Once in awhile I deviate from my lighthearted and cheery blog posts to share a little slice of my soul. This is one of those times, but not to fear, there are also pretty pictures.
Before we get to the goods, let’s start out with some bling, my latest raku pottery vase creation ‘Sky Father’. On an aesthetic level this vase’s name pays tribute to the sky as we see it in it’s blues, and the larger sky we share with the universe with galaxy like effect on the bottom third of the vase.
Click here to see more images of this vase here.
That’s the official rationale for the piece. But sometimes secrets lie within the soul of an artwork. A little piece of the artist’s heart. Isn’t that what those who buy art pay for? 😉
This vase is also named in memory of my own father, who I unfortunately never really knew.
He might have been as far away as the stars for me.
A myth in my life, a secret to uncover.
A love unknown.
How do I grieve someone who the world tells me should be of great importance in my life, but I never knew? How do I reconcile the passing of hope, of knowing what might has well been a mythical figure in my life, a faint outline?
I look up at the stars and enjoy the light that you can see of a star passed. How do I let go of the hope and longing for something that I can never touch?
I replace it with beauty in my life.
I use that energy to create beauty around me. Like this vase, and in the lives of the people around me.
This one is for you Sky Father.
Thank you for reminding me of my own mortality and that time is limited.
I am going to make sure that those around me know they are loved and appreciated and bring as much love and beauty into this world as I can.
It badly needs it.
Maybe you were just the father I needed.
Such a lovely idea, but how difficult to live without that knowledge.
Thank you for your comment. It has been challenging for certain. I hope you have a great week.
That made me feel.
Thank you. I hope you are having a good day.
The design on the vase is beautiful. I’m sorry about the emotions that you are experiencing, but I love your conclusion.
Thank you so much for your kind words. That is the only way I can think of to move forward that makes this make any sense. I hope all is well with you.
Wow – this is so tender and vulnerable. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Thank you for your kind words and for reading my post. It means a lot to be able to share some of these feelings. I hope all is well with you.
A wonderful memorial.
Thank you! I hope all is well with you and your creative and political endeavours are going really well!
I hope so!
Lovely. Both your words and your art.
What an amazing story and piece of art. I too, have the burden of holding that emptiness within me of not knowing my father. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment. It oddly brings me comfort to know I am not alone in this experience. Sending good energies your way.
Nice words. Beautiful vase. I love staring at the stars too. Sky Father is no longer grieving.
Thanks so much for your kind words! I hope you are having a great week!
raku haiku contest sometime?
Absolutely! I am thinking May is a good month to do that 😉 Thanks for the great suggestion.
Your post hit me in the heart, not so much for me, but for my sons. Their father died in August, and had been absent from their lives for a long time (his choice, alcoholism’s choice). I worry about what they are missing all the time — just the idea of a father that they will never have. I hope I have compensated for it, I’ve sure tried.
Your vase is beautiful, and I love the idea of replacing what is lost or unknown with beauty.
You post is hitting me in the heart. This is not an experience that I would wish on anyone. Before this came some very dark nights of the soul. It really messes with your identity. It sounds like your sons are lucky though, because you are aware of this and are there to help, and I am sure that makes all the difference in the world.
Thank you for your meaningful comment and your kind words about the vase. Thinking of you and your family.
I think you are right. Regardless of specific individuals, relationships, events, times, and places, your conclusion and the resulting action lasts forever.
Thank you! All I can do is try my best. I hope you are having a great week.
I am. And you just made it better.
From pain can rise great beauty…your Sky Father vase is proof of that.
And I would imagine that in the creating, the pain is lessened, as if it were released into the heavens.
Thank you for your beautiful comment and great analogy. I think in one way or another I have always used creative pursuits to release emotions.
I do the same with writing. 🙂
I’m actually going into a similar subject (possibly) this weekend related to my pros and cons of social media.
I changed my format for a few reasons, some were my dad dying, my pet for like 15 years passing, then my last 3 living grandparents passed within a year.
So i had a 180 shift..
Anyways.. point.. I sometimes state my thoughts on that experience and what you said about the universe is my theory/thesis also.
Sometimes when I state specifics someone thinks it’s odd so.. I figured I’d comment on that.
I was kind of pondering on going there with the little blog prior to reading this so it was already on my mind. 🤷♂️
I will look forward to checking out your blog post. I am really happy I wrote mine. I tried to avoid specifics for the most part, because there are many people who can not understand not knowing a parent. I hope you do go there. For me it has been helpful to let this out, because I have been holding it in for a couple months.
I probably have indirectly in the past year but but absolutely specific.
If you want to have some real fun on the topic: go look up a conference somewhat recently about the Virginia University Perceptual Studies hosted by John Cleese.
It’s quite interesting. The last person in the Q&A, however, is why I don’t discuss it often unless I’m in a playful mood. 😒
What a wonderful post. The vase is something you could look at for hours and find something new to appreciate, and the conclusions you draw from your experiences will help you continue to make the world a betterplace.
Thank you for your kindness and words. I hope you are having a wonderful week and know that I appreciate your comment very much!
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Although your relationship was at a distance, you have resolved to share the love and beauty within your heart with everyone you meet. Perhaps that is the extraordinary gift to take away from this experience. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your very kind and comforting words. I am trying to focus on that and find joy in doing that. I hope you are having a beautiful week.
Thank you. You too!
Beautiful words, beautiful vase. ❤️
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I hope you have a great week ahead!
What a beautiful piece and beautiful piece — ie both the vase and the essay. Yes, we can use our pain or fear either to destroy or to create. What a gift you are to the world to choose creation. Thank you for “Sky Father”, it is lovely and true.
Thank you so much for your kind words and insights. They are very much appreciated and helpful. What a gift you are to the world for helping to spread kindness and compassion.
As always your art astounds me! Love the colors, every inch of each piece you do. As to the backstory…the topic of fathers is rife with emotion, often hard ones. I’m sorry for that empty space in your life…but grateful for the beautiful talent it birthed <3
Thank you always for your kind words of support! I think you are right that many people have big emotions around their family relationships. I really appreciate your kindness and compassion. I feel blessed.
Hi–just letting you know I’ve moved to poeticheartdregs.com (Poetic Heart Dregs) 🙂
Beautiful
Thank you!
A wonderful work you’ve created!
Thank you! I hope you are doing well and have a great week ahead!
Sky Father is awesome..may the father of universe comforts you in his lap and fill you with unlimited bliss 🙂❤️
Thank you for such beautiful and comforting words! I appreciate you! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Wonderful week ahead for you 😊💐🌻
Beautiful colours
Thank you so much! I hope you have a great week ahead.
Beautiful. On so many levels.
And heart-breaking.
Yet hopeful.
Grateful for you, for your vulnerability, for your art.
Thank-you.
Your words mean a lot to me. Its taken a few decades, but I am learning to embrace vulnerability. Thank you for kindness, it really helps to hear this. I hope you have a beautiful week ahead and are well.
What a lovely tribute! Sky Father closes a chapter so you can move forward.
Thank you Eugenia. This is certainly a part of me closing that chapter and moving on to another exciting one. I hope you are doing great!
The colours in this piece are stunning and its name so fitting. Most people can only find pain in loss (or the unknown), but putting a positive spin on it and letting it inspire beauty and art is admirable. I appreciate you for getting personal- its never easy.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. Within the pain there are usually insights that can lead to positive things and that is where I am trying to keep my focus. I appreciate you for your kindness, compassion and support. People like you give me hope for a better world.
Beautiful vase and beautiful attitude
Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you are having a great weekend!
It snowed here in Alberta if you can believe it – crazy weather!
Good evening, Your words hold true emotions. I am sorry for your loss & that you never had the chance to know your father. Thank you for sharing your personal experience with us. The ending of your post was a beautiful thought. I would like to thank you for liking my latest blog post “Fanatics By Your Own Pearl 😌💁🏻♀️” It meant so much to me. have a lovely night 🌸
What a touching piece! Thanks for sharing it.☺️
Thank you for your kind comment! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Thanks for sharing all your beautiful projects and enthusiasm for artwork. I also wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award. Congrats! You deserve it! No worries if you don’t have time to write an award post. Have a great week!
Thank you for your very kind comment and nomination! I really appreciate it and I will take a look at what I need to do around that. I hope you have a great week too!
Beautiful ❤️
Such beauty in this post. Everywhere.
Thank you so much for your very kind words! I hope you are having a nice day!
this is really touching. thanks for sharing a piece of your heart (through your art). it is quite unlimited in it’s beauty!
Thank you so much for your kind words and comment. I really appreciate that! I hope you are having a great week!
My God! Your art is beautiful. Perhaps only an artist can turn pain into art, and that’s how we gain the strength to bear all our pain and emptiness.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I hope you are well. Art is certainly that for me.
I loved this share very much. Your pottery is soulful and your thoughts touch my heart. I lost my father several months ago. I had the joy of knowing him. But, I often catch myself grieving for all that I didn’t know of him. It’s rather hard to explain. This is lovely 💕
I know you are so much more than your father was. I don’t even know you and yet I can see the beauty and love you create everyday in your word so yes I agree you had the father you needed. Thank you for checking my blog/vlog out too and please subscribe👍💕
Thank you for your incredibly insightful and thoughtful comment. I very much appreciate your kindness! I love food and your vlog! Just found you with the studio account!
Your writing and your pottery are beautiful☀️💚☀️
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I hope you are having a beautiful day!
Sigh. Fathers and mothers so often aren’t everything that is needed. Probably never, in fact. Your post made me think of one of God’s names, though. Abba (daddy). He doesn’t fall short even if everyone else does. Have a blessed weekend and keep up the stunning work!
Thank you so much for your kind and insightful comment. My spirituality is a big part of what keeps me going! I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
Fabulous art
Thanks so much! I hope you have a great day!
Beautiful vases