Beatitude
THE STORY IN THE LAYERS
BEHIND THE TITLE OF " Beatitude"
Whenever I finish a painting it becomes my new favourite. After completing this one, this became my absolute new favourite. One can just sense the complete state of bliss that the mother is in, the way she is holding her baby while breastfeeding, the look on her face, being at peace.
The word "beatitude" seemed to describe the moment perfectly. beatitude: noun be·at·i·tude \bē-ˈa-tə-ˌtüd, -ˌtyüd\ Definition: a state of utmost bliss (Reference: merriam-webster.com/dictionary) |
WORDS
"And a woman who held a baby against her bosom said, 'Speak to us of Children.'
And he said: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable." |
IMAGES
I have been collecting images of mothers and babies where one can really sense the bond between the mother and child. This picture called “Mother and Child” just said it all, I think it is one of the most beautiful images I have ever seen. It is from a woodblock print by the Japanese artist Shuzo Ikeda (1922-2004). I first made a sketch which was tricky with all the dark spaces around the body and once I was happy with that I painted it on the canvas. |
THEMES
Utmost bliss, silence, centredness, connectedness, being fully present.
When I'm fully present ordinary moments become extraordinary. My intention as a parent is to be more mindful every day, still, I often find it challenging to stay in the moment with my daughter. The more I practise the easier it gets. When I focus on being fully present, good or bad, the outcome is always good.
These are the moments when time stands still, when deep connections are made, where trust is built. These are the moments that make my life intensely meaningful.
When I'm fully present ordinary moments become extraordinary. My intention as a parent is to be more mindful every day, still, I often find it challenging to stay in the moment with my daughter. The more I practise the easier it gets. When I focus on being fully present, good or bad, the outcome is always good.
These are the moments when time stands still, when deep connections are made, where trust is built. These are the moments that make my life intensely meaningful.