Gloom or Bloom?
Finding creative motivation during bumpy moments
Excitement…
A month ago I launched my artist website klrockwell.com. It has been a month full of excitement and some serious bumps.
Thank you all for such amazing support and encouragement during this stage of my creative journey. Formally selling artwork is a huge step for me, and I was so overwhelmed by the positive response to my work.
This month I am releasing a “Blossoming Trees” series. Followers on Substack Notes have been able to watch the progression as this series has developed. I am really happy with the paintings and hope you enjoy them as well.
Later this month I will be adding some cat illustrations to the website, and in November I plan on offering notecards. 🥰
Inspiration…
I love love trees. I love seeing them, hugging them, writing about them, and painting them. This summer I painted a blossoming tree in my sketchbook and the idea grew into another painting, and then another.
Click here to read my earlier post “Trees Sway.”
When that happens I know it is time to shift away from the sketchbook and paint a little larger. So I did. By the end of August I had several of this theme in different stages. Everything was wonderful and my creativity was boundless.
And then a bump!
Then we received news from a close friend (Lionel) that some recent text results had unexpectedly revealed he was chronically ill.
My painting switched instantly to gloomy skies and trees without leaves.
I was mad (really, just terribly sad but my sad presents as anger). I really wanted to yell at Lionel. How rude to get sick! He was one of the closest friends that my husband
and I had. Someone that had spent holidays with us. Someone whose story had become entwined with our story. I didn’t yell at him. My rational side knew this moment was not about me. I kept my despair in check and threw as much love his way as possible. Behind the scenes my heart kept cramping in pain at the looming thought of the loss of a friend.
Over the next few weeks I was able to process the surprise information and share some time with Lionel. He always had an amazing sense of humor, and he was bravely facing the end of his life head on.
Slowly I started adding blossoms to the trees.
Our sweet friend passed away last week.
I continued to paint the blossoms on the trees.
I want to remember him full of life and, like the flowers he used to bring me for my studio, colorful and in full bloom. 💗
In the delicate dance of life and loss, we often find ourselves searching for meaning in the moments that shape our journey. As I read about your experience with Lionel, I was immediately reminded of Master Oogway from "Kung Fu Panda," who, in his final moments, transformed into cherry blossoms carried by the wind. This poignant imagery encapsulates the beauty of life’s transience and the profound impact we leave behind.
Just as Oogway became a part of the gentle breeze, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all beings, your blossoming trees serve as a tribute to Lionel’s vibrant spirit. Each stroke of your brush, each petal you paint, is a celebration of the love and joy he brought into your life. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human heart, which, even in the face of sorrow, seeks to bloom anew.
Your art not only reflects your personal journey but also invites others to share in the experience of love, loss, and the beauty that can emerge from both. As you continue to paint, may the blossoms you create be a reminder of the moments you cherished with Lionel, and may they inspire others to find their own paths through the bumpy moments of life.
Thank you for sharing your journey and your art with us. It’s a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest times, we can find ways to honor those we’ve lost and celebrate the love that remains.
Definitely bloom… in purple majesty.