Reading Beirut Memories: A Journey Through Art Next Candy's Thoughtful Thursdays : A Creativity Rant

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Beirut Memories: A Journey Through Art

Beirut Memories: A Journey Through Art

Have you ever come across something and found yourself transported back in time?

Yep.

That’s what happens to me when I look at this still life painting. It was created with an object I purchased in Beirut, Lebanon, so long ago, during my travels in more peaceful times. (Pan Am, gone but not forgotten!)

Beirut Memories: Copper Bowl With Fruit, was completed only recently.

You might ask, “What took ya so long?”

Like I often say, “There’s a story to that!”

In this case, as many of you know, my life took a turn in the early 90’s when I became a single mom. Painting took a back-seat to other endeavors that helped pay the bills. However, I kept several unfinished paintings, and this is one that spent all that time in a closet.

It’s oil on canvas and measures 20" x 16”.  At the center of this work is that copper bowl I filled with a selection of fruits. I liked the vibrant colors and how they reflected off the metal.

I found the dusty colored wild flowers in a field close to my house; the wind gently blowing the delicate, airy stalks. Couldn’t resist! I gathered some up, and plunked them in a vase. I like that they seem to be suspended in motion.

In the foreground, I placed a partially peeled apple and a knife, because I was hungry and decided to take a photo of the scene and eat the apple for lunch! It suggests a moment frozen in time…

Beirut Memories: Copper Bowl With Fruit reminds me of sweet memories of my travels in the Middle East during more peaceful times. I was captivated by the mid-east cuisine, the ancient cities that whisper stories of the past, and the antiques with their rustic charm.

These elements came together, influencing this piece—particularly the copper bowl, which was once a cherished possession. Having lived in six countries and many cities, the bowl was lost amidst my numerous moves. Yet, its memory remains, and it forms the heart of this piece.

Finishing this painting allowed me to reminisce about those memories and recall my admiration for the cultural essence of Beirut. It was a beautiful, bustling city, at one time referred to as the San Francisco of the Mid-East!

(I had hoped to visit, now that I’m traveling again, but that seems unlikely.)

So, this isn’t just a still life painting. For me, it’s a vessel of nostalgia that carries the experiences and emotions from another cherished chapter of my life.

I hope this piece invites you to ponder your own cherished objects and the stories they hold.

Now let me ask: Do you have an object that ‘takes you back…’ ? I’d love to hear about it! Please share in comments below.

Also, if you’d like more news of the next un-veiling of one of my paintings, be sure to join my email Collector’s List. You’ll get first dibs of what’s coming up next. (I’ve got three more paintings in the process…) 😊

Cheers,

Candy

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Oil painting of a mountainous landscape at night with spectacular lights and colors in the night sky under a blanket of stars

Candy's Thoughtful Thursdays : A Creativity Rant

Creativity
Hello Art Fans and Collectors!
At the risk of sounding callous, when someone says, “So-and-so (insert he/she/anybody’s name)is such a creative person,” I have a knee-jerk reaction.

I want to say (rather loudly),
“Now, that is redundant … “
We - and by that I mean,all of us - are, by nature, creative!

Since we are sentient beings, we can design and create tools to assist us to solve problems and to amuse ourselves, whether those problems are large or small, or if we want, to create something just for fun.

I suppose the opposite is also true, IF we find ourselves NOT inspired to create anything --- art, wearable or collectible items, policies, systems, anything to solve our problems, or bring some idea forward, we won’t.

Instead, we often adopt and fall into one of several other behaviors: depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, or any number of self-absorbed problems.

And here’s a fact: creativity costs something. The making (of whatever creative endeavor) takes away from other possible uses of our time.

Creativity requires we sacrifice a chunk of our own life to fashion something that delights ourselves and hopefully, someone else. Sort of like being a parent. It’s a sacrifice.

Many people create things for their own amusement and amazement. I know I do. If I’m asked to do a specific commissioned work, for instance, find a way to make it personally interesting. Otherwise, why bother?

Maybe that’s a good way to start out… to experiment and just learn what you might be capable of…. But there comes a time when creating some end product is no longer just self-satisfaction.

Sometimes it’s even a chore.

But that’s the difference between someone who is dedicated to the task and someone who quits when the next shiny object or other need presents itself.

I think you can extrapolate even further that this sacrifice of our own time to create something for someone else, for society, etc. is a measure of our own growth and maturity.

When confronted with sorting through the needs of the day and the desire to keep creating, it can be frustrating. I find solace in the wisdom of scripture. Here’s a favorite:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4: 6-7

Some may say this sounds simplistic.

However, as a nurse, who has heard stories from people who survived near-death experiences, they all report a common message: life is short, love is everything.

I take that to mean, don’t take life for granted, delight in the life you’ve been given, love one another, and explore creativity as much as possible.

If you think you are NOT creative, why not?
Creativelife
Possibilitythinking
DelightintheLord
Image shows the newest painting in the series, "Spiritual Awakenings" 
24x40” oil on canvas: 
“The heavens cry out the glory of God."
Read More
Oil painting of a mountainous landscape at night with spectacular lights and colors in the night sky under a blanket of stars

Candy's Thoughtful Thursdays : A Creativity Rant

Creativity
Hello Art Fans and Collectors!
At the risk of sounding callous, when someone says, “So-and-so (insert he/she/anybody’s name)is such a creative person,” I have a knee-jerk reaction.

I want to say (rather loudly),
“Now, that is redundant … “
We - and by that I mean,all of us - are, by nature, creative!

Since we are sentient beings, we can design and create tools to assist us to solve problems and to amuse ourselves, whether those problems are large or small, or if we want, to create something just for fun.

I suppose the opposite is also true, IF we find ourselves NOT inspired to create anything --- art, wearable or collectible items, policies, systems, anything to solve our problems, or bring some idea forward, we won’t.

Instead, we often adopt and fall into one of several other behaviors: depression, anxiety, agoraphobia, or any number of self-absorbed problems.

And here’s a fact: creativity costs something. The making (of whatever creative endeavor) takes away from other possible uses of our time.

Creativity requires we sacrifice a chunk of our own life to fashion something that delights ourselves and hopefully, someone else. Sort of like being a parent. It’s a sacrifice.

Many people create things for their own amusement and amazement. I know I do. If I’m asked to do a specific commissioned work, for instance, find a way to make it personally interesting. Otherwise, why bother?

Maybe that’s a good way to start out… to experiment and just learn what you might be capable of…. But there comes a time when creating some end product is no longer just self-satisfaction.

Sometimes it’s even a chore.

But that’s the difference between someone who is dedicated to the task and someone who quits when the next shiny object or other need presents itself.

I think you can extrapolate even further that this sacrifice of our own time to create something for someone else, for society, etc. is a measure of our own growth and maturity.

When confronted with sorting through the needs of the day and the desire to keep creating, it can be frustrating. I find solace in the wisdom of scripture. Here’s a favorite:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4: 6-7

Some may say this sounds simplistic.

However, as a nurse, who has heard stories from people who survived near-death experiences, they all report a common message: life is short, love is everything.

I take that to mean, don’t take life for granted, delight in the life you’ve been given, love one another, and explore creativity as much as possible.

If you think you are NOT creative, why not?
Creativelife
Possibilitythinking
DelightintheLord
Image shows the newest painting in the series, "Spiritual Awakenings" 
24x40” oil on canvas: 
“The heavens cry out the glory of God."
Read More
Beirut Memories: A Journey Through Art

Beirut Memories: A Journey Through Art

Beirut

Have you ever come across something and found yourself transported back in time?

Yep.

That’s what happens to me when I look at this still life painting. It was created with an object I purchased in Beirut, Lebanon, so long ago, during my travels in more peaceful times. (Pan Am, gone but not forgotten!)

Beirut Memories: Copper Bowl With Fruit, was completed only recently.

You might ask, “What took ya so long?”

Like I often say, “There’s a story to that!”

In this case, as many of you know, my life took a turn in the early 90’s when I became a single mom. Painting took a back-seat to other endeavors that helped pay the bills. However, I kept several unfinished paintings, and this is one that spent all that time in a closet.

It’s oil on canvas and measures 20" x 16”.  At the center of this work is that copper bowl I filled with a selection of fruits. I liked the vibrant colors and how they reflected off the metal.

I found the dusty colored wild flowers in a field close to my house; the wind gently blowing the delicate, airy stalks. Couldn’t resist! I gathered some up, and plunked them in a vase. I like that they seem to be suspended in motion.

In the foreground, I placed a partially peeled apple and a knife, because I was hungry and decided to take a photo of the scene and eat the apple for lunch! It suggests a moment frozen in time…

Beirut Memories: Copper Bowl With Fruit reminds me of sweet memories of my travels in the Middle East during more peaceful times. I was captivated by the mid-east cuisine, the ancient cities that whisper stories of the past, and the antiques with their rustic charm.

These elements came together, influencing this piece—particularly the copper bowl, which was once a cherished possession. Having lived in six countries and many cities, the bowl was lost amidst my numerous moves. Yet, its memory remains, and it forms the heart of this piece.

Finishing this painting allowed me to reminisce about those memories and recall my admiration for the cultural essence of Beirut. It was a beautiful, bustling city, at one time referred to as the San Francisco of the Mid-East!

(I had hoped to visit, now that I’m traveling again, but that seems unlikely.)

So, this isn’t just a still life painting. For me, it’s a vessel of nostalgia that carries the experiences and emotions from another cherished chapter of my life.

I hope this piece invites you to ponder your own cherished objects and the stories they hold.

Now let me ask: Do you have an object that ‘takes you back…’ ? I’d love to hear about it! Please share in comments below.

Also, if you’d like more news of the next un-veiling of one of my paintings, be sure to join my email Collector’s List. You’ll get first dibs of what’s coming up next. (I’ve got three more paintings in the process…) 😊

Cheers,

Candy

Read More