A few weeks ago I painted another turtle. I’m continuing to really enjoy painting turtles and thinking about the reality that in this life there are a lot of circumstances where it would be easy to sink into our warm, safe, shell, especially during difficult times. Yet, in doing so, we stop forward momentum. Yes, there are times when circumstances dictate a well planned retreat, especially if to survive. Yet, I love the resilience of the turtle who, despite the many times that he has had to suck in his head, bravely puts it back out again and moves a few more steps forward. I’ve painted turtles on envelopes for friends before, when they are struggling, or when life has dealt them a blow that seems impossible to overcome.
This one was done for a childhood friend who recently lost her son in an unexpected, tragic manner. Who wouldn’t need to simply retreat in a time like this, to regroup, to find strength, to try to answer so many of the countless questions that must arise. But, I know she is strong, and will move forward, one step at a time.
This was done in gouache, and a little pen and ink.
