Monday, January 22, 2007

You Learn


You Learn
Originally uploaded by GroggyFroggy.
I made this art doll today. It was inspired by an affirmation from the book Life Prayers that was a gift from Christine at the Sacred Art of Living:

After a while you learn
The subtle difference
Between holding a hand
And chaining a soul.
And you learn
That love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't compromises
And presents aren't promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman or man
Not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your loads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in midflight.
After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you ask too much.
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting for someone to buy you flowers.
And you learn
That you really can endure
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
And you learn.
And you learn.
With every failure you learn. ~~~Anonymous

The shape of the doll was inspired by one I saw in my jumping around the internet. I made a bunch of faces last week. I painted this one this morning with gold paint, then black. I then sanded it and added some bronze/copper powder. I glued the head to the body and beaded around it with some beads that Tim recently gave me. I attached the word beads "You" and "Learn" along with the small piece of yarn. I gessoed the body, then sanded it. I aged it with the coffee/vanilla (and this time cinnamon) mixture. After that dried, I painted it, making it a bit more distressed. It just seemed it should have a litte wear to it, considering the affirmation that inspired it.

This felt good. I felt the need to express something today. I have so many things stirring that the feelings fought amongst themselves to get out. This is the one which won.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. Thank you for sharing those words with us! They are so beautiful and so true! I especially love the last part of it, With every failure you learn. It's really something to remember when times are rough...

I just have to say how impressed I am by your ability to capture your emotions in your art. Sometimes I feel so much but I just can't put it into words or even something creative... That saying about artists in pain is so not true when it comes to me, I have to be in some "happy but not to happy" state of mind because I can't be too happy either ;-)

Lots of love!

Anonymous said...

Your ART doll! How great she is! I truly need to work on somme dolls, i have not made any in a long time! Thank you for inspiration! Arrrghhh. Blogger will not let me sign in...So it is moi..Pam Aries

Anonymous said...

What a lovely creation Lisa! And I am delighted the book inspired you. Blessings! Christine

Anonymous said...

I'm enjoying your creations Lisa. You have an immense supply of creativity!

Anonymous said...

Whoever Anonymous is, he/she moved me almost to tears of recognition. thank you for posting it.

I love this doll, I really do! There's something special about her.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa

I know I commented on your art doll on Flickr but wanted to comment on your blog too.

Like Colette this prayer almost moved me to tears of recognition. I felt like the author was talking to me. It is such a profound prayer. And speaks to all of us.

Loved the prayer so much I printed it out and have it sitting next to me at work so I can look at it during the day.

You have such a special soul Lisa. Am so pleased that making this art doll was a way of expressing some of your feelings. Art can be such a strong form of therapy.

I think this is the most beautiful piece of art I have seen of yours. I just want to reach out and touch her and absorb the feelings you have shared through her creation.

Thankyou for sharing how you made the doll too. Love how you used every day ingredients to add life and wear to this doll. I am sure she is very fragrant!

It is not often that I am truly amazed and moved by a piece of art. But this art doll has touched a very deep place in my heart.

I love you sweetheart.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
(did I say I loved it?) it is wonderful Lisa, well done xo

Anonymous said...

this one speaks deeper...

Anonymous said...

Wow! Finding this excerpt here today from Life Prayers is Laniappe for me! Thank you most kindly.
...And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman or man
Not the grief of a child...
I love this! The doll is amazing, too, by the way!

Anonymous said...

What a challenging verse. Made me really think.

The doll is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful poem!

you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul

My heart-thoughts from this are that love, joy, peace, faith, hope cannot be forced or chained or enslaved...they come from God and live within us through Him through that freedom in Jesus. Pure Sabbath rest.

Your doll is so unusual, it fascinated me, I don't have the first clue how to express my emotions through art, you are very lucky. :)

Anonymous said...

Wonderfl sharing! Brilliant!

Anonymous said...

Wow....so creative and inspired.
She is wonderful and so are the words of wisdom....

Anonymous said...

Oh Lisa this Life Prayer is so moving and strikes right to the core. I think I will print this and read it many times. I am in awe of how your latest art doll evolved and the way in which you used such every day things. Although I think you create such wonderful things I have to admit this is far and away my favorite. Sometimes creating from the depths of ourselves comes something that enriches others in the process.
You are so very special and so loved!!
XOXO
Love,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

It's totally beautiful Lisa. The doll and the prayer as well. Inspiring!

Anonymous said...

This doll is wonderful, I particularly like the wave shape and earthy colours!

So nice to read the inspiration behind her too.