Category: Art

Sunflowers: Breaking The Mold

Posted on by F.Magdalene

I went outside the box and made her a red sunflower. I’m still working on the shape and size of the flower.

Going from yellow to red – black is a major “out of my comfort zone” type of sunflower, one I rarely do. I believe I’ve painted one single fully black sunflower but no more. I usually paint bright yellow sunflowers. While Mammoth Sunflowers are my favorite there are so many others to explore. I need a new short term art interest and finding new sunflowers to paint is it.

Sunflowers make me happy. Right now my heart is less than happy. I need to do something about that. I need sunflowers, lots of sunflowers. Bring on the sunflowers!

Faith Magdalene’s Sundrip

Steady. Unsteady. Park.

Posted on by F.Magdalene

The paint brush is steady.

I am not. So I keep painting.

Part of the problem is I really need a service dog. I’m willing to try again, even after the disaster that was. I said I’d give it a month to see if I still pine for a dog. It’s been a long month. I still need a service dog that doesn’t bite!

I just keep painting.

I’m working out some of the issues and planning the background and color scheme. I’ve revisited Little Black Bird as well as a few other bird related pieces.

Tomorrow I’m going to breakfast with a friend but most of the day I’m painting and working with the collection of plants. I named my home “Austin Park”. I suppose I should paint a nice little sign. I’d like that.

Until soon

Faith Magdalene

Paranoia, Fear, OCD and Art

Posted on by F.Magdalene

My caregivers take me in the community regularly. They assume their presence is enough to keep me calm and feeling safe and grounded. I’d say the statement is 75% true. My anxiety after being stalked has risen. It wasn’t a joke. It wasn’t a game. It was a lot longer than a year! And it was violent and intense! I’m happy to be safe now.

I’m not paranoid in my new home any more than I’ve ever been paranoid. I don’t think being stalked changed that level. I’m back to my old fears, obsessions and compulsions in the new place. Like always I’ve kicked into my coping skills.

Reality check – Can I validate my fears? Are they in the realm of possibility?

Grounding. Remind myself of who I am and that I’m safe. My name is XYZ. I’m X yrs old. I’m safe now! I have an friends, an apartment and most of all a future!

Stimulation / Distraction. It’s time to switch the channels. I have a small vile with me that has the tiniest little bit of lavender in it. It’s my on the run aromatherapy. I also carry a small scratch pad to sketch in because art works for me. Earthing, sitting by the fan or just going outside can help eleviate stress and get it back down to a manageable level.

I would not normally suggest using a tablet at the table in a restaurant but I do it regularly now. I’ve done it in line at Ross because the line was long. The new Five Bellow needs to open more registers but this entry isn’t about that LOL. I sketch at any time, any place in order to control the anxiety, especially if I’ve already tried lavender.

Usually by this time the CNA has picked up on my sketching and starts to ask questions. She kicks into CNA mode and we move to the side for just a bit.

There are times when I can catch my breath and we can proceed but other times I just want to go home. In the car my pen moves like crazy.

OCD Getting all my teeth pulled was the single best thing I could have done. The tooth brush was simply too much.

Bidet. Yeah, should have done this a long time ago, too. It’s difficult to use the restroom. Difficult to clean up especially if there are issues.

The disorder is not fun. I’m trying to manage. I see the new psychiatrist August. That feels like… is... forever.

Faith Magdalene

Abstract it is not

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I started working on an abstract sunflower when she was born. I went with it. It was more fun than the free flow of thought I intended to release.

I’ll work on this piece for a bit, which is on canvas, and maybe a small abstract still. We’ll see. I’m happy I didn’t give up!

Live Free. Create Well.

Faith MMagdalene

Baby Black Bird

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Zuri is a female juvenile redwing blackbird still new in her wings. Landing is still difficult, thus the broken wing.

Zuri isn’t alone, I too am having difficulties. I can’t seem to finish the flowers on this painting or manage the sky above. I need to redo her arms. I’m so dissatisfied with them.

The art piece is very textured, shaded, layered and embellished. Which means there’s more than the main image itself. There will be many aspects to enjoy once she’s completed.

I’m not going back easel. I’m too frustrated. I’m going to break from her, do an abstract and revisit.

Until soon

Faith Magdalene

Project Reflections

Posted on by F.Magdalene

I clearly remember the first and last brush strokes of the painting, More Than A Clown.. They were equally moving.

By the time I got the features together I remember the feeling this project was huge, different, emotionally powerful.

I was going to to have to tell a story in color, on her face. A story of someone not taken seriously, not listened to , unseen by people who refused to see. I was going to paint it all; including the parts where they laughed thinking they’d won.

The last expression would be through her hair. Red, blue and purple flames licked the sky all around. The flames licked but did not scorch in the garden where she stood. The name of the garden is Hope. As it is said, “You only start a garden if you hope to see it grow.”

The young woman knows she holds hope in her hands…. and sunflower seeds. I knew I’d have to paint all my that. And I I did. I know it’s a deep piece but ha! it’s her truth and mine.

Live Free. Create Well.

Faith Magdalene’s Sundrip

Amen!

Posted on by F.Magdalene

She smiles. She throws her hands up and she smiles. Amen!

Amen! is in acrylic, layered with paint and pen. She is 9×6 inches on clipboard. The bright, happy colors complement the young girl’s smile and beautiful orange hair. She’s holding a yellow sunny flower to the sky and is standing beside a yellow and purple heart.

The colors in Amen! are red, brilliant blue, deep purple, orange, yellow, sky blue, leaf green, pink, black and white.

Amen! is special, but is she yours? Please find her in my Etsy store. You may also email me.

Live Free. Create Well.

Faith Magdalene’s Sundrip

All Is Yes

Posted on by F.Magdalene

I got moved. The company I used was incredible!

My friends were incredible!

I’m still unpacking but what a breath of fresh air to be here, and not there.

In the hallways are many live plants and artwork. If I decide not to cook that’s OK, they serve 3 meals a day downstairs. Despite this being independent living with no medical care given, we are offered 3 meals and a snack.

Behind me is some of my tea collection and a few of my plants. I’ll visit the beautiful indoor community areas for reading and tea from time to time.

Van Gogh is doing well. There’s much more for him to do here. I can walk him more.

I’m where I’m supposed to be. I love that.

Faith Magdalene

Crochet Trial 2

Posted on by F.Magdalene

Adjectives were used, many adjectives were used to increase the negative impact of my words and emotions as I fought with the hook and yarn. I looked more like a chimpanzee playing the drums than I did an artisan.

Yes, adjectives and then breathing. I took a time out to breath and get myself in order. These times are different. My brain functions differently after a stroke. I learn through a cloud, a thick cloud.

I have poor eye sight and poor hand eye coordination making crochet rather difficult. But just like before the stroke, I can do the first row all day but I can’t turn. Ridiculousness!

I want to learn certain art forms I can do even if I’m indisposed physically or visually.

Pup Pup is down for the count. He had to go to the dentist for extractions so he’s an unhappy camper right now. Poor guy.

My caregiver won an award for being an outstanding employee. I got a nod for being the client which is significant because others couldn’t work with me but she walked in and nailed it! No call offs. Comes to work on time every day!

Deep breath. There’s much more to do.

With hope

Faith Magdalene