Friday, December 19, 2008

A Solstice Offering: The Spirit of Unity



Our love is the light
In our heart we hold the thread
That joins us as one

23 comments:

Rick said...

Hello Catvibe! I can't belileve I got to your blog first. This is so cool. It means I can say anything I want, right? Last one buys, first one gets to say what they want?

Okay, I love picture and wherever did you get it? I love the poem, but know you wrote it.

Ummmmmm. Politics? No, that's done to death.... travel commentaries....tv reviews..... wait! Happy Holidays, Catvibe!!

(I knew it would come to me if I kept at it!)

Catherine Vibert said...

Thanks Rick! So glad to see your white furry face again. You've been out roaming haven't you kitty. The artwork was done by moi in 2004. An oil pastel.

Happy Holidays to you Rick!

Rick said...

You are so talented, Cat. And yes, I've been out researching, roaming and writing. Looking into a bizarre Michigan legend concerning "Witchie Wolves" for a werewolf novel.

Fida said...

Wow, not only brilliant with words. Did you have that poem in mind when you did that painting?

Catherine Vibert said...

Aw, shucks Rick, I'm blushing. What exciting research you are doing, sound like a fun project!

Dear Fida hello and thank you! The pastel I did 5 years ago and the poem I wrote yesterday. However I would say that the words were just an extraction of the feeling from whence the picture emerged. I usually am not thinking about words when I draw or paint. I think that's one of the things that I love about art. It switches me completely out of the language part of my brain and quiets my mind. A form of meditation I feel.

Cynthia said...

Beautifully written, Cat.

mom's friend said...

Oh this is so beautiful! What a beautiful blend of lovely faces and the color so exquisite. Love, love it.

What size is the original?

Hope you have this in a special place in your new home.

Thanks for sharing such a visual feast with words.

Sarah Hina said...

As lovely as the haiku is, especially during this season of light and darkness, I'm bowled over that you did the painting, too! As someone with no talent for painting and drawing, I am still in love with art, and very admiring of people who can tap into visual creativity.

I love the layered effect here, and you're right--it links to the haiku so intimately. I especially love the more sunken face in the top left. Very vibrant colors, too...a kaleidoscope of people and connection.

Beautiful marriage here, Cat! :)

qualcosa di bello said...

i have been continually drawn to a mental image of weaving & threads lately...i just said to my husband the other day that i was "holding on by a thread, albeit a golden one!"

i think your verse takes that sentiment to a very good place...

Catherine Vibert said...

Cynthia, thank you!

Sarah, Thanks for the compliment! I think if you love art and you have an opposable thumb that you might just have about as much talent as me. I just do it for love and release and therapy, and sometimes I luck out. I picked up a great book years ago called "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. She contends that anyone can draw, but we start to get frustrated at age 13 because we start to see that our stick figures don't look like reality, and are not encouraged to make the leap into drawing what we see. With a little encouragement, suddenly we find we actually can. The book has great exercises to help you see that you actually CAN draw. That opens up whole new realms. Of course obviously this art shown here is not something seen in reality, but in the heart/mind. There are no rules. A box of color and some paper and a whole lot of fantasy. ;-)

QDB, :-) Now where I am not at all talented is with a needle and thread. I have been frustratingly trying to do some curtain type creations with my sewing machine lately, so I think I must have thread on the brain. I like this image better too, and I like the idea that the thread that joins us is a golden one. Thanks for coming by!

Catherine Vibert said...

Mom's friend, thank you my dear! Yes, I have this piece hanging above my dresser so I see it before I sleep and upon waking. It's in a 11X14 frame with a black mat. On the dresser is statue of Quan Yin a got in Chinatown, SF, and St. Claire that I inherited from my grandmother, a rosary from my other grandmother, an iconic diptich Russian Orthodox Mary and Jesus that my mother gave me, and many rocks, crystals and shells that have significance. Oh, and one teeny weeny little Santa Claus, about 3/4 inch tall. Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas!

Sarah Hina said...

Cat, thank you--you're right, of course. Much more is within our grasps, if we just remove those self-imposed barriers. I'm trying to believe that as far as music is concerned, and who knows...maybe someday with art, too. There are so many ways to embrace the beautiful parts of life, and ourselves.

I appreciate the encouragement, Cat! And I still maintain that you have a hell of a lot of talent, too. :)

Catherine Vibert said...

Sarah, Your a musician? I'd love to know what you play/sing? And what kind of music? I studied vocal music in college, jazz and classical. My favorite reportoire is early music, Med/Ren and Baroque.

K.Lawson Gilbert said...

Cat - Light is so very important, especially this time of year, when we dwell in darkness for much of the day. Love definitely brings light. It is energy bearing and brings us health!

Isn't it lovely that we can share in the light of one another.

Impressive artwork!

Catherine Vibert said...

K, thank you, yes indeed, and why candles seem to have so much significance this time of year. I am very grateful for the light of connection. I hope you are keeping warm and cozy!

Vesper said...

So beautiful, Cat, both words and painting... You are extremely talented!
I trust you held that light in your heart on this winter solstice...

Anonymous said...

I especially like the fade of color across the spectrum in your painting (or is it drawing?)! I hope you share more of your artwork.

Beautiful sentiment in this haiku. I believe it's true. Love is the best of intentions. Minus all of the myriad of ways we humans manage to mess it up.

Sarah Hina said...

Cat, I played clarinet for a long time growing up, but that was not my first choice of instruments. I've also tried the cello lately, which I love, but what with lessons/cost of the instrument, I had to hold that off for awhile. We do have a piano, and I'm trying to improve on that.

So I'm really not much of a musician, but I do want to grow in that respect. I'm so glad you sing!! That must bring such joy to your life. I like the musical styles you mentioned...my favorite composer is undoubtedly Bach. :) His Goldberg Variations (especially as played by Glenn Gould) are remarkable.

Thanks for the discussion, Cat!

Catherine Vibert said...

Vesper, Thank you my dear. I did, I do and I will, and I hope you do too. :-)

Jason, hee hee, I know what you mean, but what can we do but idealize what we want to see into poetry? I have another piece I will post soon, it's the companion to this one. However, it's kind of like the shadow to this one's light, so I thought I'd wait a while on that one. Wanting to focus on light during this lovely season.

Sarah, Great that you are playing piano. You don't need to know much to just wallow in glorious sound. Thank YOU for the discussion! :-)

Rick said...

Hi, Cat. Just dropping by to say hello before the season starts in full swing. I hope the New Year begins a continued expansion of your creative gifts. Take care.

Catherine Vibert said...

Rick, A great big merry christmas to you and your family and your cat too. Marlow wants Mynx to know that he wishes her a personal merry christmas meow.

Anonymous said...

I'm raising my hand and saying, "Yes! Yes!" Cat, you are SO very talented! I wondered the same thing Rick did when I saw the picture. When you said you painted it, I was blown away.

And the poem is equally beautiful. "In our heart we hold the thread" makes me want to cheer. It has been so nice to meet you, and I look forward to reading more in the coming year. Merry Christmas!

Catherine Vibert said...

Yay Julie! Ditto on all you said!! It has been great to meet you as well, you are inspiration itself! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this coming year. Merry Christmas!!

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