This woman did such a fine job and she was very talented, so I thanked her and was on my way. As I walked away, I noticed that she didn't paint my left ear.
I heard from a friend that the woman was deaf in her left ear. I was going to go back to her so she could finish painting the left ear on my picture, but I didn't. Instead, I thought it was a unique painting and maybe an expression of her art work.
I always wondered if she didn't paint the left ear on purpose, and every time I look at this picture, I appreciate the hearing that was lovingly given to me.
Have you ever had a self portrait done of yourself? How did it turn out?
~Sheri
42 comments:
Hi Sherri,
I've never had a self-portrait unless you count the one in the third grade where the person on my left had to draw me in charcoal. Ha
It is very curious to me that she didn't paint your left ear but it wouldn't surprise me if your thoughts aren't correct. We all take for granted those senses we use each and everyday without giving it a thought. I've never really thought about not being able to hear...but I will certainly think twice about it now. :)
You did a great job !!...like your portret...lovely day darling...xxx..
Wow, she did a great job! Such an amazing and interesting story. I agree with you, now you have a daily reminder of the blessings we so often take for granted. I love your blog. Thank you so much for stopping by and following me. I am thrilled to follow your awesome blog. Have a great day!
Kathy @ Life on Lakeshore Drive
SHERI!
Now this is one beautiful blog post. There is such a mystery to this entire idea of the woman with the hearing loss in the left ear, and her reasoning to leave out your ear in the picture. As the beholder of the art, you can only dream about what this meant to the artist. It is a lovely work of art, and you look stunning in it, but I think that there is more of the artist in this piece and that is another perspective to think about when I behold a work of art. What is the artist really trying to say?
STUNNING MY DEAR. This was a beautiful share. Anita
Ahh, art that makes us think, this is an interesting insight.
I'd “worry” if she had painted you without your right ear... [do you remember when Guards found Jesus at Gethsemane and in the fight that ensued, Simon Peter draw the sword and cut the right ear of the servant of the high priest? Then Jesus went and healed the man... do you know why? (besides understanding he couldn't do otherwise?) Because the man could have never reached priesthood without his right ear which is ointed with oil in the ceremony of confirmation of their sanctity.] *
I value all my senses and I think the artist saw in you a strength and a power that would endure all that would be thrown your way (the same way you really didn't return to "ask for the ear" accepting, waiting, trying to undertand the meaning instead)… in her sense the lack of one ear wasn’t important, not from what she saw and painted – SO WELL – in this portrait.
See how well she drew the light in your eyes, the strong and feminine stance, the perfect and sure pose of the lips… yes, she didn’t really felt you were missing a thing and somehow trusted the all to compensate the miss of detail.
It’s a wonderful portrait. You’re very beautiful, but she caught something that goes beyond your face looks…
I have one made with pen by a man who belonged to a committee of execs for whom I was organizing a Seminar… I don’t recognize me in it but everyone does… funny that the same happens with my recorded voice: when listening to home videos I have difficulty to tell which is my voice while others spot it immediately.
I wonder if you REALLY know how beautiful that woman portrayed you?!
Be Blessed in all your Senses, Dear Friend. It’s an Outstanding Portrait of an Amazing Woman!
Yours,
Teresa
*The ear is linked with the breath of life; in Egyptian symbolism the right ear receives the ‘air of life’ and the left ear the ‘air of death’. In this way, listening and the cycles of birth and death are interconnected. They are both aspects of the feminine. They require receptivity, patience and waiting. (it fits all we've been talking about, doesn't it?!)
(sorry for the long post but short wouldn't do... promiss to behave next times ahahah)
Wow Sheri.. Teresa has given a wonderful account of the left ear.
Its a stunning portrait of a most beautiful woman.. she has captivated your sensuality and depth of character.
amazing.
A lovely story.
xxx val
You are a beautiful woman. I am glad you didn't return to the Artist to paint your left ear. That might have been her signature style.
How cool is that? Maybe it was even sub-conscious? I love it and you look gorgeous. I have never had a portrait done- xo Diana
This is a very nice portrait of you - you look very attractive! I have never been painted by someone, but I had my childrens' portraits painted and I also love this picture very much.
All the best for 2013 to you and your family,
Barbara
Sheri, I love your portrait. You sure are a pretty girl. I like that the left ear is unpainted...because I feel it was the artist statement.:):) xoxo,Susie
What a beautiful painting of you.. I quite like just that little bit left unpainted..thanks for sharing the story behind it.
Magie x
What a beautiful painting of you.. I quite like just that little bit left unpainted..thanks for sharing the story behind it.
Magie x
What a special gift, Sheri. The mark of a true artist is his or her ability to stir a heart...to awaken the soul. Enjoy listening.
As far as having a painting of myself done, my husband has drawn many of me from the time we first met to nowadays when I'm not looking because I am no longer a very cooperative model ...teehee.
XOXO's,
Marcia
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing and remind us not to take for granted all our many blessings. Lovely insight from a lovely lady :0) Happy New Year!
beautiful story !
Very beautiful portrait and let's not finished ... It shows a beautiful girl with a sweet and sensitive nature. You don't forget that many famous artists left endless projects!
Olympia
Beatiful Sheri!!
Thanks for you comment on my blog ;) Blessings and best wishes for 2013!
Kind regards Diana
Sheri..you looks fabulous,I love your face character .the painter quite unique indeed with the message on her painting which make you always remember her.
self potrait? I had painted my husband with pastel black and white ...result not bad LOL;)
I'd loved to try painting again self potrait ;)
Kindly send my warmly greeting to Jess and Nel
Love to you all
Dearest Sheri!
How lovely to wake up to see your comment today! And you know, you could probably make a story about this painting; the artist literally left something out for YOU to fill in...who knows....but I actually think it was a stroke of genius on her part to leave that ear empty either intentionally or even by mistake. For knowing a little bit about HER, it is so significant. All you can do is wonder HOW SHE FEELS not having the use of that left ear. The rest of the story is up to you......in FRENCH I would say:
A TOI A ÉCRIRE LA SUITE...
Anita
I totally agree with Anita...keeping it unpainted exposes mystery and intrigue... I'm thankful for my hearing too, (I have a friend who is deaf.)
My husband had a self portrait done... many years ago, but I can't seem to find it anymore:( (the portrait not my husband!):)
Self portrait is such a beautiful way of showing creativity and it gives that old world charm which is quiet lost in today's photographies
Btw do check out my new post
Stay in touch
Xoxo
Thank you so much for visiting my blog the other day, your comment was lovely and yes I do sell my artworks on etsy and locally in shops and galleries too :)
I love this story of the painting you had done and think the missing ear makes the whole piece far more endearing with such a fabulous story to tell with it.
Beautiful painting.Thanks for commenting at my blog. I was thinking of changing it up for the New Year but after your comment about color I realized it's the way it should be. Here's to hoping you and the girls have a great start to the new year. I also loved your San Francisco post in Dec., My favorite City in Cali.
I don't have a self portrait done of myself, but yours is excellent!!!
Lot's of love!!!
I just love it, she did indeed do a wonderful job...and that's an amazing story....Happy New Year's with love Janice
amazing portrait and really interesting story!
thanx for sharring!
Hi Sheri,
What a beautiful story on a unique painting! I am convinced she has done that on purpose, I sense it! Go ponder on the word 'wondering' and you'll hear God speak in both your ears ;-)) Beautiful painting, so special!
Blessings and happy new year to you!
Ingeborg
Hallo!
First of all I do thank you for your kind words on my blog. It was a pleasure reading them as it is now, visiting your blog. I must say I love the story of your portrait! And the portrait itself is lovely, especially your eyes (apart from the ears).
Your interest in an eventual portrait of mine makes me realise: it might be something to write about and show on my blog. It is a very large 'total' portret of about 12 years ago. Maybe you'll see it one day...
I'll be back here, to enjoy much more of all you've been sharing.
Love,
Good Evening Sheri, Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving your kind comments.
What a stunning portrait, absolutely beautiful. Do you know, I think the artist purposely did not paint the left ear. I wonder how many other portraits were painted in the same manner and how many recipients of portraits noticed and took their portrait back to be completed.
I have never had a portrait painted, but a friend painted a caricature of me many years ago, which was fun.
I have enjoyed my visit so I have become your newest follower. I look forward to many more visits.
Sending you best wishes from England, Daphne
This is beautiful. I love the story behind it and the mystery....
Karen
Hello Dear Friend Sheri,
What a lovely portrait, I do believe she left the ear not painted on purpose since she was deaf on her left ear, perhaps she did that to all of her art work. I think it's lovely. Which reminds me of my father-n-law, who was an artist and when his wife died he had not finish a beautiful painting he was working on, well he just left it that way, never finished it. My husband was only five years old when this happened. Also when my hubby was in the service, I had send him a pic of me and he had it hand painted on silk in Japan, I was 16 at the time, perhaps will post it one of these days, maybe for my birthday this month. Thank you Sheri for your friendship I so enjoy visiting you here on blogland. My best to your sweet daughters. Blessings, Lu
Hello,
You visited my blog during the holidays. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment; I really appreciate it.
Love the painting!
♥Hope
Hi Sheri,
Lovely painting of you and I enjoyed reading the story behind it.
I suppose an Artist sometimes has the liberty to do what they feel like doing. I have never had a self portrait done.
Hope you and the girls are enjoying the first week of the new year.
hugs
Carolyn
Hi Sherri,
No, I've never had a self-portrait made but I enjoyed reading the story that accompanies yours.
Have a great Sunday. :)
Hi Sheri,
Your self portrait is beautiful. I love the meaning you took from it. What a beautiful reminder.
Also Sheri, thanks so much for coming by my blog. Its nice to know there's people who do like it.
I'm looking forward to spending time following your blog. Will you follow mine? Thanks!!!
Cheers!
Larisa
Dear Sheri, this is a beautiful self portrait. I think she did it on purpose. I have 2 from a NY trip, they were done same day, the first like a cartoon in Pier 17, and the other in Times Square normal black pen drawing. Now that you reminded me, I should find them in some boxes in the storage. I hope you and girls had a great start to 2013 : )
Hi dear Sheri,
Ok, my portrait is up, come over and see me.
Hugs...Lu
Dear Sheri,
Oh I love the portrait with such a unique story. You are just goreous and I believe the artist did a wonderful job, even without the left ear painted. The meaning you took from it was special and makes one take pause for the gift of hearing.
I have never had a self portait painted. It would be fun to do someday.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Hugs, CM
Hi, Sheri,
What a lovely portrait, and a lovely story. Thanks for sharing.
D
P.S. I just went over to Lu's blog to view her portrait on silk. I enjoyed it very much, and what a beautiful job they did.
Sheri, thanks for visiting and your sweet comment. Wow! so we are connected in a way with the number 13, imagine that. You know I am devoted to St. Anthony, he celebrates his birthday on June 13, he is very special to me. Hugs dear friend...Lu
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