Holiday Art Giveaway #3 "All is in Balance"

Christmas this year is a bit fragmented.  Due to the fact that one of my granddaughter's is having surgery in a couple of days, we are having several smaller celebrations with different groups.  Today was my birthday and also an early Christmas celebration.  It was fun and a bit hectic. I got to spend the day with my 4 little grandchildren and 3 of my 4 grown children.


Most likely we won't be gathering all together at the same time this year.  Orchestrating everything and making sure that everyone is included at some point seems a bit stressful.  It had me thinking once again about what is most important to me at this time of the year. 


I have many memories of past Christmas seasons, most of them wonderful, but also an exercise in trying to maintain balance while preparing for and celebrating a sacred time of the year.  I keep thinking that it should be easier and more peaceful.  I keep looking for that balance.  Sometimes for a moment I achieve it but most often it eludes me. 


I think this is a good week to be giving away this particular piece that Cristina and I created.  It's about finding that perfect balance within ourselves.  I hope my painting and Cristina's lovely poem bring you a sense of serenity today.

All Is in Balance

(Inspired by the painting  “She Slept Like a Log” by Holly Kallie)

The water’s current is a lullaby.

The air brushes her hair in sleep.

The wood’s grain welcomes floating dreams –

exquisite balance.

Beautiful dreamer,

with peach skin warmed by the sun,

let deep waters stir beneath you,

so that waking life may carry the torch.

With an essence so clear

that a bed of stones

reflects stardust at night,

your center shines with purpose –

a beacon to the heavens.

All is in balance

in this restful, water reverie.

With cupped hands,

carry your heart’s light

to the body’s temple,

and offer up

the balm of peace you seek –

to others.

May this lapping at the shore

of love’s haven

be our cradle.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2008

http://www.firkinfiction.com/

Holiday Art Giveaway #2

Artists and writers must have the desire and the courage to share who they really are in order to create something meaningful.  We put our hearts and souls into each piece, and then we send it out into the world, hoping that it will make a difference and touch others in some way.  It is even more powerful when 2 artists create something together.  This collection is very dear to my heart, and the months that Cristina and I worked, combining my artwork and her poetry will always be very special to me.
 
This painting and the following poem was inspired by my relationship with my precious granddaughter, who came to us from China when she was just a year old.  Watching her grow and experience her world gave me a new perspective on life, or perhaps helped me remember one that I had forgotten. 
She has given me the gift of seeing the world through new eyes.  Whenever I am with her, I recall the delicious wonder and curiousity of childhood.  Through her, I am able to live it again. 

Cristina has the unique ability to understand what I am trying to say with my paintings even when I can't put it into words myself.  You could say that this poem has traveled quite a distance.  From China....to my eyes, heart and hands....unto a canvas...to Cristina's eyes, heart and hands and into her words....becoming more powerful as it traveled!  It is such a beautiful journey from the other side of the world to ours and now yours.  I hope it touches your heart as much as it does mine.

Please leave a comment after the blog, and we will pick a random winner for this Poetic Captured Reflections canvas gallery wrapped print next Sunday and send it to you.

Seeing the World Through New Eyes

(Inspired by the painting by Holly Kallie)

Child of my child,

the wind is at your feet.

You touch miracles with your eyes –

show me the world again,

so that I may truly see.

Your fingers and toes explore the world

with no care for what lies ahead or behind.

For you, in this moment,

there is only sand.

I see a single finger dipping into the beach,

making a water’s edge sculpture with the fullest attention.

Childhood fascination returns,

as I put the Sunday paper down

and join you in joyful, simple pleasures.

The wonder in your smile

lights up the sky with the promise of dawn.

Nature applauds your dance of delight

with the cheering sound of waves,

rhythmically beating against the shore.

Both of your delicate, padded feet are framed

by the shape of a heart.

I make the contour larger,

drawing a message of love

right where you stand.

Seeing the world through your eyes,

I love this life even more.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2009

 http://www.firkinfiction.com/

Holiday Art Giveaway

I have had the good fortune to meet many creative people over the years. 
Cristina M. R. Norcross is a talented writer and beautiful bright spirit whom I have had the great fortune to collaborate with on several occasions, combining my artwork and her lyrical poetry into what we call, The Poetic Captured Reflections series. 
As artists we all feel a deep desire to express ourselves and hope to make a difference in the world in some way.  In this spirit we have decided to have a giveaway for the next 7 weeks.

Each Monday, I will be offering a different canvas print from our Poetic Captured Reflections collection.  Each giclee is gallery wrapped and ready to hang.  They are also signed by each of us and come with a certificate of authenticty.  It is our way of celebrating the gift of life, creativity, our families and friends and these beautiful holidays. 

All you have to do is comment on the blog, and we will randomly pick a winner on Sunday of each week for that particular piece and send it out to you.  We hope you will enjoy them.  They were created with much love and inspiration.  The first one is "Finding Her Treasure."  I have included the poem below that is inscribed on this piece.

Finding Her Treasure

(Inspired by the painting by Holly Kallie)

A pilgrim’s journey

of overlapping, ever increasing circles of light –

you step into the caress of summer’s awakening,

with foam surf and crystallized grains of sand.

One furtive step follows another,

until only tracings remain –

fading footprints on the beach.

You carry a collection, a treasure trove –

overflowing like the hungry tide

that washes the land clean in crescent brushstrokes.

Hidden within your heart –

the fear that nothing can contain your precious gems.

Set them free today.

Like flowers with wings,

these gifts are Love’s Light to be shared.

They take flight towards the grand horizon,

just beyond our sight.

You are the treasure,

Dear One.

You are the Light.

Cristina M. R. Norcross

Copyright 2008
http://www.firkinfiction.com/