The Fifth Day of Christmas

A Quite Remarkable Gift

Pieta-a, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Time stands still whenever my eyes alight upon a piece of artwork that catches me unawares, and just like a stare-me-down-contest, I find it hard to tear my eyes away. It matters not if it is a painting, a woven tapestry, a photograph, an intricate piece of jewelry, a fashionable garment, a decorated room, a clay pot, a sculpture, a quilt, an English garden or a particular shade of pink ribbon in a little girl’s hair. Once the object d’art has stopped me in my tracks, I’m hooked and must drink in its beauty, appreciate the craftsmanship, labor of love and most often experience the bared soul of the artist.

Years ago, my Father and Mother took Mary and me to The New York World’s Fair. My it was grand. A few years prior to this, our family lived not five miles across the bay from Manhattan, on Staten Island, NY. Happily we were once again in my beloved New York City.

There were so many things to do, new foods to try, a Belgian waffle with sweet strawberries and whipped creme fraiche. There were modern and scientific displays and moving sidewalks, upon which the public would stand to be moved automatically through another country of the world.

We entered the country of Italy as Mother wanted to see a display about great Italian artists. After standing in line for what seemed like hours (I was young and impatient), we were allowed to walk up to the important section. I knew it was because they had placed red velvet ropes with brass clips to keep the public back and away. A hush ensued and there were signs telling us that we were not permitted to touch anything.

As we moved closer to the focal point we beheld the most breathtakingly magnificent sculpture. I was taken aback and stunned that any human being could make marble look like that. Had no idea such a rendition of this existed, yet here it was. Not ten feet away from where we stood transfixed, was the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus, after he had died upon the cross.

How had someone thought this up let alone tapped away, day after day on cold hard marble, to produce perhaps the finest work of art in the world? Her sorrow and hopelessness had been captured … her son was gone. It was evident to all who passed by in hushed reverence.

The artist was Michelangelo, and his sculpture was called The Pieta`. He was just a young man when he sculpted this masterpiece, his most important work.

Standing there I felt my cheeks damp with hot tears … for His death, and for her sadness, yet inside, I was elated to see what a tremendous gift God had bestowed.

I sincerely wish that one day you might stand in the presence of something so grand and beautiful that you are captivated and cannot look away.

Merry Christmas.

* Revised from my original post April 25, 2007.
Original and not to be duplicated.

Theresa’s Original Mouse Art 3

This is my original work. Do not copy or reproduce.

Sketching My Favorite Vocalist

This celebrity is so lovely.  Not only have millions enjoyed her stupendous vocals for decades, but her elegance, charm, warmth and genuine smile entreats us to gaze at her rare beauty.  She is unconventional in her looks because they are simply exotic.  She possesses one of the most beautifully shaped mouths I have ever seen.  From her lips comes heartfelt music and she can hold notes for a very long time.  Her acting, writing, directing and producing talents have also been shared with the world.  She has stayed true to herself and continues to provide us all with gentility, originality and her glorious personality.  She is Barbra Streisand.

Today as I read her interview in Sunday’s Parade Magazine, I kept returning to the photograph on the front.  Why not sketch her, I thought to myself. So I did.  I am going to paint her because she has such an inner glow written over her features that it will be a exceptional art exercise to bring it to my paper.  When I have completed it I will post it so you may see.

I have added some color and am still working toward the finish line.

Still Working.

Barbra update … Still painting!  Long shot from the left and turning the camera straight on, from the right.  Perspective does change.  Lighting also enhances all art work.  A work in progress.  I think I need to make her big hair a little less big.

See the slide show of this artwork HERE.

Theresa’s Watercolor Landscape

Even though this is a practice project, I have agreed with myself that it is a completed work of art.  I have decided to make it a gift to my sister, Mary to show my appreciation for her loveliness.

I hope she likes it.

Faithful Readers

My eldest sister informed me today that she went all the way back to January of 2009 to read through all of my blog posts.  Silly me.  Here I was thinking she was reading faithfully.  But what is faithfulness anyway?  Does a reader necessarily have to visit your blog everyday?  Must they feel trapped into thinking they are being disloyal should they go their way and not get around to you for a while?  Shouldn’t our readers be free to choose their appointment with our written words?  The answer should be yes.

Just because little sister has decided to share parts of her private life, art, thought patterns, stories or cuisine with the world, doesn’t mean my siblings or friends are to be chained to my web log site.  Or they feel they have to sheepishly look the other way when we ask how they liked the latest post.  They should be comfortable enough to say they have been dealing with their life and will get to the blog when next they have the time.  It doesn’t mean they don’t like what we offer, but it does tell us that just like the most glamorous movie or pop stars, there is a time and place for everything, even us.

Now I know for certain that she is a most faithful reader, even when she didn’t chose to visit, she might have wondered what I was busy doing. But when she did arrive it was with the intent to enjoy a private time with my written words.  The fact that she went all the way back to where she had left off reading made me feel rather good.

I have many faithful readers and I appreciate them all.  Please come and go as you will because what I share here is truly amongst friends I have opened the doors to welcome.

This is a watercolor seascape I am presently working on.  I call it “The Homecoming.”

Painting On My Mind

She’s wearing a contemplative expression that reminds me of how I feel inside whenever I am making decisions about how I am going to place paint on a canvass.  The other evening I pulled out my watercolors and lightweight paper to just mess about.  In a matter of minutes I had laid down the backdrop of my next work.  Too bad I didn’t start it with oil on canvass.  Sometimes paint has a mind of its own and you have to go wherever it beckons.  I should have it completed in a few days and I will snap a photo to share.

Oil Pastels Original On Canvas

Artist: Theresa H. Hall Circa 1999  Do Not Copy

Island Tulips

Original Art Acrylic on Canvass by Theresa H. Hall Circa 2002 

Do not copy or reproduce.

Portals, Dreams And Scruples

Paris Exposition: Salle des Fetes, Paris, France, 1900, originally uploaded by Brooklyn Museum.

Part Two

The light was so bright that I had to close my eyes to block the glare. It was too hard to focus so I quickly put on my Ray-Ban sunglasses. When my vision cleared what I saw was a magical place which made every cell in my body sing and rejoice.  In fact my gloomy mood had vanished and I felt a thrill to my core.

What perfectly measured colors high in the ceiling.  At first glance it was much more because of the ways the designs had been intertwined. It was amazing to me that this kaleidoscope of vaulted light gave the entire area an air of ethereal calm.  Like that of softly woven light sprinkled in between featherlight layers of dust particles.

Immediately my clothes were those of a ballerina and I began twirling and spinning around.  As I allowed my arms to arc about my rotating body, the skirts’ material of sheer chiffon melted through the airwaves like butterfly wings. I was consumed by the flames of my youth, and the passions of my heart brought a flush to my cheeks.

I do not think I have ever felt so alive! I ran and jumped, swayed and leapt for the pure joy of the dance. The area through which I moved was enclosed by artistically clever arches and filigree. I wondered who could have imagined any place so wondrous.

Turning for the hundredth time I caught sight of a darkly clad man striding straight toward me. Oh, I could hardly believe my eyes. His broad shoulders filled out his navy jacket and his trousers showed the powerful thighs and his long purposeful gait.

Feeling my knees grow weak I fled toward the door furthest from his approaching form, but I was not fast enough. He walked directly into my path and stopped there. Since I was blocked I took my time leaning my head back to look into his face, which was full of thunder. Black arched brows were drawn together in a scowl and the firm set of his mouth spoke foreboding. All I wanted to do was escape the oncoming storm.

Reaching out his hand he opened it to reveal a Tiffany ring box.  He looked at me expectantly but when I moved my mouth to speak no words came out.  Stan opened the small box, exposing the empty slot where a ring should sit. Empty! What was going on? He continued to search my face as incredulity spread over it and my jaw dropped open. He could see I was not expecting this.

Snapping the ring box closed he turned on his heels and stormed away. I didn’t know what was going on but I had never seen Stan so angry. This was fast becoming a mystery. My half-sister breaking off their engagement, and Stan showing me an empty box. Did he truly believe I had something to do with any of this? What had Delilah in her twisted thinking said to turn Stan against me. Oh she was going to pay for this!

Looking around the beautiful room I began to dance again.  Dancing was what made my world go round.  Another fifteen minutes of this pleasure was what I really needed to clear my head.  Tiring I sat down and removed my ballet shoes holding on to the elation I felt at this moment.

Repeat after me … “Stan will learn the truth, Stan will learn the truth, Stan will learn the truth …”

Opening my eyes I stumbled out of bed to turn off the blaring alarm. Returning to the bed I lay back down to snuggle underneath the covers.

Acrylic On Canvas

 

Theresa’s Original Art ” Expression” circa 1995 (C), originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Whoops! I flipped this painting on Flickr and it took on a whole new meaning to my eye. My mind certainly appreciated this turn of events.

Somewhere inside the painting is a special something, something.  Try squeezing your eyes and letting your vision go out of focus a little. Plus, I really love the combination of colors. It takes not looking at something for a while and then reassessing it to see its full potential.

I’m happy I tried the rotation.

Black Toupe` Artiste Moi

Theresa’s Original Mouse Art circa 2000 – 2004

My Trademark (C) 2000 Do not reproduce or copy

Hurt Pride

Tonight is like no other night

For he is here he is near

Hearing his voice calling my name

I pass by feigning indifference

My arm is grasped in his warm clasp

Turning me round

Bringing me face to face

My mask falls into place

Erasing the hurt I wore before

Out on my sleeve for all to see

I stare past him in stony silence

Allowing him some surprise

My coldness is quite clear

As he lets go his mouth it sneers

It is plain he too feels pain

We go our separate ways

Harlequin Mask … Theresa’s Mouse Art

Harlequin Mask by: Theresa H. Hall circa 2000 to 2004

This is one of my favorite creations.  As it happens by combining a series of twists and turns, pulls and fill-ins, I was able to produce this work.  Having always loved the Joker card that is included inside a deck of playing cards I also cast my fascinated gaze on the Queen cards. 

Here I decided to combine my version of the two characters and luckily enough for me, it worked. Inside the curves and lines the female reminds me very much of the middle sister of my family.  Mary, at about the age of seventeen; the set of the mouth, the shape of the face and the look in the eyes.  Yes, this is very special to me.

Perhaps by looking beyond the obvious, that is all that is needed to pique interest … by allowing a fresh perspective to illuminate a regular subject.  While there isn’t anything really regular about my sister Mary, this piece alludes to her inner mystery and her keen sense of knowing.  Capturing this characteristic pose lends a real excitement to my subject and brings me a huge amount of satisfaction.

Theresa’s Mouse Art

“Tightrope” Artist Theresa H. Hall circa 2000 to 2004

Art is conceptual.  At times it takes an onlooker’s imagination to the limit and sometimes well beyond their scope of what should fit in to their understanding of an object.  It’s all in a persons perspective and a willingness to think outside of the box.

I discovered this playful artistic outlet when exploring my new computer featuring MS Office 2000, in the year 2000.  The owner of the company I worked for back then gave me his permission to use the paint feature on my lunch break, to express myself and to have an outlet from the pressures and stress of the extremely demanding jobs I performed.  I liked the owners very much and I sincerely hope he and his wife are well.

Over the past nineteen months, I have showed variations of my art.  Oil paint on canvas, watercolors on 400 LB compressed paper, acrylic paint on canvass, pastillage (French pastry decor), computer art using my Wacom Intous pad and now my mouse art.  I have my sketches and my sculptures but that will be for another time.

Today’s rendition entitled, “Tightrope,” captures what most of us are doing or are trying not to have to do.  Everyday there is different news on the television letting us know about the bailouts and the auto industry, more job cuts, high prices, banks not wanting to lend, or that we are headed for a recession and today, “We have been in a recession since December 2007.”  Like we didn’t know.

The best advice I have is for us to collectively concentrate on how we want our lives to be and to get busy acting on those thoughts.  Even Oprah is expounding on this and claims she has used vivid visualization for years and years.  She always tries to point us in the right direction and this time we are in complete agreement with the other.

Hold on to your dreams, think big and keep the faith.  Remember to help someone everyday.  This keeps the flow of good coming and going.  Peace to you and I will be sharing more of Theresa’s mouse art soon.

My New Favorite Song, “Yes We Can”

 

I encourage everyone to view this outstanding video.

Avatars Of Our Community

 

Click the arrow to view PolyBore’s work.  A true innovative mind has produced a wonderful tribute to we web log writers.  Thank you very much!

August 15th An Appreciative Day!

Out of all the places in the universe of cyberspace, BlogCatalog.com is a very cool place for artists and writers alike to hang out.  Here all may discover a niche or a little corner to take up residence and display their web logs, poetry, art, photographs, on-dits, reviews, opinions and much, much more.  Here we are offered a place whereby we can let our inner light flow through our fingers, along our keyboards and burst forth from our computers, into this place that so many thousands find comfortable.

Not only do the Administrative Team keep the parameters up and running, they also provide feedback to our inquiries in an extremely timely manner.  They too, are a part of our community.  Yes, BlogCatalog.com offers the best place in cyberspace to let your hair down, kick off your shoes and jump into one of the hundreds of ongoing discussions.  Here you will have the chance to meet like minded people to converse with, share ideas, broadcast shameless promotions for your own original web logs and a great place to make new friends.

I have found it very satisfying indeed to share part of myself with the entire world.  Yet … I am as incognito as I wish to be.  I’m gregarious one day and sometimes slightly inhibited another.  Here, you needn’t explain, you just are.  And to top it off there is every opportunity to grow and learn all sorts of new things about other countries, other members of the community’s way of life, and how the world is impacting them or their possible solutions to the global warming problem.  Each member of our community is unique, talented and embraced.

Therefore, not to give our huge secret place away, we want to offer a comfortable place for you Bloggers that are looking for the perfect spot in cyberspace where you can belong to a community of gifted people, who for the most part, are some of the finest people in the world.

P.S.  Tell them Theresa111 sent you!

Special Gifts

  

Honey Bee on my very own Sunflower , originally uploaded by Theresa111.

My sister told me that a friend of hers sees God’s love for her in a cute way. Whenever she espies a bright yellow VW Beetle she thinks to herself, “God Loves Me!” This secret meeting of hearts usually takes place on the highways and streets, in her hometown of Washington, DC, and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Liking the idea, my sister decided to adopt this fun reminder which seems to brighten days, reminding one that one is not alone and a quiet touching of the soul, whilst traveling through the daily muck and drudge of everyday life.

Lately, I too have been seeing yellow VW’s and the same thought is allowed to permeate my mind and drift downward toward my heart. “God Loves Me!” It feels good and offers a ray of hope. These cars seem to drive by at opportune moments, or when I need an uplifting of spirits.

Really though, I enjoy these private messages and rays of hope. They remind me of the spiritual being that I AM and that even though this world seems topsey turvey … we are all being observed. All of our actions, deeds and thoughts … aren’t going unnoticed.

Perhaps ten days ago I noticed tall stalks growing beside my bird feeder. They seemed strong and pretty, so I asked they not be whacked down, the next time the gardener came by. To my surprise I saw the beginnings of a green bulb at the tops of the stalks and it gave me pause to consider the possibility of a flower.

One of my very favorite movies is, “Under The Tuscan Sun.” There is a brief shot of a field of tall opened sunflowers and it makes me want to run through them and hug them ever so gently. They seem so serene and peaceful.

Thus, I was filled with happiness when I saw the stalk and pod brought forth this perfect and expressive sunflower. She has a sweet little honey bee caressing her and the birds think I have made their eating area very chic. I didn’t create it, I simply didn’t destroy it.

I feel God has shared a beautiful glimpse into His soul, whenever I stop and absorb His majestic art. My husband calls it living art and aptly so. I would wish we would all see the special gifts and appreciate them.

Thank you Heavenly Father for this special gift. I love you too.

Happy Birthday Domestic Minx!

Original Painting Oil on Canvas

Original Painting Oil on Canvas (C) Theresa H. Hall, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Anyone out there have a good recipe for making the glaze that I should put on my canvas? Please comment here or in my shout box on Blog Catalog. Thanks.

Do not copy this. Copyright 1994

Sunflowers or Unfinished Business

Spring and Sunflowers, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Is it just me, or are there more of you out there, who begin things but end up never getting around to finishing them? “Why do I do this?” I ask myself. When I began this painting, I was having difficulty figuring out how to make the front side of the flower have it’s petals coming out toward the viewer. I decided to think about it and as you can plainly see, I never completed the work.

It’s not just this either. I have unfinished ideas, thoughts, song lyrics, poems, stories and inventions laid about … all of them patiently waiting for the artist to pick them up and put on the finishing touches.

I paint, sculpt, and write creatively in my head. Then I make notes, write out good intentions, place various stickies possessing these ideas and phone numbers with names, in safe spots, until I can record them on my phone, or in the still unused address book.

Justifiably, I find I can blame the Internet, and E-mail for this part, at least. They have the address book section and if you ever go into the add contact space, you will see there is enough storage for an individuals life story, let alone their email, home, business addresses. Plus there are spaces to enter all of the various phone numbers too!

The pages upon pages of printed materials from the Internet, which I never quite find the time to organize completely, hide in their own stacks hoping to be read at least once more. They very well could be cosigned to the trash bin, but only after a prolonged stay in a drawer, pile, cardboard box or one of my brief cases.

Simple enough. There is a need for an organizer. When I worked in an office, everything was, for the most part, in its place, neatly organized. Perhaps I should wave a flag, with the hopes of being rescued and that some kind person straightens out the endless papers, receipts, records and creative projects which need finishing. Or better yet, maybe, just maybe I will work on this painting again. I’ll think about it.