Title: Doorway
To Another World
Bottom: Penetration
Artist: Mary A. Gravelle
Media: Pastel, approx. 6"
x 9"
About this image: Journal Entry
Monday, March 6, 1995, 12:30 pm
Sacred Art, Sacred Places Workshop
Santa Domingo Square, Oaxaca, Mexico
Exploring the sacred today. Found myself getting a little
lost, off track, off focus. Vera rescued me. The intent of this
1-1/2 hours was to explore and encounter our art, explore the
unknown and notice our patterns.
I had gotten some pesos from Guierrmo, so I bought a necklace
and earrings from a little boy and his mother; then Vera
appeared and gave the message to me of what I was supposed to be
doing -- exploring the unknown.
I got to it, walked the street, stopped into a beautiful
craft shop, then proceeded to explore more. I had decided to
stop exploring at 11:45 so I could do artwork for 45 minutes and
I did.
I started out with watercolors since I [had] brought them
along; wasn't happy with the result, so changed to pastel. I did
two drawings.
The first [top] was an arched figured -- yellow door with an
orange energy appearing thru it, not real sure of the message as
yet -- the images are of Mexico, the images that appeared during
my exploration. The arches, the color, intensity, layers, more beyond
the walls, glimpses into what lay beyond thru the arched
doorways. Branching out from beyond.
The second was an ameba type presence, a loose, flowing
being, colorful, bold, textured, not real sure of its meaning as
yet.
Friday, June 13, 2003, 11:57 am
Gosh, I find this very interesting -- mining images and
writing from years ago. Everything has significance and meaning
as much today as it did then. From this vantage point, I can see
how they helped lead me to where I am today.
The pieces received their titles today as I contemplated
their meanings for me now.
Doorway Into Another World speaks to me about where I
want to go. What key will open it? When will I walk through it?
Looking at the image, I realize that growth happens from merely
looking at the door and thinking about it. Movement happens in
the stillness of contemplation.
Penetration speaks to me about letting life take a
hold of me. My new mantra is: "I open, accept, receive, and
share." I allow myself to be penetrated by life's offerings
and gifts.
Something else just popped out at me as I saw the two tiny
thumbnails sitting side by side in the Gallery page just now. The
doorway looks
like a finger -- "finger on the pulse". And
penetration looks like it is opening or pushing through the door -- is that my
key to unlocking the door and walking through it -- penetration?
As I look at penetration to the left on this page, it also looks like a fist breaking through
the barrier reef. "Reef" is an odd word to be added
here but it wanted to stay.
Thursday, June 19, 2003
I have received comments on the phallic nature of Penetration.
From one friend:
"I love the force, mobility and invitation of both
images. The two colours above the yellow doorway image in
Doorway seem to hold more energy for me than the doorway itself.
How interesting. And Penetration seems almost coquettish, though
it's obviously phallic as well. How fascinating that you've
combined diverse emotions and ruminations in the
paintings."
From another:
"Keep up the good artwork...I guess those
"older" works still pack a punch huh? Do you remember
what was going on in your life when you did those? Perhaps you
had to be "phallic" and extra bold at those times?
Just a thought."
My response:
I love these observations on my images. They give me new
insights.
Interesting diagnosis. I think right now I need to be very
phallic and bold again, so perhaps that is why they have come
back around to my attention.
And to the coquettish quality of Penetration. When I titled
that piece I was thinking more of the coquettish quality without
realizing it. But really, I like to think of it as more of an
invitation to be penetrated -- in all ways -- physically,
emotionally, spiritually and by life itself.
I actually hadn't seen the phallic image as such. Now that I
re-look at it, the phallus is quite striking, isn't it -- bold,
hot, pure, and sure, very yang. And the receiving end, the yin
is as it should be, inviting, dark, receptive, taking it in to
its very core, allowing. Wow. You have helped me see this in a
new light. This very well could be my present day symbol.
Thanks.
And for you -- the doorway. Have you figured out why the
colors above the door hold more energy for you? Is it the color,
the direction, or something else? Are the colors in front of,
behind, or beyond the door? Or are the colors part of the
doorway? Perhaps the door has a lesser meaning because you have
already walked through the door? What is the meaning of all of
that for you? Would love to hear.
For the viewer:
Do either of these images speak to you? Can you relate to any
of the writing? Do you see something else from your experience
and vantage point? Do they relate to your life at all? Please post
your comments and share a little of yourself with us today.
Thanks.
Posted: June 13, 2003
Written by Mary A. Gravelle
© 2003 Mary A. Gravelle
Post your comments to our website: click
here.
Email Mary: mary@wisdompainting.com
Inspiring Images Art Gallery, click
here.
Global Art Project 2002 CT Artists
Art Gallery, click here.
Read what people are saying about our
posted artwork, click here.
Home
|
