Headless Buddha with Birthday OrchidDigitally altered watercolor
If only I were a statue
I would sit all day and watch the clouds
Until my head fell away.
Then, still, I would sit
With my hand in my lap
Knowing it is not me
That makes the orchid grow.
The water flows so perfectly
While I am still.
18 comments:
I love comparing this painting to its mate from two posts ago. The different colors you've chosen, those cracks in the earth that nonetheless sing of something cohesive. Time has lapsed, and the fires of transition and unbecoming are hardening into something more contemplative and...quiet. Again, you've created something that speaks to the eye and heart, Cat.
I love the poem, too. Losing the head, and finding the universal moment to take its place. Just a beautiful meditation.
You are on such a creative high, Cat. The artwork is gorgeous. I can't even imagine how you "digitally alter" your watercolors to do this, but I'd buy them. They're that good. You need to enter them into the next contest you find!!
I love the poem, too. I think I've lost my head, but I haven't reached the state where I can just let it fall away. I'm hopeful, though.
Thanks Sarah! You do have a way of seeing the metaphors as if you were reading my own mind. ;-) This painting is indeed the mate of the last, in that this image is the full realization of the painting, whereas the last one was a photo of only the buddha and orchid, which I then photoshopped into a different background. This is the actual painted background, which I painted after I did the last collage. It's always a little scary painting the background after spending a significant amount of time on the foreground. Yikes! But it must be done, and I'm glad it came out well. Thanks for your words on the poem, it kind of sums up what the series is really about for me.
Karen, you may have a chance! Soon I'm going to be setting up an online shop of my prints. I imagine it will be less than a couple of months from now, in time for Christmas! :-)
I watercolor first, and just have fun, and then I scan (or if it is too big than I take a photo, as in this case, where the original image is quite large). Once in the computer, I put it in photoshop and play with the adjustments to change or saturate the colors. What I loved about this particular version, is it takes a basic gray color, and becomes something that looks like cast metal with just a color adjustment. I love that! Still learning of course, but I think I can honestly say that I always will be learning in art, and that is one of the things that keeps me doing it, since I am truly a perpetual student. :-) Thank you my friend, your encouragement really inspires me.
I am that stone
before it was cut and chipped
carved and shaped
to the statues head,
placed upon shoulders
where I never belonged.
I may not feed the orchid
from upon the high
but I still
in my lowness falling
gaze adoringly
at it's growth.
Be Well and be fond of all that grows ever from the earth.
It sounds so wonderful...
Its very intense, I feel. I love the painting and the colours are extraordinary.
Thanks for your comment:)
The water flows so perfectly
While I am still.
Yet, this is the perfection of stone... A quietness that we often long for and, in the end, all reach.
Excellent poem, Cat. And the artwork is simply beautiful.
I love this, Cat. The colors on the painting just jump off the page, they're so vibrant. You are inspiring me to get off my duff and create something! Love & Blessings!
perfectly complimentary, your words and the picture... and how your thoughts go to knowing it's not you not making the orchid grow, very unique!
Both the painting and the poem are so very beautiful, Cat. Like everyone else, I just love those colors.
I also love these lines:
"Knowing it is not me
That makes the orchid grow."
I will carry those words and the picture in my mind with me today. Thank you!
Okay, I'll confess, Cat. This headless Budda with a Birthday Orchid is my favorite because it made me laugh! I've read this line like ten times and it still makes me laugh- "...I would sit all day and watch the clouds until my head fell away." Priceless.
And, years ago, I bought a beautiful jade Buddha and dropped and it's head came clean off! It's never good to drop Buddha on his head. He should, however, be mercilessly tickled!
Your words and the meaning behind them, are just beautiful. You are multi-talented sis. The painting is so awesome, honestly, they all are. I do love the concept of the entire series and your colours are exquisite!
Good for you, for opening a shop! Yeah! Can't wait!
Have a wonderful weekend, Cat~
Calli
Hi Cat,
I adore watching the clouds, feeling their gentle motion and seeing scenes in them. I feel like I'm truly part of the huge universe when I look up and see the ever-changing beauty of clouds.
Your poem captures that moment in time from great beginning "...were a statue", to other phrases that struck me like "until my head fell away" (awesome).
-Gel
I've been told repeatedly, "Relax. You're too tense." Still, I can't help it, I can't change my position in life.
Would you know it is not you? Or would you take some kind of benevolent responsibility for it all, for the well-being of the garden? I think I would.
To me, it speaks of letting go (the head falling away line, especially), of acceptance (being still, seated, not panicking) that one can 'know' even without the use of senses. ;) Very zen, Cat; you're adept at this. Cheers.
How gracefully the orchid grows from Buddha's hand and is silhouetted against the sun. Gorgeous. Each painting you post -I say "this is my favorite." They are all my favorites. "soulfood"
But, this is certainly my very favorite poem to go with the Headless Buddhas.
How often I have wanted to sit for hours, perfectly still, and observe life. So, I can truly relate to that first line.
I like the way Buddha does not take credit for the growing orchids, but gives the nod to water instead - showing interconnection of all things. There are things at work, while we meditate.
And the form of the poem is perfect with the painting, every line graceful, every word here pulls its weight.
...I think Buddha would say that you are that statue, but have yet to see your inner stillness...
I don't know which I liked more, the painting or the poem. They perfectly complement each other, as if you had worked at both simultaneously. I really enjoyed the stillness while the water flowed. Very serene. Beautiful poem! Thank you for stopping in, and for leading me here...
Nevine
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