Healing Art

Hello Lovelies...

Today I wanted to share a new project that I finished this past week. I had such a joyful time working on this piece, it was something just for me, from my heart.

A celebration of life, and to cherish the memories of someone that is no longer with me. My Dad.

I have been carrying a mighty heavy load this past 7 yrs. with the passing of my father, trying to straighten out a big probate mess that has involved lots of icky complicated things, with attorneys, accountants, and the like.

 

Living in this negative space has been tremendously overwhelming at times, hard to breathe, stuck.

 

I have just had to put one foot in front of the other, wait, and have FAITH that it will all work out.

After a year of trying to sell his home, and 3 almost sales, it finally sold this past month. 

FINALLY...

I can start to feel some closure, and begin healing this part of me, that could not be healed before now.

It's time to move forward, and has been a long time coming.

  

This floral beauty, is done on a 12 x 12 canvas. I started with my background, adding lots of texture with stencils and modeling paste, fabric bits, and acrylic paint, inks, and stamps.



 I selected a vintage image that I liked for the profile, and started building the piece with things I had in my stash. Metal embellishments, old jewelry pieces, a stained butterfly, millinery flowers, a Tim Holtz metal clock, and vintage buttons.

 

 A special element I used in the piece, was to  incorporate and add the key to my Dad's house, and the cherish metal charm.

 Beneath the colorful blooms, I added a secret letter to my Dad, and a promise that I intend to keep.



 To celebrate each and every given day, and to be Thankful for the time I have been given.



 I don't think you ever "get over" loosing those we love. For me, to celebrate the memories I can hold in my heart, and to have a keepsake to reflect upon, is healing the bits and pieces slowly, that have been buried under all those layers until now.

 

It's hard to tell from the photos, but there is a lot of sparkle in there too. In the evening light, it's purely magical!

I used Antique, gold paper doilies, at the bottom. I absolutely love the texture of these. They are just so pretty! A copper and bronze was also added for some more interest, and contrast. 



 I really love the way this canvas turned out! I used many colors of fall in this piece. Gold's, bronze's, burgundy, oranges, yellows, all in various shades, to reflect my favorite time of year.



 

 

 I finished it up with a pretty, petite, vintage style frame, and will be happy every time I look at it. I could just stare at her for hours.

 

Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoyed my post today, as this one is rather special.

As for me, I intend to CELEBRATE the rest of the day, and hope you do too.

 

Hugs,

~Susan Xo