With Arms Wide Open


For my 'Let Your Art Guide You' this week, I'm delighted to present 'With Arms Wide Open'. This was a commission painting that a father had me paint for his young daughter on her 5th birthday. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he is unable to see his daughter as much as he would wish. He wants her to know how much he loves her, even though he's not around, so he had me paint this as a token of his love to her. I am honoured that he would have me paint something so dear to his heart. Such a lovely man.

I was filled with emotion while painting this. I wanted it to be perfect. I made his hands slightly bigger than I normally would because I wanted her to know that her dad's love is strong and will always take care of her. I made the sky brighter around her head, and it has a pearlized sheen to symbolize that she is the light in his life, his angel. The accessory in her hair is symbolic of a halo.

I hope you all enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed painting it!

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17 comments:

Erica @ Acire Adventures said...

This is really beautiful! It would also have been a great father's day gift :)

PS I love your work! Your style is so interesting, I love the texture that your pieces have.

Diane said...

Beautiful, and even more so because it has a story!

Deedra said...

Thanks girls!!!

The Haley Family said...

WOW! That painting really is amazing! Your vision and ability to put it on canvas is fantastic! I have a close relationship with my father and I know that if I ever received something like that I would treasure it always! Gorgeous!

Deedra said...

Much obliged!!! That means a lot...thank you!

Anonymous said...

Wow that is stunning, and the story! So sweet!

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Precious! Love the movement and the colors are fab.

Martina said...

Deedra, this is really touching! What a lovely idea and how wonderful you managed to paint it like this - painted happiness!

Beth said...

Usually I despise background music on a webpage but wow, amazing. I am studying educational psychology and just did a project on images and emotions and that Kate Bush song with your pictures made me want to cry.

andrea creates said...

How sweet-the painting turned out perfect!

MLBetterly said...

OMG, this painting is so beautiful! Love it!

FYI, the painting has arrived and I absolutely love it! I don't know why I thought you were in the USA, no wonder it didn't arrive in a week. I'm just thrilled it didn't get lost and is here in my studio! Thanks so much, Deedra!

Deedra said...

Thanks so much, everyone!!

Beth - you know, I normally don't like background music on blogs, either. It always startles me! lol I'm glad my music choice was a good one! Thank you!

Moriah - YAY!!! Usually it doesn't take that long from here to the USA. Thank goodness it made it, though! Glad you like it! :)

Emily Anne Leyland said...

I wrote a comment a few days ago and it looks like it wasn't published. Silly me must have gotten distracted as per usual ;-) I said before that it made me really emotional. It is so beautiful and the story behind it makes it even more heart wrenching. How very special you could do that.

Deedra said...

Thank you, Em! I love that it makes people 'feel'!!

Sweet Fuchsia said...

Love it!

Antonella said...

WOW! This brings tears to my eyes, you are incredibly talented. Hugs, antonella :-)

Anonymous said...

its really beautiful....very nice techinique is also used