My Digital Paintbox: knitting

Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

2011.026 "A Really Great Day"

There's not much about today's blog piece that fraught with emotion or inspired by a long story or some part of my journey as a human being.

It's simply a reflection of a really great day. Today I was able to accomplish some personal goals and had the most amazing time with my youngest son I believe we've ever had together. He's a challenging little boy with a number of cognitive and emotional delays so I admit that even on a good day it's hard to connect with him the way I would like. Today was an exception. A beautiful exception filled with silliness, laughter, real conversation and lots of hugs. It was truly a great day.

A Really Great Day - 12x12 compound digipaint

~ Lisa

You can purchase any of these blog pieces printed on canvas and stretched over a 1/4" gallery frame through my new website: http://www.lisacantrell.com/

If you would prefer I also offer printing that is wood mounted and smooth matte laminated. You can order these from my ArtFire studio page online at: http://www.artfire.com/users/LisaCantrell

You are also invited to joing me on facebook :www.facebook.com/lisacantrellart

Monday, January 24, 2011

2011.025 "The Beauty Inside"

Real beauty is on the inside. Isn't that what we've always been told? I wonder how many of you, my dear friends, have been judged not by the beauty that lies inside you but by what is seen from the outside?

This evening I joined my son in a meeting of an anti-bullying group at his middle school. The objective is to keep our kids safe from bullying, dating violence and dangerous relationships - even friendships. When first he told me of this group I immediately felt negative about him participating. It felt like someones social agenda being pushed and yet another push for total equality and tolerance. Please don't misunderstand me. I believe in peace between people of all colors, creeds, and persuasions. What I don't believe in is some out of touch group of policy-makers forcing their agenda in the name of such things. I believe simply in the golden rule and that we should all live by the wisdom it offers.

Treat others as you want to be treated.

After some time and hearing the positive messages of this group my mind was changed. I believe they are truly attempting to make a difference and I applaud their efforts.

This evening as I sat in that meeting I realized that maybe it wasn't so much me bristling up at the idea of a secret social agenda but rather old feelings from when I was myself a victim of cruel bullying as a junior high and high school student. I was shy, geeky, in band and orchestra and on the debate team. I was a softball player and a swimmer and well liked by all of my teachers. I was always on the honor roll and never went to parties. I listened to new wave and punk music and dressed like a character from the movie Pretty in Pink. I wasn't popular and I wasn't a cheerleader. Ok I was a cheerleader for half a year as a junior because I thought maybe it would make a difference in how my peers treated me but was even picked on at that level by other cheerleaders who didn't think I belonged in their group until I quit the squad.

Today's blog piece is reflective of my feelings about being bullied and overlooked because I didn't quite fit in. It's pale and flat on the outside. Not ugly, just not flashy or brilliantly beautiful. It's simple. As you look deeper and deeper into the center you see the true beauty that lies within.

The Beauty Inside - 12x12 compound digipaint

Don't overlook or mistreat people because they may not fit your idea of beautiful. Live by the golden rule. Teach your children to live by its wisdom. Say hello to strangers and don't be afraid to greet the world with a smile. You never know what beauty may be lying just below the surface of each face you greet.

~ Lisa

Sunday, January 23, 2011

2011.024 "Knitted Together"

My maternal Grandmother was a master with knitting needles. Every evening that I can recall she would sit down after the evening meal and work on her knitting. Usually it was a sweater for one of the grandchildren or a shower gift for a new baby. I remember watching her hands work in steady unison, using sharp and shiny colored implements to weave the intricate patterns that would eventually be a perfectly constructed warm, wearable piece of hand-made art.

I will likely share many stories of my Grandmother this year. She was one of my most favorite people and she lived a fascinating life. She passed away 20 years ago this April but there is still not a day that goes by without her crossing my mind.

Today's blog piece is in honor of my Grandmother and the beautiful things she made. The last sweater she knit for me was my freshman year of college. It remains in my closet today. Perhaps I'll take a photo of it and add it to this entry later. The color of that sweater is a soft minty green and she attached tiny pearl beads to the neckline. The yarn she used was particulary pricey for the time and is still very soft and warm.

This one is called "Knitted Together". I think you will immediately understand why, even without my story.

Knitted Together - 12x12 compound fractal

~ Lisa

A few years ago I took up knitting myself and although I may never be as skilled as my Grandmother I do find it a very relaxing and enjoyable activity. If you're interested you can check out a number of how-to books. Also in Wichita there is a wonderful shop called Twist Yarn Shop in Delano that offers classes and a weekly knitting circle.