Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?
~ Frida Kahlo
Inspiration to me is often a sentence, with meandering clauses. Ideas come and interact with others until a sentiment forms. This week the theme at Summer of Color is red, a color for passion and blood. We were also given a challenge to use wings in some way. I stumbled along this little quote, so moving in its simplicity, which then inspired me to watch the 2002 movie Frida, directed by Julie Taymor. This is a gorgeous movie, with paintings that come to life! Here's a trailer.. (It's available to watch instantly on Netflix if you have it.)
I was happy to see, not only that red was symbolic for the passion that comes from pain and suffering, but also that the quote above is highlighted at the end of the movie. I've never really known a lot about Frida Kahlo but her story resonated with me very deeply. She spent many, many years suffering from a spinal injury. I developed a serious case of scoliosis which involved a number of surgeries as a teen and it continues to affect me. Although my physical suffering is nowhere near the level that Frida endured, there have been times that my body has felt very broken, and in turn, my spirit. Art has been my wings, just like Frida.
I've been struggling as an artist to communicate messages of hope authentically. I'm past the preoccupation with pain and angst of my early artistic journey. Yet, I am leery of an art that becomes "bubblegum feel good." Hope is much deeper than slapping on a smiley face attitude.
Today as I continued to work on this piece, a friend had posted a trailer for the recent PBS POV documentary Biblioburro: The Donkey Library. (The full movie can be watched at the link to the left.)
Luis Sorrano is a Colombian teacher who brings the message of courage, strength, and hope amidst violence each week to children in poor provinces through his traveling library. In one touching scene, he asks children to draw their stories with crayons and says " Even bad memories have pretty colors." The color, the vivid passion, is made alive through the context of turmoil .
I am not one to boast that the purpose of suffering is to create beauty. I do believe, that we have the ability to take our difficult experiences, to shape them in our hearts, and use them to do good.. whether it is creating beautiful art or helping our neighbor. The "why" behind our suffering is not as important as "what" we do with it.
This piece is painted flocked fabric on a 7.5" square masonite frame. It is embellished with three dimensional painted canvas flowers, embroidery, and buttons. It is available for $45 through Paypal. Please email your purchase interest to cori-lynn@msn.com. This item has SOLD.
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A special welcome today to those from the Inspiration Workshop at Gussy Sews, Take a Word, and the Summer of Color participants!T
Super pretty. And I love how the 3D looks with the wings. I have plans to do a piece with wings for my house here in the next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteTerrific piece of art for the challenge and thank you for sharing your story. x
ReplyDeleteoh this is gorgeous!!! sooo pretty :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a pic of the wings in your house when it's done, Sheena!
ReplyDeleteI think the dimension you created on this piece is fabulous. Such pretty, pretty colors too!
ReplyDeleteI agree - fabulous piece!
ReplyDeleteYou took wings and red to a whole new height. A height of beauty.
ReplyDeleteI even played I the 'summer of color' this week. Very fun and inspirationing.
This is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely gorgeous piece! Loved it!
ReplyDeleteAlso your words are so powerful! Thanks for sharing.
Great folk art look to this piece, and the 3D wings are superb.
ReplyDeleteCori Lynn,How talented you are.Your art piece is beautiful,colors and wings so attractive.I enjoyed reading your post.Thanks for the info. Denise
ReplyDeleteLove this piece and want to purchase it ~ You are blessed, Cori and using your talents well ~ Frida was also quite a woman ~ namaste, Carol
ReplyDeleteI love that line "Even bad memories have pretty colors." I guess that this is why art is such good therapy for so many people. Your piece is gorgeous, I love the wings and the flowers.
ReplyDeleteOooh, what a beautiful piece and post! I loved hearing more about your inspiration and how you can relate to Frida. Your canvas is just stunning - I love the canvas flowers and bold, bright colors - and your wings. Congratulations on the sale and thank you for sharing your story with us, xo
ReplyDeleteCori--I found you through Amanda/Persistent Green. I'm very touched by this post of yours. I too have felt there was no inherent joy in the mere act of suffering, but rather what we do with it. The way I've addressed it is "turn the pooh into fertilizer" and then use it to promote lush growth.
ReplyDeleteThe art you show here is rich and deep and alive. Thank you so much for sharing it here.
Really pretty, I love the wings!
ReplyDeleteReally very beautiful piece - love the story behind the work.
ReplyDeleteLove your piece...your post was inspiring...I want go watch Frida now...and at some point try and way h the other...also that quote...even bad memories have beautiful colours...something ,about that touched my soul and I am literally crying like a baby....xxx
ReplyDeleteI am going myself through suffering right now, although I have never lived a live without pain due to an illness that I had when I was a child and last February had my fifth surgery to try to correct it and have quality life.
ReplyDeleteI had a hip replacement but my sciatic nerve was badly damaged, and it has been during this trial that I have learned great things from God. And it is funny what you said, because all this time my prayer hasn't been "why Lord?" but rather "What for Lord?"
art is a form to express, but has also been a therapy for me when I couldn't move. So that quote from Frida suits me so very well.
Your piece is fantastic and the best of all, is that for me it has great meaning.
Thank you for sharing. may God bless you with dealing with your back and may He give you the energy you need to live a life in all its fullness.
great to have you in the July whimsy pool - come by and vote or add to the August whimsicality
ReplyDeleteHi Cori - Even though this piece is SOLD, I wanted to comment - I have been browsing through your blog this weekend and I am loving so many pieces - It seems we love so many of the same things - Wings, Hearts, Birds etc ... This piece is one of my favorite colors (burgundy) and I love the wings that make me want to fly ... Love how you view life ... Love your creative style!
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