THE 52 DAY PROJECT
FEBRUARY REVEAL
I haven’t share much from the 52 Day Project recently – but I adore the responses I have been having from people about the project when I talk about it. I have some paintings left over from last year that I want to share with you, let me know what you think of the project!
STRENGTH
STRENGTH
/strɛŋθ,strɛŋkθ/
noun
1. the quality or state of being
physically strong.
2. the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or
pressure.I have always had a fascination with skulls. As a teen I was drawn to the macabre and the gothic nature of them. As a young adult I loved the way the Mexican traditions Día de Muertos and how skulls were perceived totally differently. In fact in most cultures skulls have hugely spiritual and deep significance, yet many people find skulls frightening and scary.
This image is another one that came to me in the middle of the night, and once I’d finished painting it I wasn’t until I researched the meaning of crowns and skulls together that I realised that it symbolises protection and strength and power.
And that was perfect.
(click here to see the painting in more detail)
RESTART
RESTART/ˌriːˈstɑːt/ transitive verb 1. To start anew 2. To resume something after an interruption.
I have often talked about the symbol of a dragonfly and it’s meaning to me, so this image was perfect for this word.
Dragonfly’s traditionally mean change, a change in perspective, realisation or emotional change – a rebirth of sorts.
Dragonflies for me are a signs of comfort, a resolution and a restart.
This image is a reminder that it is ok to take a step back, breathe, take a break and refresh and then restart.
(click here to see the painting in more detail)
GUARDED
GUARDED \ ˈgär-dəd/ adjective 1. CAUTIOUS, CIRCUMSPECT
When I was younger I was often teased for being so over emotional.
If I was passionate about something I was on my soap box. If I was upset about something I needed to get my emotions under control. If I was devastated over something I really wanted (that seemed insignificant to others – like not getting to do the history class I wanted to) I was ‘hysterical’. If I cried because of cute puppies in toilet paper adds I was a sook.
I am ok with who I am now – it took a lot of introspection and establishing boundaries and knowing I am safe to feel the way I do but back then I was embarrassed and ashamed of my lack of ‘control’
In my house now we jokingly call it leaky eye syndrome. In our house we laugh about crying over cute ads and disney movies (hello lion king!?) In our house it is normal. It is respected. It is us.
The thing that makes me so mad is that while it is safe here at home, the terrible trio are now struggling with the same situations outside of the home that I had to. (COME ON!! Has nothing changed in the last 20 years??)
I talked to my kids about my bird cage. A birdcage lets in light and air and food (all things we need to keep growing) and when we put our heart in the cage the we get all the things we need in.
But we can also shut the door and keep the shit out and guard our heart from negativity and nastiness. We are a little guarded.
When I asked one of the girls to visualise this this she described her heart (big and strong), the tear drop (her tears and sadness) and the wings (that she could soar), and I new I had to paint it for her – hence the dropping of everything to paint it when I had a thousand other things to do.
(click here to see the painting in more detail)
Did any of these words spark something in you today?
These paintings from the 52 DAYS project are now are available as print in my 52 days shop – pop over to see them in more detail here (or click on their images.) With each months reveal, new paintings will be added to the page so pop back often!
the 52 days project
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