Sketches – KATERINA PAINTS

Believe or Leave

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:30:51 +0000

Again, inspired by passages and pages in the Bible after suffering through months of convulsions and 3 near death experiences while not having any real answers or help. Friends and relationships were left behind because those people stopped believing. Blind faith is all that carried me through, believing and knowing that my struggle was much greater than myself, that my purpose was much greater than my suffering. Blessings are often disguised as situations that do not seem to serve us but I`m here to tell you, things are not always as they seem. I was contemplating whether or not my blessing was a curse when I saw some part of myself in this portrait of the Virgin Mary. She is handed a flower to commemorate the news of being highly honoured and favoured to bear our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. But no one warned her of all the suffering and struggle she would face whilst watching the bludgeoning of her own Son. She sat along the sidelines, her soul being stripped and ripped to pieces as she watched her Son beat until He was unrecognizable. Where can one find the blessing in that? We ask. Well, there was an end to Her suffering, at the end of suffering lays only the resurrection and glory of heaven where after 3 days her Son arose and continues to exemplify the symbol of eternal redemption and rebirth. Adversity often carries a high price but that price of suffering cannot compare to the glory that is revealed through it once we reach the other end; joy and contentment. If I was to leave this earth, I wanted to be sure that I used every, single, bit of talent God had gifted me with. I drew and drew to keep myself focussed and sane through all the madness, to remind myself who I am really am, what my purpose really is, and that I was much greater than the adversity I was facing.

Bruises and Beauty of the Moment

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:33:56 +0000

Drawn during a lengthy time of being bedridden, then one day making it out to the front porch to watch children play on the street. I remember squinting and the light hurting my eyes because I had been closed off from it for so long. Children`s laughter drowned in the sun`s yellow, golden light, filled my heart with such contentment. Life`s simplicities had become so esoterically nutritive when cutoff from them. It was then that I realized that one cannot know they are the light amidst light, it is only in darkness that we are allotted to shine. Even when happiness forgets us for what seems like an eternity, we cannot forget it, it is always there ready and awaiting our return. Joy and sorrow are inseparable as our joy is our sorrow unmasked. The deeper that sorrow carves into our being, the more joy we are physically able to contain. There is a beautiful side to illness that not many can see or choose to acknowledge. It is only with the eye of the soul that we recognize this beauty. Once the transformation and awareness takes place, one can be elevated consciously to higher levels of understanding and care.

Eleutheria (Freedom)

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:38:43 +0000

Freedom, in every sense of the word, is a natural human tendency and instinct. Physical, mental, spiritual freedom is what I, and other chronically ill people are fighting for on a daily basis. Every day we awake we must make a conscious decision to decide to fight for our wellness. It is because as warriors of the light, we know the true miracle of life and choose to fight for it, whatever the weather. If you see a slave sleeping, some say not to wake him, lest he be dreaming of freedom. I believe we must wake them and explain to them freedom. Freedom from spiritual and mental enslavement and of physical illness that carries great burden on the ill and their loved ones. It is always worth it to follow your dreams, it is the only path to living authentically, fully and totally free as a human being.

Grecian Sun

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:35:48 +0000

Being in touch with my Greek routes, I drew where I would like to go and what I what I would like to do when better. I miss Greece terribly. The Grecian Sun has a redeeming, cathartic quality about it that allows for the renewal of spirit, mind and body, the redemption of the soul and helps to remind me who I really am as it brings me closer to my personal truth and love for nature.

Guardian Angel

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:37:19 +0000

After so much kindness and generosity has been demonstrated towards me, I only felt it right to paint a portrait for all the people who acted as my true guardian angels. These are friends and family members that had come together in my name, in the name of love, for my healing, hosting fundraisers and organizing events. They are the true warriors of the light as they fight to spread love, joy and peace to the world. The only way to honour them was to draw who they fully are.

Hold on to Love

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:39:59 +0000

Holding on to real, honest, pure and genuine love helped to grant me great patience throughout my struggle. I was totally bedridden and alone for hours upon end, unable to feed myself when completing this portrait stroke by stroke. I remember my food being left downstairs in the kitchen for me to pick up but being too weak to get down the steps to get it. I needed to wait for someone to come home to bring it to me. In the meanwhile, I had my sketchbook next to me, so I decided to concentrate my efforts on letting love flood my soul. I closed my eyes and envisioned this love. I could feel my strength being made perfect in my weakness as my spirit began to grow stronger with each passing moment as I allowed myself to be filled with love until my cup overfloweth this overflow is what I attempted to translate as art on paper.

Hoping for my Miracle

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 18:31:43 +0000

Whilst hoping for my miracle, I looked for inspiration in the bible. Inspiration does not come to you, you go to it, you need to chase it with a club. I prayed to God and said to myself that I would sketch whatever story I opened the bible too. I closed my eyes and when I opened them I opened the page to the story of Christ raising a sick girl from her bed. I was naturally overcome by emotion and inspired by God understanding and hearing my prayers, even though I did not have the energy or the words to confess them.

I’m Not the Only One

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:46:26 +0000

During a period of time when I was having to do almost 5 injections daily and getting regular I.V.’s, my body was covered in bruises and my veins were collapsed. Although I felt like a human pincushion, I quickly realized, I’m not the only one having to suffer this way nor am I the first or the last. As bad as the situation seemed, it was and is always important to put things into perspective and realize that things could be much worse, in other words to be thankful for each and every blessing no matter how big or small.

Lyme-ian Roullette

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:48:03 +0000

When facing chronic illness, trying a new treatment can potentially make you feel a lot better or worse depending on the sensitivity of your body and the level of potential herxheimer reactions. Herxes occur when the body is trying to clear toxicity or activate immunity to lower the microbial load. Through this process, initially there is a spike in feelings of unwellness as the body attempts to adapt to new levels of wellbeing. Sometimes it feels as though the medication that is supposed to save your life is taking your life, yet it is a risk that one cannot afford NOT to take. I was on over 3 antiparasitic drugs, a cocktail shake of natural supplements and passing parasites daily when I attempted to draw this sketch.

My Drunken Heart

KaterinaPaints — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:51:20 +0000

8.5 x 11

Print - $15

Framed - $60

FRAMED ARTWORK FOR LOCAL PICKUP ONLY IN TORONTO

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