Sunday, October 18, 2009

MMM: Mothers & Daughters

MMM: "Mothers and Daughter"
16 X 20 Oval Canvas


This week's Mixed Media Monday's prompt, Mothers & Daughters, was a real challenge for me. You see, I have this beautiful baby (okay, she's 4) who (as you probably know by now) was adopted. Now, I have no shortage of wonderful pictures that I could draw inspiration from for the theme, but the only one I kept seeing over and over in my head was this picture of Kendra's Birth Mom and me just before she was born. But I did not want to go there. Although we have been more than forthcoming with information about Kendra's birth and the whole adoption process, we have always taken it one step at a time; heeding the advice of professionals who have said to answer questions as they are asked. Sooo, I wasn't sure what I was going to do when mid-week Peggy Gatto kindly sent me the following poem about adoption. I sobbed all afternoon (that was your warning), but when I dried my eyes, my answer was clear. . .
Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother
Two different lives to make you one
One became your guiding star; the other became your sun
The first one gave you life and the second one taught you to live it
The first one gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it
One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name
One gave you talent; the other gave you aim
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears
One sought for you a home that she could not provide
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied
And now you ask me thorough your tears
The age-old question unanswered through the years:
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of
Neither my darling, Neither
Just two different kinds of Love
-- Anonymous


The piece was done on a 16 X 20 oval canvas which was first primed with several layers of acrylic. I used a mask by Tim Holtz around the edges and again layered on more paint for an interesting backdrop (which was pretty much covered up, of course). I then projected the image onto the canvas with a Prismacolor pencil and charcoal. I decided upon wax crayons (Manley) to add color, and blended my little fingers to the bone as I added layer upon layer. The poem was written in pencil and I added some pieces of her nursery fabric for interest. It was finished with a splattering of white and tan paint to age it and a sprinkling of mica on the edges for sparkle. I added Swarovski crystals on the ring to represent my husband. Thank you to Peggy Gatto for sending along this poem. It will be so cherished by us all. To check out more pieces on Mothers & Daughters, please check out http://www.mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/

17 comments:

peggy gatto said...

Warm and wonderful piece you made. I can see the tenderness in your creation for this challenge.thank you

Gayle Page-Robak said...

Wonderful art piece, beautifully created.

indybev said...

What a beautiful interpretation of a wonderful poem. Thank you for sharing both!

Unknown said...

Oh be still my heart!!! what a wonderful piece Kristin....and so perfect for MMM this week....and that poem is so touching!!!

Nicola said...

Kristin this is such a lovely and touching piece. It is so full of feeling and meaning. It is just perfect for this weeks theme!!! Absolutely stunning work, when I read the poem and saw the meaning behind your work it gave me goosebumps!!! Lovely!! :0)

Diane said...

Oh, Kristin - this is such a beautiful, meaningful and wonderful piece! The poem is beautiful, but not as beautiful as your poem.
Diane

http://truutske.blogspot.com said...

Whow Kristin, this is really a very beautiful piece from Mother and Daghter.
Great idea and artwork.

My Creative House said...

Wonderful piece of art and your poem is so touching.

Willy said...

Fabulous caqnvas, Kristin!

Anneke said...

wonderful piece and great poem

Faye said...

Lovely art and such a touching poem to go with it, Kristin.

NANCY LEFKO said...

Wonderful art...beautiful post.

Aino said...

Lovely different work. Well done.

Janny said...

Beautiful work and post!

Beth said...

This is so sweet!

SoSoBella said...

absolutely beautiful!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this precious gift