Saturday, September 24, 2011

Because You Went Away

"Because You Went Away"
12 x 12 Mixed Media Collage
(Images from Retro Cafe Art)

I believe that art is magical. Magical because even when you don't intend (or are even aware) of what you may be creating, a story is being told. A story that only you can tell. And for me, when I get out of my own way and just allow the story to unfold, I find that there are many lessons to be learned.

Case in point: I've had a hard week. In moments of sadness, I went into my studio and tried to play. Play with paint, play with a new song book (found in the post below) and yesterday, I played with a background that I'd made a while back with Shiva Paintstiks. I sat down without knowing what to do and just cut and pasted. I played with the idea of using transparencies and and played with new collage sheets that I just received from Retro Cafe Art, but most of all, I just played without thinking.

When I looked up, I realized that I had created something that came from deep within. Even though I went into the studio to get away from it all, it all came back to me in the form of this collage. The text (which is actually a portion of a poem by Ella Darling Peed) reads, "With all these things / it's not a home / Because you went away." 

Without getting all sappy on you, I will say that this is about our family cat that we lost Monday. She was 17 years old. She was in a lot of pain, but in the moments just before she took her last breath, she started to purr. That made me feel better. . . 

Kristin xo

32 comments:

sweet southern inspiration said...

Aww Kristin, I am so sorry. I know how much you loved her. I hope Kendra is ok, losing a pet can be so hard on a little one. Hope next week brings better things.
xoxo

Mandy said...

That poem is perfect. Your piece is wonderful....I hope your sadness gets better..she sounds like she was s very special pet...hugs to you..can you feel it?...xxx

Anonymous said...

so sad, but beauty came from the sadness,

Kristin Aquariann said...

Lovely collage. I am sorry to hear about your kitty, but glad she's free from pain now. *hugs and happy memory sparkles*

Unknown said...

Kristin my heart goes out to you for the loss of your beloved pet. Gosh they are simply a joy to share a portion of one's life with! I am happy to hear that she left you with purring. I can still feel the nudge of my beloved 'Ming' who was about 18 when he died and who used to nudge me so hard on the face that his lips would stretch apart and then his teeth used to scrape my cheek and sometimes his teeth would scrape against my teeth. He passed oh say, 23 years ago. One doesn't forget! *smiles* to you and a special *hug*, and by the way I absolutely adore the art you are making these days. Utterly fabby!!!! Norma

Anonymous said...

Kristin - SOOOO sorry about your loss - I feel your pain. It's been almost 2 years since I lost my Riley cat (he was almost 18) and I still miss him. I'd known him longer than my husband and step kids - and he'd been my faithful companion since I'd adopted him after he'd been returned 2 other times to the shelter! I still have his photo on my opening iPad and iTouch - he was very special. Take care - so sorry for the loss of your friend. Kristin J

Retro Cafe' Art Gallery said...

Really beautiful piece Kristin and thank you so much for the link love :). I often share customer art on our blog and facebook - please let me know if I could share your piece (with credit of course)!
xo,
Kristin

Unknown said...

I love your piece. It is really beautiful. I'm glad that your art made you a bit happier during your sad time.

Sharon said...

Sos orry you lost your cat Kristin! You have created a beautiful piece!!!

JessiVille said...

Oh Kristin I'm so sorry you lost your kitty! Mine is 18 now and I know it won't be long. It's a long time to have a fur baby and it's got to leave a big hole in your family and your heart. On the bright side, some great art came out of it. I love these colors!

Hugs, Jessi xoxox

Kristin said...

So beautiful, art and sharing your story is healing for you and enlightening for the rest of us :) "You never see the bad days in a photo album but it’s those days that get us from one happy snapshot to the next"

Joanna said...

I'm so sad for you Kristin, but it must be comforting that she purred at the end. The artwork you have produced is beautiful, but really poignant with those empty chairs.

xxx

Valerie-Jael said...

So sad you have lost your dear car. Animals are so much a part of our families, and we just need time to mourn. The purring was telling you that she loved you, one last time! Hope the next week is better, Valerie

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Hi Kristin, I am so sorry about your dear cat. How sad. Relieced to know that you were there at the end and she purred....when I was 22 I had to be the one to hold my dog at the end. I will. Never forget it. But I was glad to have held him. You are a loving person and if your kitty had that one life to live, at least it was with you. (I may need this reminder in a few years if Ellie has to ever go....). Hugs to you, kathy

Jenny said...

Oh Kristin, so sorry... and a very sad time for you all... love your collage with its own beautiful sentiment...

Lots of hugs...
Jenny x

Heather Henry said...

Kristin, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Pets are so much a part of us and our families and it is so hard to lose them, especially when they've been a part of the family for so long.
I love this picture, it has a lot of feeling to it, the balancing of chairs, the words, the deep colors.

Tahnya Marie said...

Your art is always so beautiful and inspiring, even when it comes from a place of pain and heartache. I know how you feel, the love of a pet is such a cherished and special bond.

*hugs*

sugar Creek said...

Just beautiful.
So so sorry you lost your kitty. We lost one of our dogs a few months ago and I totally understand your pain. They are family members as well!
Hope your days get better!

Vicki said...

I"m sorry for your loss. Pets are just as important as people around here. ((hugs)) I'm so glad you created this piece.

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

Kristin - I am so sorry about your sweet kitty. I know how hard that is. I am hoping & praying that each day gets a little better. Big huge hugs. xxoo, Jen

Tahnya Marie said...

If you send me your address to my email, serenite_50@hotmail.com, I will post the doll to you for Kendra when I have some spare money for postage. :)

Cameron said...

I'm so sorry...made me teary eyed...

Our older kitty is 14....
It will be so hard for my daughter when she goes...

I'm sending you big hugs and warm thoughts...

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristin, sorry to hear about your car. I am recently in the same position. I do love your beautiful art work today, as ever its inspiring

have a lovely week my friend, you deserve it
hugs June x

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

This is a wonderful tribute to her. So sorry you lost her.

Lesley Edmonds said...

Awww Kristin our pets are so precious to us and I know just how you feel. It is heartbreaking and I am thinking of you and your family. You did so well to produce this vibrant, quirky canvas. Our art can be healing...
x

Daniele Valois said...

oh loosing an animal is the hardest thing. I have gone through so much grief when loosing a special pet. How wonderful that she gave you a prr. Art is so special isn't it? I love your collage and everything that it means!

Jingle said...

This is so beautiful! I am so sorry for your loss!!! That is the hardest thing in the WORLD!!!

K J D said...

Hi Kristin

So sorry to hear about your cat. You must miss her dreadfully. How sweet that she purred goodbye to you.

I love your canvas.......

Karen

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

So sorry to hear your sad news Kristin...
Lovely collage, it's amazing how our art work is influenced by our emotions isn't it!
Big Hugs!
Jan x

Netty said...

Beautiful beautiful and a very special collage Kristin. A very sad time for you, am sorry to hear your news. Annette x

Jester said...

A moving and striking collage, Kristin, and a lovely tribute to your cat. Losing pets is always so sad.

E Makes Art said...

That's the beauty of art, isn't it? I'm so sorry about your cat, my friend. I'm sure you loved her dearly. Hugs to you.

xoE