Copyright: All artwork/content protected under ©2007-2011 Lynne Ciacco

All content herein copyright © Lynne Ciacco


Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Guardian Angel

Usually when I make a painting I work at it until it gets to a place where it feels right and I like it.  Sometimes, it doesn't work at all and I have to pretty much scrub it all out and start all over again.  And once in awhile, I come up with something that surprises me with how it speaks very directly to something deep inside of myself that was trying to communicate with me.  This little painting is one of those.



©2010 L. Ciacco, Guardian Angel.  Acrylic, tissue, fabric, cheesecloth on canvas, 8 x 6 in.


It looks like perhahps this guardian angel has just received the precious being she's to look out for during its time on planet Earth.  She seems thrilled, apprehensive, tender, and a little messed up over the whole enterprise.  The picture also suggests to me my own gift of being an artist--something precious that has been given to me that I must tenderly nurture, and try to not get too messed up about.

(I love how her halo is askew.)

I hope you're all busily nurturing your precious gifts and living artfully!


P.S. Coincidentally (?) I posted a little write-up on my rusty angels collection over on my other blog this morning.




10 comments:

  1. I agree with your take on this piece...guardian angel indeed! I love her hair and yes, the halo too! The words tender and tenderly are special in your writing and this piece says tenderness.
    Nurturing our precious gifts is an important factor in art making and thank you for such a kind reminder in both image and words.

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  2. multi layered and complex. i too take note of her hair and how it flows out to be part of the pattern/shapes. her face does look a bit worried. but she holds her little gift so carefully. beautiful interpretation--to liken this to your creative gifts being held close and protected unti time for them to go forth into the larger world.

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  3. How easy it is to take things for granted or to get overwhelmed. I'm glad your inner child has burst forth to communicate a reminder to us adults to nurture and find joy in our gifts whatever they may be or whatever form they take. I too love the organic quality of the hair, like limbs of a tree and all the symbolism that adds to this lovely personal yet universal message.

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  4. Blue Sky
    I hadn't realized how much "tenderizer" I'd put on this post! I'm glad it was so easy to digest. :-)
    I'm enjoying seeing how you're nurturing your own creativity over at your blog.
    The angel's hair is crackling with energy, I think. I loved discovering it through the textures layed down on the substrate.

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  5. sukipoet
    I'm glad you were able to discern the multi-layers in this little piece; they do make it a challenge to photograph it with my little camera, so it's encouraging you picked up on them.

    It must be such a great responsibility to be a guardian angel, don't you think? No wonder her hair is standing on end!

    I like your interpretation of my holding onto my little gifts until it's time to release them out into the world. I hadn't thought of it quite that way. When I do sell my work, I'm ready to let it go and happy that someone loves it so much that they want to live with it.

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  6. Stickup Artist
    Practicing gratitude and accepting what is, one moment at a time, seems a grounded way to try to live one's life. Connecting with that inner joy of creativity, no matter what form it takes, is almost like a sacred duty. The act of doing so is satisfying in and of itself, but to be able to share it with others is a blessing.

    Normally, I don't use words like these (inner joy, sacred duty, share, blessing); I tend to be rather ironic in my communication. Thanks for provoking me into speaking my truth with your comment.

    The angel's hair communicates her crackling energy and connection to the universe. Interestingly, my husband sees the angel as a male, so I guess this little painting is a universal sort of message (not to sound grandiose!)

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  7. I really like that you didn't make her into a "pretty" angel. She has a lot of personality! And that big rough hand holding that tiny child, fantastic!

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  8. Robin,
    I'm not surprised that you appreciate her "rough around the edges" appearance.
    ;-)
    I once read a short story about an angel who had fallen to earth and he/she was so completely other than how we normally envision angels. S/he was rather grumpy and preoccupied with her own dilemmas and mussed up wings. Really, I'm can't do pretty.

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  9. This angel looks just like any harried mom with a wee responsibility, holding it closely with awe and wonder and complete love. This angel is real.

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  10. Thanks so much, Linda Sue.
    I'm happy that you can relate to her; it's the most satisfying thing an artist can hear (other than anything involving the sound of "ka-ching!") Speaking of which, do you think I could sell her image to the National Enquirer with the headline "This Angel is Real!" ?
    :-D

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