This header is a pastel painting I did in 2009 is of a place in the Netherlands, my country of origin, after a photo shot by Dick Witte.

Some of the painters who have influenced me:
Mondriaan, Hopper
O"Keefe, Weyeth
Singer Sargent
van Gogh, Rembrandt
Picasso, Escher

Since this is my second blog page, it generally takes me longer (sometimes very long) to reply to your comments, but I do read and love them!

Monday, January 11, 2010

PAINTING SOMEONE'S DESTINY

On first impression this little painting seems an innocuous goodbye gift. But it is more.
This gift was given to a woman who dared to venture out of the security of being a stay home mom with kids, and becoming a business woman in big Los Angeles. Ont only does one need guts for that, but also smarts. 


She started out very small. She operated out of her family van. Two of her daughters helped her when she would cater coffee at a big conference, wedding, or other event. That is how she still operated when she moved to a Northern state.
In the little painting I put her name on the coffee shop, which was not a symbolic gesture. 
I could see her in my imagination owning a coffee shop, and starting a chain of coffee shops.

©  Oil, St.Germain

 I believe art is not only a "different" way of seeing reality. I think with art we can "foresee" with our imagination what potential lies in the future. After all, creating means: making something out of nothing, after the Master Creator who created the earth and the universe. It is no wonder that Vincent van Gogh said, "God is the greatest artist of all."

I believe this principle is not the monopoly of artists.  The greatest gift one can give to someone else, is to relate to them the potential you see in them! 
With that, I have seen timid students during my teaching time who barely could make a C (passing grade), bloom into confident A (highest grade) students.

15 comments:

young-eclectic-encounters said...

I fully agree with you, I also believe through art we can see things, relationships that we would otherwise not understand. At one time I was asked to do an underwater scene for one of the kids classes and it turned out to be a perfect representation of our family dynamics done in fish clams and sharks. it was quite remarkable and enlightening to me. Johnina :^D

The Muse said...

i loved this entire post!

offering a boost to your fellow man, can be the first step in a mighty leap.

Unknown said...

Glad you encouraged her!

Jeannette StG said...

Johnina,
So jazzed that this struck a cord with you.What you are telling me about your own experience makes me think that there is much more art inside of you than you realize!

Jeannette StG said...

Muse,
Thank you for saying that. That is food for more thought and consideration for me:) on this subject. You seem insightful...

Jeannette StG said...

Joey,
Yes, it's so quickly forgotten the good impact we can make on others, LOL

Bonjour Luxembourg said...

Bonjour dear friend!
Breathtaking post.I loved your words, and it gaves me such a positive feeling, thanks a lot!
Have a great week,
God bless you
Léia

Unknown said...

This was such an interesting post to read and I agree that if you see potential in someone they will often strive to reach it.

I like the painting especially since you've explained its background.

Jeannette StG said...

Bonjour Madame Leia:)
Thank you - I like the good things of life to outweigh the hard things! There are many opportunities, but we sometimes need to be inspired (and to see our opportunity). You have a great week too!

lori vliegen said...

your painting is wonderful (makes me want to grab a cup of coffee and search out a palm tree.....looks SO relaxing!!), and i love the story that goes with it!
thanks so much for stopping by my blog.....i enjoyed your sweet comment!! :)))

lori vliegen said...

hi jeanette.....i just saw the comment you left for me today......you're right, my last name is dutch! i'm married to a little dutch boy, he's from maastricht and has been living here in the states for about thirty years. i can't wait to tell him that i've met someone in blogland who's also dutch! :))

Jeannette StG said...

Lori 2 times,
Yes, we don't always pay enough attention to those things -the same with me LOL
Tell your hubby that I am originally from Zeeland (SW), and I married a Frisian(NE).
Do you know that there is someone on this blog who is from Limburg (Maastricht)? -her blog is called GreenStoneWoman (she's on my blogroll on this blog Art Notes)

Cezar and Léia said...

Hello dear friend,
Thanks again for your kind visit and comment in our blog!
As you asked about the background, I got it at http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/free.html

A beautiful and creative site, I think you will liked it!

God bless you
Léia

Jeannette StG said...

Cezar and Leia,
Oh, I had my precious blog background from there, I probably overlooked the one you have -I must go there again!

Jeannette StG said...

Stine,
Many of my paintings have a "story" behind it.
Thank you -I noticed that people like it when I tell about the process -and for me, that's what it is all about -not even so much how it looks at the end!