Heather Dawn Kemp

Cheryl

16 x 20 oil on canvas

This young lady has my heart!

She is the youngest of all of my children and the only one left at home. She is now only a few short days away from graduation which will be the close of another chapter in her life and the beginning of a brand new phase…..*bittersweet sigh*

I remember when I was a young woman working in sales it was often told to me that whatever you want in life, associate yourself with people who are living it. It stands to reason that this can also work in the opposite direction, as humans we are affected by those that we spend the majority of our time with. Some studies promote the idea that the reason for this is that we have “mirroring neurons” in the brain which modify our thoughts, feelings and behaviour to mirror the people that we spend most of our time with. I couldn’t do it, I tried to be the ‘successful sales person’ that made millions but I didn’t have ‘it’ in me, it takes certain strategies and a certain mind set that I did not want to adopt and I could not put my physical desires first. At this point in my life I am happy that I took a different direction. Having a family, homeschooling and dedicating time to study and prayer, to be available for my family, my husband and others who needed a word a hug a prayer are some of the true gems that adorned the days of my life’s journey.

Cheryl is one of those gems, being the youngest she could have allowed herself to moulded by those around her, she could have followed the direction of her siblings, but she decided to not mirror others, she decided to be Cheryl and stand in her own space. She is a unique girl with a flare for her own style, she doesn’t follow the crowd, doesn’t know the popular songs; she’s eclectic and ‘indi’ 😉

she doesn’t dress or act like the majority of other teens her age;

she is a beautiful tapestry being woven

a diamond being formed

a pearl that is not yet finished

a unique work of art

a vessel that the Potter is shaping for honor.

Mirroring neurons are a part of our being yet we still have a choice and the proof is with this young lady (and others in this world) she has often been faced with situations that were uncomfortable yet she took the straight path and did not compromise, I can say that my heart is truly touched by her and I am so thankful to have been granted the privilege of being her mom.

This painting was made being inspired by a photo that my son Jeremy took. To me the light coming in the window shining on her face speaks of the Light that is available to us all, ever shining, ever present, love, life and truth; quietly warming us, leading us so that we do not stumble; the Light that asks nothing in return just accept and BE made whole. Thank You \o/

For more information on paintings and commissions please contact Heather using the Contact Form.

The Drawing

Impressionist Painter.

There is not any present moment that is unconnected with some future one. The life of every man is a continued chain of incidents, each link of which hangs upon the former. (Joseph Addison)

Marks on canvas

Shadows and light

Connected together

Creating the drawing

The foundation

A base for the painting.

Just as the present moment is connected to the future moments,

so are the edges,

the lines,

the smudges

all in relationship to each other

which brings life to the form which ones eye has seen…

a time past,

a moment gone by,

captured for the future

in a relentless gaze of the innocent asking

what is waiting for me?

~Heather Dawn

Sparrows

Impressionist Painter.

Click to view larger

2 Sparrows

16 x 20

Oil on panel

Available

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I came from a family of nine children, I think it was common back then for couples to have larger families. I love my siblings very much yet I often found myself playing alone. I thoroughly enjoyed being by myself playing quietly; digging in the dirt was one of my favorite pastimes. Not just digging, I would be creating roads, whole communities where my imaginary citizens would live in perfect harmony, it was my creative outlet at the time, that is probably why that I chose Ceramics as my major at the Alberta College of Art and Design… I love dirt 😉

Growing up in a small village it was always rather quiet and so hearing the whisper in the breeze was ever present, in my heart I knew where the still small voice came from and it was ever-present, speaking to me. Another familiar sound that is so endearing to me are the sparrows songs. The sparrow has such beautiful songs that hearing them makes me feel so at peace, so at home….it always brings a smile to my face. I know that sparrows are viewed as pests, but for me they bring comfort. Here is a link to some of the songs. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Song_Sparrow/sounds

I recall dreaming and earnestly desiring to be a bird, I didn’t know what kind of bird, but I just wanted to fly, free in the air…they seem so carefree, so happy, so free…that is what I wanted.

It’s no wonder that I have chosen sparrows as my subject because the symbology (art of expression by symbols) of sparrows is very telling and I feel it is no surprise as to the accuracy of this symbolism that has been attributed to them, this is how I see sparrows and because they are a small bird that seems to have no significance, I can relate. These symbols of the sparrow are very much the attributes of that still small voice in the breeze that I have been so familiar with for all those years.

SPARROW~

Joy
Inclusion
Creativity
Simplicity
Protection
Community
Productivity
Friendliness

Still Small Voice of the Pure Breath that I heard in the breeze.

Love
Joy
Peace
Long-suffering
Kindness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Self-control

The Native American symbol of a sparrow is: Sparrow: Symbol of desire and fertility; manifests new love in someone’s life; understands the aspects of race; ability to use the power of song; understands all aspects of color.

It wouldn’t be too far fetched to say that sparrows are a symbol of love, not just manifest love, not just fertility, but LOVE.

Love is understanding, love is truth, love is compassion, love is forgiveness, love is kindness, love is empathy and much more.I know that I am being taken care of, just like the sparrows who have no worries. I know that HE has been watching over me all my life and continues to do so. I know that I am clay, He is the Potter and HE is the One who has kept me all these years. I am so thankful.

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home

When Yasha is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me.

Civilla D. Martin

*Jesus or Joshua are English translations of the Hebrew name YASHA (Yahusha) here is the Hebrew number, meaning and name.

H3467
ישׁע
yâsha‛
yaw-shah’
A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor: – X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

Rise Above

Impressionist Painter.

Click image to view larger

16 x 20

oil on panel

available

My younger sister always used to say “water off a duck’s back” whenever anyone was faced with adversity. She would motion with her hand as if stroking the back of a duck…that movement looked like an airplane diving and then at the last second taking off up into the air…and it is a good saying and a good motion because both of them imply rising above the strife, rising above the toils, the troubles and pain of this life.

This painting ‘Rise Above’ is a little sparrow that has flown up high into the air and turns to look down at the place where s/he once was, to see that s/he is not trapped by the snares of this life, s/he sees that s/he has power, power to choose.

I am choosing to paint sparrows right now because they are considered to be a pest and are not given much significance. I have often felt that I was considered to be a pest, not very significant…a sad truth, but I repudiate that image that was placed on me.

I Rise Above the labels, the voices of the past, and even some voices of the present that do not agree with what I stand for. I Rise Above because I choose to live a life that is real, a life that is filled with truth and love and understanding. I choose to live a life that is aimed to do good, to help others, to love others freely in the best way that I know how. I Rise Above because I have decided to be the change that I want to see in this world…to love mercy, to do justly and to walk humbly with the Creator.

When one can Rise Above and overcome, then one can truly listen enabling others to be heard, to be free, to Rise Above.

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

Flight

Impressionist Painter.

Click image to view larger.

Why is it so hard to let go, to relinquish control? The old saying goes, if you love someone let them go…? Well anyway, being a ‘mum’ is one of the most painful, yet rewarding experiences a person can have in my opinion. Oh how I remember the longing to have a baby, how sweet. I remember saying…”let’s have a baby” ❤ oh my…it was such a joyous time, it was a time of bliss, to have this tiny human growing inside, bringing that life into this world and nurturing them. Oh how lovely to watch them learn and grow into this beautiful young adult. Even with all of the pain of heartaches and struggles along life’s path, I can honestly say it was worth it. But the time comes when that life, that was once so dependent on me, needs to spread their wings and fly…oh what a bitter-sweet experience. I long to hold on, but I know I can’t…it would be a detriment if I did…so to love is to let go, to love is to set aside ones own desires in order to allow the other to be free, to make their own way. It has been an investment of time, tears, prayers and yes…love.

“The more you invest in anything, the more you get out of it. That’s true in any area of life. David Leffel

Andree in the Light.

Impressionist Painter., Portrait Painting

Click image to view larger.

Andree in the Light
16 x 20
oil on panel

“When I first started painting I just thought it was something I’d like to do — and if I could make some money at it, then I didn’t have to get a job! As I went further into it, I needed confirmation that the things I was discovering in paint were true. I found that if it was true in painting, it was also true in life. Painting is like an interlocking set of relationships — color, edges, values, thick and thin, etc. Life is the same. Everything is interrelated. All of life is like one big, interlocking relationship. Everything you do has a consequence to everything else.” David Leffel
I absolutely love the light, this girl played Andree (the model who married Renoir’s son) in the film Renoir.

The images in the film are so beautiful. I don’t always have the luxury of having a model so I seek sources that are challenging yet beautiful.

Flowers Everywhere

Impressionist Painter.

According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health – FLOWERS. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.

A team of researchers explored the link between flowers and life satisfaction in a 10-month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers. The results show that flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods.

Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.

Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.

Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.

“Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy,” said Dr. Haviland-Jones. “Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well being.”

My paintings of flowers are more than just representations, they inspire joy, they brighten your environment and they last. In harmony with the image of the flowers there are the brushstrokes, the texture, the color…one can be absorbed into a painting for any length of time and every time may discover something about it that transmits a wealth of happiness and satisfaction.

Some of these paintings are available. They vary in price. You can contact me here or my social media for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Dawn-Fine-Art/1015450641815718?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Tweets by HeatherPhotoArt

http://www.homestudio1.com

homestudio1@shaw.ca

Valerie

Impressionist Painter., Portrait Painting

Click image to view larger.

I met Valerie at the PureNorth S’energy Foundation. She is so sweet and attentive. The very first time I went to the Dental Clinic I handed her my card and months later when I went for the Tennant Clinic [pain relief] she remembered me which made me feel good.

I couldn’t help but notice that she has much the same taste in her style of dress as my youngest daughter and so this was the beginning of my topic of conversation with her. She is a very gentle and caring young lady and I felt that there was an instant connection with her.

I invited Valerie to come over to my studio for a portrait painting session, I admitted that I need all the practice I can get painting from life, she agreed to do that. Today was the big day, she sat patiently for me and we had a good time. We talked about many different topics and that really touches my heart because she is near the same age as my children, so to have a young person converse with me is very rewarding.

I pray that she was equally rewarded by having this experience, because making memories and having experiences is what it is all about. I hope to give back to her many times over in the near future through classes. It was the beginning of hopefully many more sessions. 🙂

Thank you Valerie.

Premier Coup + First Strike

Impressionist Painter.

These two Irises are among some of my favorite paintings because they were done in “premiere coup” style…that means first strike or first blow.

The process for me is I intentionally decide the color, the direction of the brush stroke and the pressure of the brush stroke all before ever touching the brush to the surface that I am painting on.

As I make each brush stroke I leave it exactly as it was when laid down on the canvas or board without retouching or reworking it. This means that the process of each stroke is done in my mind first, it is a contemplative practice that can be very freeing and in many ways healing.

This direct painting method that has no underpainting layers and no drawing, it is simple, intuitive and fresh… from me through the brush to the surface. .

I think it is similar to Chinese painting in some sense because of the immediacy of it.

You will be able to see the brushstrokes in the close up photos below.

Thank you for visiting my page, I hope you enjoy it.