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Friday, January 13, 2012

The Past


The Past
by Kay Ryan

Sometimes there's 
suddenly no way
to get from 
one part to 
another, as though
the past were
a frozen lake
breaking up. But 
not from the
top; not because
it's warmer
up here; it's not.
But from underneath
for some reason --
perhaps some heat
trapped on its own
for so long it's 
developed seasons.

I'm taking an awesome workshop with Misty Mawn combining paint, poetry, pastels, sculpting... and that's just in the first week! *sigh* This piece is done with charcoal, pastels and acrylic. I'm having fun experimenting with everything. No expectations when I sit down and sketch; just seeing who or what develops.

Maybe it's because I can't seem to stay warm (I've been bundled up in the house all week fighting off the flu). I thought this looked like a sheet of ice surrounding the face so I went with that. When I found Kay Ryan's poem, it clicked. :)  

This is my entry for Paint Party Friday. I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it around to see every one's work last week. It may take a few days but I will be visiting your blogs this week.  :)

31 comments:

Bill said...

It's awesome. I'm cold just from looking at it and reading the poem! (Actually I'm sitting next to a window, and a cold draft is sneaking through. It only serves to heighten the effect of your painting!)

Pearson Report said...

Hi Pam, it's lovely to see a piece of your work.

I'm bundled up from neck to toes, but my fingers are chattering as I type this (thank goodness for the backspace/delete button) and my hot coffee mug.
Winter has suddenly arrived in my neck of the woods.

This painting is soulful - I feel the wanting look from deep within this woman's eyes; the way the ice surrounds her and holds her back. But she is determined - she will break through.

I hope you feel better and you are winning your battle with the flu!

Hugs, Jenny @ PEARSON REPORT

Anonymous said...

I love how you relate your art to a poem. This piece is very sad - she looks resigned to her fate. I can't decide if she is encased in ice or a white shroud but either way not a pleasant outcome for her. I hope you got over your flu.

Carol said...

Hope you feel better soon!!! Love the painting!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderfully creative and poem goes well with it ~ Great job~ namaste, carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF

Debbie said...

You've got a lot of beautiful texture and depth in the white background here. I hope you're feeling better soon!

Unknown said...

I love how intense all the layers of white are- like she's all swaddled up. And as always, I really like the poem you chose to work with. Where do you find all these amazing poems?
PPF (and feel better SOON ;)) HUGS,
Stephanie

Abela said...

Very good!! Whuau!..Saludos

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Gorgeous face and a great poem to go along with. Hope you warm up soon. :)

Valerie-Jael said...

Great image and words! Valerie

GlorV1 said...

I like this Pam. She looks like she is encased in ice and has managed to rub some of the ice so that her face is showing through. It also looks as if she has been scratching letters on the ice to attract attention.. She seems very cold. Love it Pam.

Martin said...

Get well please : ) A beautiful poem to your mysterious painting.

Netty said...

Beautiful piece and a great poem. Happy PPF, Annette x

WrightStuff said...

This is incredibly powerful. Great work.

Christine said...

Nice work, she does look cold.

Lisabella Russo said...

What a creative and intense piece! The snow has a lot of depth and creates an interesting effect.

Mary C. Nasser said...

Hauntingly beautiful and true.
So much talent both in your visual art and creative writing.

Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

Mandy said...

Ahead is wonderful..her eyes are so piercing...xxx

Mandy said...

Oops..gotta love text predictor...your girl us wonderful..lol

Anna Schüler said...

she is so beautiful!!!!!

Anne Manda said...

Great layers of white with interesting textures and expressive tragic eyes. Goes wonderfully with the poem, very haunting. <3

Melisa said...

Such a mysterious lady! Sounds like a fun class. A lot of the PPFers have been sick with colds and flu lately. I hope you feel better soon.

Carola Bartz said...

My first thought was ice, so you're right on target. I just hope she is not drowning - although, she doesn't look frightened. She looks mysterious - what is she doing there? Is she surfacing from something? Or is she loosing ground? Yes, the poem is an excellent companion to your painting - terrific.

Anonymous said...

Was feeling nostalgic for blogger and yours is the first place I came.. such great artwork..so proud to have had some of your pieces in my poetry zines...

I could use your support too for a quest I'm on..NOLAbound ( as in New Orleans) to save space read my NOLAbound link and give me a "like" so I can maybe win to represent the writer..

http://www.benolabound.com/applicants/lynne-hayes

I'll be back!!!!!
Thank you Pam for sharing your art with others!!

*jean* said...

very cool! happy PPF!

DVArtist said...

Wow this is hauntingly stunning. No other words for it.
Nicole/Beadwright

Maria Ontiveros said...

I think haunting is the perfect word for this!
Rinda

Crystal said...

You have paired your art with the poem perfectly! Wonderful work! :-)

carlarey said...

Wow...another great illustration and amazing poetry. Your combinations are really powerful.

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

Beautiful work Pam! I am sure Misty's class is going to be just amazing...I look forward to seeing more of your work from the course! :)

Sadee Schilling said...

Pam, I love how you found this poem that "clicked" so perfectly with your painting!