Sunday, May 26, 2013
My Trees
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| One of my "meeting" trees. Notice the hole punched in the top of the paper. |
And then one day, My Sweetheart asked, "Why don't you ever use colors in your trees?" Frankly, I had never thought about it. I thought the trees were fine the way they were, and I was just playing around with them anyway. "No one creates actual art with ball point pens, sillly!" I insisted.
"Oh, really," smirked He, ever so smugly. "Google 'Ball Point Pen Art'. Go ahead. I'll wait."
So I did. And in that moment, my whole world changed. Sometimes I hate it when he is right. This was not one of those times.
The next day I bought a pack of cheap Bic Crystal Stic pens and started to play with color in an actual sketch pad.
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| My First Tree in Color |
Then Dad went into the hospital. And all of a sudden I had way too much time just sitting still on my hands. I had to sketch to keep me from completely freaking out over the fact that we were in a hospital with dad, facing The Big C, facing surgery, facing whotheHellknowswhat, facing hours on end of waiting, and powerlessness, and no control over anything.
I suck at waiting, and powerlessness, and lack of control. I suck at it in the grandest of style.
So I drew.
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| I started this while Dad was in surgery. |
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| "The Waiting Tree" |
Before releasing Dad, the doctors confirmed that it was Cancer. And this tree was born. It was utter chaos at its inception, I assure you.
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| This was originally called Tree of Panic, but it actually soothed me very well. |
The surgery was a success. They got it all. No chemo. No radiation. Just monitoring. They got it all!!! Dad is going to be okay!
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| Tree of Life |
I posted pictures of my trees regularly while Dad was in the hospital. People were so encouraging that I decided to experiment with different kinds and sizes of paper, but I'm committed to the pens. Many have made observations about the look of the trees giving keys to my state of mind when they were created. They may be on to something.
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| Tree of Possibilities |
Then I started to find my rhythm. It takes about three nights to finish a tree right now. I feel so at peace during the time I spend bringing them to life. This is better than any therapy, and healthier than any addiction.
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| Tree of Life Two |
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| Tree of Love |
It blows my mind that anyone would want to have one of my trees, but people have asked. I will do everything I can to make it possible. I'm working on it as fast as I can. When they are ready, I promise to let everyone know.
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| Branching Out |
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| Tree of Inspiration |
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| Cheers! |
Once again I must count myself the luckiest girl I know for so many reasons. I have an incredibly talented mother who taught me how to draw to keep me from losing my mind. I have a father who is healthy. I have an amazing family and incredible friends who support and encourage me in all that I do. And I have My Sweetheart who sometimes knows me better than I know myself.
My life is good.
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Allow me to be the first to comment. We are lucky. And strangely blessed. The trees are amazing. As are you. Hug. Must have been what was supposed to happen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dad. I would have preferred it to happen a different way, but making lemonade always works for me. Or margaritas.
ReplyDeleteLove you.
I love you darling, and your beautiful family. And your trees. Your heart is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kari! I love you, too, so much. Can't wait for that hug in September!
DeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to unlock your trees, and even happier that that part of the story ended with Tree of Life!
(And just as happy that Sweetheart gave you such useful gifts and encouragement!)
Thanks, Guap. That does seem like a great way to end it. I am so lucky. So happy to count you among those amazing friends.
ReplyDeleteThese trees are past amazing! They make me feel as if they are talking too me, telling me that everything in my life is going to be all right.Thank you Amy for your inspiration through your art, I hope that one day you can share it with the world.Love to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thank you fir your beautiful words, you are so kind. I'm glad the trees bring you comfort, too.
ReplyDeleteSending you peace, love, and light.
-Amy
Did not know your sweet daddy was going thru that! ( I really should pay better attention) Soo glad he's gonna be okay and I love every single one of these trees and I will be the one to purchase at the auction!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your dad will be ok! Your trees are even more beautiful now... I've had a thing for tress myself. I have one at Fort Fisher Wilmington that I call mine, though it's clearly not and many people visit it. I take pictures of it every time I go visit it, which is often.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Carole. Trees are so incredible. Thank you for taking time to read and leave a comment.
ReplyDeleteThe waiting tree is beautiful. And full of so much meaning.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I truly appreciate you stopping by and taking time to comment.
DeleteAmy, this is absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing it. It's nice when your Sweetheart is right sometimes. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annette. It is good, indeed. ;-)
ReplyDelete