Finished Work: Sing O Barren Woman!

Sing O Barren Woman
39 x 19.75"
Oil on Canvas 

This poignant piece of work went  through quite a journey of trial and error, perseverance and discovery to get to where it is. At the end of it, not only did my skill level reach yet another level, but I also came to a place of deeper insight and understanding about the human experience of barrenness or fruitlessness.

Sing O Barren Woman
39 x 19.75"
Oil on Canvas 

I know, in our culture of positive thinking, it is not too common for negative emotions and experiences to be cited, delved into, held within our hearts with patience, worked through, articulated, and finally overcome. We often run the risk of being called negative people when we talk about the things that really trouble us. But when we overemphasize positive thinking, we end up shoving poignant and powerful experiences - which are in fact tremendous opportunities for growth and transformation - deep within our hearts, which in the end cause damage to our soul.

But this piece rebels against such a culture of willful denial.

It faces the painful experience of failure, namely, my experience of being unable to sustain life in the past, and the little return on investment I've experienced in my creative vocation, endeavors and projects. This piece reminds me that the reward of bravely making space for process, even the process of healing, is the song of joy that has been inscribed in my heart, a song borne out of walking through the valley of shadows, and learning to choose hope every step of the way.

'Sing O Barren Woman' (a title that was inspired by the 54th chapter of the book by the prophet Isaiah ), is my confident assertion that my experiences of failure and futility do not have the final say in my life, I will not be silenced by pain, I will rise with joy from the ashes.

Sing O Barren Woman
39 x 19.75"
Oil on Canvas 

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