Enchanted. Pigment ink, India ink and graphite on 9"x12" Bristol Board
When I was a little girl growing up in the tropics, there were tales of forest spirits told to us by our elders. This is the reason why every time I pass by dense wooded areas, I always say "Tabi anay, puede lang maglabay anay" (Pardon me, may I please pass by). The forest did not belong to us. It was not for us to desecrate or disturb. How ironic this was because, as superstitious as we were, this did not stop the corrupt government from distributing rights to foreign entities and local cronies to deforest and completely destroy ancient tropical rain forests. Aside from harvesting giant trees for lumber, they also cleared the forests to prevent the rebels from hiding in the dense and thick woods. Gone are the giant and ancient fig trees with gigantic vines.
I still like to believe in forest spirits whom we categorized in several types. There were the good and evil spirits. The good spirits were the kind ones who guided and protected us from danger; the bad spirits were those who led us astray and trapped us, sort of like walking through life, isn't it?
Ah, here's the good spirit of my ink forests. One who inspires and encourages me to ink these endless forests on Bristol Board, who makes pigment ink flow through my veins. It's a weak attempt at illustrating her elegant countenance, her kind and wonderful demeanor; her magical art; a subtle gesture at giving thanks for the joy and happiness she has generously given me through her amazing friendship; someone who brings out the best in me; artist extraordinaire, my sisterfriend, Bella Sinclair. She truly is beautiful. May God always bless her and her Epsilons.
My heart has been heavy and my mind racked with worry and concern for my sister. I sometimes wish I could offer a sacrifice by quitting to paint and draw. Bella convinces me to continue, and do it to honor my sister and those I love.
Thank you very much.
Visit Bella Sinclair's Doodlespot here and see her elevate the word doodle. :)
OH CES! When I first saw this, I was so overwhelmed I had to step away for a bit. I had tears welling up in my eyes. It has been a bit of a roller coaster day for me emotionally, and I'm finding that parts of me are still a bit tender. So seeing this soothes my heart and brings a smile to my face at the end of a very long day. The LEAVES, dear Ces! The teeny flowers and the hydrangea and the detailing in her dress! The little nymphs playing in the background! Oh my goodness, the level of intricacy is eye boggling! I do not deserve your amazing tribute and cannot live up to your words. Not even close. But I thank you. You fill my heart. You are the supreme benevolent forest spirit queen. It is you who lures us all to the forest and makes us want to linger among your trees and foliage. You are the enchantress, of that I am sure. I am under your spell. Tonight I shall close my eyes and dream of the most incredible ink forest I have ever seen. Thank you, sweetest sisterfriend. I love you. TSUP!!!
ReplyDeleteCes, this is incredibly beautiful, magical, playful, respectful and full of wonderful life. I wish I could see each detail better because I can tell each line overflows with love for Bella and her girls.
ReplyDeletethank you also for sharing your memories, tales and thoughts on the forests you grew up with.
Aaw Bella, I don't know what else to say but I love you and thank you for everything.
ReplyDeleteTammie, I don't know why the new blogger layout does not allow enlargement of the images. I may have to think of ways to post details. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful tribute to Bella. I love the swirly lines and all the wonderful details. I also love your respect for the forest. I am sure your art brings joy to your sisters as it does others. By the way, thanks for thinking of me today. I think of you often and pray for your sister still. XO
ReplyDeleteTSUP!
Thank you Karen. You are welcome. I hope you are having a lovely week. Tsup!
ReplyDeleteCes thank you for your WOWOW's! they mean allot to me. Your art is truely mindboggling also! Your forest rocks!
ReplyDeletexxx Lorraine xxx
wow.. this is amazing Ces!! What a lovely tribute to sweet Bella..she is right.. I am quite boggled up with your delicious intricacy and gorgeous detail!!
ReplyDeleteSending you love for your sister XXX H
Reading Bella's comment, it occurred to me that I was not nearly so enamored of working in my yard with bushes, trees, flowers, grass and weeds
ReplyDelete--all of whom I love--UNTIL I had become a fan of
your art, your prose,
and yourself, the rose!
Ces, we are all blessed by your sister-friendship with Bella.
Your love for one another and the expressions of that love here, are inspiration to me for lots of my life-living. What gifts God has bestowed on us ALL!!!
PEACE!
TSUP!
Hello Lorraine. Thank you. Now it just needs more critters. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you dearest Helen. Sweet indeed. I had so much fun drawing this, it is almost sinful :)
ReplyDeleteAaaw Steve, you sure have a way with words. I love your prose and thank you very much for sharing. The thing about Bella is that so many people love her and it's very obvious why. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLOL you followers really get the whip out!
ReplyDeleteLorraine, yes, they are a tough crowd, sweet but tough, mostly sweet. Heheheh!
ReplyDeletetickle tickle doooo!
ReplyDeleteso suave you are.
ReplyDeleteI am growing a goatee, myself
ReplyDeleteShow me!
ReplyDeleteOh Ces....you are an amazing friends....this is so beautiful....you have a way with words and I love hearing about your childhood.....
ReplyDeleteOoh, look! Diana has a bird mustache. So fancy!
ReplyDeleteHehehehe. OM! You are so cute!
ReplyDeleteHeidyheidoho Ces, oh well you have magic flowing in your ink, I swear, that's a sad story about the forests, very sad, we humans will get what we have coming to us, which is sad when there are such beautiful artists in the world as yourself, this is truly magic, I think you have been gifted by one of the forest spirits, lucky girl - see what you get for being respectful...
ReplyDeleteIt didn't work for me ....I once gave a lady my seat in the bus and now I am old and fat. See, there is no justice in the world.
Haha I took away my face and forgot to put it back ;)
ReplyDeleteCan I ride your handlebars?
ReplyDeleteHehehehehe! HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!
ReplyDeleteHello Mr. Finnie! I hope ypu put your picture back and please sport a mustache.
ReplyDeleteYou likes?
ReplyDeleteBWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!
ReplyDeleteOh baby, I love your Fu Manchu! Tsup!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful. Bella would definitely be a good forest spirit.
ReplyDeleteI'm really digging your recent art themes. They are charmers.
The two of you are just amazing!! I mean really..... I have to just sigh..... there is so much honor and love and pain and joy all wrapped together here. You guys are a joy to watch. It's a beautiful friendship or Sistership and you let us watch the whole thing take place here in blog land. This is simply awesome and amazing work Ces. Beautifully done with all the magic you can muster. Thanks so much for your sweets left for Zoe and I. Sending you love and well wishes as well.
ReplyDeleteTsup!
Rubin, you are so right!
ReplyDeleteVanessaaaaaaa!!! I love you and I love your comment. I think it is the best commentary on my friendship with Bella, I want to repeat it:
ReplyDelete"The two of you are just amazing!! I mean really..... I have to just sigh..... there is so much honor and love and pain and joy all wrapped together here. You guys are a joy to watch. It's a beautiful friendship or Sistership and you let us watch the whole thing take place here in blog land..."
Thank you Vanessa! Tsup!!!