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Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald

~ Plein Air Painter

Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald

Monthly Archives: February 2012

Vunerablity

27 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Jorunal, Musings, Watercolour

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Tags

Art, journal, Musings, Watercolor, Watercolour

day21DSC_7989 by photographerpainterprintmaker
day21DSC_7989, a photo by photographerpainterprintmaker on Flickr.

In order for me to truly love and respect another, I have to first love and respect myself. That, for me is a very tall order. I’m sure many of you, like me, heard the words “You should be ashamed of yourself.” coming from your parents, maybe even your spouse. This little sentence, I believe can have devastating effects on a child, and the future adult that child will become.

My parents were brought up British old school, with strict discipline. With the “Spare the rod spoil the child.” mentality. Mind you it was not all doom and gloom, but there were some things we didn’t do. One of them was hug, at least I don’t remember a lot of hugging going on.

There was no real physical love, but there was corporal punishment. Oh we were not beaten within an inch of our lives. But, we did feel the smack of a hand firmly on the seat of education at times, and I am alive today to tell about it.

We did know that we were loved. After all my Dad told me as he swatted my butt “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Right… I had NO idea what he meant by that one. But, I did know I was loved. Even if I don’t remember a lot of hugs.

So… when I went out into the world on my own, I discovered something. People hugged one another! Who knew?! I realized that this was something sadly lacking in my father’s life. So, one day I started to hug him whether he liked it or not. There were no guarantee that he would accept this affection. To my delight, he did accept it. At first he was uncomfortable and wanted to pull away after the “acceptable” time limit.  But, I always held on a few seconds more.  He would never be the one to initiate the hug. But, low and behold he started to change. The first place I saw this change was him hugging his grand children.

So, what is my point? I had no guarantees that Dad would accept my affection. I had to step up to the plate first and become vulnerable. I had to risk rejection in order to gain the reward of his returned affection.

I learned something profound from this. A hug can melt the most hardened and damaged heart. It can even mend your own.

I dearly loved my father. He was a generous man who always wanted the best for us. He was a teacher at heart, and was always teaching us. Although, at the time his lectures were intimidating. He spoke the truth as he knew it. He was himself. He never tried to be anyone else. Because he was honest with us, we respected and loved him.

So, be honest with yourself and others. Live with your whole heart, and choose to be yourself. Stop trying to fix everything that “you should be ashamed of” you are not perfect, none of us are. Love yourself for who you are now, not who you will be tomorrow. Know the you are “enough.”

~ inspired by Donna Mulholland’s 21 days of watercolour journaling, and Brené Brown’s TED Talk on The Power of Vulnerability:
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Vunerablity

27 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Jorunal, Musings, Watercolour

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Art, journal, Musings, Watercolor, Watercolour

day21DSC_7989 by photographerpainterprintmaker
day21DSC_7989, a photo by photographerpainterprintmaker on Flickr.

In order for me to truly love and respect another, I have to first love and respect myself. That, for me is a very tall order. I’m sure many of you, like me, heard the words “You should be ashamed of yourself.” coming from your parents, maybe even your spouse. This little sentence, I believe can have devastating effects on a child, and the future adult that child will become.

My parents were brought up British old school, with strict discipline. With the “Spare the rod spoil the child.” mentality. Mind you it was not all doom and gloom, but there were some things we didn’t do. One of them was hug, at least I don’t remember a lot of hugging going on.

There was no real physical love, but there was corporal punishment. Oh we were not beaten within an inch of our lives. But, we did feel the smack of a hand firmly on the seat of education at times, and I am alive today to tell about it.

We did know that we were loved. After all my Dad told me as he swatted my butt “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Right… I had NO idea what he meant by that one. But, I did know I was loved. Even if I don’t remember a lot of hugs.

So… when I went out into the world on my own, I discovered something. People hugged one another! Who knew?! I realized that this was something sadly lacking in my father’s life. So, one day I started to hug him whether he liked it or not. There were no guarantee that he would accept this affection. To my delight, he did accept it. At first he was uncomfortable and wanted to pull away after the “acceptable” time limit.  But, I always held on a few seconds more.  He would never be the one to initiate the hug. But, low and behold he started to change. The first place I saw this change was him hugging his grand children.

So, what is my point? I had no guarantees that Dad would accept my affection. I had to step up to the plate first and become vulnerable. I had to risk rejection in order to gain the reward of his returned affection.

I learned something profound from this. A hug can melt the most hardened and damaged heart. It can even mend your own.

I dearly loved my father. He was a generous man who always wanted the best for us. He was a teacher at heart, and was always teaching us. Although, at the time his lectures were intimidating. He spoke the truth as he knew it. He was himself. He never tried to be anyone else. Because he was honest with us, we respected and loved him.

So, be honest with yourself and others. Live with your whole heart, and choose to be yourself. Stop trying to fix everything that “you should be ashamed of” you are not perfect, none of us are. Love yourself for who you are now, not who you will be tomorrow. Know the you are “enough.”

~ inspired by Donna Mulholland’s 21 days of watercolour journaling, and Brené Brown’s TED Talk on The Power of Vulnerability:
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Wise Words

26 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Jorunal, Musings, Watercolour

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Art, Musings, Watercolor, Watercolour

Wise Words
Day 20 of 21 days of watercolour journaling.
What did I set out to accomplish by  taking up the challenge of doing 21 watercolour journal pages?  Well first and foremost I wanted to get into the habit of taking time to actually do a visual journal.  I think the thing that motivated me to take time, was that I reached a significant milestone in my life.  I turned 60!

However, along the way I received a whole lot more than just discipline to take the time.  The women I met are wonderful,  The wisdom, grace, and kindness they showed to one another was the most touching thing that I’ve experienced in my life in a very long time.

So, I’ve turned a new chapter in my life.  I’ve vowed to myself that I will take more time for me.  That I will look after myself in body, mind and spirit.  I’m going to take care of me first, because I can’t take care of anyone else If I’m not in good shape. This is not a selfish endeavor.  I am going to be the best friend I ever had.

I’m so going to miss the group of wonderful people I’ve been working with over the last month.  I do hope that they keep in touch here on our Flickr group.

Tape as a Resist Study

25 Saturday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in abstract, Art, Jorunal, Watercolour

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Tags

abstract, Art, journal, Watercolor, Watercolour



Day 19 – Say it with Tape, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

This is an experiment using tape as a resist. Working in layers allowing the washes to dry, and removing replacing tape. It takes patience to wait till the washes are dry before removing the tape. I will probably do more experimenting with this method.

Nana’s Boy

24 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Doodles, Jorunal, Portrait

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Tags

Art, Doodles, Portrait, Watercolor, Watercolour

day18DSC_7974, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

This is my favorite photo of myself, and my grandson. I could choose no other song to accompany this page but a relatively obscure song by Cat Stevens, I’ve got a thing about seeing my grandson grow. Have a listen!

Oh, and no watercolour was harmed in the making of this picture. But harm did come to some unfortunate Prismacolor Brush tip markers. 😛

Mighty Lak a Rose.

23 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Botony, Flowers, Watercolour

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Tags

Art, Botony, flower, Flowers, Watercolor, Watercolour



Mighty Lak a Rose., originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

by Frank Lebby Stanton

Sweetest l’il feller,
Everybody knows;
Dunno what to call him,
But he mighty lak’ a rose!

Lookin’ at his Mammy
Wid eyes so shiny blue,
Mek’ you think that heav’n
Is comin’ clost-ter you!

W’en he’s a dar a-sleepin’,
In his li’l place,
Think I see de angels
Lookin’ thro’ de lace.

When de dark is fallin’,
When de shadders creep,
Den dey comes on tiptoe
Ter kiss ‘im in his sleep.

Sweetest l’il feller,
Everybody knows;
Dunno what to call him,
But he mighty lak’ a rose!

Lookin’ at his Mammy
Wid eyes so shiny blue,
Mek’ you think that heav’n
Is comin’ clost-ter you!

I have a print of a baby boy by Bessie Pease Gutmann, entitled Mighty lak a Rose. It was inspired by this poem which was also made into a song by Ethelbert Nevin. This sweet lullaby was sung by many artists over the years, including Bing Crosby, and Petula Clark. I went looking for inspiration today, and found a beautiful photograph taken by my friend Margaret. I don’t normally work from photo’s but this rose begged me to paint it. I knew immediately what words needed to accompany the painting.

Orchid: Love, Luxury, Beauty & Strength

22 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Botony, Watercolour

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Art, botanical, Botony, flower, Flowers, Watercolor, Watercolour



Orchids, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

Orchids have long been one of the most cherished of flowers. They are associated with love, luxury, beauty and Strength.

My father converted a room in the house dedicated to growing them. They were not easy to grow. My dad loved orchids so much that we had a casket blanket made out of living orchids. I had to tell the shop what I wanted. I wanted to be able to take apart the blanket after the ceremony. They shook their heads in confusion, but did manage to do as I asked. Each child was given one of the orchids to take home in remembrance of him.

Dad lived with my hubby and I for the final 13 years of his life. When he passed it was as if someone blew a huge hole in my heart. Then, after 4 years in dormancy the orchid bloomed. I took it as a sign that Dad was telling me it was time to shake off the sorrow. If it were not for this orchid (which I really didn’t take very good care of) blooming, I might still in deep depression. So this plant gave me back the strength to get back into life again. I’ve never looked back.

Interpretation

22 Wednesday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Watercolour

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Art, Watercolor, Watercolour



What the heck is this?, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

On day 15 we were presented with a shape. We were to interpret that shape in our own way. I chose to stay with the abstract, and to add meaning to the shapes I found.

Gunna Buy 5 Copies for my Mother

21 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Still Life, Watercolour

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Art, Still Life, Watercolor, Watercolour



Day 14 "Gunna Buy 5 Copies for my Mother", originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

It’s not the Rolling Stone’s magazine cover, but if my work did grace the cover of a magazine I’d definitely buy at least 5 copies. Day 15’s assignment was to design a magazine cover. So, this is what I came up with, with the help of an application called fd’s Flickr Toys. It was fun.

Difficult Times

17 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by Elizabeth Gaye MacDonald in Art, Musings, Watercolour

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Art, Watercolor, Watercolour



Difficult Times, originally uploaded by photographerpainterprintmaker.

Challenges can be overcome, if you keep your eye on the prize. What’s the prize, you ask? For me it’s the joy of knowing that I’ve done all that I could to meet every day head on. Was I always able to do this? NO! Thankfully, when I was young some wonderful positive people came into my life and showed me that you can get through difficult times. Trust me I’ve had more than my share of hard times. But, I choose not to dwell on them.

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to his friends in Phillipa. This verse is only one of many that I hold onto when I am going through hard times.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Philippians 3:13 (NIV)

In response to Day 10, of 21 days of watercolour journaling.

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