Saturday, March 12, 2011

Countin' My Blessings

I was leaving a SF art gallery at around 9:30 Wednesday night and walking to the Rapid Transit system to get across the Bay. I was walking at a quick pace for the two and a half blocks not only to get me there but to appear like I knew what I was doing late at night. I caught something out of the corner of my eye. It took a couple of steps before I realized the huddled mass was a person down for the night.I went back, snapped a photo with my phone and went back on my way. I could not get the image out of my head. I had to paint it to exorcise it from my thoughts.

With the disaster in Japan, and relatives and friends who have been affected there, it has been a somber time. So even though this man just has a flattened cardboard box and a jacket for his bed and pillow, it is dry and out of the danger of tsunami and earthquakes. I read one friend who had posted on Facebook that her local grocery store in Japan was all out of meat so she will be having sashimi for dinner. Bless her heart for finding her silver lining in that massive black cloud.

"Counting My Blessings"
8x10 oil on Raymar panel
$100 plus $5 for shipping

Paypal has waived all processing fees so donations can go directly to those affected by the disasters in Japan:

15 comments:

Dean H. said...

Amen to all your thoughts, Sheila.
I pray for Japan.

L.Holm said...

It is so heartrending. The images are unimaginable. Your painting is powerful, and timely.

Autumn Leaves said...

I love the title of this piece, Sheila. Having recently gone through a rough patch, I know of what you speak here. My heart goes out to not only your family and friends in Japan, but to all of those in Japan. What a catastrophic time. I hope that efforts are made quickly to try to restore some sense of normalcy. My heart breaks for the devastating loss of lives.

Marie Theron said...

How sad and how sudden it was, Sheila! Your beggar is safe in comparison to all happening in Japan!

Thank you for such charming comments on my blog. I blog one work per week and so I am always behind in appreciating all your works.

Art with Liz said...

Gosh yes, you would know many people in Japan. A devastating time - I hope they are all safe.

Douglas Hoover said...

Counting my blessings too, Sheila. You've captured a powerful image. You have the eye, my dear!

Fito said...

Excelente todo tu trabajo Sheila, trazos llenos de vigor y ligereza.

Anthony Duce said...

Like the painting and the personal connections expressed.

David Larson Evans said...

Thanks for reacting, we have to react if not we're just turnips.

tonypetersart said...

Looks good, Sheila, nice brushwork.

Lokelani Forrest said...

Sheila, I pray for any friends and family you might have who have been affected by this unbelievable catastrophe. Your painting is so poignant and has brought to the forefront for me, a series I've been wanting to tackle..."The Faces of Homelessness." Thank you.

dominique eichi said...

Thanks for your heart Sheila...... and thanks for posting the info about no charge from paypal for helping Japan.

SKIZO said...

Excellent
work
good creations

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Sheila,

I am praying for Japan and it's population.

Mary Paquet said...

A strong painting, Sheila, and such a somber scene. I've had an image in my head for a long time from SF -- upstairs you see the lovely woman dressed for a night on the town, wine glass in hand. Down on the doorsill, a homeless person has bedded down for the night.

The people of Japan are in my thoughts.