 The making of a recent commission piece was an exercise in artistic freedom. There’s nothing quite like creating an expressive work of art for a like minded person especially when there are no boundaries. “Crescendo” is a 16” x 20” mixed media work of art created in the style of expressionism. This original work of art was commissioned by a lover of the arts and of music. The patron had requested a piece to accompany an acrylic painting he had acquired earlier. In the previous painting entitled “Prelude,” I had painted in total response to music and what came across on canvas was an opening, a door, representing stepping into something new.  Keeping within the same theme, “Crescendo” was painted in response to music, but the initial inspiration came from someplace else. Having gone out and walked the fields near my home sometime after a hard rain, I was drawn to these cracks which had formed in the soil. Looking closely, I could see the individual grains of sand, new growth, and shadows where light had not yet reached. Within these fissures, it was like the anticipatory build up to an eruption. Maybe, it’s the thing that marks the ending of one and the momentous beginning of something new like life springing forth, the first cry of a baby, or the realization that this is it. This is what I walked through that “door” for.  In music, this eruption is referred to as a crescendo. It is the highest or loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound. As the sound builds, the suspense increases in anticipation until the final eruption much like the excitement of reaching a crescendo in your own life.
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 I have such a special place in my heart for Beloved Daughters. It is a 16” x 20” acrylic painting, but the technical aspect of size and medium is not the reason for why it has so much meaning to me. I began these ladies several years ago when a group of my friends and I were together and we were all creating in our own way. It had to have been one of the hottest afternoons of the summer as we created in an un-airconditioned shop. On that day, Beloved Daughters was started but not finished. I had no clear vision or idea of the direction it was headed. It was just lines or runs of color. What was started on canvas was the result of the camaraderie between friends with a common interest. This particular canvas would then find its home in the corner of my studio, waiting quietly and patiently for the right time. It stayed that way for months. When I found my way back to the painting, I had just recently served at a women’s event and I was so amazed at how so many women had come together with a single purpose and passion. Yes, some were looking for purpose, passion, and hope while others may not have even known why they were there. Needless to say, everyone came together for each other. There was so much connection and sisterhood I saw and was a part of that I can’t put it into words. Not being able to put it into words is why the act of painting can be so important to me. That’s when I placed the canvas back onto the easel. With a flip of the canvas, the images of these beautiful women came into mind. A beauty so unique to each one regardless of age, season, or race. To borrow from the lyrics of Chris Tomlin’s song “Waterfall,” it was “Deep call[ing] to deep. Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall raining down on me.” This painting was a celebration of diversity. A celebration of being the beloved daughters of God. This was not supposed to be the topic of my first blog post. My intention was to write about redemptive art, but then things changed. On May 25, America watched as George Floyd was murdered. In times like these, my mind comes back to Beloved Daughters. You see it’s not just a celebration of diversity, but it’s also a celebration of unity. Take a closer look. Each daughter, although different, is connected to each other. Go ahead, look at their hands. You'll see one holding another’s hand, a hand on a shoulder, and a tug on another’s dress as she holds her pregnant belly full with life. There’s no tearing down, only encouragement and a building up of one another. This is an impenetrable barrier. It’s a celebration of diversity. It’s a celebration of beauty and belovedness. It’s a celebration of unity. This is Beloved Daughters. This should be all of us on any given day living in a way that shows support and raises up our brothers and sisters regardless of age, season, or race. Be sure to subscribe to the mailing list during the month of June for a chance to win an 11” x 14” print of Beloved Daughters. The winner will be determined by a drawing and will be announced on July 1st.
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Tracey PenrodI'm an artist working in acrylic and mixed media. I love looking for the seen and the unseen by exploring matters of the heart. My one of a kind works of art are in the style of expressionism, representational art, and inspirational art. All of my works of art share in the qualities of redemptive art. Be "in the know" by subscribing to the mailing list. By signing up, you'll be first to hear all the latest updates!
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