by for a visit! I liked your Word Tangle site, and I will be back to visit!
That cadmium red pomegranate is a great touch on that painting. What ancient uses this fruit has been to our ancestors and how it has been taken from its native lands to be naturalized all over the world. It is a wonderful gift from the Middle East and the world has been thankful for it. Because your painting is about “refilling” , the pomegranate is perfect because it has been a sustaining food in many a culture over thousands of years and continues to proliferate. My father grew one for interest. It did not do well. We Southerners did not know what to do with the fruit but I have read about it in many different sources both historical and fictional. It seems to have a significance to us humans that shares the importance of such foods as wheat. Only my British ancestors seem to have paid little attention to it. I am drawn to this painting because it has this exotic little spot of color that represents so much.
*Sandra~ I always enjoy your thoughts! I was wondering if I could grow them here in Florida..it may be too hot.
I loved this:
“exotic little spot of color that represents so much.”
So true, so true…just a touch of red…eh?
There is something so compelling about an empty bowl. It pulls you in , in beckons questions and fulfillment of one sort or another…
It’s wonderful Sweet Gypsy woman.The painting of possibilities.. but that seems to be a recurring theme for you…and what a theme it is..
Thanks for the post, it was provocative and enchanting..
Rest and be good to you…
*Thank you dear Sorrow. I love your description: “the painting of possibilities” I never thought about it, but you could be right that is a recurring theme.
You my dear are enchanting, and I hope all is better in your world..and that you are resting and being good to you!
Evening Dearest Gypsy-Heart~
First of all…I think it’s the coolest damn thing that you KNOW how to drive a tractor!!!
I would love to try that! It would make me feel like I was on the TV show, “Greenacres.”
tee, hee!
Anyway, I love this post! The piece AND what you wrote.
It’s the TRUTH.
I too have been brought to the depths of despair, and yet actually NEEDED that, so I would notice all the simple miracles happening around me. Going through it, was probably the most difficult, scary and confusing time in my life, however, it opened me to NOTICE…so I’m grateful.
Somehow I think life is meant to live much quieter…so we SEE the miracles.
And what is it about seeing a shooting star that STILL makes me look at it like small child? WoW!
It’s fascinating to hear how when you paint, the message remains hidden from you..until the painting reveals it’s meaning. That’s so cool!
I just love coming here, Gypsy-Heart.
I always feel warm and fuzzy!
*Ron~ You always touch my heart with your words, and you always make me laugh! That is only two of the reasons that I love visiting you at Vent!
I hope you drive a tractor sometime..it is quite fun!
I SO agree, a quieter life does allow one to see the small unfolding miracles. If not a quieter life..at least some quieter moments..eh?
Love ya!
Glad to see you painting another piece. Do you have the farmer tan of a pure white forehead and burned lower face from the tractor driving?
Why don’t you create a painting of the gehl for us? You don’t have to include everything; you can leave out the cart and broken air conditioner.
*wr~ I always enjoy your quirky sense of humor!
Maybe I will paint the gehl someday, though I think driving it verses painting it is more fun!
Remember now..I did NOT break the air conditioner I just relocated it a tad bit!! hee, hee.
We must be careful how we describe what happened…no need to remind my husband of what could have happened! he may re-think my driving any thing with wheels. :O
“… I have been in the depths of despair, and it wasn’t material things that soothed my soul…it was the little miracles unfolding all around me…”
How very true !! Sounds very familiar and yes been there many a time!! These ‘little’ miracles are the ones that refill, and Miraculously fulfill!!
Lovely post and lovelier painting,
would love to visit again
*ksoul~ Hello! Thank you for you stopping by and leaving such a kind and inspiring note!
I visited your site..I enjoyed it and plan to return! I hope you do come again! :)
hallo gypsy-heart, nice you interrupted me in my recent output on the blog. was thinking the whole day about Artemis & a statue of her I´ve seen long time ago in Ephesos: fit out with with hundreds breasts – & now I know what I´ve missed – pomegranates for inspiration in colour!
really brilliant, your red, thank you!, rené
Hello Rene’~ how good to find your words here! Ahh..I am so happy if I inspired you in any way. It goes without saying you have inspired me! Can’t wait to see your red! :)
I like this picture best because the warm colours are fighting with the cold colours. And the warmth wins… This time I don´t feel the desire to “work” on the colours.
And the earthen bowl is a good symbol. It reminds me of the buddhist monks, who have to collect their food every morning by charity of their neighbourhood. As we have to fill our body every day (what is no problem for most people in western countries) we have to fill our brain with good positive ideas each morning. In this sense, for me, your picture is an allegory.
Henry~ So happy to “see” you again and that you liked this piece. :)
I agree with you about the bowl and all it can symbolize…especially filling our brains with good positive ideas each morning!
Thank you my new friend!
LOL I dont know what to say……………..
*Kaylee~ so glad I gave you a laugh!! Enough said! :)
I hope you are feeling better now!
Beautiful painting (again in awe of your mastery of light)….and inspirational words that I am so thankful to have been able to read first thing this morning! :)
Kalliope~ Thank you love that makes my heart very happy!
You are always an inspiration!!
Forgive me since this is my first time visiting your blog, but the painting is your work?
It is beautiful.
I wanted to stop by to thank you for your wonderful words and for sharing a piece of your story with me the other day.
Thank you!!!
@Nicole~ Hello and so glad you stopped by, and I thank you for your sweet words.
No need to apologize about your question..it is all my work. I guess I need to make a note of that somewhere because others have asked too. :)
I enjoyed your site and plan to visit again!
Thanks Gypsy Heart for sharing your beautiful art with us and enlightening our minds with your open boxed spiritual musings. I look forward to reading about your thoughts and experiences each day and of course getting a glimpse of your beautiful paintings. So, never think that your words are condencending – they along with your gift of art are beautiful reminders of the little things and the joy they bring. Peace, Light and Love to you and yours . . . CordieB.
*cordieB~ Hello! Thank you for your kind and inspiring words!
You write beautifully my dear…you have a gift with words which is reflected on your site. I will be visiting you!
Lovely painting and lovely post.
As for accidents….this week backing out of my garage I hit the door jamb with my side mirror. Knocked the sensor out of alignment that let the garage door close with the remote. Had to go in the garage, shut the door with the wall button, and run through the house to the front and all the way around back to get into my car! Fortunately, I later managed to realign the sensor unit but….part of life’s little adventures, right?
*April~ Thank you love so happy you liked them!
OOPS! Sorry to hear about your little mishap! I seem to have a lot of life’s little adventures. hee, hee. Oh well..keeps life from being dull..eh?
Wanted to come by and say thank you for the visit yesterday. I always enjoy meeting new people.
I’ve got to tell you I about fell over when I saw the name “Gypsy Heart” in my comments. I just finished and posted a story this morning with that very name as part of the story. The timing of your visit was amazing.
Beautiful paintings on your posts. Are they your work?
*Jeff~ You are most welcome..twas my pleasure! I enjoy meeting new people too!
I took a quick peak of your site and I liked what I saw there. I can see why Ron, our mutual friend shared it with us! I plan to go back tomorrow when I have more time so I can read your story and explore more.
So pleased you like the work. Yes ’tis all my “doings” :)
The timing of the name “gypsy heart” is very interesting…must be a connection..eh? :)
I cannot agree with you more: it’s the little miracles unfolding…
I have always found this to be true, long before I became aware of the fact that they were miracles, I have memories of quiet moments of enjoyment in just those small (yet, huge!) things.
And hey! watch where you are going! I have to remind myself too while driving and walking to stop watching the birds!
*SE ~ Yes..we do not recognize some of the little miracles as they happen. The realization of such is wonderful because we get to experience it all over again!
I will try to “watch” better..hee, hee. I have to keep reminding myself too!
I love your sense of humor… your candid banter… your use of art…
How can someone drive into a huge unit?? How can someone ski into a huge parked snow bulldozer? I am not going there… needless to say there was plenty of room for my travels as well…
As for your inspiration … it is amazing “I awoke to find…morning itself the miracle!! ”
Bless you Gypsy for your words are always heard, your messages always important and your spirit ever so clear!!! Thank You for shining your light!
*enreal ~ Thank you dear heart! For me, a sense of humor is crucial..my family is none for a “dry wit” and I truly believe that is how we survived our insanity! :)
Bless you too and thank you for BEING!
Hi!
Such lovely paintings! I wish I can be that good too one day.
They inspire and motivate me to keep on working on mine. I’m a sort-of- frustrated painter /artist you see. But its all my fault coz I rarely pick that paintbrush and do it.
I think I’m gonna be one of your regular visitors from now on — to keep that inspiration coming :))
*enya ~ Hello! Thank you for your sweet note and words of inspiration!
I am so happy if you find inspiration here, for that is my wish!
Don’t be frustrated about your paintings…how could something not be good enough if it comes from your heart??? Just pick up your paintbrush and let it flow!!! :)
I will scoot over to your site soon! I hope to do some visiting tomorrow!
This is strange. I just replied to a comment of yours (sarcastically, of course) that I felt I was painting for the blind. Then I come here and read this.