Friday, January 4, 2013

JAN 4th Parable of Progress: The Princess & the Sharpie


There was once a Princess who liked to draw and paint. 

As such, she tended to doodle on whatever didn't move. This Princess had a room in her castle: a tiny bathroom, with plain white walls. And she waited and waited for her Prince to paint said walls. 

He was too busy out slaying dragons to do the painting, so one day the Princess decided "That's it!" She took up her Royal Sharpie, and started drawing a Doodle Universe right onto the walls! 

Oh, she had a plan. First, the doodle in black Sharpie. Next, some subtle shading. Then, some sponged on soft color in the background. And finally, a few spots of bold accent color here and there.

The Princess started her daring project in the summertime, in August. But by winter, with Christmas already come and gone, she was only just finishing up the last wall... of the doodled sharpie drawing!! She hadn't even started the shading or color yet. Even taking into account that she couldn't stand very long each time she worked on the drawing, it had still taken so much longer and had been so much harder than she thought it would be. 

At times she got discouraged and wondered why she had even started (whose briliant idea WAS this?!). She even toyed with the idea of compromise... just letting it stay in black and white, and forgetting all the work it would take to add the color.

And naturally, she thought about her journey to health. How it, too, had taken so much longer than she had hoped, and been so much harder than she could have imagined. And how she had gotten discouraged, and toyed with ideas of compromise.

But as she finished up the last doodle element on the last wall... she knew she would finish it, and add the color. The right way. All the way. No matter how long it took, no matter how hard it was.

And she also knew the same would be true for her journey to the best possible health. She would continue, all the way, no matter how long it took, no matter how hard it was.






For photos of all the walls, the process, and the symbolism behind the designs, I invite anyone interested to visit my art blog (Art By Retta)  where I go into that kind of detail. :-)




Enjoy the Journey (no matter how long it takes and no matter how hard it is at times),

Loretta

Day 2031

23 comments:

MargieAnne said...

We don't lack in stick-ability. You have proven it over and over. I do so hope I can see this in the round and real one day. So cool to have a custom made wall with all kinds of symbolism and memory thoughts woven through.

Blessings

PeacefulBird said...

Bless you upside one and down the other... OMG... This is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo what I needed to hear-see-understand today. Thank you.

Retta said...

I'm so glad this was helpful for you, Robin. That makes it worth it. Thank you so much for telling me that.

Retta said...

Thanks, MargieAnne.
Stick-ability... I like that word!

PeacefulBird said...

I keep thinking about the colors... the thought makes me happy... look forward to seeing.

Because of you, I looked up Blogger help and learned how to add reply threading to my blog comments. Thanks. And, fyi I replied to your comment on my post from yesterday.

Retta said...

:-)

'Yellow Rose' Jasmine said...

This is very cool. I shall check out more on your art blog...

Sean Anderson said...

Love. This. Post. Wow. I'm always in awe of your artistic talent. It's amazing, incredible--You are so gifted. And isn't it just like our journies to better health, oh my yes-- You are your masterpiece, beautiful from start to finish. My best, Loretta

Retta said...

Thanks Sean, I really appreciate that!

M Pax said...

I love what said princess did to her walls. How fantastic. That photo of you on the sidebar with the bluebird, if I haven't said it before, I must say you look stunningly beautiful in that photo.

Retta said...

That is so sweet of you to say, Mary, since I wasn't thrilled about having to update the previous photo with one that is heavier! But ya know... we gotta stay honest. :-}

debby said...

LOVE it, Loretta!!

Retta said...

Thanks, Debby. (and if you look real close, you'll see each element has kantha stitches somewhere in it!)

Heather said...

Hi,

I have a quick question about your blog, do you think you could e-mail me?

Heather

Retta said...

Since you don't list your email addy anywhere, I have a better suggestion: why don't YOU email ME?? Be glad to answer your quick question. :-)

PeacefulBird said...

What'sup,Princess Sharpie? Where are you? Missing you today... xoxo PB

PeacefulBird said...

I'm getting worried now... Where are you? Sending love and hugs, PB

Retta said...

Aww, you are sweet. I'm sorry I forgot to reply before. I read it, and meant to, and then..?!

I am on the last day of a push to finish a painting for a deadline. I "think" it's done, all except for the very last sparkles and highlights. It's my own fault for poor time management, that I am left scrambling at the last minute. But still, I'm loving it. I'll be posting tomorrow over at my art blog, no matter how it turns out. It's a part of the Virtual Paintout group, and we "went" to the Isle of Man this month. I had a blast painting this one. Learned to do fantasy clouds with a full moon. I picked a field with sheep and Irish Sea in the background, and an ancient stone wall. Sooo picturesque and dreamy to me. I have Irish ancestors, so who knows, they might have walked those fields.

Anyway, I'm still alive and kicking, just trying to get it done before the last of the month. Methinks I need to start earlier in February for the next one!!

I hope you are doing well, too, Robin. You have a lot to process, and I know it takes time. Actually, what seems like centuries ago I went through a divorce. We were young and foolish... what can I say. :-} But God healed my hurting heart, and was there to guide me into a new, even better future. I know He will do the same for you. {{hugs}}

PeacefulBird said...

Thanks for your reply... for some unknown reason, I didn't think to check here in the comment section until today... Next I'll go over to your art blog to see what's up. I miss you here though.... Know how it is to have deadlines... that's why I didn't post much last year while I was writing the book. Things are going OK, I guess. I'm coping without too much overeating, thanks to a lot of support. I hope the new OA group on the mainland will have the same affect on me as the group here. Hugs back to you, PB

Cindy said...

What an incredible feat!! I love how it looks in this picture - we need to see the completed project now!

Retta said...

Thanks, Cindy. It'll be awhile, since I'm in no hurry. It's one of those "just for fun" projects, with no deadline, and totally for enjoyment. Well, that and getting rid of all those WHITE walls, LOL!

Jennifer [To PIN/share a Post, Click the 3 dots or the Red SAVE Button] said...

Wow, you are super-talented! I can't draw to save my life!! I wish I could. This is amazing and the detail is extraordinary. Loved the little story too. :)

Retta said...

Thanks, Jennifer. I'm glad you liked it. :-)

Oh, PS: Years ago I used to teach drawing to high school kids. I'll never forget one young man who said he couldn't draw a straight line with a ruler. Well, I believe we are ALL creative, and encouraged him to just have fun and give it a go. His art was so original and unlike anyone elses, but he WAS very creative! He just hadn't had any training. So if you ever are interested, give a holler, and I can send you some links to free online lessons you could play around with.

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