Faces of Strength: Inner Fortitude

"Holding the Treasure" © Antonia Ruppert
12 x 12-  Mixed Media on Panel
Prints are available on: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/toni-ruppert.html

What is your story of inner fortitude?  I want to hear it. This week I met Lulu who had an amazing story of strength.  She taught me a new word - “fortaleza”  - the Spanish word for fortitude which means having courage in pain or adversity.  

Lulu spoke of the time when her husband died a number of years ago.  He was extremely kind and her angel she said.  During this period of raising her children, she learned fortitude through God’s strength.  “If he did not help, I don’t know how…”  Her voice trailed off, but I knew exactly what she meant.

Do you understand this as well?

Today, Lulu is full of spirit and light.  She says her main focus is God, family, grandchildren and her kids in that order. (Sorry kids.) She believes making a life for others - thinking about others is the best way for her.  I will be creating a painting about Lulu’s story next.  I’ll post it here when it is completed. 

Pictured today is “Holding the Treasure,” another rendition of Jenny, who I previously interviewed and painted.  From her love of making chicken soup to 365 days a year of love, this mixed media acrylic painting shares her story.

Does this painting resonate with your story? Have you experienced “fortaleza” that inner fortitude I spoke of at the beginning of this post?  I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.  Thank you!

In fact, if you are local to Chicago, I’d love to hear your story in person at my next group show which opens this Saturday.

Valentines Day Opening

“Women of Many Colors” Group Art show curated by Dianna Long.  

Chicago Urban Art Retreat Center (Liz Long Gallery) - 773-542-9126

1957 S. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, Il. 60623

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 (1-4pm) Art show opening reception

Saturday, March 21, 2015 - Last day of show. It closes at 4p.m.

Whether I see you in person or simply connect in this space, Thank You for being here!

Antonia

Faces of Strength: Awaken to Joy

"Awaken to Joy" © Antonia Ruppert
12 x 12-  Mixed Media on Panel
Prints are available on: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/toni-ruppert.html

Waking up to joy. I know it’s hard to feel joyful when it’s storming outside (as it was yesterday here in Chicago).  Waking up at 2am when it’s your turn for “doody" duty is usually not a joyful moment either.  If you feel 100% joyful, read no further because that is what I’m talking about today.

I was a guest at a friends Naidy’s baby shower.  My friends and I found a way to bring a smile by writing encouraging and funny notes on the diapers:

• I Poop Butterflies
• I’ll Thank You Later
• I’m God’s Little Reward
• Don’t Forget to Love Me

I had to laugh imagining my friend changing diapers in the middle of the night with these messages on them.  Awakening to joy is all in how you frame it. 

Last week, for my Faces of Strength project, I interviewed and started painting “Jenny.”   She experiences the highs and lows of motherhood and yet finds simple joy in receiving love from her kids. When they look at her with love - she gets a huge thrill.   

I painted this piece "Awaken to Joy" based on what Jenny said.

"Awaken to Joy" © Antonia Ruppert
Progress 1: Paint and smooth on primed panel

"Awaken to Joy" © Antonia Ruppert
Progress 2: Add lists and collage/Mod Podge it

"Awaken to Joy" © Antonia Ruppert
Progress 3: Add tissue paper with words and acrylic medium

"Awaken to Joy" © Antonia Ruppert
Progress 4: After drying: Add glaze of color and drawing

It was an exhilarating experience for me as I added lists and collaged pieces to the panel thinking of how I could express this idea of joy.

The other day, before my youngest fell asleep in the car, she said, “I love you Mom.”  So of course I’m tearing up driving down the expressway.  Like Jenny, it was simple, but it filled me with joy.  I wrote the memory in my journal so I would not forget it.

Are you awaking to joy?  Whether you’re in a snow storm or another storm of sorts, it’s all in how you frame it.  You might be on diaper "doody" or in another season of life.  Remember its all in how you frame it.

Faces of Strength: No Stopwatch for a Mother's Love

"I Arise" © Antonia Ruppert
12x14-  Mixed Media on Panel

Does a mother’s love have a stopwatch? What about an online timer? This week while painting, I was reminded that these do not exist.  I realized for perhaps the 1000th time that a mother’s love is strong and should not stop. I’ll write more about this today and also invite you to my next group art show.

I interviewed two mom’s and worked on drawings and paintings of each for my "Faces of Strength" project.  

"I Arise" progress © Antonia Ruppert

"I Arise" progress © Antonia Ruppert

I learned and was reminded that:

• Patience is the number one quality you need in motherhood.  (Sounds like being an artist)
• Mother’s don’t get to whine. 
• The best thing about being a mom is that look of love from your child.
• Getting up at 4am daily to care for one’s family is not too early.

If you are curious about what’s on the minds of mothers and women in general, I invite you to my next group show:

Valentines Day Opening

“Women of Many Colors” Group Art show curated by Dianna Long.  

Feb. 14, 2015 (1-4pm) Art show opening reception

March 21, 2015 - last day of show. It closes at 4p.m.

Urban Art Retreat

773-542-9126

1957 S. Spaulding Ave. Chicago, Il. 60623

(Chicago, Lawndale Community)

I’d love to meet you there.  I will have four paintings and a time based piece with paintings, drawings, photography, words and music. The idea that I can compile these various media to create a moving story to share fascinates me. 

Right now, there is no stopwatch for my girls.  The best thing about being a mother is the Thank You I get from my 21 year old and the hugs from my 9 year old. The best thing right now about being an artist is getting to talk about this in my work.

How does this resonate with you?  Comment below or tell me in person at the show.

Caras de la Fuerza (Faces of Strength)

©Antonia Ruppert - In progress

I am working on a new series titled "Caras de la Fuerza" (Faces of Strength). The painting shown above is from the series and is in progress. I am drawing and painting mothers in my community. This is to show the strength and beauty I see daily and build community.  I am painting these mothers by taking time to interview them briefly and draw them from life.  During this session, I will take photographs from which I will paint from. 

Of course, over coffee, we'll have discussions regarding our hopes, day to day living, motherhood and life in our community.  After completion, I will host an exhibit where all of the mothers from our various cultures can meet each other and come together. 

I am working on all new pieces with pastel, acrylic and collage. Each finished piece will be around 12x12.

I will continue to post the progress of each piece. Stay tuned.

Becoming a Better Neighbor: Painting Joan

"Joan" © Antonia Ruppert
8x8-  Acrylic on Panel

What if I told you that you could become a better neighbor in 3 easy steps?  I hope you’d say, “Come again?” In the winter especially, being a better neighbor in 3 or 30 steps is not easy.  It involves seeing, having compassion and being willing to give of your time.

Here’s my story…

Recently, I received a call from a dear friend who asked me to check on Joan, my neighbor. What my friend was asking was for me to spend more time and call more often in this season. 

Joan - the subject of today’s painting - is my neighbor and has been since we moved over a year ago.  She is a kind-hearted person and whenever we talk on the phone she says “Have a blessed day.” 

I did not know a lot about Joan, but over time I’ve gotten to know her. She’s been to my place and I have been to hers.  When Joan and I talk, we talk about about the news, our families and sometimes we pray together. Her bible is usually near her.  

This week while visiting, the light was hitting her in such a way - I knew she would be the subject of my next painting.  I had my camera with me and took pictures of her from different angles.

I spent time painting her this week.  Though I painted daily, I did not finish it in one day.  If I would have shown you the painting the first day, it would have looked like this:

"Joan" Day 1

Here is the second day of progress:

"Joan Day 2

Today I went back to see if I’d gotten everything just so.  I found a few things to tighten up a bit.

After painting for a while, at some point, I showed it to Joan and she said, “Yep, that’s me.”

I love when paintings like this come together.  I am grateful to my dear friend who reminded me of how to be a better neighbor.  Becoming a better neighbor as well as painting this piece is not a "3 easy steps"process. But I’m glad.

Did you know I welcome commissions?  See more of my work at Fine Art America.

No More Candy

"No More Candy" © Antonia Ruppert
8x8-  Acrylic and Charcoal on Panel

So I peeked in the fridge and saw this half of an apple.  It was ready to be tossed - for real - so I decided to paint it before I did that.  Did you know that "ready to be tossed" apples are delightful to paint? There are so many tones that your eye must be sensitive to. There are grays, browns and greens that you don't see in fresh apples.

I called it "No More Candy" after a suggestion from my daughter's friend Faith. It brought a smile to my face.  FUN!

More than Life

"More than Life" © Antonia Ruppert
6x6-  Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas

This wee painting gave me joy to paint.  At first, it looked like mush - honestly - and then it came together for me. Inch by inch.

Inching there. Thats what I'd like to think it was like.

I think thats what we're suppose to do - keep trying until things come together.  I've heard lately of my friends pursuing their New Year's resolutions - to lose weight, to get closer to their family or to go for their destiny. Maybe thats you.

Steady and sure - you'll reach your goals.

This painting is of dying flowers I almost tossed.  I call it "More than Life" because I found something uniquely lovely in them.  Still.