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The Guesthouse; Acrylic on wood panel; 12 x 16″; Not For Sale
Image Description
A painting of a woman with long brown hair pulled back in a pony tail. She has a pink hair ribbon pulling her hair back and is wearing a pink crop top and pink shorts. She is sitting crossed legged and facing the viewer. She is in front of a window, showing a dark background outside but interrupted with bright yellow light shining through. The curtains are purple and sparkly. There is a black cat looking out the window.
Artist Description
My painting is Inspired by the poem The Guest House by RUMI.
“Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all!”
The house looks empty expecting to be filled or it has been cleared out. The female in the painting is sitting on the floor, waiting, and accepting of all visitors. Her cat keeps her company and there is a sense of home. The curtains and bright colours that she wears are elements of light even if the room appears dark. The window has dark and light and it’s up to the viewer who is visiting. The painting is about mindfulness and accepting welcome and unwelcome events.
The Guest House – Rumi
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Artist Biography
A decade of mountaineering brought me to Nepal in 2018. One painful headache later my life was interrupted in a way that would be change me forever. A blood clot had formed in my brain leading to a stroke at the age of 38.
I endured 6 brain surgeries and my skull is now part titanium. I arrived back in Toronto in a vegetative state, unable to speak and wheelchair bound. My initial diagnosis was that I would no longer be independent.
Working with my healthcare team I underwent intensive neuro and physical rehabilitation, and speech therapy. My vision is permanently impaired, but my eyes have been opened. Healing involved embracing mindfulness and having a deep awareness of the connection between my mind and body. Feeling inspired I started to paint. Art allowed me to share part of myself and explore courage through creativity.