On Suddenness

sud·den  (sdn)

adj.

1. Happening without warning; unforeseen: a sudden storm.

2. Characterised by hastiness; abrupt or rash: a sudden decision. See Synonyms at impetuous.

3. Characterised by rapidity; quick and swift.

Idiom:

all of a sudden

Very quickly and unexpectedly; suddenly.

I have been putting off sharing these online, I don't know why. No, sorry, I do know why, but I'm getting over it.

'Suddenly' is the first work in my 'Journey of Hope' series. This is a series of pictures that came into my head about a year ago as I was meditating on my journey into motherhood, through post-natal depression and beyond into my future. I believe God has used them to help show me things about that journey, to help me through it, and I believe they will help others too, I don't know how, I just know I have to share.

'Suddenly' is a dramatic monotone composition. Paint and filler are layered on thickly, blended on the canvas quickly, creating the marbled patterning behind the bold, black, spiked streaks. I love the way the black and white marble together, it was something I had very little control over, but in places it is quite beautiful. The photo doesn't show it very well, but the white here has a grainy texture, the black is glossy.

For me it depicts the suddenness of discovering I was pregnant, the suddenness with which our dear son came into the world and the sudden realisation that everything was not quite as it should be. Sometimes we wait a long time for something, it seems like it is never going to happen. Then all of a sudden it does, and we don't really know how to cope. We spent all of that waiting time hoping and twiddling our thumbs instead of preparing ourselves for the enormous changes that what we're hoping for will bring. And we're surprised!

I don't know what else to say. I'd love to hear any feedback you'd like to make on this series, especially if it helps you in any way.  If you have any questions I will try to answer them as best and honestly as I can.