Sunday, March 16, 2008

Illustration Friday ~ Heavy



This week's topic, HEAVY, proved to be a bit of a challenge for me. The word just did not seem to fit my lovely vintage vixens or sweet little children. But it did bring to mind a feeling that I sometimes have...that of a heavy heart.

The inspiration for this collage is that which, at times, makes my heart feel heavy. With a high school age son who has but a scant two years before college, I find myself thinking of his departure and what that will mean to me and the rest of the family. My heart feels heavy when I imagine the house without him in it...so goes this collage...as one heart takes flight, another is left behind feeling somewhat heavy.

While working on the piece it occurred to me that it might also be a metaphor for the feelings I endured when I lost my father, almost exactly four years ago. He had made peace with his impending flight from this world, but I was left with a heart so heavy it was palpable.

This collage was a departure from the lightness and mirth of much of my work, but for me it was a wonderful experience filled with emotion. I also found that it was challenging, and also quite gratifying, to have my collage work take center stage without the aid of a beautiful young girl as the focal point.

I will close this post with all good wishes for lightness and joy in your hearts.

© Nancy Lefko

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is perfect for heavy, even the papar looks heavy! Remember that they come back and you get to see the wonderful things/values that you instilled in him take fruition!

Peace...

www.indigeneartforms.blogspot.com

Roberta said...

Nancy, this is gorgeous. Wings of music to lift the heart to flight! I just love it!

There is also a peace that comes from knowing we've raised them well enough to take that flight!

:)

Kathleen Rietz said...

Nancy, this piece definitely has a different emotion to it, even a heaviness! Very beautiful the way you conveyed your feelings to us in the collage.

Rui Sousa said...

Great work, really nice!

Fannie said...

Thanks for sharing your heart and your art.

Honor said...

A very sweet and touching piece.

Mim said...

I wondered what you would do with this topic, and you've done a wonderful piece, thanks for sharing. Somehow I thought your kids were little! Tough to think of them going off to college isn't it?

Christy/Tiddly Inks Digitals said...

This is very beautiful and touching!
I can feel the sweetness and bitterness of your past and upcoming losses.
Blessings on you and yours.

Anastasia said...

this is really lovely! im sure once you see him getting on with his life and growing up, taking charge you'll be so happy that he's happy...

Diane Duda said...

I love this, Nancy!
Funny how sometimes the ones you struggle with come together so nicely in the end.

And as far as kids leaving home, I only have two years before mine start flying out the door also. That thought leaves me with a heavy heart as well.

xo
Di

Ellen Byrne said...

Well done, as always!

Alicia PadrĂ³n said...

This is so beautiful Nancy! I love it, it has a lot of emotion and the color scheme is just lovely!

Unknown said...

Nancy...

this piece is wonderful and I can feel all of your passion and how much your father meant to you...always know that he is with you and your family each and every day and he smiles at all of your wonderful art....

Hugs
Diana

SympleTymes Cloth Art By Sherrie Nordgren said...

Your Art is gorgeous! Lots of emotion!!
Sherrie

Isabel said...

So many dimensions on this piece.

Bee said...

Great interpretation and really nicely done in your style, love the muted reds.

Candace Trew Camling said...

This is PERFECT-O for this week! I think my parents felt the same way when I left. I'm an only child...so I was 1/3 of the population. Trust me, your son will have a heavy heart too!

studio lolo said...

I like what Roberta said...you've raised them well enough to take this flight.
Wonderful "heartfelt" collage :)

Anonymous said...

I am in love with this, it is sooo beautiful and your post was so touching! I'm feeling tear-y eyed now...Thanks for sharing this!

Ginger*:) said...

Quite the most touching of your offerings. This is a beautiful piece and touching sentiments accompany the lovely work. It is truly from the heart.

Nina Seven N7 said...

nancy - all your collage work is so lovely, even this one that is not your typical subect matter. i lost my dad 2 years agao, so I know exactly how you felt. thanks fore your nice comment on my illo this week, it's greatly appreciated.

Bobo said...

Nice concept and composition. I think no matter how far your son go, his heart will always with his family.

Elise's Art Garden said...

Your work and your thoughts are both beautiful. When my oldest son left home (as a Marine) , I just had to sit in his room, many of his things still there, and cry. There was a physical emptiness in our home. We all felt it.
He has since returned and left again, and yet each time he departs, or any of my other children as they too prepare to leave home, my heart feels to break with that heaviness. I think Heaven need be nothing more than never having to bid farewell to those we love.

ELLA ELVIANA said...

oh, that would be so hard, letting your son go... i can feel the emotion through your lovely collage.

Anonymous said...

Ahem, I think I have something in my eye... (sniff.) What a touching post and I really love this piece. It's so lovely and subtle, yet says so much about the Juxtipostion of hearts.

Anonymous said...

This is a beautiful collage on a purely visual level, but it becomes so very meaningful when you explain its significance. Lovely work!

thedoodlegirl said...

Oh, you are so talented. How beautiful the colors and textures are!

Issi said...

O wow, It's super, brava :o)))
Best Wishes,
Issi :o)

valerie walsh said...

An incredibly beautiful and touching tribute to your son and dad! Sometimes Heavy brings on sorrow sometimes but it helps us reflect on the joys too! Perfect!

Alicia Souza said...

oh wow. ur collages are amazing:)

Anonymous said...

Nancy, this is such a tender & beautiful piece, appreciated by so many. You have touched a soft place in the soul. I love all of your art!

Linda Kay said...

Beautiful image...a thoughtful, deep image that makes one think about the people who touch our lives & are no longer near.
Linda

Hello! said...

Simply beautiful! Love the colors and the buttons!

Xanthe said...

beautiful!
The buttons really are lovely

Elizabeth Parsons said...

Nancy, this is one of your best pieces- I love the emotion behind it. wonderful art!

eBeth