April 29, 2013

earth quilt

Earth Quilt      36" x 36"    oil on canvas

If you look at this painting, you'll see that the top sections of the grid show elements of sky, the middle section shows trees and vegetation, and the lowest layer is on or below the surface of the earth. It's like a cross-section grid. Almost all images were created with stencils or block printing.

This is the last painting I did before we lost Adam. Since then I haven't put brush to canvas. I thought I might try it a couple of weeks ago, then I wiped out on my bike, riding fast downhill on a rainy day. I broke my right hip (first point of contact), right elbow and bike helmet! Thankfully I was also wearing the padded cycling gloves Adam gave me for Christmas. I'm feeling pretty good 11 days post-surgery, but mending bones is an infuriatingly slow process. For now I'm happy to just wake up in one piece every day.

18 comments:

angela recada said...

I love this painting, Andrea. I love everything about it.

Please take good care of yourself, and give yourself the time to heal inside and out. Soul, mind and body. Wishing you all the best.
xoxoxo

dinahmow said...

Contemplating the easel is another positive move.
And, may I say (I will, anyway!) you're doing a damn-fine job wi' the touch pad, innit!

SamArtDog said...

Thanks for posting; you're often on my mind. You've squarely put any hardships I may think I have into perspective. I hope it helps to know that I admire your artistic prowess even more than your survival skills. Apparently, someone thought you need to work on patience. Jeez!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Dear Andrea,

I just got to know the tiniest bit about your beautiful Adam through the video you posted. I cried throughout. I loved his way with animals and how he was either draped over them, or they were draped over him. I loved seeing his irrepressible zest for life, his shenanigans, his joie.

As a mother of a son, I can only send love. I am sure, as your video sings, "and the sun has set for you," that you must feel as though the sun will never shine again. Carry Adam in your heart and embrace every memory. Talk to him, cry for him, cry for yourself and your loss. All this seems pointless, but know that there are many, many who care for you and feel at least a fragment of your loss and the loss to this world of a beautiful young man.

Sharon

andrea said...

I really needed the positive feedback on a day like today, when I feel like the physical healing has stalled and the grieving is actually going backwards and is back at square 1. Thank you.

jo rosenblum said...

Dear beautiful Andrea,
just clicked on and came straiht into this...
I obviously haven't kept up with events in your part of the world.
I'm guessing that's sometimes how life comes to us... all unexpected with really no preparaation to speak of.
I'm so sorry for your loss I cant tell you.
I can offer no particularly wise or comforting words, but I feel and know something of your pain and loss...
Thinking of you, and despite the darkness, looking for the dawn.
XJ

andrea said...

Thank you again Di, Sharon and Sam. Jo: I understand from your comment that you've also suffered a life-altering loss. I keep wondering when it gets easier. Thanks for your kind words.

Thea Belecz said...

Dear Andrea - 7 years ago, I lost my husband and soul mate to an ugly and aggressive cancer. Though I had some time to "prepare" for his death, that is something you cannot prepare for and it is a full body slam even with advance notice. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Slowly, your 2nd breath of the day upon awaking will cease to be a gasp of remembrance. Slowly, your house will create a new vibration that is more than the absence of Adam. It does get better. Slowly. Thank you for posting the video - I cried my eyes out thinking of my own losses and sharing this with you eased a bit more of the sharpness from my being. My best to you - Thea

andrea said...

Thank you, Thea. There's nothing to compare to this, as you know. But today is a good day, and I'm holding tight to those!

Diane said...

Oh Andrea, I am shocked and so terribly sorry to hear this. On top of the grief of losing your dear Adam, now this to cope with. Please don't think this cool -- it's meant to be hopeful: bones and grief do heal, though each takes time and nurturing. Nurture yourself. This is the time to do that. I sure wish I lived nearby. I'd love to come by and visit. Your creativity will return. Please know I'm sincerely thinking of you and wishing only the best.

Anonymous said...

OMG, Andrea. Your accident on top of Adam's death is mind boggling. Yes, your creativity will return. I've often said your work would translate to quilt art in such a positive way and now you've painted one. It's beautiful. I could just sit and stare at it; which I am doing. My thoughts are of only positive healing for you.

asperezas said...

It is a great work of yours.
Also I'm sure you'll put all your own squared pieces together in this amazing order :)

andrea said...

Forgot to say how important these comments are right now. Thanks so much, and Diane: you're right. Time is the only thing that can repair any of this.

Diane said...

Andrea, I hope your body is healing well. I keep thinking about you. No need to respond but simply know you are in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Dear dear Andrea, I have lost touch with you and your blog and cannot tell you how shocked I was just now finding out about your terrible loss. A few years ago we e-mailed a number of times about our same-age sons and I cannot believe that Adam is gone. I wish I could offer you comforting words, but I wouldn't know how. My heart goes out to you and your family. Warmest hugs. Laura

Zig said...

Andrea I love this picture, I have been thinking of you and wondering how you are. I hope that your bones are healing and that you have good days.

I hope eventually you find you can pick up a brush again and find some peace in your painting.

xxx

valerie walsh said...

abssolutely beautiful : )

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