The Story Behind "Braver Than You Believe"

It might be fun to share some of the stories behind my current work. Openings are a great opportunity to see friends, and meet new ones, but because it’s a one-time event, many of my friends can’t make it. So to start off, I’d like to share with you the story behind “Braver Than You Believe,” a painting which is currently showing at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, WA. 
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Sometimes a painting begins with a visual…it might something that catches my eye in daily life, or something online that is not necessarily art-related, such as an image from a knitting or travel blog. Don’t you love those well-designed blogs with beautiful photography of inspiring scenery, lovely still life images, or even a nicely decorated room? Sometimes it starts with an idea, or a prayer or a hope. Sometimes it begins with art in another form. A poem or story. Such is the case with “Braver Than You Believe.” I feel This piece stands out from the rest of my current work because of the bright red amaryllis. I don’t typically include pure bright reds. But the Amaryllis bulb planted at Christmas time was in full bloom, so elegant, it demanded to be painted. I went ahead and set it up in front of the window and did a few sketches, and snapped a few photos. I use both sketching and photos in my beginning process. It’s fun to use these different methods in getting to know a new subject.

My online reading list includes Brainy Quote, with it’s quotes of the day, and they usually highlight quotes from a famous person whose birthday happens to be on that day. Well, that day’s birthday list included A.A. Milne, author of the Winnie The Pooh books, a favorite from childhood and from reading stories to my own kids when they were little. Reading through some of the quotes from his books of course brought to mind the Disney versions of these characters and scenes from those movies. Remember when Christopher Robin tells Pooh-Bear

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“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” -A. A. Milne

With those storybook images floating around in my head and the still life in my studio ready to go, I thought of Pooh and his red balloon. Or maybe the balloon was a different color and his shirt was red. Anyway, I decided to let the bright red sing out in the painting as though it were Pooh’s bright balloon bouncing along as he held its string and walked through the Hundred Acre Wood. I remembered all the hopes and dreams I had, and still have for my kids which is in line with the advice Pooh’s friend gives him. I think the painting is a way of sending out that inspiration to my own children and to anyone else that might need it. In my own strength I’m well aware of my lack, but by walking in faith and with dependence on the One who made me, I can see God’s strength and will working out in my life. “Braver than you Believe, and smarter than you think.” I wrote the quote on the inside of the stretcher bars in graphite.