Farmers are planting the fields and summer is blazing a fiery hot trail across the sky. Warmer weather and growth mark the year with smells of earth and the bluest skies imaginable. The new growth gives me the thoughts of the past year of shut down and introspection. At 63 I find it harder and harder to adapt to new rules, there is something so true about old dogs and new tricks. The one aspect that bothered me the most last year was the shut down of churches last year. There was something very troubling to me about it even though I understood the concept, it still felt alien to me. As the year rolled on, it was like many other things that the shut down magnified, it grew rather than shrank my faith and my understanding of my faith. I became more aware of the fact that my faith was with Jesus and that no matter where I was it was still there, the building was merely a vessel. I was comforted by that feeling last year and decided I wanted to give it credence this year. I started a series aptly named disciples. I have toyed with the thoughts of organized religion and the heaviness that it brings to one’s childlike faith, the rules and regulations that have very little to do with faith sometimes seem to burden down the desires of the faithful, and quite often alienate others. In my work the figures are one with their faith and they carry it wherever they go. It is often difficult and heavy and sometimes small and easy but it is attached to them as they wander on their journey giving them balance. These are the first two pieces.
I strive in my work to maintain a balance in my values, my color and my design. Balance is a key element of my work. Most of my work goes through many changes as it develops, and I am fine with that. My greatest knowledge has been to work through every painting until it speaks to me, no matter how long it takes. I have found my work speaks the loudest when I have lived through the good and the bad in its conception. I hope this blog finds you well and in a good place in your life. I appreciate your time and I hope in some way my work will spark your interest and you will either find some time of reflection or maybe even grab a brush and paint something in your heart.
Take care,
Cathy Hegman
All artwork and writing on this blog are the property of Cathy Hegman. Please do not copy or distribute it without the written consent of Cathy Hegman.
PS; I do so love to watch the painters on Youtube that can completely blow my mind when they paint a stunningly beautiful painting in one video. I want to grow up and be them; but I have found I am just a slow and steady tortoise in the art making and I have okay with that now. Find your method, speed, and purpose in your art and hang with it.
Tks for the blog—- a better understanding of how the art is so much a part of you———
I admire your talent and paintings, how you convey your message in your work. For the most part, I am also slow and have read about artists who complete work in a day. But like them, who wants to be judged for the amount of time it takes to create a piece? It’s that the finished piece is somehow meaningful. I think you succeed.
Dear Cathy and goodmorning from The Netherlands,
So good to find a message from you again on your blog.
You describe the considerations that led to your new work in such a striking and insightful way. That alone inspires acceptance and the search for ways to express themselves. It touched me – despite not being affiliated with any church.
I love the image. It is of course beautiful, beautifully balanced, brilliant in color and for me it also really has a sense of humor. It gives me a smile and refers to possibilities to do what you want to do. Thank you Cathy for your words and lovely to see your beautiful images over and over again.
All the best, Gerda
Dear Gerda,
Thank you for your kind words. I am happy to hear my work appeals to you. I am always grateful for your time and deeply appreciative that you would take the time to comment on my work, that makes me smile! Thank you my friend!