Inspirational Images
Mary Kay McDermott: Steppin' Out:
The Process

Read What Others Say

Back to Wisdom Art

HOME

More Images

Continued from Wisdom Art Inspirational Images

This drawing began when I chose a piece of yellow paper and as I chose it, my eye caught the color of a light blue crayon. The color combination instantly reminded me of my favorite T-shirt in high school, it was from The Sunshine House, a surf shop in Ocean City, Maryland, and had Surf Naked scripted across the back. “Very cool,” I thought.

 In the instant I had that memory I grabbed the blue crayon and did three swift swooshes across the page. They were created with exhilarating force and freedom. (The same words and feelings that come from surfing) I just looked at them awhile and really liked what I saw. It was clean and simple, like modern art. I didn’t want to disturb the feel but at the same time I was “committed to the process,” which I felt demanded more from me. Reluctantly I added white stripes between the lines. My mind was still on the beach and the white and blue reminded me of water.

 Now I thought of adding sand, to really make this a beach, but I chose not to because I didn’t want just bands of color that may look like a flag. I wanted something more personal to appear. Thoughts of the beach quickly brought the memory of my favorite bathing suit when I was six years old. It had little penguins all over it. So I drew a penguin, with blue eyes like mine. I sort of think the penguin is supposed to be me. I added a sunrise coming up behind the penguin.

 This image seems to be telling me that I’m ready to walk out across the ice and jump deeper into the flow of my life. The sun behind and surrounding me seems symbolic of God’s love.

 In our group meeting Mary Gravelle commented that it was interesting to her how the penguin was moving toward his true nature—the water, and away from the sun—which isn’t his nature. That resonated most with me as I’m right now going through significant changes in my life.

 I call this image, “Steppin’ Out”.

When I look at “Steppin Out” I am reminded of the little child I once was, and how much I had to trust and step forward to grow into the woman I am now, with all of the experiences and adventures I’ve had. It beckons me to continue to trust and step into the unknown, which, once we’re there, isn’t the cold icy water we feared it might be.

Kudos For Wisdom Painting!

© January 12, 2002 Mary Kay McDermott, Greenwich, CT
Author of The Bridesmaid's Survival Guide http://www.bridesmaidsurvival.com/contact.html