PWAS Members Emotional Reflection on Specific Artworks
Several Prince William Art Society members reflect on specific artworks that they have completed during or after a time of emotional, or the turmoil in their lives.The artists tell the story of perhaps the emotion/challenge it took to complete the artwork.
PWAS Members and Their Art
Every artwork has a story behind it. Sometimes there are commissions for our art making it more of a task to complete, or artworks that are a personal challenge or a project or series for showing. But there are times when a creator has just got to sit down with canvas and pour out their souls - feelings, hurt, thoughts, anger, frustrations, or even their hopes and joys... in the only way they can, with paintbrush in hand.
In response to this blog post subject, let's take a look at the PWAS members that shared these artworks.
PWAS Member Mandy Powell
I've had more than just an emotional year. In May, I was diagnosed with an incurable cancer, and I lost my mom to cancer in August. Painting has been a very therapeutic outlet for me to not only heal my emotions, but to also create some really inspired, meaningful work. [Below] you will find "Brightness Follows" which was painted after my mom's passing. She loved peonies and after all of the suffering in her last few weeks, I know she is now healed and free of pain. It represents the calm after the storm when my family was finally able to know she was at rest.
Also [below] is "Vexation" which represents all of the anger and fear felt when I was watching my mom's health decline and being diagnosed with my own cancer. "When Disease Arrives" depicts a piece of the emotion felt when faced with fighting a deadly disease. There's no pink or green, pretty ribbons about the terrifying feeling of possibly not watching your kids get married or meeting your grandkids. The fear of if the treatment will work, the side effects you have to live with. It swallows you.
PWAS Member Zee Berrios
As a matter of fact I do have a painting that was very emotional for me to complete. The painting is about my former wife and me. It was based on a self photo during the time we were deciding to separate. It was during winter.
The photo (and painting) caught the intensity of the thoughts and the "peaceful" conflict. We were having coffee as if nothing was happening, but our minds were full of decisions to be made.It was completed much after the separation. I did not know what to do with it and even considered trashing it. Finally I finished it and decided to keep it "in the basement" among my secrets.
It was not exhibited until 10 years later. The painting was titled "The Winter of Our Discontent". It won first place, the first and only time it was exhibited at the Library of Congress' Annual Employee show. Even now I am having thoughts about sharing it. I consider this painting the best I have ever done. It is not home anymore. One of our sons has it.
PWAS Member Nicole Goble
In a cabin not far from here, I looked out the window and found a family of windmills working together just beyond and between the trees.
I watched as the air pushed their arms into infinite cartwheels like they were proud of their labor.
Even as the wind changed direction and rain fell and warmer temps slowly greeted the day - the windmills didn’t bend or resist or stop.
I smiled at them. Maybe we have something to learn from their silent strength.
Many thanks to Mandy, Zee, and Nicole G. for sharing these pieces and the stories behind each one.
Artistry Spin Blogmaster and an artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA, specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Donna's Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 50+-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia. Visit us at any of our local art shows or join us for our monthly meetings - held on the 4th Monday of the month at the Tall Oaks Community Center at 12298 Cotton Mill Dr, Woodbridge, VA at 7:30pm
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
I especially love this post as each of these artists that gave their story for these artworks and shared their very personal emotions behind the canvas the story sits on. I hope to do this kind of post periodically for those that want to share their stories.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of the artwork and the stories shared. Wonderful work by all and thank you for sharing such pure and raw emotions.
ReplyDeleteThese are all so different yet all equally meaningful. Thank you to the artists for sharing the stories behind the paintings. Knowing the inspiration, the story of a piece, really brings it to life and the viewer can understand and appreciate the thought, feelings and emotion that went into its creation.
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