Months have ticked by with no art being made, no words written, and creativity nearly coming to a halt. A needed one. And, in the days since, a healing in my momma loss has begun to spring forth in a bloom that I can’t quite explain.
For months, I have unplugged from the noise of dot coms, news feeds, daily online check ins and the like, turned my healing inward, and slowly began to breathe again. My art took a rest, and so did I.
Last week, I spent a week at my dad’s. My momma has now been gone nearly 16 months and being there brought a huge peace to my heart space. The feeling of ‘home’ that doesn’t rub off, whether I’m 60 miles away or 1000.
She was an artist. I spent time with her things- drawers full of paints, beads, books… her artwork scattered about the house in a way that every single piece caught my eye.
The care that goes into a brush stroke, color choice, materials used, I noticed. Her sewing machine, with its threads, trims, and buttons, just as she’d left them, made me almost sit down to sew.
Art made her happy. Sewing, creating, crotcheting, gardening, painting, jewelry making, and more. There are barely words big enough to describe how much she loved them all.
And, in those days spent looking, I found myself getting re-inspired. Excited almost, to dig around in my talents and make something new.
For a couple of months, there has been some heirloom jewelry sitting on a shelf in my home. It belongs to my great aunt Esther who is currently age 104. The plan? To create keepsakes for family members. Have I started? No.
But, since I got home from dad’s?
CREATIVITY is waltzing back in! Ideas are forming once again. Heck, I even bid on 6 bags of wine corks on an online auction! I haven’t even looked at an online auction since April!
The lesson?
Taking breaks from art doesn’t remove ART from ARTIST. We’re still artists whether we take a break or not.
Thought I’d share some photos I took of my momma’s art. She had such a talent for painting. I, myself, cannot paint quite that well. So, I stand in awe, when I see her things. Much like when I see famous paintings in museums.
If you are at an art stand still, I get it. I didn’t think I’d ever begin again, but I think I will restart art.
Thanks for sticking around…
Jessica
©️2023 all writing/ photos by jeweledagainbyjessica- all rights reserved
Jeweled Again By Jessica 
It’s good that you were re-inspired to create!
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Sometimes you need to get away from it all and refresh. Your mom created beautiful things – just like you. Looking forward to seeing what you create next. That will always be a part of you inspired and inherited from her.
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Hey girl!!!! How are you? It’s been a long time! Love what you said about refresh. That’s a perfect word. Thank you SO much! She overflowed in “what can I make next.” Lots of amazing things. Thank you, that’s very kind. I enjoyed making your hot air balloons that time. Love your last line, too. I’ll tuck that in my heart, thank you!
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My hot air balloons are currently on my wall in my office, but I’m thinking about moving them to my bedroom, because they would look good in there, too. It’s a fun “problem”. I absolutely love them.
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Hey girl, how are you doing?
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Your Mama was so talented! And you are, too. I can’t wait to see more of your art. Being creative makes me happy, too!
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Wasn’t she amazing? All those tiny details, too. If you zoom in on the one of the room, under the hat there’s a small round pink box. Inside it she painted a bunny scene. So sweet. Thank you- that means a lot that you think I’m talented. You’re great at being creative- such a fluent, genuine writer, too!
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Thank you! Creativity can express or bring us joy in life. It sounds like your mama found a lot of joy.
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Love that, thank you.
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Your Mom was indeed talented, Jessica, and you inherited that from her. That’s a piece of your Mom that will always be a part of who you are. I look forward to seeing your creations and reading your words.
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Oh my, Terry, that means so much to me- that that part of my mom is who I am. That really wants me to create something. She had a zest for learning- if she didn’t know how to do something, she figured it out. That’s a big chunk of who I am, too. She would’ve never considered herself an art teacher, but she sure was one. Thank you, I’m hoping to get those pieces started soon. I appreciate your comments.
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So wonderful to see this post this morning! It sounds like a much needed sabbatical for you. I had just been to visit your blog 2 days ago, wondering if somehow I had gotten unsubscribed, so it is really nice to read this. I enjoyed the art from your mother–my mother could draw, and paint and I have a couple of pieces she made for me and this made me think of them. I hope your healing continues and shows up in future art.
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Hey girl, long time no see. Ohhh, I love that this brought your own mother to mind. Thank you, that makes my day. I understand- I feel like I fell off the art and writing planet. But, it was time for big healing to take center stage. Letting the rest fall away somehow, gave the quiet I needed. Hope you’re doing well. I miss seeing your creations. Thank you for thinking of my blog 2 days ago. That’s very sweet.
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I have not done much of late–been trying to work on the house getting ready for the upcoming construction work. I am actually in process on a piece of furniture reworking though, so maybe soon I will have something new.
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Oh, exciting! More house construction. Can’t wait to see! Furniture reworking sounds pretty fun.
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What lovely art your mother created, Jessica. Seeing her work must bring you so much joy!
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Hi Kellye, my, she would’ve loved to hear you say that. Thanks so much. It does, it fill my heart with bunches of love.
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