Friday, March 9, 2012

Artist Melinda and the Good Heart, Ancestry and Abstract Play

Abstract Study Oil on Art Panel 18" x 24" © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza A month it has been! Hard to believe. I was not well for a few weeks, and it's been a struggle artistically. But, I can write that I believe I am back and ready to burn more web space. How sick was I? Well, I was so sick that I became worried about my heart, which led me have it checked out. I recommend it. I was able to put my fears to rest as I heard the doctor say, "You've got a really good and healthy heart!" Whew. 

This led me to recall that while I was recuperating from some weird and awful virus/sinus infection, I wandered off into the genealogy world to see how long my ancestors lived. You know, to tally up my odds. A significant number of them lived to be 100 years old, or into their eighties and nineties. See?

Knowledge is comfort as well as power... Remember when those blog questions were going around about your interesting life facts? I wrote that I had known a Russian prince. Well, I found out I was wrong. The truth is, in my opinion, even more interesting. Our family friend was Alexis Badmaeiff. He was the son of Rasputin's friend (?) and colleague, Doctor Badmaev (Russian Physician). This became connected to another interesting thread: NPR's resent segment on "'Rasputin Was My Neighbor' And Other True Tales of Time Travel." Alexis was smuggled out of Russia during the Revolution, and was taken to France. He later immigrated to the US and built a good life here. I remember that he started his day with a raw egg in a glass of vodka. He told me once that he had wanted to be a physician. Hmm. He even operated on my foot after a vacation mishap I had as a child. Anyway, I hope you'll have a look at the NPR article. The comments are quite entertaining too. If you have some connections to the distant past, I would love to have you comment and share them! Abiquiu Ancestors Oil on Canvas 30" x 30" © 2012 Melinda S. Esparza Now, back to thinking about our Abiquiu ancestors, the painting, and a sketch I've wanted to paint for eons. I've wrestled, pleaded, cajoled and harangued this Ancestors painting. It's starting to give me clues. This is not done yet. It demands more diplomacy....or a minor revolution. Maybe it is cooperating a bit more because I turned away and gave some attention to a sketch in my Moleskine, seen at the top of this page. This, too, is not finished. I missed painting so much that smearing anything on canvas/canvas board was a major thrill. 

Don't be afraid to have your heart checked. You might get some really good news. If it's less than stellar though, know that there are great new ways of fixing them. Trust me, Miz Scardeycat, on this. You're young enough to correct almost any problem.

10 comments:

daviddrawsandpaints said...

Always knew you had a stout heart, glad to hear the doc says it's in fine fettle too :o)

Love both of these paintings!

Melinda said...

Hey, David! You're a dear. Thank you for this kind comment. I'm glad you like both of them. They have given me a bit of an aerobic exercise!

Gotta check out what you're up to...

Anamaria do Val said...

Hi Melinda! Good to know your heart it's ok!I must check mine, now....
I totally love the second painting, it's awesome! So beautiful. I mean it. xx

Barbara Muir said...

Woah! I am so glad you are all right, and that your ancestors had good hearts, because I see your art everywhere in my brain, and I'd miss you and your painting terribly if anything was not right with you. Being sick is scary. I too come from the strong hearts. Ours go on and on long after they should I hear. Love both of these paintings. There is a deep and resonant joy coming through that fills me with peace looking at them. Love the story too. Connections to greatness? Hmm. I don't know. That will take some thought.

Love these paintings.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Melinda said...

Thank you, Anamaria! I really appreciate that you like the second painting. It has given me a very hard time lately.

Yes, I hope you'll take of your artist's heart. They are special.

Melinda said...

Thank you, Barbara!
It is always good to know your ancestors' history, especially medical. I guess I've been like most others who are often too scared to know the facts, but it just makes life more stressful. I'm grateful for good doctors and antibiotics!

You have a good heart, too. Thank you for writing that about my art. It means a great deal to me.

Warm hugs from the desert.

Donald Diddams said...

So glad you are ok, Melinda! It's never fun to be sick, but especially if it makes you fear something more serious.

On a happier note, I absolutely love that sketch at the top of your post. So cheery and playful! As with Abiquiu Ancestors, it will be fun to watch where it goes.

No princes or friends of Rasputin in my family, just some vague connections to labor uprisings and barge captains in England. Perhaps I should learn more...

Here's to a happy productive month ahead!

Melinda said...

Thank you, Don. It is really disruptive and awful to be sick--and worried. But, it can compel us to find answers, answers that can bring good news too.

I'll bet you'd be surprised about your ancestors. Barge captains?! Now, that really does sound like an adventure. Well, and labor uprisings have to hold a lot of exciting stories.

Wishing you a productive month ahead as well!!

Linny D. Vine said...

Melinda, I'm so happy to read that you're well again (& I know that your heart is a very good one!) These paintings are both fantastic - Woman, you really can smear!!

Melinda said...

Ha, Linny! I'm loving the smearin' a lot. And, I'll be posting a new and improved version soon. Finally, the painting is talking to me again.

Thank you so much for your kind words. You are a very special person and Favourite Visual Artist.