Posted on 12/22/2011 9:09:59 AM PST by RetSignman
As I worked on this painting, I almost called it complete dozens of time but something told me I couldn't quit. I kept looking at His eyes until, finally, I knew I could stop.
To me, it was how I envisioned how He may be looking at, not just our country, but the world. The sorrow and disappointment as He witnesses frenzied crowds scrambling for gifts who are unaware or forgetting that He was the truest of all gifts given to us by His Father.
The sadness of He and His Father might feel as they witness that children are no longer permitted, by law, the freedom to express their love of them in school.
Many of us go through life searching for the reason and meaning of it all when it has all been right in front of us all along, it was too close to see. All we have to do is step back to clearly see the path we should be walking.
I'm aware this sounds way too 'preachy' and and perhaps a 'mother of all vanities' but ,at seventy three, tomorrow is one gift I don't take for granted. As an amateur painter, I have tried to paint images that inspire thought or a feeling and have failed numerous times. I hope that this attempt will inspire even one person to re-evaluate their purpose in this often confusing world and turn their backs on those whose mission is to create a Godless society.
I wish all you FReepers a heartfelt Merry CHRISTmas.
Wow! An image that communicates with no words necessary.
Very nice - not an “amateur painter” to me.
You captured sadness...
absolutely beautiful.
merry Christmas.
Very well done, I agree.
Captures a very injured feeling. Very sad and beautiful.
Good grief, you are really good.
Beautifully done. You are blessed.
I’ve done sings for friends, Little and Babe Ruth League outfield signs, but I’ve not tried anything of your caliber.
My signs are done on the computer, blown up, transferred and painted. I call it color by number.
May you have a Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year.
Thank you, Freepers, I’m glad that you have seen what I was trying to accomplish.
Beautiful, Ret.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
[Little and Babe Ruth League outfield signs,...]
I painted a lot of signs for ball fields when I was in the sign Biz but when the computer took the place of imagination, it took some of the fun out of it.
Not that there is anything wrong with that, time and progress marches on.
[Captures a very injured feeling...]
Thank you Indy, it was what kept driving me to do this painting. As I said, if only ONE person get’s something out of my post, I’d be more than grateful.
You do beautiful work. You captured how Christ would feel with the state of humanity.
Made me think of the thread today of the Pastor facing charges for speaking about Christ at the Capitol Christmas tree.
Keep showing us your work. You have a great talent.
There is nothing like the real thing. There is a big difference between something that comes from the heart and hands and what a computer spits out.
[...no words necessary.]
I actually thought of just posting the image but there was a reason behind it that I felt needed to be used.
I’m a little disappointed that the side bar moderators opted not include it on the sidebar, not because of vanity but so it may give more people a chance to consider the true meaning of Christmas through the image.
Moderators: Please take no offense.
Absolutely Beautiful. It may have taken you a lifetime, but you have achieved the perfection you have so long looked for.
Thank you for sharing this gift with us, and may the Lord Bless you and yours this Christmas.
[...what a computer spits out.]
I agree Indy, in the final days when the computer and vinyl replaced imagination and my brushes, I knew I had become an ‘old school’ sign man and time to fade away.
On the other hand, I never regretted my decision to enter the occupation or know when to get out of the way of progress and innovation.
Art is one of those things that real innovation is with the actual artist. Capturing emotion in a painting is difficult. I bet you stood back and studied it for hours!
You will never be old school. You are original. It doesn’t get any better.
I do understand the business you were in, but real appreciation is with talent and imagination. When your painting is done, it is yours. People can only copy it.
Your brushwork and shading is really good.
Hey, you have just begun!
You have a God-given talent. Beautiful painting...thank you very much for sharing.
I’m guessing you don’t know anything about 3D modelling, shading, texturing, rigging, etc.
This painting is a beautiful work of art, but the work and imagination that goes into “what a computer spits out” shouldn’t be denigrated like that.
It saddens my heart to know how we have hurt Him. Without a doubt, you have captured that hurt in your painting. Simply beautiful. Thank you and Blessed Christmas to you!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.