Small Rooms.
Seeing these pieces after more than ten years is such a revealing experience to me. These are all paintings about myself but I didn't know that back them. I thought that I was painting about people that I didn't know. These two ones for example are a reflection of the way I felt in the nineties. I was living in a little dark place (like in the paintings) I never went out unless I didn't have another option. I spent most of the time painting in my studio and I wasn't happy with my life. All I did was try to scape far away into my inner world. I painted lots of small rooms with surreal scenes in it.
How to Grow a Little Girl.
Inner Animal.
Looking at my old work makes me realize how much I have changed. It is amazing how you project the way you feel in everything you do.
I also wanted to show you a little drawing that I made for my Etsy store! I got a great moleskine watercolor notebook with detachable pages, the paper is acid-free with a little texture, I love it! You can find it here. It is great for making little drawings for relatives and friends.
I will be back tomorrow with more from the past!
Elsita :)
Psychoanalysts would have a field day with your older paintings. So much depth and symbolism in them. Have you ever had them analyzed from that perspective? I am so glad you are out of that dark room elsita and now look how much light you bring to all of us.
Posted by: Margaret Oomen | April 01, 2008 at 10:18 AM
I love your old work. I can see a lot of turmoil and struggle in them. I love the deep complex feelings they have and bring up. I can also see the joy and whimsy that is reflected in your present work. I'm always surprised how they look like completely the works of 2 different people. Congratulations on your new self but I'm also glad you have your old work. I think having gone through that makes your joy now more joyful and precious.
Posted by: AnneMaa | April 01, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I love your old work. I can see a lot of turmoil and struggle in them. I love the deep complex feelings they have and bring up. I can also see the joy and whimsy that is reflected in your present work. I'm always surprised how they look like completely the works of 2 different people. Congratulations on your new self but I'm also glad you have your old work. I think having gone through that makes your joy now more joyful and precious.
Posted by: AnneMaa | April 01, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I love your old work. I can see a lot of turmoil and struggle in them. I love the deep complex feelings they have and bring up. I can also see the joy and whimsy that is reflected in your present work. I'm always surprised how they look like completely the works of 2 different people. Congratulations on your new self but I'm also glad you have your old work. I think having gone through that makes your joy now more joyful and precious.
Posted by: AnneMaa | April 01, 2008 at 11:10 AM
So sorry. I swear I didn't click 3 times!
Posted by: AnneMaa | April 01, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I think something is playing an April Fools joke on AnneMaa!
Love your past works and how they reflect your beautiful mind at that time in your life.
Posted by: Marianne Wille | April 01, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Wow...I'm not an artist (can barely draw stick people!LOL) but I really enjoy your work...there is something so deep and viceral about it that it touches me on very personal level. Incredible.
Posted by: Angela | April 01, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Your art past and present absolutely astounds me with it's genius. It appears there is nothing you can't do and do quite well!!!
I have to say your blank book project was spectacular and I believe more people should do what you did with a grandparent. What a treasure that will be for Natalie. Your Mom has THE happiest face...I can truly tell how wonderful it was for all of you to have that time together.
Having lost my Mom 16 months ago there are so many things I wish I had documented.
Have a great day!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Oceandreamer | April 01, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Dear Elsa, every time I come back to your blog there's even more wonderful work with thoughtful and sensitive posts. I am very happy to have come across your blog. Looking at old pieces is so reaveling of where you were at that time. I Love your old work and I absolutely adore your new Etsy drawing.
I am so glad that your life is much happier now!
Posted by: Anne | April 01, 2008 at 06:32 PM
It's really amazing to see how much your art has changed! there are still some resemblances, but It's clear that you're now a much more confident and happier person.
And I love to visit your blog... so wonderful...
(I added a link to yours in my blog, hope that's ok!)
*margarida
Posted by: margarida | April 02, 2008 at 07:00 AM
dear elsa,
your work is oh so inspiring, oh so beautiful, and as far as work goes in this nouveau-craft blogosphere, your work stands out as actual art. imaginative and delicate.
thanks for sharing your work!
Posted by: farmgirl | April 07, 2008 at 07:26 PM