Oh, how many misunderstandings erupt from the L word! It is so colored by our upbringing and trends of the time. We love our neighbor, our child, a song, a rainy day, and a roast beast sandwich. We love the concepts of spiritual practice, quantum mechanics, egalitarianism. We love … ad nauseum. And among those variations of love, lies the most perplexing: romantic love. We may choose to love our neighbor or a concept, or innately love our child, but that romantic thing is like a pothole. We “fall” in love with the person who is the object of our desire. Now that could be lovely, or not, depending on what we're carrying when we fall. Falling with a rucksack of self-loathing and preconceived expectations is a lot different than falling with a parachute woven of self-knowledge, self-love, and compassion.
My painting, A Walk in the Park – Ganesha Leads Doubting Thomasina Past the Obstacles to Love, invites us to identify what we're carrying, whether we're currently in a romantic relationship or looking to fall in love. It reminds us that we must first look past our preconceptions about romantic love and learn about, and love, our self. You can read its full story on my website HERE, and ponder its message as you prepare for your Valentine's Day tête-à-tête.
Though the original painting found its forever home a few years ago, you can purchase an archival quality giclée at Ghostwolf Gallery or through their website HERE. There are only five prints in this edition and each ships with a copy of the painting's story and a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Depicted here are dreams of white picket fences, lust, gender roles, fading fertility, longevity, and security. These may be a few of the rocks in our rucksack when we enter a romantic relationship.