Wednesday, April 25, 2012

"No Thank you, I think I'll walk" Oil painting "shelley"


Well, this painting ended up meaning more to me than you could ever know. Its one of those "God works in mysterious ways" kinda things.

A while back (like MONTHS) I had seen a photograph of a girl walking down a road and the composition
of it just SPOKE to me. I didn't know why, (I never know why) :)  So I thought I would
quick lay down an under painting so I wouldn't forget (which I tend to do a lot).
WELL Months later it was still sitting like this in my basement...WAITING..
well due to many events, one of which was a trip to the E.R. for me; I was forced to sit still for a few days.
Well, those who know me, know I CAN NOT just sit. So I went down stairs and grabbed my light easel and my paints. I sat in a chair and started working on the painting again.

I mixed up my colors (this is where I have to give HUGE Kudos's to Gayle Levee, and awesome
instructor who was adamant about COLOR THEORY.  How many of you would have guess from the finished painting that the yellow green is one of the main colors for this painting)

and I got to painting and painting and painting....5 hours went by and I looked at the clock and thought it had been 5 minutes  (I love it when that happens)
Anyway, I was struggling the next day with putting the finishing touches on the painting....I get really picky at the end and tend to not be able to walk away....Well as I was picking at the painting the phone rang...
It was my Mother in law. She had called to tell us that our Cousin Shelley had passed.
Shelley was an amazing women. Since she was 11 years old she has had tumors on her spinal cord and brain stem, which had cause blindness and no mobility. She went on to get married and have a son. She
was an amazing woman who was never suppose to live this many years or live through this or that...
She was 46.  This is the woman you could hear laughing clear from the other
room when you were at family functions. I always remember her with her sitting in her wheelchair throwing her head back in a laugh and enjoying every possible minute she had. She was also as stubborn as the day is long. She was a fighter and even in the end she fought. Fought till her terms were met and then she would finally let go.
As I was contemplating her life...and staring at this painting God kinda did a "HELLO, MC-FLY, anybody HOME?" on my brain and I went...OH MY GOD, This is Shelley!!
She finally gave in and God said you are done now, I will carry you home. And Shelley being the AWESOME stubborn girl she was said with her perfect body "No Thank you, I think I'll  walk"
 
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28 comments:

Journey's End (at the Beach) said...

amazing painting! amazing story! amazing tribute!! Art is Beauty is an understatement to this one. It also touches home; my best friend's daughter took her life this weekend.
Thank you for sharing.
~pat

T. Emrich said...

You are not supposed to make me cry while I'm at work!

Sharon @ mrshinesclass said...

What a touching and inspiring story. I'm so glad you got to honor your cousin in this painting. This painting is absolutely gorgeous. If I had money, I'd own it in a heartbeat! I can relate to your cousin's stubborn ways. And to you with not being able to sit still. I've been forced to do just that lately as I battle kidney stones.

Sharon @ mrs. hines class

Laura said...

Wow. I'm just speechless. Seriously. *chills*

littletak said...

My fave picture of all time Karin...it's sentimental!! I love it!!:)

Melissa said...

Awesome story and painting....funny how you get those messages, even if months have passed by.

Twice Nice said...

What a gorgeous painting, and a fitting tribute to your cousin!

Kit said...

You are an amazing lady and artist Karin. Thank you for sharing the painting and the story of Shelley!

imklvr said...

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Many thanks for sharing.

Carmella said...

Oh, wow...I had goose bumps the second I saw this painting and as I read I just kept getting more. What a wonderful and beautiful tribute to Shelley....No thank you, I think I'll walk....I'm just shaking my head at how perfect that is. You have amazing talent. God speaks to us through the talents He gives us, it's up to us to recognize when He is speaking...it seems to me, you did just that.

Love and hugs to you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing what Shelley was like, I think we could use a lot more like her here...

Tonya said...

How beautful: the painting and the story!! Thank you for sharing!

Rhissanna said...

It's a gorgeous image, full of hope and love, in all that glowing pink and yes, the story made me catch my breath.

vsutton said...

You will think I've lost it but when I first glanced at this picture I saw a face. The treelines were closed eyes and eyebrows. The road the curve of the nose. The girl? A shape of someone falling as a tear. Whatever! Its amazing like u!

vsutton said...

You will think I've lost it but when I first glanced at this picture I saw a face. The treelines were closed eyes and eyebrows. The road the curve of the nose. The girl? A shape of someone falling as a tear. Whatever! Its amazing like u!

vsutton said...

You will think I've lost it but when I first glanced at this picture I saw a face. The treelines were closed eyes and eyebrows. The road the curve of the nose. The girl? A shape of someone falling as a tear. Whatever! Its amazing like u!

Unknown said...

Beautiful link and sentiment...

reFresh reStyle said...

What an amazing lady, I love how this all came together. Thank you for sharing.
Debbie

dee dee said...

Not only is this a beautiful painting, but a beautiful story.
dee dee

Dana Allard said...

It's beautiful! I love both the painting and the story.

Pamela said...

What an amzi gly beautiful painting! Thanx for sharing at THT!

Carol, The Answer Is Chocolate said...

Wow. The painting was already stunning but the story of Shelley just really gives it life and a whole new meaning. Really beautiful painting. Condolences and hugs.

Unknown said...

This piece is beautiful.... Such an awesome meaning behind it! God definitely knows more than we do... Very cool that you listened to that still, small voice and did this piece! I found your link on Randee's Organized Chaos, and I'm so thankful that I clicked it... such a powerful post...

Blessings to you, and your family...

-heather
stringtownhome.blogspot.com

Youaretalkingtoomuch.com said...

Beautiful and walk she did! What a sweet way to honor your loved one. Thank you so much for sharing this at Meet Me Monday. I love seeing your art work and seeing what you are up to! I am getting ready to share this post on Facebook. Such a sweet post. Love, Me www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com

Saraccino said...

It's beautiful :)

Joanne | a.k.a JoJo said...

I did not want to be crying this morning.

But, thanks for the gentle reminder of how we can all walk in the rain.
-Joanne

Michelle said...

what a beautiful tribute.

The Kim Six Fix said...

Wow! What a powerful story. God works in mysterious ways. I am so sorry for your loss.

1House1Couple said...

That is so cool! You are an artist!!! :)

~Lisha