From the button on my sidebar, you can see I am involved in the "Art From The HeArt" project. Please check out the site for some of the work that has been submitted, as there are some excellent images.
While I am slowly working on my mixed media entry (with things just not cooperating!) I felt being one of the judges, I needed to get something contributed NOW also.
I remembered a piece I had done a while back, small (only eight by eight inches) called "Stones Upon My Heart". It seemed to fit the bill because it dealt with the power words have on a person, day after day, week after week.......year after year. Torment and teasing, words meant to cling like barbed wire.
I was not sure whether to share it; it was a personal piece and I had it put away in a closet. But when I looked at it with a *greater good in the long run* attitude, I got photos and an artists statement together and sent them off.The photos I will post here; the story behind it is on the website, which I encourage you to view.
Yes, this is a serious post, but sometimes life throws us a big dose of serious to be dealt with, and then we can return to the usual that you find at El Milagro--humor, joy, art. Life being savored. Or laughed off when necessary.
From my heart to yours....that you never have to deal with words that cut to the quick. Or make you question your self worth.
And that you always have the strength to pursue your own path and dreams, with words that encourage you and lift you up.
(due to time differences, this piece may not be online until later this morning on the AFTH website)
Pax....
48 comments:
I loved the post, Anne. The piece is so touching. I know first hand how words can hurt and how a someone who bullies can try and make you feel worthless.
Finding the strength to say to ourselves *Hey... i'm a beautiful person and I count and won't let anyone's words affect me*...... that is freedom for ourselves and from those who try to hurt us.
I love, love the piece!
Btw...omg...i am writing this as I wake up and I truly hope that it makes sense!! xo
Hey Manon,
You are much more coherent in the writing department early in the a.m. than I am!
It makes TOTAL sense....just sad that some have to endure the mud-slinging of people who probably are utterly insecure and hammer down others to keep their ego intact.
In my dotage, I have become sturdy as a rock.
A BIG rock. ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
WOW. This one touches my heart personally. I have not read the post yet...going next. Had to leave a comment on the brilliance of this piece. Personal for you, yet universal for mankind. The wounds of childhood seem to never really heal...doesn't take much to scratch off the scab and the pain oozes out again. EH. Sorry for the graphic. Anne, you are such a wonderful, unique artist. Off to read the post. **kisskiss** Deb
Oh it is beautiful; artistically and poetically. Something I want to share with my son as he enters that crazy age of 13 this year. To teach him not to let the words enter. Funny, yep I remember lots of those words. Great work Anne!
Hey Deb,
I am glad it speaks to other people; I was hoping it world, and that's why it went public.
I look at the events surrounding this now and wonder what sort of bruised egos the people delivering the words had.
It comes from somewhere....you know???
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hey Elena,
Thank you--both for the comment and for deciding to share it with your son.
What if everyone had those little sit-downs and reminded each other that words don't disappear into the ether? ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Good Morning Anne Sweetie...
Oh my you have me in tears so early in the morning. It breaks my heart to know that people in this world can be so cruel. I too remember some of these hateful comments.
Since my illness in May, and having lost most of my speaking voice, I hear a LOT of rude and hurtful comments, each and every day of my life now. I have learned to love me, and not worry about what others think. Some day they will have a long road of their own to walk, and may they always remember the moment/s that they threw mud at others.
You really opened your heart on this piece, and I SO love it. It spoke to me as soon as I saw it. Thank you Anne for sharing.
I hope you are well sweet friend. I think of you often and smile. You always make such a great statement. I love coming to El Milagro Studio.
Many hugs and much love, Sherry
Hi Sherry,
While I am glad this piece spoke to you, I am sorry to hear that you too have had to endure the rude and thoughtless remarks of others. I have to admit that the current climate we live in has almost wiped civility of tongue off the map.
There is no reason for it, other than when a person is dehumanized, it is much easier to do or say whatever you want with no conscience.
A very sad statement indeed....
Hope you are better now.
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Wonderful, powerful piece Anne!
Thanks Janet,
I loved the small size; it was enough to make a big statement.
XXOO~~♥
Anne
So hard to read those little bits -- I looked at the piece as a whole and liked it; but when I read those little tags, I wanted to cry.
I think a lot of those kind of things are said in an effort to "help" the recipient of the comments, but really -- they only hurt. As a parent, I find myself constantly censoring myself to avoid saying things that only tear down. I know I need to do a better job. I heard "sticks and stones" a lot from adults as a kid, but words really do have the power to hurt.
Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Karen,
Well, a lot of the items came from school, and from relatives.....some things from parents you kind of brush off because it's sort of in the job description.
It's when it comes from outside the home that it gets difficult.
Make sure and read the backstory on the AFTH web site.
And no tears.... ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Wow thats a very powerful piece of art. beautifully done.
have a lovely weekend
hugs June
Hi June,
Thanks for stopping in and the comments! :-)
My heart is happy!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
A marvelous work and something that so many (read too many) of us can connect with and a generous-ness on your part in sharing the art and story. I learned some time ago that there is no growth without pain and we must learn to see it as such and move on.
Well put--growth requires a certain amount of pain.....I always wonder though about those who receive more than they deserve.
What becomes of them? Hopefully someone is there to lift them up and get them back on the right track.
XXOO~~♥
Anne
HI Anne - So powerful and so amazing how simple words can cut us like knives, damage our heart and take us a long time to lose from our history. What is it
in human nature that makes us lash out at each other, when really we probably are just lashing out at ourselves. Thanks so much for allowing us a peek inside, it is a brave thing to do and requires immense trust. I hope the old hurt is long healed and I am sure art is a way through. xox Corrine
Hi Corrine,
Yes, I am now build like a rock--it takes a lot to crack through to get to the soft spots! LOL!
But I think, with all the *mean* in the news, media, etc it is a good time to remind that inside, we all have the same weaknesses....some respect them, some don't.
And art is ALWAYS a way to move forward!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
This is a powerful piece Anne, I'll bet it flew together once you got the idea for it. I remember seeing it from before (before blogging, that is). It hasn't lost any of its impact.
Hey Jan,
Yes, it was a quick piece to do once I got the idea for how to make the heart seem so fragile, caught in a gossamer web that was strangling it.
I loved the 8" x 8" size--I think those are good to make a statement without having to do something huge.
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Oh crap, hon....those little phrases sound all too familiar to me!!! Wonderful piece!
Loves ya,
Georgina
Hey Georgina,
Thanks, and sorry too that you've heard them....
But making it was GOOD THERAPY!!!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Familiar, some of them, to me too. Immediate family & school friends. somehow found forgiveness & understanding but only when I had my first baby did I realise it was up to me, that I COULD do it. My loving advice to my kids as small children to protect themselves from bullying is a loving family joke now they're old teenagers - altho sometimes weary, I am a lucky woman & stronger for it.
Hi Emma,
It does give one an ability to take on the world...you sort of survive the worst, and then life is very GOOD and you know what's really important. (not other people's opinions...)
:-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Oh, this is one touching heartfelt post, Anne! I like knowing the serious side of you...makes me love you even more, despite the orange shirt! Hahahaa!
Your piece is beautifully done, so much messages conveyed in just one single artwork. Brilliant! oxx
Hi Amalia,
I'm glad you still like me despite the ratty orange shirt...heehee! ;-D
I don't let the serious side play too often, but when it does....it usually has something to say.
Thanks!
Very much!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Seeing this piece and reading the story (in both places) makes my heart bleed for you, and for the little girl I once was. It's a terrible truth that those types of words are the ones that stick with us and continue to hurt us over and over. There are a great number that I can still to this day remember who and where they were said. You got guts my friend!
Hey M.A.
Yep, I can tell you who said what of those quotes up there. But the act of making it into art, where it could no longer hurt, was odd and wonderful.
The sad part is how many people relate to the story, the thoughts and questions that go with the piece.
I figure if I have the guts to live through it, I have the guts to put it out there.
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Wow Anne, a beautiful but tough piece. I love it. We may be kindrid spirits ;)
As a sexual abuse survivor (from age 5 to adult) and one who has been physically beaten by classmates up through husband number one, I hope your message is loud and clear and saves even one young soul.
Bullying has become rampant like never before. As much as I was beaten I never wanted to come home and end my life. (I just hid in closets.)
Art and friends are my saving grace today. And I know in my heart your piece will help someone.
I'm sorry you endured one second of this talk. I'm glad you came out more than okay (in my opinion!) ;)
xoxo
Lolo♥
Lolo, I think judging from the response I've received on the post, there are a LOT of people who came out okay.
We suffered through it, and now we are stronger more compassionate people. Some go the other way.
I like how we turned out. ;-)
You know, when the MEDIA is doing as much bullying as KIDS, something is off balance.
I hope we can find center ground.
*hugs*
XXOO~~♥
Anne
oh Anne!!! this is such a powerful piece...I love it and I hope that no one has to ever deal with anything negative in their lives....
you are amazing!!!!
Anne, this is such a beautiful post and the piece is amazing! I love it! Thanks for your kind words on my post yesterday! It really helped! I wasn't able to email back to you so I thought I would thank you here! :)
Hey Diana,
Thanks~~I always hope the same for people--at least not to any great extent.
Just the little bumps in the road that are unavoidable....
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hey Cathy,
You are more than welcome~~and thanks for the comments here!
(this reminds me of an old comedy routine, but I can't remember who or when---thank YOU, no, thank YOU! LOL!!!)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Anne,
This is a perfect piece for Art From the Heart. In spite of the message it reveals, it is a powerful and beautiful piece of art. How sad that good people must endure hateful words and actions in their lives. I believe, in many of your posts, you have helped someone along the way with your words. Sometimes, if one has experienced what others are going through, that understanding makes it easier to help ease their pain.
Thank you for sharing.
♥ audrey
Thanks Audrey~~that is often why I put up serious posts now and again. I think people tend to internalize issues because they feel isolated, or that they alone have had the experience.
There is strength in numbers, and it always helps to feel you're not the only one.
The website got over 300 hits yesterday, which is GREAT for the short amount of time it has been up!
Now I'm off to try and catch up on my deMeng class...holy cow! I am so far behind! LOL!!!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hot dang! That object piercing the heart is very explicit. It is distracting my thoughts. I can't think of something else because I keep touching my chest! WHOA!
Did you put in there "you will never have a pot to piss in" ?
LOL! I have a pot!! Yay!
Such a strong and powerful piece Anne. I am glad you shared this. It does what all great art does...makes me feel and think. Thank you.
Hey Seth,
Thanks for stopping by, and for the kind comments on this little work.
Sometimes I store things away so long after making or showing them, I forget that they still have impact.
XXOO~~
Anne
I like this piece very much. a correct observation about how things can be doesnt have to be unpleasant; and it isnt.
this is very milagro like. it reminds me of a dress my best friend made to wear to my day of the dead party. she had slips of paper very similar to yours that had the names of people, both personal and famous, that had died that year, attached all over a cocktail dress with pins. It was fantastic.
Have a blessed weekend!
Now that's powerful! Wow, Anne, What a strong and emotionally packed piece, perhaps because it was so personal. Brilliantly done. One would think you were raised by a Tiger Mother.
Hope your heart has done a lot of healing.
xoxo
Hi Chickory,
I would have loved to have seen the dress---I find the insertion of text into fiber interesting. Probably how I came to love mixed media and collage so much; there was always the opportunity for text!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Hi Bella,
My heart is whole and good!
I think though from the feedback on and off blog about the work, many people heard the same things....
Actually, I am fierce as a tiger now....LOL! One laying in the sun taking a nap! ;-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Simply stunning!
Hi Frances,
Thanks!!! :-)
XXOO~~♥
Anne
Words do hurt. A lot. I try so hard not to let bad, hurtful words out of my mouth as once uttered they can never be called back. I do admit to failing on occasion though and then have to say I am sorry which I always am. Words do hurt and the political climate has become so charged with hateful words. We really have to stop and think if this is truly what we want the U.S. to be known for. Aren't we better than hurtful words whether in our own families, neighborhoods or political realm? Oh dear, I'm on a soapbox again. There, I am off.
No, I agree with you. We all say things that sort of slip out fast, but so many people have forgotten to apologize, or take responsibility for their words and the actions that result from them. Living in an era of media everywhere (including blogs) it is so easy to really say things with no afterthoughts.
I would hope our country is more than name calling and finger pointing. I remember when it used to be.
Someone just has to start a dialog; that's what we're hoping for on the Art From The Heart site...a chance to start the conversation.
Enjoyed your thoughts!!!
XXOO~~♥
Anne
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