With Easter fast approaching, I would like to share an oil painting that I did a year ago in celebration of Easter, titled: Resurrection – The Way. During the intervening months, I did additional work on it, adding more layers and the cross at the top.
The frame that it’s in was a gift from a fellow church member. It’s very elaborate, but I think fitting. I’m submitting it in the frame, and with it cropped out to better view it in its simplicity.
“Peacemaker” was published for ECVA’s Call to Artists’ “Justice & Peace” 2010.
“Mystic Flight” was never submitted. I offer them together because of their similar theme: the circle of life and peace and understanding of our fellow creatures–both human and animal.
MYSTIC FLIGHT
“I want to run on your legs,” said hawk,
“And feel the beat of earth beneath my hooves.”
“I want to soar with your wings,” said horse,
“And view the earth from high up in the sky.”
And so they did . . .
“I found the ground of interest,” said hawk,
“But much prefer the air beneath my wings.”
“I found the height extremely rare,” said horse,
“But much prefer the ground beneath my feet.”
And so they did . . .
“Because I ran in your shoes,” said hawk,
“I understand uniqueness even more.”
“Because I saw with your eyes,” said horse,
“I can respect a different point of view.”
And so they did.
Here is a picture of the full oil painting: “Windswept Majesty.”
The publishers, Forward Movement, cut it down in size for the cover of their 2024 Advent book, but I think they did a nice job with it. I love the font they used for the title.—Claudia
Both my painting and poem were created almost simultaneously: a stroke of the paintbrush and a stroke of the pen. I have had offers to buy it, but I have been reluctant to let it go. I did produce a “Dreams Have No Color II,” which I submitted to ECVA in 2019 for its Universal Christ—Call to Artists. In addition, its image was used by The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross in 2020 for its 124th annual gathering invitation. Eventually, I did sell the second version.
Although this is an older painting and accompanying poem, they are a strong reflection of me as an artist. — Claudia
Dreams Have No Color
By Claudia Smith
She keeps her dreams tucked deep inside a secret private place;
Their sweetness lies there waiting to wrap around her
Like the fragrance of spring honeysuckle.
Her dreams have changed over the years;
As her body ripened so did they: from dolls and dresses
with yellowed lace, to wishes so special, they hurt.
She tries to keep them in neat white piles,
Like her mother’s linens; but like hollyhocks along a fence,
They blossom in rainbow profusion and disarray.
When the week has been razor-sharp and too heavy to carry,
She lets them whisper in her ear; their breath is warm
Against her cheek, making her chest ache with wanting.
It suits her best to dwell on them at night against her pillow;
The darkness and the measured beat of her sister’s sleep
Make them more believable.
Plucking each one as if it were a ripe berry
Whose juice stains her fingertips,
She savors them until her eyes tear.
She wonders if “dreams-come-true” only happens to girls
Who have fair skin and wear expensive shoes;
Her throat is tight from daring to dream with
Calloused bare feet, against rough sheets.
About Claudia
Since I am a multi-media artist, my pieces vary quite a bit. I find joy in variety, and create both fine art in oil and mixed-media, and cartoon style art for cards and items for children. (See art in shared art section.) The children’s table and stools is my newest art was done for a fundraising auction for Rockwood Retirement Community here in Spokane, WA.)
A bit of my history: I graduated from Michigan State University, and taught art for several years. I ventured into the commercial world of interior design, creating many murals mainly in children’s bedrooms. I was a freelance artist and did illustrations and cartooning for newspapers. I also continued doing fine art, and my paintings and mixed-media have been featured in galleries, businesses, municipal buildings and private collections, often accompanied by my poetry. It was pure joy to be a part of ECVA for many years.
Donated to St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church