Looking Out From Within (click on image to enlarge)
symbolic self portrait (oil/canvas)
“A single event can awaken within us
a stranger totally unknown to us.
To live is to be slowly born.”
~from The Little Prince by Antione de Saint-Expuery
Hello dear hearts seems a while since we had a chat…though you were in my thoughts. We all have our busy things we must or wish to do..right? As I mentioned in the past I had some things to do with the business side. :O Also, I am preparing to paint a new series..possibly a sunflower series. I do love sunflowers!
I realized that I have never posted this piece, other than on “about”, and it is my avatar. Funny, I did not know what avatar meant before this blog….
…”a virtual image representing a person.”
Hmmm…my avatar fits then. Even as a child NO MATTER WHAT was going on in my world it was as if I was looking out from within…through a VERY large key hole within my mind. I managed to dwell in happiness….the thorny HEART vines and wasp nest have their own meanings (I’ll leave that up to your imagination..hee, hee).
I think I have always been an old soul.
Do you ever feel that way?
I love the Little Prince quote..especially this line:
to live is to be slowly born.
Live….love…my darlings…and remember every breath is rebirth!
Well, I know I have not said much of anything tonight and I apologize, but I am at Drayton Island. As usual it is a challenge to do anything on the computer here so this will be it for tonight. I am in a strange sort of mood anyway maybe ’tis the canvas world calling me again, and I can’t wait to pick up the brushes. Besides, sometimes it is best to just look out without speaking…eh? :)
My heart is full tonight!
Love, light, and laughter to all,
~gypsy-he♥rt
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Good Evening Dearest Gypsy-Heart~
I’m so glad you posted this piece, because I honestly don’t think I’ve ever really noticed the details of your avatar. Maybe, because of the size.
Damn…it’s BEAUTIFUL!!!
I love how the light is shining OUT from WITHIN.
And the color tones on the leaves are wonderful!
Yes, my friend…I quite often feel as though I’m looking out from within. I think that may be common for those of us who tend to be reflective. So when we look out…it may be that we see the world through our own reflection.
And I too love the line: To live is to be slowly born.
It’s like…you can spend your entire life…being BORN.
tee, hee!
I’m so happy that you’re following the calling of your heart…and allowing it to take you. And through these pieces that you share with us…we take the calling with you!
I LOVE coming here!
Thank you!
‘Tis I thanking you Ron dear heart! You are a BEING of LIGHT!
May we continue ~BEING BORN~ :)
I sometimes find myself looking out from within.. depends on the circumstances really. But, these days I’m being encouraged to climb out, shake off the dust and allow my Soul Star to burn brightly! I had forgotten what my Soul Star looked like and what a beautiful blessing it was to be awakened. It’s a beautiful painting! I look forward to seeing your Sunflowers also. :)
*Rainbowmom~ Thank you for sharing!
Hmm…Soul Star I like the sound of that!
We look forward to following along on your Star Journey! :)
You are eager to pick up your brushes. How great for you! We had our graffiti opening last night at the art league and it was huge! Many, many people attended. I had entered two large pieces that I had done just for the exhibit…..one is posted. A fellow painter asked how I could find time to get art work done. I thought that I didn’t have time to paint. I had to stop and think. How did I find time? I did rip off those two paintings and I like them. They were a different style…a bit of a stretch for the present (I have done similar work before but not very recently). I used to dash off huge pieces on a daily basis when I painted scenic units and drops for theatre productions. I think I was not even aware of painting these two pieces with graffiti themes. They just happened. Do I think I have to struggle with a work in order to consider it a “real” piece of art? Perhaps the ones that flow effortlessly onto the canvas are the most honest and pure. Your avatar seems honest and pure. Glad you posted it so we can see it all big and beautiful.
Sandra~ Thank you..I always enjoy your insight!
I so agree “the ones that flow effortlessly” tend to be the most honest and pure.
I look forward enjoying more of your beautiful creations! :)
I love the painting and love the quote! I especially resonate with “to live is to slowly be born”. This one will stay with me forever! Thanks for sharing your art and so much of yourself!
Thank you tobeme…my heart is smiling!
“to live is to slowly be born” resonates with me too!! :)
Hello and Good Saturday afternoon to you, Gypsy-Heart !
It is a wonderful avatar. That questioning spirit, that inquisitive mind, that insightful though process expressed through creativity. It becomes you :)
Hope that you are having a good weekend, old soul…
Thank you Annie..I think I will keep it! :)
I never knew what an avatar was either, before blogging. (Ah, life before blogging….)
The image looked so immediately familiar, of course, being that it is your avatar, and yet it also looked new. The colors in the leaves are gorgeous. The eye is intense. Your eye.
I’m glad you posted this. It’s great to see it in its full glory.
*yb~ Hee, hee I tend to do things and then I figure out what I did! :O
Thank you for your kind and inspiring words! You are right..’tis my eye! :)
That is a very beatiful painting. I saw it enlarged on your business site. Absolutely captivating! I do believe that is are YOUR gypsy eye. You said, “every breath is rebirth!” I love that quote. I know i’m always asking to use stuff from your blog, but I would like to add that to my favorite quotes section. Can I attribute it to you? Thanks.
Also, please email me about specifics on the “The Journey” reprints or master giclee. That piece has captured my heart. (You’ve got me speaking the lingo (wink).
Peace, Light and Love,
CordieB.
CordieB~ thank you dear one…and Of course, you may use the quote! :)
I just picked up the first “The Journey” print last week. I am really happy with it! I will email you the info soon.
Peace, love, and light to you too!
I do not think the avatar just represents the person behind it. the outfit, the design of the avatar is often a direct visual speech that speaks more then the person who comments on a blog – or even makes understandable the meaning behind the comment. for me it often is like an empty sheet when I do not understand a comment & just see that white chessman in grey square made by WordPress. I think it is time for me now to reveal the image behind my avatar on the blog! – thank you for inspiration! ys rené
rene’~ Thank you! I read your explanation and left you a comment! :)
by the way – I wonder why the keywhole is as large on your image. – & the “possible” danger – or what are the the wasps? – outside between the heart-leaves of nature as small… – will say in the right proportions to your face. is it a vision of your spiritual & optimistic sight of life or your “being within” as small as danger may be? or an expression that nature is the connecting link for you to the “outside”? or do you wish your keyholes as big to have a better sight to the world “outside”?
Could be ALL of the above. hee, hee. You are very insightful my friend!! :)
Beautiful painting….I especially love the light on the greens…and I love your choice of quote. The Little Prince is one of my favorites. Have a beautiful week!
Thank you Kalliope dear heart!
Somehow I am not surprised you count the Little Prince among your favorites! :)
[...] through gypsy-heart´s latest post Looking Out From Within about the background of her avatar I want to open now the enigma of my own: I shot a serie of [...]
ahhh! *soaks in the inspiration!*
ahhh…thank you Daz that makes me most happy! :)
beautiful painting :)
Thank you Kaylee..my heart is happy that you like it! :)
LOVE IT!
Thank you C…so happy you feel a connection! :)
“…..(E)very breath is rebirth!”
Great reminder that we only have this moment — and nothing else — to operate in.
So regardless how bad I perceive a day to be going, I always have to option to take a deep breath and begin the day again.
This is one sure-fire remedy for guilt, shame or any regrets. If I only have the here and now, than what happened in the there and then is completely irrelevent.
Hello Glenn! Thank goodness we have that option..eh? I often have to remind myself of the option! :)
Thank you for stopping by..I will be by your site in a bit!
Suddenly I hear the song…..
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
Ill be watching you
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
Ill be watching you
Oh, cant you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
Ill be watching you
Since youve gone I been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but its you I cant replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby, please…
Oh, cant you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every breath you take
Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
Ill be watching you
Every move you make
Every step you take
Ill be watching you
Ill be watching you
Ill be watching you
Ill be watching you
Ill be watching you…
Thank you dear Grace..I never knew all the words to the song. I do like the words. :)
Grace:
Dynamite song. I never really listened to the words deeply when Sting and The Police first released it as I just did now. It was the first time I actually read the words, so you just did me a solid — for sure!
I have journeyed to your about page many a time to glimpse your portrait, indeed a masterpiece for it holds many secrets, many beautiful mysteries… as in life…
I know you are an old soul… The first time I was called an “old soul” was at the age of 16… I did not understand then… I do now… Gypsy… I so look forward to your words… I hope you realize… Bless you my friend!
Enreal~ Ahh..thank you so much dear one! I knew you were an old soul too…hmmm…maybe that is the connection we feel..possibly from another time? :)
Blessings to you too!
Hi Gypsy
I’ll add my thanks for the enlargement of the avatar, which for me is a brilliant picture. It’s odd, but my reaction to this is very much as the person looking in, saying – it’s O.K., come on out!
One thing that intrigues me is the way that in some places the contour of the faces drifts into the surround, at least in shape terms, even though the colours contrast. I have long been intrigued by the contrast between the left and right eye. This was used very deliberately in the image for Psyche in the Rainring cards. The trick of course is to block half the image, then the other, so that you get to see the effect of each half of the face:
http://94stranger.wordpress.com/rainring-index/rainring-post-tarot-psychological-cards/
So pleased you like it 94S!
You are most observant….I especially like the “drifts into the surround” :)
{{@Grace}}. Why is it everytime I’m in your mist I end up dancing? Thanks for helping to keep me not only spirtually in shape, but physically in shape too!
Hi Gypsy,
I keep coming back to this – I wrote a poem based on this image, but it’s not right. I was looking at it again just now and the thought suddenly hit me: I’d like to see the whole face: have you ever painted it – could you? It made me wonder whether this might be a Significant Act for you – to paint the face outside, rather than behind the door… maybe I’m talking nonsense… maybe it’s not time yet?…
94S~ Come as often as your heart desires! :)
I have a few self portraits..charcoal, oil, and arclic. As you have seen here I have a LOT of symoblic self portraits. :)
Funny you should ask..I have been thinking about painting a new one. Thank you for your encouragement!
What a wonderful painting. I’m definitely a looking through the keyhole quietly kind of gal, so this speaks to me.
A sunflower series sounds nice!!
Rhea~ Thank you! So we are kindred spirits..eh? :)
Ahh yes..sunflower series..I did open my mouth didn’t I? hee, hee
Ah, Gypsy-Heart, I, too, have always felt like an old soul! And I, too, see life as constant rebirth. That’s what’s so wonderful! We are not locked into who we have been or how our lives have unfolded so far. We can rebirth ourselves in any moment–choosing who we now wish to become.
Yes April Yes…we do the choosing!!
I see you as an old soul too!! :)
Hi Gypsy – again! Just wanted to let you know about an autobiographical thing which I’ve just posted, and which I think you might relate to as it has, I believe, some resonances for you. The title is ‘prayer in the desert’ (in case I shift it from the front page before you get round to looking at it)
take care
94S
94S~ Thank you for telling me..I read it and you are right I did relate to it!!
As usual you touched my heart! :)