Wanderer, 40" x 30"acrylic on canvas
This morning when I was soaking in the lovely hot tub, I saw the spirit of a teenage girl sitting in the spirit chair. Her name was Michelle, she lived a quarter mile from my house in Westacres, and she was in my grade. I think she was my first "crush." I remember going tobogganing with her and several friends at night in the eighth grade. After the toboggan runs we all met up at the community clubhouse for a dance...we danced to the Monkees and Beatles, drank hot chocolate, and I couldn't stop thinking about Michelle. A few years later, probably when I was a student at Oakland, I heard she had died in a car accident somewhere in the east. It made me sad. I never did find out for sure. Still, I think she was in that chair this morning--looking very young and pleasant. Don't know what to make of it...
These were words I received in an email from my husband yesterday, Halloween. Last year I posted the story of our "spirit chairs," one of which is the focal point of my blog header. From time to time wandering spirits do take a load off here. Hiram and Lily have frequented them. And now Michelle has come calling. Last night Bennie and I lit candles in our living room and sat for a time in their quivering light. We talked about the spirits, the few times we or our family members have had visitations from dear ones.
When my father was diagnosed with cancer, he woke from a nap to find his own deceased parents, and my mothers' parents, and her brother who had died in World War II, standing at the edge of the room, very still, all of them looking at him, smiling. He described them as looking young and healthy and very happy. He was completely unnerved by the experience. And my mother-in-law, on her fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1999, saw her own mother Mildred sitting in a chair, dressed in fall colors and a fall hat (even though it was August and Mildred had died in 1985). Mildred too was smiling and radiant. Bennie asked me last night, "Do you believe that experiences like this are in the mind?"
I don't know. Some would say that any experience is completely in the mind, that as we go about our ordinary activities, we are journeying from one place in the mind to another, passing through a world we've imagined.
Passing Through, 30 " x 40"acrylic on canvas
The chair I sit on is an arrangement of subatomic energies, ordered just enough to provide the illusion of solidity. I can't "see" those energies, but they're there.
detail from Passing Through
131 comments:
Short answer: of course it is. Every day: we're just too busy and not in enough hot tubs, mind-floating, to see who's sitting in all the spirit chairs.
As to your last set of questions, don't ask Lovecraft. He'd undoubtedly tell you and it wouldn't be pretty. Much as I love the embroidery of his prose, I'll pass on his vision.
Beautiful paintings as always, San. I particularly like "Arthur's barge" in "Passing Through."
Surely, the Buckinghams and the Supremes ("Whisper You Love Me, Boy") were also on Bennie's playlist at the clubhouse. "Cherish" always made for a nice 3 minute and 25 second slow dance, too.
dia de los muertos always marks the beginning of PaschalFest. Tuesday I hope to get my early Obama pres[id]ent, followed by actual birthday on Thursday the 6th (along with Sally Fields - eek!), and then festivities on Saturday following.
Yes, the spirits are always in the chair. The orange carnations and the altars on Muertos are for us to find our ways to them.
Peace, sister. A lovely post. Thank you.
I've already told you the story of when I apparently saw my wife's grandfather, haven't I? I tell that story to my students every year at Halloween, and this year was no exception.
It's interesting seeing the reaction of all these materialistic, consumerist, trend-driven youth locked in their cold, little cubicles of college preparation when they hear my tale of possible evidence of the reality of spirits. Some of them are seriously frightened. Others look like their whole world view has just been upended.
As for me, I considered it a warm (though unsettling) experience then, and I still do now.
Love the pictures, especially Wanderer, you can feel the figure moving away from you and onto something or somewhere else just over the horizon where you can't see it.
Not sure how I feel about ghosts, my Mum, who is a very practical no-nonsense lady, has been visited. In a house that we used to live in (it was very, very old, parts were sixteenth century I think).
I have never been visited, and I think if I am honest, they scare me slightly, because if there are friendly spirits, then there must be mean ones as well, and I don't like that at all. I do feel my grandparents watching over me though - keeping an eye on what I am up too!
Love the idea of spirit chairs, I had never heard of them before, and thoroughly enjoyed the post about how they came about.
Ouch. What am I saying, carnations?!? Too sleepy this morning! I meant marigolds.
I love this story. How nice that you saw your friend. Now you know that she is okay and was just passing through!
I wonder, too, what I don't (or won't) see.
I believe that there are things, spirits, around us all the time. Perhaps it's too spooky to think of that all the time, and maybe unsettling. But maybe it would be comforting, too. Who knows.
Your spirit chairs are beautiful.
San: I was really moved by this post. I don't see "them" but I feel "them". Our small human minds can't even begin to comprehend what's "out there".
That first painting is surely a picture right out my front door~
Cactus, Sun, Desert Sky...visions of the Haunted Mesa.
Good answer, Paschal. Dia de los Muertos seems the perfect kickoff of PaschalFest.
I'm w[id] you on the Tuesday wishes. You and the Flying Nun share a burfday? Cool, dude.
For the Saturday festivities, may I suggest a rousing game of Musical Spirit Chairs?
Moody, I don't believe I've read that story. I must go looking for it over at your place.
Upending the worldviews--isn't that what teaching's all about? You are a master.
Mima, I love that you sense the movement towards the horizon in 'Wanderer.' Thank you for looking closely.
And I hear you with regard to the ambivalence about believing in spirits. I am glad, however, that you feel those grandparents watching over you. That must be gently reassuring.
Paschal, I don't see why orange carnations would not work too.
I'm glad you stopped by again, however. Earlier I forgot to thank you for your kind words about my paintings.
Yes, Meg, I believe it was a reassuring experience for Bennie.
We are sending our best wishes to you this coming week...
Jennifer, it may well be that the unsettling nature of what might be around us keeps us from seeing it. Or at least our fear of the unsettling nature. I like your theory that it may be comforting.
Rubye Jean, I'm not surprised that you feel "them." And how cool that I've painted your haunted mesa.
Or that your mesa chose to come to me in a painting.
You two aren't the first folk I've known to have friends and family visit. This happens too often for it to be imagination, but I do believe that the heart must also be engaged in the viewing as well.
Great post, San! And I love those paintings. Thanks for sharing the detail of Passing Through.
Hugs!
Wonderful post, San and I LOVE your work. The Wanderer really speaks to me.
Peace to you and your family,
Todd
Oh, we are surrounded. And it's a good thing.
Debi
Lovely. I love yr chairs, read the backpost on them. I do think everything is in, if not our own mind, in our own consciousness. Which, according to my understanding of Jung, contains the consciousness of our ancestors. I also feel there is much out there that I can't feel or see. At one time, people did not know about small, microscopic creatures. Now, with a microscope to look thru, we know that although unseen by our naked eye, these creatures do exist. We just need the right lens to see them through. There are so many energies and forces in the world we cannot see but that are there none the less. For example, landscape has vibrational energy and power that goes beyond the physical presence. Color also. Well, just about everything one can name contains within and without more energy that the eye can see or or senses can smell, touch, hear. I am finding this post so inspiring. I think, your family and husbands family though must be very specially attuned to the unseen to be visited by dead ancestors and friends in this way.
AND how cool that you and Bennie email each other. This gives me a chuckle. :) Take care oh spirit vessel.
I believe the spirits of those we love are with us always but we only see them when we need comfort.
I do feel as if I am a "spirit", passing through life. I mentioned recently on Suki's blog that I drift through job changes, friends, hobbies, interests, phases, etc., ever changing, rearranging. Do we morph from one being into another as we age? I believe we do. Do we come back to re-visit after we die? I don't know. If we do, are we the same person, or something else we've morphed into? Who knows. Life is ever changing. Re-arranging.
I like to think of other dimensions, parallel to this one we live in. No telling what goes on there that we are unable to see.
Excellent novel,,"From the corner of his eye" by Dean Koontz.
A small boy who is able to travel to 'his others'.
Oh, and Passing Through is so contemplative,,,,I think you must have painted it while in one of your 'others'.
San,
A river meanders more and more over time eroding the weak banks without any purpose. It does not have a plan in mind to reach its destination for it does not 'see' ahead, yet it continues meandering. As to a journey in the mind and energies that we cannot 'see' may be there is other 'life' or worlds out there, and that 'life' (after death) is different from the type on this earth.
I've not had any supernatural experience as far as I can recall, but your post got me thinking. "Nothing is to be feared, it is only to be understood" is Marie Curie's quote I've used in my today's blog post. The Wanderer, specially, is mysterious, fabulous and lovely.
- celine
http://indicainq8.wordpress.com/
A number of things out there that we don't know or understand San. Love the paintings, and the musings.
Wonderful post (as is the one from last year). I do believe in the visions of the spirits. I can't explain it, and I don't know where it fits into my theology and faith, but my grandmother, who was the best Christian I ever knew, saw spirits and even Jesus. To her it was a comfort, but it used to give me the heebee jeebees. I would always ask her if there were any spirits in the room before we went off to bed, where I would snuggle up next to her as she fell asleep saying her prayers.
See? This is what I love about your blog. Not only does your artwork bring up emotions in me, so does your writing.
Peace - D
San,
I love the paintings and I love your narrative! :o)
Jo
I love your Wanderer painting. Fascinating post. I've never seen (not lately, anyway) any spirits, but I spoke to my sister, Carole, a few days before she was murdered and afterwards I couldn't stop crying and I didn't know why. I think some part of me knew we'd never speak again...at least not on this earth plane. My mother, who was already very ill, had a dream shortly after Carole died. Carole was dressed in white and looked radiant. They were on a ship and my sister invited my mother to a party of some sort. I think my mother was afraid of death. She fell off the boat and "lived" (barely) for another year and a half. It's an amazing, mysterious and wondrous world, that's for sure.
how many of the living are out there that we can't, don't or won't see? also a relevant question. probably a sadder one too.
I've just visited you for the first time. Love many of your posts.
I wish I had been there, San, with you and Bennie admiring your ghosts...I make this solemn promise...when the time comes for me to shake this earthly coil...I will come to visit and make use of a spirit chair...you'll know me by my smile...
Sandi
I have heard others report things like that too. Not sure that some things can be explained.
The pictures are lovely!
wonderful post. I love your example of the chair. Your art is wonderful!
Lovely that you have this sensitivity and openness to spirits. I share this with you.
I like that you guys have chairs where souls can come rest.
It looks like my grandmother cottonwood tree stump is here to stay. Due to its location, to grind that huge thing up would do some damage to things around it. So, I've contemplated copying your idea and placing a spirit chair on it, but this tree stump is very different from your high, thin trees with lots of space around them. This is a suburban tree, right next to the street and its stump is short and VERY fat. If, in your infinite creativeness, you have any ideas for how I can create a nice space in which this stump can exist, please let me know.
I do think that, because of our busyness and our schooled ways, we generally see only the surface of what is.
Your Wanderer acrylic allows my wanderer to feel recognized. Alone, but not. Thanks for sharing it!
Happy day to you, San!
Ooh those spirit chairs give me shivers and I also wondered about spirits and is it just in our minds or do they really exist? A couple of days after my Dad died, I had a very vivid dream. I dreamt I was standing next to him and he had his arm around me and I could actually feel warmth coming off him. He was very happy and well again. My Mom (may she rip) also had a very vivid dream with my Dad in it right after he passed. He told her it wasn't her time yet and that he was fine. I've heard of others having such dreams too.
San your paintings are awe-inspiring, very beautiful!!
San, I loved reading your post.. how cute you saw your friend..thats really amazing..also I liked your painting as well.
Oh, to be in touch with those spirits. What wonderful experiences. My grandmother used to describe such moments. Vividly. I think the experience comforted her in her loss. Thanks for this, San. I enjoyed the read.
Oh San, thank God I got my hobby with me in the office while I am reading, something about spirits or ghosts, I am scared - but I have few recent stories myself, may be one day I blog about it on my story blob, lol. Myself two I had best friend who died in the car accided the day after her wedding, and when I found out, for couple of years we were communicating in dreams, but she was sad....San thanks for sharing your stories. Anna :)
...oops just going back for my subscription...Anna :)
Anything you do not want to see.
Beautiful painting. :)
I had wondered about the chair in your blog header...what a gift of hospitality.
Nearly all your paintings resonate for me, but this one makes me ache, and reminds me of an image I colored as a Spiritual Direction exercise, though they look nothing alike...I suppose this image is one I can easily step into since I feel like I'm living it.
When my mom was in hospital the last time she said she thought she saw my dad who has passed 3 months before ... I am sure she did too. A fw months before dad passed he told my sister that an old family friend was sitting in the recliner and why didnt she say hello to him ... she did ... she and I are both sure he was there .. we believe ..
:-Daryl
"The heart must be engaged in the viewing as well." Well put, Lee. Very well put.
Thank you for your complimentary words on my paintings too.
Hugs.
Wow, Todd, thank you!
Peace to you and yours too...
Ah, Debi, you sense it too. And you approve. Nice.
I've never seen a disembodied spirit, but I do feel presences at times. My husband has seen spirits, but not of people known to him, so usually it's pretty spooky when it happens.
No one close to me has yet passed on, but I do expect to be visited once that happens. I'll be offended if they don't stop by once in a while. ;-)
Suki, thank you for sharing these careful reflections. I agree with you about the landscape vibrations and the color too. I suppose when we paint we are pretty attuned to those color vibes.
Bennie and I do email almost every day. But usually the content is more on the order of: Hey, would you mind stopping at Albertson's on the way home?
Akelamalu, that observation makes a lot of sense. Thank you.
Katie Jane, I've wondered about the same thing, what it is about us that stays the same throughout our lives, makes us who we are, even though most everything is changing.
Nice ponderings.
Babs, thanks for the book recommendation. It sounds really interesting. And it reminds me a bit of a story by Gail Godwin I read a long time ago. Can't remember the name of it, but when I do, I'll let you know.
And I love what you have to say about "Passing Through." What a superb compliment. Thank you!
Celine, your river metaphor is lovely. Thank you for that, and for the Marie Curie quote.
I see you've moved to Wordpress. The formatting over there is nice--I look forward to seeing your new digs.
Cath, you're right. SO much we don't understand.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Doris, that's quite a memory you have about your grandmother. Exactly where all of this fits in a Christian theology is a bit of a puzzle, but I do believe it fits.
Peace...
Jo, you are always such a supportive presence. Thank you for being a constant friend.
:-D
Raven, your tears after speaking with Carole for the last time had to have emerged from a deeper wisdom. And that powerful dream must have come from the same place.
You are so right about the wonder of this world.
Lime, that is exactly the kind of astute observation you always make.
Thank you for sharing that.
Kate, I'm honored by your visit. Please return.
Sandi, as much as I'd love to see your smile, I hope it's not beaming down from me from one of the spirit chairs.
;-)
Maggie May, thanks for chiming in with your opinion. And for complimenting my paintings.
Tammie Lee, I'm not surprised at all that we share this openness to the spirits.
I'm really glad you're visiting me these days. It's always a pleasure.
Carol, thanks for your observation on "Wanderer." That enlarges my own appreciation of it.
I'm glad your cottonwood stump is there to stay. We have to come up with a method of transforming it into a more obvious spirit receptacle. Notice I said "obvious." It's already one. We only want more to be aware of that fact.
Lynette, the dreams you and your dad had about your father sound too powerful and comforting to be insignificant. Thank you for sharing those stories.
And what you have to say about my paintings is making me glow from ear to ear.
Angel, thank you. I'm glad you're feeling so good these days.
Sandy, it seems that many of our grandmothers have had these experiences. Past generations must have been a bit more in touch with the spirit realm...
Anna, I look forward to your sharing your stories on your "blob." They must be riveting.
Didn't mean to scare you.
:->
Good answer, Bruno.
Thank you.
JS, what a poignant comment. I guess we are all wanderers, but sometimes we are more in touch with this aspect of our souls.
It would be interesting to hear more about that Spiritual Direction exercise.
Daryl, you too have such family stories. Thanks for sharing your own experiences. No wonder you believe.
Great new ear pic.
Spark, it would be kind of insulting to be dropped just because of a little technicality like death, wouldn't it?
Good point you've made.
:-D
How could any spirit resist stopping by to set a spell in those inviting high chairs? All good spells, of course. (smile)
Hello San,
Please accept my apologies for not getting to this excellent post sooner. First of all, I love this painting. The feeling is clearly of spirit. The composition is very appealing and you have used the jewel tones I adore. Beautiful! Truly Beautiful!
I know there are lots of spirits who visit and your area is clearly full of so many . In my visits there, I never fail to interact with at least one. I have similar experiences on our trips to Northeastern Montana. Sometimes I have experiences with spirits who want me to give messages to people who are not ready to hear them...now that becomes a problem!
I am sure these special energies love to visit you all because you make them so welcome and comfortable. I think it is fantastic you have special chairs for them.
Keep making them feel special, they have a message for you! I have to also say they are true miracles and will be there when you are ready to see them.
Thanks for sharing this very special story. These fill my heart with so much warmth.
The only thing that separates us is the density of molecules.
Spirits, of course....we are dense beings and could never see all the spirits and beauty surrounding us. Both paintings are remarkable. The blue holds the energy and the edge on "Passing Through" is glowing! I'm so taken with the blue that I am glad you gave a close up of the straight glowing shape! Do you purposefully meditate or invite in spirit as you begin painting?
What a wonderful post, San!
And I totally believe this!
Absolutely!
I don't actually SEE spirits, but rather FEEL and HEAR them.
It's almost as if their spirit talks to me through feeling their emotions.
I've always been someone who believes MORE in the non-physical than the physical.
Thanks so much for sharing this enlightening experience!
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday!
Perhaps some spirits would like to use my newly renovated swing...although we may only see spirits of snowmen cause it's real cold in my back yard right now. Seriously, the spirits are welcome, I just wish the one that sits on my side of the bed at night would stop bouncing on the mattress, otherwise they are welcome, I can use the company.
I came back to look more at the paintings of inspiration.
Sometimes you just know when someone has come calling - just checking in on how we are doing.
The spirit chair sounds like the perfect place to sit and visit.
Thanks for this San. It gives me a kind of hope that is hard to explain.
Wish I could answer these issues, San. I'm intrigued
San, you have been tagged. See my blog!
Hugs!
The morning after my uncle passed, before we were told, I saw him standing by the side of the road as I was commuting into the city to go to school. He waved and I blinked... he was gone.
I never told my mother (he was her brother).
Congrats on the POTD my dear friend...now new post please? More photos of artwork?
hugs
Sandi
Congratulations, San, on making David's Post of the Day list.
Hugs!
I was too late to be the first to tell you congrats on being on David's POTD but, congrats anyway!
:o) Jo
I've also popped over from David's blog. This was such an interesting story, and now must read more of your posts!
Cheers from England :-)
San, A local man Dror Sinai is performing in Santa Fe,Nov 15, Pomegranate Studios. He owns a local shop here in Santa Cruz called Rhythm Fusion. He is a man of passion and his drumming is beyond description!
Um, yes, every day IS Dia de los Muertos to those of us who 'receive'! DDLM is one of my fave holidays, but every day around here is DDLM, I don't have a spirit chair around, but they turn up anyway and visit for a while - how wonderful! Your paintings are great, one day I hope to visit New Mexico, it's calling me :)
Somewhere I heard or read about a People who believe in degrees of dead. You're not really, completely dead until your name is spoken for the last time.
It's good to set an extra chair at the table, now and again, and an extra plate, and raise a glass as you recite the names of fallen comrades.
Maybe they stand up from the "spirit chair" and take a bow.
I don't know.
There are more things in heaven and earth......
sj
I found my way to your blog today and am so happy I did. I appreciate your post and your art! Thank you for sharing!
WOW. Love the paintings! Love your thoughts too.
I dream of my oldest brother and my dad. They just smile. They do not talk. sometimes my brother laughs. but that is all. it brings me comfort because I know that they are happy!
have a great week!
Hi San,
Long time, no post... I hope all is well?
Please tell me when you update, San!!
Good Morning my dear San! Just stopping by to have a cup of coffee with you! Hope all is well!
Hey San, just checking on you, lol, hope all is well. Anna :)
There is so much in the world that we see—and I feel there is even more that we don’t see. Once in a while we are given a glimpse of the latter and that becomes a special moment.
With Ms Bones back from her sea travels, can Ms San be far behind?
Not that you have enough post here already, but I just had to say that your boat image really caught my eye and I had to comment on how nice it looked in the painting.
there is an award awaiting you on my blog. Scroll down a few posts to find.
San! I hope all is well with you.
Come visit my blog to see the award I have given you.
Sharing the concern as have the others. Is everything alright?
Dar, nothing but the very best spells.
:-o
Kim, thanks much for your kind words about my painting.
And, yes, I agree, the density of spirit population in this region does seem to be a bit higher than in some other places. I would love to hear more about the experiences of which you speak, the messages you've been implored to relay.
I'm sorry I've dropped off the face of the blogging planet for so long.
Paula--yes, just the density of molecules. Well put.
Blue Sky Dreaming, I'm glad you like that edge on the blue painting. I'm rather pleased with it myself.
Yes, sometimes I do invite spirit in. I believe we all do, although not always consciously.
Thanks, Ron. Why am I not surprised that you are open to things unseen?
Kim, I believe your bedroom visitor would make me a bit uncomfortable too. Such an experience!
Rubye, it's always great to see you here.
Aims, I'm glad the post brought you some hope. And I'm not surprised that you sense the spirits. Not at all.
David, don't we all wish we had the answers? Then again, maybe the mystery is best left unsolved.
Kim, I already went to read the tag and have begun the list. Thanks!
Anndi, I love your Uncle story. He must have wanted to say good-bye in a more personal way. Lovely.
Sandi, thanks for stopping by to let me know. Now I have new artwork. I hope to post soon.
Lee, thanks to you too for stopping by with the news.
HUG.
Jo, thank you!
Just a Plane Ride Away, thank you for visiting. I am smitten by your moniker and now I must fly over to your place...
Blue Sky Dreamer, I missed the performance. Too bad. It must have been amazing.
Sue, if New Mexico is calling you, then you must visit.
Thank you for visiting my blog. It means a lot to me.
Spartacus--"degrees of dead"--a very interesting concept. And I like your image of someone standing up from the spirit chair and taking a bow.
Thank you for stopping by.
Jan, I'm really glad you wandered over here. Please return!
Anna, your dreams of your dad and your older brother do sound very comforting. Thank you for sharing your lovely experience.
Meg, I'm so glad your most recent procedure went well. You have been in my thoughts...
Anna, I always smile when I see that picture of you and Matthew.
David, tell you when I update? Not in a long time.
:-o
Anna B, I appreciate the coffee company. Cheers!
Nick, yes, those rare glimpses are very special indeed.
Happy Holidays to you and Alex!
Paschal, now you've got me intrigued--Ms. Bones's sea travels?
Todd, thank you for stopping by. It's been a while. And I am delighted you like the boat image.
Suki, thank you. I love awards!
Kim, I still haven't gotten around to your tag and yet you award me. Thank you. You must be in the holiday spirit!
Jeff, thank you for the concern. I am pleased to report the rumors regarding my demise were exaggerated.
Soooo... you ain't demised! I was wondering and worrying.
Oh THAT'S what that chair is.....
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