Today I am inspired by my Fall Issue of Darling Magazine.
Have you seen it?
No?
Find it.
Absorb it.
It's fabulous.
charcoal, ink and gel transfer. photo not retouched.
The entire issue uses photographs of women that HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED.
Now there's a novel concept.
A couple of things about the photos stood out to me. One being the hands.
The beauty in the lines of a hand at work!
And the lines by the eyes? Those dreaded lines?
Utterly beautiful.
Why?
Because they show when the people are smiling, and you realize those people are REAL- their lines have been wrought through smiling and sunshine, laughter and big, goofy grins.
acrylic, dylusions spray, ink and Promarker. photo not retouched.
Which then brings me to think about my daughter, who, in less than a month, is getting married.
Last night, she came home for a quick trip to get some wedding planning done.
As many of you know, it's not an easy thing planning a wedding. The emotions run the gamut several times over and I find myself physically opening my hands over and over and over to remind myself of many things, but the most profound reminder is of letting go.
I'm letting go in a way I have never done before as a parent.
This might sound cheesy, but as I open my hands to let go, I realize there is room. With that room, I welcome in a new person.
With much joy.
charcoal, stabilo pencil in black, Montana paint pen, Faber-Castell Big Brush artist pen. photo not retouched.
I'm letting go of pride, control and the pace.
It will be a six hour -weepy- dance like crazy- laughter filled time.
If we were to have no flowers or decorations or dresses, guess what?
The most important part is that we show up and witness an amazing beginning.
Then celebrate it.
ink, acrylic paint and Heidi Swapp color shine spray in coral. photo not retouched.
In these crazy, emotional days, I say, @darlingmagazine, thank you for the reminder that in using photos that have not been retouched, it makes me look at my own life in a real way.
In so doing, I am able to
see beauty, grace, weakness and strength.
Which then prompts me to open my hands and embrace and celebrate these things just a little more each day.
linking to Paint Party Friday
I have never heard of Darling Magazine. I will have to google that.
ReplyDeleteAnd I had forgotten that you had a wedding coming up. I hope besides letting go and welcoming Mr. Right into the family that you are having the TIME OF YOUR LIFE. I dream of the day when I get to do this, but at the same time I know that I will have a hard time letting go.