Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Living on the simple lane


The painting is a commission for a dear friend's daughter. I do not generally work on commission, simply because I would hate to disappoint the person. But this little angel, nicknamed "Peanut", always reminds me how life can change in an instant. 


Almost 3 years ago, my college friend was pregnant with identical twin girls. In her routine visit to the doctor, she was rushed to the emergency room because one baby had died in her uterus and was killing her sister. Peanut was born very premature, about the size of a human's hand, had had a stroke while still in her mom's belly and barely made out alive. The doctor said most likely, she would be a vegetable, blind and deaf. But Peanut decided she was not going to go for it and she is developing into a beautiful little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her progress has been slow, but she is alive and smiling. She is an every day reminder that miracles do happen. And that life is fragile.


Seeing how fragile life is and short, I ask myself if I want to survive or live. I ask myself if the propaganda and infomercials are frying my brain. I wonder if the pace of life we live is healthy. 

When I drive around and I see people renting storage space because their items don't fit in their home, I am reminded of the little shacks some people live in. I am purging. I am purging all the excess and starting my path into a simpler existence. 



42 comments:

turquoisemoon said...

This piece is extremely fragile...just as your post. Lovely!

Cloudia said...

SO Simple and excellent. Demands it's space and attention. just splendid-




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Mopsa said...

This is a beautiful story of a life miracle. And your painting is beautiful too.
I'm also purging, one day at a time. I wish to become more and more detached from consumerism.
Thank you so much for your lovely and inspiring posts :)

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

What a beautiful story, Ana. I'm so happy that little baby chose to fight to live. Life is certainly precious -- and fragile. Living a simple life is wonderful. And soul-fulfilling. I try to do that. Every day. It's hard at times, but worth it. I get rid of things regularly by donating them to charities. I am a minimalist and need to live clutter-free.

Jane said...

Ana, I am deeply touched by this story and by how you've so beautifully expressed it. Life is indeed fragile, and yet we can also prove to be so resilient in spite of our circumstances. Many blessings on your friend's little one.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What a sweet face! May the Goddess bless little Peanut.

Kristin_Texas said...

I can so understand about decluttering: material-wise, and from my perspective even people-wise. :p

I find that too much clutter tends to breed a lot of negative energy.

I'm loving your painting. Someone is going to be very pleased!

Kristin

Riot Kitty said...

Wow, what a beautiful post. Your friend is so blessed to have this little darling!

Robin Larkspur said...

Heart-wrenching story. Your friend must have gone through so much. And now a sweet little girl, who you have painted beautifully, is smiling and very alive.
I have read all over the blog world of people getting rid of the excess, of keeping what is most loved and important and freeing oneself of all the anchoring-down stuff. I too have been doing this over the past year. Slow but sure, life is feeling lighter.

Jenny said...

A simpler existence... I'm on the same pathway... Peanut is adorable... and such a beautiful story... a inspirational miracle... life is fragile... and short.... let's make the most of every moment...

Jenny ♥

foxysue said...

Me too! I'm happy to follow this band of women and you to share the sentiments of your post so beautifully written and illustrated. We rarely read a newspaper, or watch the news for that matter, we are very selective where our information comes from! Careful about being tainted by the world's media and commercialism.

Nadia said...

Good post Ana! That is such a beautiful story. And why have people so much stuff they never use? What's the point of having it if you need to rent storage space? It is better to focus on the things you truly need and use, it doesn't always require items...

Sulky Kitten said...

Beautiful story and artwork, Ana. I am trying to become less attached to stuff, because I think it's healthier to free yourself from too much luggage that just drags you down.

manomij said...

What a touching story, life can be so tough but there is enough sunshine if you look for it. Lovely painting. Manon x

Out of Sight L said...

She is an angel and only someone with a beautiful soul could draw her this well, I am so sorry about the other baby, I wish the mother and newborn angel, well

Jean said...

We do have way too much stuff. And it ends up being a burden. Why bother?

Sherri B. said...

What a powerful post...and what a good point you make about people renting storage spaces for all their stuff. It makes no sense, does it? Purging the excess always feels so cleansing - I'm due for that here in our house, too! Your painting captures the preciousness of Peanut...thank you for sharing, Ana.

35jupe said...

It is beautiful and fragile and delicate. Both the story and the painting. I've known children like Peanut and they can surprise you!

Jho said...

this is so cute. :) i like it a lot.

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Ariel said...

Great post Ana. Loved to hear about little Peanut. What you said is right, life is fragile and so unpredictable. Sometimes I think we hoard and collect so much, but ultimately what happens to everything?Can we be content with what we've or do we keep on adding to all that we already have? Which one makes us happy?
Susan

Arkansas Patti said...

Beautiful painting of a miracle child. Her will to live was so inspiring.
We do tend to waste our time and energies on the strangest things like possessions.
Purge on, you won't regret it.

Beth said...

What a lovely and poignant story, Ana! So wonderful to hear that Peanut is thriving---I know your painting will be very special to her and to her parents.

I share your love of the simple life---after all, it's the things of the spirit that we most remember when we reflect on our lives.

K J D said...

Your painting is gorgeous and I am sure your friend will totally adore it!

I'm with you on the less clutter.... it just makes you feel better.

Karen x

The Dancing Crone said...

A lovely painting. Straight from the heart. And I mean that. Most of us have so much in the west. We are victims of the greedy few. The backlash, the Occupy Wall St. movement has never gone away, so maybe someday a leader will come along who can galvanize us all into saying "enough is enough".

Tammie Lee said...

this story and your painting are so lovely, moving and inspiring.

i would love to have less things too! perhaps i shall take action.

kala said...

Wishes to ur friend and just loved the arttt :)

Anonymous said...

I like your sweet painting, Ana, as well as the little miracle. Blessings to all!

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

How very, very lovely.Yes, life is fragile, but we are surrounded by miracles. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Thanks for the reminder to not get so immersed in material "stuff".

Mis Anthropy said...

Your angel is as beautiful as the story behind it.

Ileana said...

What a sweet painting and a wonderful gift it will be. Life IS fragile and beautiful but yes, we need to slow down and simplify. I'm always more at peace when I slow down and take time to rest and be in the present with the people I love. It's important to stop and do this often.

Kyra Wilson said...

Lovely work on the girl! :) All the stuff in our lives, I work on purging it too. It's times like that when I wish I lived in a more populated area because then I could actually get rid of it (in the country, it's a bit trickier. Stuff has built up over the years simply because even donating it is next to impossible!)

koralee said...

Your work is amazing!!
Thank you for visiting me the other day....now I have found you...off to take a peek around. Happy Thursday to you. xo

JerseyLil said...

Absolutely lovely painting Ana! There is such a delicate innocence to the expression on the child’s face. Beautifully done. I hope you’re feeling better after the flu. It got me down for a while too.

Memory box at 27 said...

wow, magical story. i would love to see the finished piece. looking adorable!

Magic Love Crow said...

What a blessed life! I am sending big warm hugs to precious peanut ;o) Life is fragile and we have to cherish every moment! A beautiful painting you have created ;o)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Ana I love it. I can feel the sweetness of Peanut in this painting.
The story of Peanut brought tears to my eyes tears of sadness for the loss of her sister but mostly tears of joy for her life and the hope she gives everyone.

The storage thing makes me sad too as there are people who have nothing. Hug B

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

You've really captured her innocence and beauty. We love to have lots of stuff...it's hard to live simply but lightens our load! Hugs!

Meera Rao said...

Very touching story that makes the little angel/ peanut painting even more beautiful!

Jeanie said...

I've been contemplating the "survive or live" queswtion a lot these past couple of weeks. I've been very ill and trying to survive (a tad over dramatic, but sometimes it feels that way)or live. This recent bout of illness as made me look at the stress of my job, the things I do and ask how does this contribute to my already fragile immune system. I am so grateful that your sweet friend Peanut has not only survived but thrived and really, shown all who know her how to live.

Doug Jamieson said...

It takes great courage to live simply in the consumer society. I admire you.

Zena said...

Such a wonderful and inspiring story and a precious painting. Living simply is not easy but is good for the soul. Happy Sunday, dear Ana

Anikó said...

inspiring post! i find that people block these experiences and stories out, i do too, because i am so scared of how fragile life is. but lately i have been able to feel that it is meant to be, and that's why we need to live in the moment and love and live fully now. with that fear goes and happiness grows.

purging of excess is on my to-do list too - hopefully February will be a good month for it for everyone.

good luck with the simplifying!