I remember well when I received this print as a gift for one of my birthdays by my husband. We used to love going out to Jamesport and picking through the antique shops, but particularly one I loved that was filled with vintage prints, paintings and furniture. The back room was filled with beautiful paintings. They weren't cheap, so I had to just look. I always look in Antique shops for one to pull at my heart, my soul and wait for that "I have to have that." moment.
Sometimes, nothing. Sometimes, there is that one painting that I keep staring at. This was one of those paintings, well, print of one. Everything about it pulled at me. It struck a chord, a nerve in a very good way. Oh, how I wanted it. It wasn't cheap for some reason. It was something like $250. It was probably way over priced for a print after all, but the owner wasn't pleasant at all and wanted what she wanted. So, my husband and I left, alas, empty handed.
Geesh. I felt broken hearted. It is weird with art how it can really draw out emotion both positive and negative. Someone else's creation, even. I don't even know who the artist is, where this picture takes place. I have clues. One she is wearing wooden clogs, which you think is Dutch, but that is not where I imagine this setting. I picture that she is French, walking a rural path in the French Countryside with her wine, baguette, a canteen of water for herself and she is enjoying herself. This is her moment of pleasure walking the dirt path, enjoying the colorful flowers along the way and soaking in the fresh country air. This is her quiet time, her exercise, her fresh air, her "me" time and she is serenely smiling. I bet you she looks forward to this time of day and it is a sacred routine where she experiences pure joy.
That's what this picture does for me. My husband got that, and he had secretly made payments to the antique lady to be able to bring this beauty home for me for my birthday. It is one of my absolute favorite paintings/print hanging in my house.
Art is Magic.
Side Note: May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Art can be such a valuable & enjoyable tool to aid in stress, depression, anxiety, fear, lessen pain & expression of pent up emotion. Use crayons if you have to and mindlessly color
Tweet your art to #art4mentalhealth and Share with others while enjoying others art as well
You are not alone and that is a beautiful thing.
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