SHEILA WOLK
  • Home
  • SAMPLE PRODUCTS
  • Sheila Wolk Store
  • SHEILA WOLK'S NEWSLETTER
  • BULLETINS
  • A ROOM WITH A VIEW-MY FANTASY ART
  • INTERVIEWS
  • RESUME AND OTHER INFO
  • *+*+ BLOG *+*+*
  • CONTACT

Blinded but now I see...MY GATEKEEPERS STORY

1/1/2018

9 Comments

 
Picture


​"GATEKEEPER" © SHEILA WOLK 1999/2000

Preparing for this painting I took hundreds of photographs of pink roses and watched as they bloomed and died everyday. I needed more inspiration as to the heart of the rose and life, but during this period I had to spray six paintings to get them out of my way since my paintings range from four to six feet.

I wear a professional gas mask to do the spraying but after the job was done I realized that I forgot to put the filters on the mask, I passed out. I didn’t feel well after I awoke so I went to sleep and the next morning I had no vision or hearing, I thought I was dead until I touched my arm and then I realized I was in severe trouble. Being rushed to hospital I was told that I had severe toxic poisoning and it would take a long recuperation.      Two years of no sight and hearing left me frightened and desperate. Along with Prednisone and the swelling of the flesh, the realization came in that I was a useless person.

I remember standing in front of the Gatekeeper sketch staring at it in vain, nothing but black, but I also found myself pondering survival and how I could translate this into the Gatekeeper if my sight and hearing ever came back.

I turned on my 1500 watts of light everyday and prayed to see the light and one day I saw it, like a small pin dot, a speck that gave me hope. This procedure went on for months, approximately five minutes, which grew to ten then fifteen, ohhh happiness. Each minute that I could see a little I would paint a rose, or a petal, a vine or leaf. I felt the importance of patience and persistence. I realized that prayers could be heard; I realized that pain could yield joy. I realized that my impairment was replaced with wisdom, the lesson that I can be strong at my weakest moments

The Gatekeeper was my savior; the dripping roses, which I added later, were my prayers being answered by my angels. By the time the painting was completed, my vision was restored and my hearing (outside of a small permanent loss) was back. I learned at that point that each painting had to have great meaning and importance, no matter how long it takes.

​
 

Picture
9 Comments
Lisa Jackson
1/1/2018 08:40:43 pm

What an amazing story, Sheila. I love reading artists’ stories of how their work took shape. The color and detail in the roses and her dress are just sublime. Stunning work.

Reply
Sheila Wolk
1/1/2018 08:43:58 pm

ohh thank you Lisa Jackson....so kind for you to leave me a comment :-)

Reply
Sheila Wolk
2/27/2018 08:11:39 am

thank you so much Lisa :-)

Reply
Roz
1/1/2018 10:01:07 pm

I was drawn into your pictures and life from the first word of your blog. It is such a great idea and i will be following your walk of inspiration. Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Sheila Wolk
1/2/2018 06:28:32 am

thank you Roz!!! I will be continuing this blog with occasional important things I need to share.
.... I was told that people should add to blogs regularly to keep peoples attentions but as I have learned in life, dangers and miracles do NOT happen regularly...experiences and knowledge are precious rare moments and NOT regular happening.
....So as I see fit, I will be entering , on occasion, some important messages and will see if people will stumble upon them ( and sometimes with my beckoning call) ..then they will have that importance it so deserves :-)
....Thank you for your visit and comment! ★¸¸.♥´´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Reply
Giulia Maria Giardini
1/2/2018 12:00:04 am

What a wonderful story Sheila❤ i love gatekeeper

Reply
Sheila Wolk
1/2/2018 06:30:57 am

I and Gatekeeper thank you for visiting, Giulia ★¸¸.♥´´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Reply
Leesa Wakeman link
1/2/2018 04:56:19 am

The Gatekeeper is one of the first of your artwork I had seen. It is my favorite one, although I love all of your work. Thank you for sharing your amazing stories.

Reply
Sheila Wolk
1/2/2018 06:37:42 am

thank you for coming in Leesa! I have so many stories that go behind many paintings and hopefully this year I will be able to write a few more and add to this blog.
....I think people deserve their own interpretations and feeling as to what they see but it's also nice to hear the artists explanation as well..it sews the 2 worlds of creator and spectater together :-) to become 1 in a vision ....★¸¸.♥´´¯`•.¸¸.☆

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I was named Sport Artist of the Year in 1987. American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA) gave this auspicious award to my soft-edged pastel paintings of the hard action sports .
    ....Then I transitioned into the land of fantasy art, and love it!

    Archives

    January 2023
    August 2021
    October 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    December 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017

    Categories

    All
    COMMUNITY

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • SAMPLE PRODUCTS
  • Sheila Wolk Store
  • SHEILA WOLK'S NEWSLETTER
  • BULLETINS
  • A ROOM WITH A VIEW-MY FANTASY ART
  • INTERVIEWS
  • RESUME AND OTHER INFO
  • *+*+ BLOG *+*+*
  • CONTACT