I came from a fractured family that included people who didn't always know how to treat others. One of my girl cousins and her 4 brothers, lived on a small ranch with farm animals. When my parents visited them, they would torture my sister and I. They were all in their teens while my sister and I were from ages 7 to 12 during the times we saw them.
When I was eight, and suffering from asthma, they lifted me over the fence that shielded themselves from their angry bull, holding onto me while they screamed for the bull to charge at me. Then they would pull me out at the last second, laughing and mocking me for crying. I could hardly breath, believing that I was going to die. They did this repeatedly until they were bored.
That was just one of the many adventures I was forced to endure. My sister endured her own. It wasn't until they broke my nose with a swing that my sister and I were finally believed about the torture they inflicted on us. But that isn't what I'm really writing about.
The woman in "Bluebird Serenade" reflects the girl cousin of my personal story. She was mean, but at the same time, she was in harmony with nature. All five of them were. They loved animals with a gentleness and passion that animals responded to with trust.
"Bluebird Serenade" is a serene and dreamlike scene where nature and humanity harmonize in perfect balance. I painted the tree branches close to the woman as if they were spiritually protective arms keeping her in this unfamiliar place. Through the enchanted serenade of the bluebird, she experiences a transformation.
The birds ethereal sounds touches her heart to become empathetic to the lives of others as the tranquil waters of the lake sooth her soul into God's peace and love.
We all have the ability to change and forgive ourselves for bad behaviors. Once we receive God's grace to forgive us and we repent, we are free to go forth and love ourselves in order to better love others. It's God's way and a part of His purpose to keep us in a position of strong faith and to fulfill the special plan He has for each of us.
Overall, I painted "Bluebird Serenade" as a celebration of the power of nature's ability to tame the human soul with it's beauty and mark of God's creation. Just as we can have a powerful connection with the natural world, it's beauty can lead our hearts to connect with God! -Margaret Lukasik
Size: 14 x 18 inches. Painted in acrylic and oil on linen canvas.
Price: $350.00