Friday, May 19, 2017

Creative Friday #12: What is the Artist Thinking?


Good morning everyone! It's time for another Creative Friday!

Have you ever wondered about what an artist was thinking when they created a certain piece of art? I know I have - I wondered what inspired the subject, the mood, or if there's some hidden meaning. Then there's where someone completely misses what the artist was trying to convey and tells you, "Oh that's really sweet" when in fact it wasn't meant to be sweet. Today, I'd like to step outside my comfort zone, make myself vulnerable, and delve into one of my paintings.

I struggled , no wrestled is the better word, with the idea of this painting for several years. It would come knocking on the door of my mind, I'd think about it, then promptly put it on the back burner as too difficult or just not ready to go there yet. But it kept nagging at me. Then one day, it could no longer be ignored. I was struggling. Struggling with creativity, struggling with feeling blocked, wondering if I had any dreams left.

Where were my dreams - where did they go? What were they? It was from these very ponderings this painting was born.
As I thought about my childhood hopes and dreams, I realized I had either lost them, laid them aside,  or they were stolen from me somewhere along the way. Now to me, being an artist is being able to connect to those dreams and hopes - to feel like they were gone was severely affecting my creativity. So I came up with "The Battle For Her Dreams".

I started with a girl - she gazes out the window towards a distant and misty castle, separated from her dreams of the past and although they remain, they are shrouded and she cannot reach them.

The great dragon threatens to burn them all up, destroying everything she once dreamed of for her future:
(The dragon represents Satan, the destroyer)

Her fondest childhood dreams are threatened:
(The pony represents childhood dreams because yes, I wanted a pony just like this)

Sometimes, those dreams are stolen from us :
(The unicorn represents innocence and purity)

Often we pretend to be fierce when the fact is, we are hurt and vulnerable on the inside and the fierceness is just a mask we hide under:

Then we find Courage and start to fight back:
(God is our weapon. Notice how the flames are deflected)

And Hope rises and we dare to dream again:

So yes, it may look like a fantasy piece and could even pass as one, but the meaning I created it with is so much more.

Hopefully, this will make you think or at least look more closely.
(Nope, not all of my paintings are this deep). 😊

("The Battle For Her Dreams" copyright by Cecilia Bramhall. All images are the property of the artist and may not be used without permission)

Sharing here: Show And Share

13 comments:

  1. That is fantastic, Cecilia! Amazing thoughts and details. She looks like she has her eyes closed as she is praying to find her way to what is really important in her life. This is a fabulous piece and thank you for sharing it here. xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cecilia I love this! Is the girl supposed to look like you at that age because I think SHE DOES! The 3-D effect is awesome, too! So much to look at and ponder. Thanks for sharing your heart. xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kathleen. Yes, she does. I didn't start off having her look like me, but it wasn't long into the painting and she did. Subconscious? Since it was about how I was feeling about my dreams, I think she had to look like me. So it happened without me meaning too. That's one of the really cool things about art. 😊

      Delete
  3. This was wonderful Cecilia! Such a lovely painting with tremendous meaning. I'm so glad you finally painted it and shared it with us.

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is beautiful, Cecelia! As I read your meaning behind the piece, it brought tears to my eyes...I think we can all identify with dreams lost and strength found. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful Cecilia. Love how you bring out such deep thought and emotion with this painting. Beautiful.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are so talented and I loved reading about your inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love your painting and love that you put so much thought into it! Every part of it has an important meaning. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, KariAnne. I really enjoyed painting this one. :)

      Delete
  8. What talent you have! I loved reading the story behind the painting! Keep up the amazing art & keep sharing your gift.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, John. Thanks for helping me develop my talent. I wouldn't have been able to paint this if you hadn't taught me how!

      Delete
  9. Cecilia,
    I studied art in high school and college some and I know just like writers there is always a message behind the words/art. This is an amazing piece. It is fantastic knowing what it all means. You are such a creative soul:)
    Happy Friday,
    Jemma

    ReplyDelete
  10. I missed this post in the crazineww of the last few weeks. I just love this Cecilia and the meaning behind each part is wonderful. You are so talented! I really need to get a good picture of my sweet Rooster sent to you soon. I am putting that on a list so I can't forget. I need his sweet face displayed with Sadie's. Hugs to you my friend! Vicky

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by!

Springtime Projects 3: Have A Seat!

It might still be Spring, but here in Texas, things are starting to heat up and feel like Summer. I knew I needed to get the last of my Spri...