Monday, August 10, 2009

Butterfly/Believe, 70/100

Butterfly/Believe
70/100 in 100 Creative Challenge
Acrylic on paper, 5x8"

Here is the image that came to my mind.

Life, for me lately, has been kind of like living in a cocoon.

It's been small and constrained, rather dark, confined.... and yet within the bounds of the chrysalis, full of growth, creation and activity.

I have to say that if I thought my life would always be this confined, I would be quite miserable, but because I have faith, I truly believe that this is just a developmental stage and things will open up and take to the sky soon, I can stay where I am, busy with the work of transformation. Busy with the work of growth. Busy with the work of metamorphosis.

Of course, sometimes it is hard to remember that the darkness doesn't last forever.

Sometimes you need a little reminder. I do anyway.

Hence, my butterfly.

Hence, the whispered word.

"believe"

7 comments:

Alyice said...

I can so relate to your thoughts here. Been feeling the same way. Lovely piece, by the way.

Beverley Baird said...

Believe has been the word of intention for 2009. And butterflies are special to me as well!
Loved your art and post!

Unknown said...

I've been reading your blog for some time now, and I must say that your work has really evolved. I particularly like your latest posts. Your art is really nice!

aquamaureen said...

have always loved butterflies and their promise. Watched a monarch "hatch" with my kids years ago. I was stunned at how, JUST before the butterfly came out, the cocoon??? pupae???/ was so black and shrivelly. We thought it was dead. But it wasn't. That stage was "dead" and the butterfly was JUST about to begin its life. But looking it, you'd think it had died. That's always stuck with me . . "darkest before dawn."

Rowena said...

There's also this inspirational piece that went around when I was teaching, about how someone felt so bad the poor butterfly trying so hard to get out of the cocoon, so they took a knife and opened the cocoon.

Problem was, the butterfly never flew. It was born stunted. Apparently, they need to struggle of getting out of that cocoon to force the blood into their wings, or some such.

Lesson being, struggle is necessary, and if not pleasant, still good.

I think that's a difficult concept in todays world of pain and discomfort avoidance.

Swirly said...

I love this image and I love the way you speak of holding on to the faith that you are on an important, transformative journey. Those are valuable moments!

Natasha said...

Oh Rowena...I love this...I love what you and Aquamaureen said...for some reason you just brought me such peace....I literally felt it wash over me...I am deep within the cocoon right now ...that's where I need to be but I think about the color of my wings and look forward to a time when I am ready to fly..thank you for this

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