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Author: Catherine Ross

Deep Midwinter

Deep Midwinter

In the deep midwintershown a crystal bright.Snow and stars still glimmerin the dark of night. In challenging times, I find strength by recalling my resilience from past experiences. Sometimes, I leaf through my old journals for inspiration. Recently, I came across the little verse above. I had written it during the winter after my husband’s diagnosis. He had a very frightening reaction to chemo, requiring hospitalization and multiple interventions. In the aftermath, I found inspiration in the song ” A Christmas Carol ” by…

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Winter Heart

Winter Heart

Where I live, it’s cold, windy, and grey. The days are short, and I prioritize seeking light and warmth.Bare tree branches, delicately etched against the winter sky, present a stark beauty that mirrors the experience of grief. When the forest branches are bare, they reveal vistas that often go unnoticed when covered in foliage. Similarly, allowing ourselves to be open to grief can bring to light previously unseen aspects of ourselves as we heal. Recognizing my growth, despite the loss…

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My Artist’s Prayer

My Artist’s Prayer

I composed my artist’s prayer several years ago while struggling to balance my career with my passion for art. This has always been a challenge for me. Looking back, it reminds me of my struggle to balance life with grief. I seek light, insight, and peace while accompanied by the sorrow of missing my husband and partner. I studied the body’s chakra system or energy centers when I created this piece. The seven colors of the rainbow represent the main…

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Follow Your Star

Follow Your Star

As we approach a new year, I look back on the past and forward to the promise of the future. I reflect on the life I once enjoyed with my husband, which is so different from the life I am now creating for myself. Yet, each has its unique challenges, joys, and direction. I found myself sorting through a collection of greeting cards I’d designed many years ago. This one, created circa 1988, spoke to me this year. I had…

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Nurturing Gratitude

Nurturing Gratitude

As the holiday season begins, I am reminded of the importance of focusing on gratitude and the positivity that being thankful brings. Although this season sometimes reminds me of the things I no longer have, focusing on hope, optimism, and gratitude is an emotional antidote to the sadness of longing for the past. I created this piece years ago after my husband’s diagnosis. We found ourselves in a lush field of sunflowers under a blue summer sky. I felt fragile…

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When the Going Gets Tough

When the Going Gets Tough

I designed this larger canvas some years ago after my husband’s cancer diagnosis. I drew inspiration from my original piece, “Believe,” which I had created at least 30 years earlier. If I were to assign a logo representing my life philosophy, the original “Believe” would be it. I published a post about the original piece in June 2024. It makes sense that I would turn to it for inspiration during such a difficult time. Finding a way to believe in hope, possibility, and…

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Hidden Treasure

Hidden Treasure

The background of this canvas, painted in blotchy shades of blue, tells how I felt as I cut and stitched a heart from a grey felt. It was a day when I had to dig deep to believe in hope and possibility. My collection of colorful gems and crystals glittering from their storage jars on a shelf in my studio inspired me. This piece represented looking beyond the bleakness I felt to the treasure trove of inner peace and inspiration…

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Warrior

Warrior

We often need to draw on our inner strength and resilience to face whatever life brings our way. I have discovered that creating art and leading a meaningful life after a loss requires me to “show up,” whether confronting a blank canvas or any other challenge. It involves being receptive to the whisperings of my heart and remaining open to inspiration, even when it seems elusive. Sometimes, it consists of sifting through uncomfortable feelings to find a tiny sparkle of…

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Listening To Your Heart

Listening To Your Heart

I’ve always wanted to listen to my heart, but it wasn’t until I began to heal from the most traumatic loss of my life that I truly started to hear what my heart was telling me. Now, I’m following a path guided by its messages. Although the path is not clearly defined, an essential part of being the queen of my heart involves taking the time and giving myself the space needed to figure things out. This means practicing self-compassion…

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Queen Of My Own Heart

Queen Of My Own Heart

This miniature canvas emerged from my quest for my unique true north. During this journey, I discovered I can honor and care for myself without needing permission or relying on anyone else. Initially, I viewed self-care as well, just plain selfish, but I began to realize it was essential for healing from loss. Instead of associating self-care with being self-absorbed, I eventually understood that I could better connect with and reach out to others by taking care of my own…

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