From painting about healing by Bea Garth

“Bringing Her Back To Life” by Bea Garth, copyright 2018

I just recently started work on this new painting which I am now calling “Bringing Her Back To Life,” by Bea Garth, copyright 2018. Its for a show I will be participating in this September called “Stories We Could Tell” at The Cave here in Vancouver, WA.

"Bringing Her Back To Life" acrylic painting in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2018
“Bringing Her Back To Life” acrylic painting in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2018

Of course I have plenty of stories in my paintings, but this one is calling to me given my recent health crisis  that became a crescendo the last  couple of years. Fortunately my broken wrist is healing and is becoming stronger and more flexible with each passing month. Ditto with my knee. In addition, I have gotten clues studying genetic snps that have proven to be very helpful regarding dietary advice. That plus taking Maca and Ashwagandha is  making a positive difference with counteracting some of the effects of underlying Lyme Disease that I have been struggling with the last few years.

Fortunately, I am in the process of bouncing back. I am nothing if not doggedly persistent looking for and finding  remedies. That and, of course, the Painting Gods are healing me. I honestly often feel a direct connection with the healing powers of the Earth and Sky (represented here by a  couple of their emissaries in this painting), especially when I am in my creative element.

I have more to do with the painting of course. Basically it is just blocked in with no shading or anything. However I really like the basic color scheme and feel like it could be  very strong  once completed. In many ways it reminds me of my ceramics. It has that playful yet structured character. The main thing for me is to stop before going too far!  A lesson I keep needing to learn it seems in my life. Hopefully by this time I am getting better at it.

“Healing Her Back,” cartoon for larger painting by Bea Garth

Oh wow so much to do prepare for Open Studios here in Vancouver, WA! Meanwhile Lymes started inflaming my joints again–most especially my shoulders and neck. I have to just focus and do what I have to do to take care of myself and let the rest slide for now–though I did manage to take one of my paintings over for the big show for the Clark County Open Studios at the beautiful new Cave Gallery here in Vancouver, WA (reception this Friday!!).

"Rubbing Her Back," small painting sketch by Bea Garth copyright 2015 acrylic on paper
“Rubbing Her Back,” small painting sketch by Bea Garth copyright 2015 acrylic on paper

Am finally starting to feel better using natural remedies!! Likely tomorrow I will be able to draw and paint again–perhaps by doing a larger (better) version of this small  sketch  to the right (“Rubbing Her Back”) which relates to husband rubbing my sore shoulders. This afternoon I went for a walk with him. Doesn’t sound like much but for me it is a victory! Given where I was at the last few days.

So yes often my art is born from struggle even if it does not always show it directly. I often like to focus on communication, beauty, eros and transformation. In this case  it is more directly about the transformative power (and closeness) of healing.