You, Me – This Journey

I’m going to be honest.  As I painted this, I was in a “had enough of winter weather” funk. 

While I painted in my studio, I thought a lot about unknown elements of the future.

I’m not talking about the unknown elements of politics or religion – not today.  But just the fact that this image (painted from this photo I took on the road where I live) grabbed my feelings about what each day brings.  It’s a journey.  And one of which I am getting closer and closer to the end!  It is a strange feeling to be over halfway through the age journey.  

Each day brings light to give hope of new experiences. Yet, carries with it shadows from the day before. The stark realities, like empty tree limbs, surround the journey; a mixture of cocoon-like existence and and the softness of gentle grace around it. The image pulls the eye in a narrowing focus to the bright light, and the vague knowledge of how many steps it takes before turning the corner at the end. 

I painted this image over another landscape that didn’t make it to the “keep” pile.  The revision was painted partially in the frustration of cleaning out the studio, but the act of painting gave way to peace. It’s an exciting feeling to wipe out the past and see what you can make new.  However, I enjoyed letting some colors, shadows, brushstrokes peek through. The new portion of life always rests on the foundation of the past. 

I think I shall call the painting – You, Me – This Journey.  The You is Steve, my husband of 46 years. And the You is also God, who guides us, both, through all the shadows and turns and bright new beginnings on this earth.  The Journey is Life – both here and hereafter. 

Painting my way through winter weather and looking toward the promise of Spring!