Circle of Life
47" Round | Acrylic on Canvas | $3,000. [Sold]
Quote: “The human soul doesn’t want to be advised or fixed or saved. It simply wants to be witnessed - to be seen, heard and companioned exactly as it is.”
Inspiration …
I did a call out to my community and invited others to share in what ever way felt right
to them, their grief story.
Some called, some shared a text and/or few words in a
message. Many sent letters.
I wanted to create a safe place for those who wanted a witness to their journey.
This is the last painting I did in this collection.
I waited till all the others were completed and I
was available to hold space and under my apple tree, read each letter one by one.
While I was writing this summary underneath my apple tree …
While sitting under the tree. Honey bees are buzzing about. The birds are singing and calling out to one another. I hear a blue jay, a dove and a robin. There are 2 other birds that I am not familiar with … but loving their sweet little sounds. The blossoms are falling – the sun is shining through this gorgeous tree. In this moment I am holding space for all of you. I feel you. | Susan Seitz
While I was writing this summary underneath my apple tree (just prior to me painting
this piece), a wind came through and showered me with apple blossom petals. I
looked up and saw the sun shine through the branches where I had taken a photo the
day before. I smiled and inhaled the aroma of the blossoms.
It reminded me of the
circle of life – and the dawn of a new day beginning.
This Apple Tree was witness to
me witnessing your stories and I was moved so much, I decided to change my plans in
the subject matter for this painting.
The apple blossoms that I photographed the day before were all gone days later.
I was originally going to paint a heavenly sky with shadows. I was hoping a more
organic decision with this piece, but time was closing and I felt that the sky would be a
really great symbol to use.
While I sat under my apple tree and the blossoms fell all
around me – in that moment I was deeply moved to change the subject matter to the
apple blossoms above. I recorded the time of this moment – May 19th 2021 1:48pm.
I’ve been having fun with my connections to the numbers – so out of curiosity, I
googled what Psalms 148 would say … and I was blown away! Would you consider
this a positive sign that I was right to change my subject matter for this painting?
Psalms 148
Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.2
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
3
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
4
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
5
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for at his command they were created,
6
and he established them for ever and ever—
he issued a decree that will never pass away.
7
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
8
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
9
you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
10
wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
11
kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
12
young men and women,
old men and children.
13
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
14And he has raised up for his people a horn,[b]
the praise of all his faithful servants,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the Lord
In real time – this is what I wrote (before I made the connection to Psalms 148):
While sitting under the tree. Honey bees are buzzing about. The birds are singing and
calling out to one another. I hear a blue jay, a dove and a robin. There are 2 other birds
that I am not familiar with … but loving their sweet little sounds. The blossoms are
falling – the sun is shining through this gorgeous tree. In this moment I am holding
space for all of you.
I feel you.
Shadows Gallery Show | Southampton Arts Centre
June 14 - July 4, 2021
“Shadows” is two separate bodies of work showing at once at Southampton Arts ~ “Up Close and Personal | A Healing Journey through Grief” by Susan Seitz (Walkerton) and “Come and See | Culture Oppressed” by Brent Henry (Saugeen #29).
For More Information Contact Southampton Arts Centre Website HERE or Call 519 599 5068
