Painting…
I have been quiet. I withdrew from the online world for a while, due to computer fatigue – I just needed to take a break. A break from reading, posting, searching, reacting and mostly from starring at a computer screen.
The decision to take a break was supported by the fact that I am back in Namibia, and realised how much I have missed just being out in nature. For the past few weeks I got so much joy and peace from just tending to my garden, watching all the different wild birds and small animals in it, consciously breathing the fresh air, soaking up the sun, slow down and basically just being.
During this time I also tied the knot with the most special and wonderful friend and partner. We had a beautiful celebration with a handful of selected family and friends in Swakopmund. A special time of love, family and friendship that deserved my undivided attention.
Happiness: Getting married to my love at the Atlantic coast.
But now I am happy to be back online and resume sharing my art and thoughts with you again…
My lovely husband and I have been at the Waterberg Wilderness Lodge for a few days, as he is producing an image video for them. During that time we saw a small herd of young kudus. They did not seem to mind us walking up really close to them.
While my man was filming, I just watched, taking some photographs and being grateful for this special experience. After a while I had the feeling that the one kudu cow wanted me to draw her portrait.
Excuse me… what?! I was confused. It can’t be… but I suddenly got a very specific impression about some parts of the painting, like the size and the composition and her insistence in the matter.
I was reluctant. I have often said I do not see the point in painting wildlife just for the sake of it. Isn’t it just too banal to paint a picture of a kudu? But she insisted, letting me know that there is a purpose. ‘Just trust me, I will guide you through it, once you get started…’ she seemed to say. And she did. (Or who or whatever placed those thoughts into my heart.)
What you see here is the almost finished work in my studio. I got some further specific directions while I was painting. Or was it just my creative mind? Anyway, hopefully I can soon follow up on them and let you know about the final work.
For now there is a kudu in my studio, watching me, with her kind and gentle eyes.
A kudu in my studio – to be continued…
Imke Rust 
Beautiful painting. Its interesting that the kudu wanted you to paint her picture.Did you get any sense why she wanted that?
Thank you. Yes I got a pretty clear sense, although I cannot verbalise it totally at this stage. She is communicating through the painting with me (even if that sounds crazy). There is still something more that she wants me to do, and I am waiting for things to fall into place for that. Funny, I was looking for a image of a mosquito for another artwork I am working on at the moment, and found your blog. Serendipity, as I keep being introduced to the idea of animal (and plant) communication recently…
I came across this recently which I think is a good article about plant intelligence and communication: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/12/23/131223fa_fact_pollan?currentPage=all
Thank you, I started reading it, but not finished yet. I also stumbled on the book they talk about ‘The Secret Lives of Plants’ and read it last month. 🙂
Great caring eyes! i am so glad you followed your intuition and not the thought that painting wildlife is banal. may this kudu lead you on to higher grounds.
Thank you Elize! Yes, I am glad too. I am trying to live life more and more by listening to what my heart and soul tell me. Sometimes it is easier than others, but I am getting better 😉
Congratulations! I’m glad you’re back. I guess we have to reluctantly share you!
Thank you, Carl! Hehe, The beauty of walking the path with your soul partner is that they do not take away from who you are, but adding to you and supporting you to become ‘more’ than what you are on your own. 🙂
You are spot on with that, and I’m very happy for you!
Congratulations! I also love the kudu, it’s big ears are amazing, looking forward to seeing it completed.
Thank you, so much! So great to hear from you again! Hope you are doing well? The kudu painting is pretty much finished, just need to add something extra, probably on another canvas. 🙂
I completely understand the “withdrawing from the online world” as that is what I did for almost 2 years. It was a rough couple of years culminating in my mother’s death last year. Having survived the worst I feel fantastic now and back to the writing thing — currently working on a new book of poetry titled “Layers of Blue” out sometime in 2014 🙂
Yes, sometimes withdrawal is absolutley necessary for our saneness and to deal with important changes in life. I am sorry to hear about the passing away of your mother! Great to hear that you feel fantastic now and how super-exciting that you are working on a new poetry book. Sending you lots of creative, blueish spider webs to catch the feelings and thoughts and weave them into your magical words! hugs to you and may 2014 be the best year ever!
Reblogged this on Baobabs, Magic and Art and commented:
I have written this blog first on my artist page, but think it is relevant to reblog it to this blog, too. Enjoy! Imke