| I Am the Sunlight
18x36
3rd Place Winner
International Artist Magazine April 2004 |
This image, along with 100 paintings by 100 artists, is published in an edition by International Artist Publications, which is out of print.
In 1998 I traveled to Ireland to paint for 5 weeks. One day I rented a bike and packed my pochade box (which can be ordered from this website, under Plein Air Equipment) and paints and headed out. I found this scene, down some back roads and proceeded to capture the quiet beauty...
As I was finishing, a small robin landed on the steel gate I was standing next to. It looked at me, then at the painting then back at me, and then at the painting a second time, as if giving me it's approval. I offered it some dried fruit ...the small bird landed in my hand, took the offering, and flew away. I didn't fully appreciate this small encounter, until the next day, when a Spaniard
that I had me, Gabrille, and I had walked over to see Ross Castle. Enroute, the same kind of little
bird landed in front of us, on the road. My friend wanted to photograph it, and he disappeared down
the road, chasing after this little bird...he finally came back, without a "capture"...!!! I shared
with him, that I had one eating out of my hand the day before! THEN, I suddenly realized, the day
before had been the anniversary of my Father's death! Then, as now, I often wonder, if that wee small bird, might have been my Dad,
coming to view my new creation! One just never knows!!!
...And my mind flew back to a beautiful Indian prayer, that goes:
"Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep:
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am diamond glints in snow,
I am the sunlight on ripening grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain;
When you awaken in the mornings hush
I am the swift uprising rush
of silent birds in flight,
and I am the bright stars that shine at night;
So do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die."
And, thus my title!
(This painting was created from the original piece that was 8x16.) This image, along with 28 other original paintings, were exhibited at my one artist showing in Butte Montana, August 2003, at the Main Stope Gallery, the exhibit's title:
THE SPIRIT OF IRELAND:
DINGLE AND THE RING OF KERRY.
Website: http://www.billupsfineart.com - Sitemap - Email - Phone: (208) 263-1117
All Text and Images Copyright Betty Jean Billups. All Rights Reserved.
Address: P.O. Box 102, Sandpoint, ID 83864