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Monday, July 11, 2011

Who We Are & Art Work

Hi, Friends, how is your weekend? I came across a lovely couple enjoying sunshine on lawn at an event. The couple happily allowed me to sketch them. Ah, I felt joy, happiness and peace on the earth.

Lovers

This week topic, "identity" might be a bit heavy. But "seeking who I am" has motivated me to become an artist.
In my eyes, each person is a universe. If so, that's a lot of job to find "who I am."

Young Lady In Between Woman & Girl

When I was at high school, I read a very interesting joke.

A lady died and met St Peter at a heaven's gate. St Peter asked her a question, "Who are you?"

The lady answered,
"I was Sadami."
St Peter said, "No, I don't ask your name. Who are you?" The lady answered, "I was a wife of such-a-such." "No, I don't ask whose wife you were. Who are you?" The lady answered, "I was a teacher." "No, I don't ask your occupation. Who are you?"Although St Peter kept on asking, the lady failed to answer for that question and found herself come back to life.
Then, she determined to find the answer in the rest of her life. The lady could lead a wonderful and active life....
Oh...youngish Sadami felt a profound truth and decided to find who I am like that lady. I tried to find it in work, study and books.

Some people seek answers an outside. Others try to find answers in an inner world. Methods is not a matter, but an answer should be unique and individual. Once, an answer was found, a very simple life is preferable, which focuses on who I am. (*Of course, our real life is not simple. Rather, reality is sticky and complicated.)My answer for myself is watercolour painting--- portrait and picture book illustration. Each of my paintings is a part of Sadami. Each work answers for "who I am."

Paradox, that answer has Alpha and Omega, but open ended. It responds to any context. A person who finds identity will not be easily stumbled in any circumstance. The answer grows and leads to another challenge. So, no surprise when an artist changes a style. Changing reveals an artist's quest for identity and a progress. (I hope my poor writing makes sense.) A person confidently begins to live on her own life and joins society.

I'm now exploring my watercolour painting techniques and a style. I seem to have faced a wall. Honest, Friends, I sometimes, feel painting is difficult. When my expected results do not come up, I feel I get stuck. But I want to go beyond.

Through blogging, I could meet many same minded people, wonderful friends and artists. Most of them are making inner journeys to seek identity or struggle for an individual goal. Each of us is traveling a stormy sea called art in a different boat.
BUT...
...how nice it is, encouraging one another in wild winds! How warm, if we could leave a bit say at another boat in a stormy sea at cold night! So, I'd really appreciate your comments and happily visit friends' blogs.
Let us enjoy our journeys.

Thank you for reading. Take care.
Happy painting!











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60 comments:

  1. The journey on the sea is sometimes calm and sometimes stormy and challenging! I wish you luck on your art journey! As always I enjoyed your paintings and your thoughts! xx Judy

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  2. Yahoo,Judy!
    Thank you very much. I'll enjoy this journey. (*Do ye know? I'm very easy to get sea sick.)
    Cheers,Sadami

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  3. Hi Sadami, again I love your sketches and paintings, but more I was intrigued by your commentary on 'being'. You are correct, we all go through the quest of finding ourselves. I think in the end we can only say "I am" and everything else that comes from that center is just a slight reflection of the greater "I AM" that lives within us and whose image we have been created in. So maybe the seeking isn't so much just to know ourselves, but the One who created us. Anyway, for what its worth, that is what came to me when I read your words. You are such a thinker Sadami and you get us thinking too.

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  4. Sadamiさん
    I enjoyed your post, and of course your work. How true, it is difficult to find ourselves. I started a drawing class yesterday, and my teacher said when you are drawing, don't think about drawing. It's hard, I kept thinking about what to think about! Let's enjoy the process of art and living. :)
    Evelyn

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  5. Y lo encontraste, Sadami!!! Eres tú misma!!!
    Me encanta ese retrato de esa niña-mujer!! Es preciosa!
    Tus retratos son como dices una parte de Sadami.
    El otro retrato en azul también me gusta mucho y el del barco, fantástico!
    Ahí está toda tu belleza de interior y exterior!
    Un abrazo.

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  6. Oh Sadami, this is a fabulous post. You have asked the right questions and offered such wonderful advice.
    I love this and am going to come back and read it all again. I am so happy and honored to call you a friend.

    Hugs
    Teri

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  7. My dear Sadami, this is such a lovely, thought-provoking post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, hope, and dreams with us. As always, I enjoy seeing your latest art.
    Carol B.

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  8. Sadami, yes you are ! Wonderful artist portraitist, but the most important is you are true Sadami, generous women. Every comment you receive is telling that to you. Take care of you. Bisous. Olivia

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  9. I liked the story with Sadami and St.Peter. The question "Who are you?", is difficult to answer in one sentence. What we say and do will show us who we are if we are true to us self. And I try - every day. I think you do too:)

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  10. Es cierto Sadami: cada una de nuestras obras es una parte de nosotros, es nuestra forma de expresar quienes somos.
    Como siempre disfruté observando tus trabajos.
    Un fuerte abrazo.

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  11. I would tell St. Peter that you are a selfless, good person who happily shares her knowledge and mentors a host people she has never met. Always encouraging and finding what is working in what we paint or write. As Olivia says above, "Generous. Generous in what she shares in her writing and painting and knowledge of life.

    When I got stuck and frustrated as a youngster my dad would tell me I was trying too hard. Never mind how accomplished I was at something, we all get stuck - trying too hard. Just as you are writing about, he would say, "Just do something different for a change. Things will come back to you."

    Thank you Sadami!

    Nanina

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  12. Dear Jean,
    Thank you for a kind say and I agree with you. To know oneself is philosophical work.
    It would be a blessing, If a person can find a light beyond oneself and accepts it. I'd like to ponder over your comment, but also, 'd like to FEEL it... Not a head, but with a heart, I'd like to recognize it.
    Kind regards, Sadami

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  13. Hi, Evelynさん,
    Oh, what a wonderful suggestion and so true. When I draw in a very good mood, I think nothing. You remind me of my tips. Get back to it and "go, Sadami!"
    Enjoy a drawing class!!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  14. Oh, Joshemari,
    Tú siempre tan agradable y amable conmigo. Su opinión me anima mucho. Sí, me he encontrado. Espero que pueda seguir su exploración.
    Y no hay que pensar demasiado. Just do it!
    Cheers, Sadami


    Oh, Joshemari,
    You're always so nice and kind to me. Your say encourages me so much. Yes, I've found myself. I hope I can go on exploring it.
    And I should not think too much. Just do it!!
    Cheers, Sadami

    >>>>Joshemari said...
    And you found it, Sadami! You yourself!
    I love that portrait of that girl-woman! It's beautiful!
    Your portraits are as you say some of Sadami.
    The other portrait in blue and I also really like the boat, fantastic!
    That is all your interior and exterior beauty!
    A hug.

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  15. Oh, Teri,
    Me, too, very happy and honoured to be called a friend by you. I'll send you an email later.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  16. Hi, Carol,
    Thank you for a caring say and a warm support. I'll work on my paintings.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  17. Dear Olivia,
    Thank you and YOU, TOO! Your cheers make me go forward. I'll keep on.
    Hugs&Smile,Sadami

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  18. Querida Sadami, la utilización del color está siendo más importante respecto al dibujo, veo que la paleta se está enriqueciendo y su trabajo sigue incesante.
    Un abrazo.
    Vicente.

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  19. Dear Aneppa,
    Thank you! Yes, it's not easy to anwswer. But your say givews me a clue, true to myself. Yes, I do. I cannot be someone else, but myself, Sadami. Annepa, also you know we cannot tell lies/or pretending someone to children. It hurts them.
    Happy to know that you liked the story.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  20. Estimado Onera,
    Gracias por el gran apoyo. Sí, por supuesto. Me preguntaba si este tema semanas podría ser demasiado ... pero no puedo decir una mentira. Voy a seguir adelante.
    Cheers, Sadami

    Dear Onera,
    Thank you for the great support. Yes, indeed. I wondered if this week topic could be too much... but I cannot tell myself a lie. I'll go on.
    Cheers,Sadami

    >>>Onera said...
    Sadami is true: each of our works is a part of us, is our way of expressing who we are.
    As always enjoyed watching your work.
    A big hug.

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  21. Dear Nanina,
    Oh, you say too much for me, but I'd really appreciate your say and hope myself to be like your comment. Your father's adice is so nice and wise. I'll try something another. When things come bakc tome, then, I'll get on the challenging.
    Your message makes me go forward. Thank you, Nanina.
    Kind regards,Sadami

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  22. Estimado Vicente,
    Gracias por estímulos. Voy a seguir. Espero que crecer como artista.
    Cheers, Sadami

    Dear Vincente,
    Thank you for encouragements. I'll keep on. Hope I will grow as an artist.
    Cheers,Sadami

    >>>Vincente said...
    Dear Sadami, the use of color is becoming more important with respect to the drawing, I see that the palette is richer and work continues incessantly.
    A hug.
    Vicente.

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  23. Such a thought provoking post.
    I would say to St Peter on your behalf - "this is my friend, Sadami, who is too modest to tell you, she is the bringer of joy."

    Look around my friend, see the lives you have touched - and you will know that this is true .
    Love and hugs
    xxxxoooo

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  24. Dear Pat,
    Oh, so nice and touchy, but it makes me a bit brush up in front of St Peter. Thank you.
    Cheers,Sadami

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  25. dear Sadami ! I read somewhere "be one with yourself and all things will come to you !"
    I think you have found your way ! you are a great artist and such a nice person ! I'm happy to
    read you and to see here your wonderful work !
    I wish you a lovely week !
    bisous Sadami

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  26. Dear Marty,
    Your quote enlights me. I hope I can make lots of nice paintings that bring others joy. You, too, make others happy. Marty, you're really a good person.
    Kind regards, Sadami

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  27. On the other hand making art can help you to escape your situation while remaining yourself. Does this make sense?

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  28. Hi, Origame,
    Thank you! Certainly it does make sense! Then, I've begun to move my hands, not use a head.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  29. Wonderful, thoughtful post today, Sadami. What we are is so much more than what we do, that's true! But it's hard to define what we are without those labels: daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, artist, teacher, etc....the list of labels goes on and on. Finding the true meaning and joy is what it's all about!!

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  30. Dear Rhonda,
    Yes, indeed!! But without any label, I want to just look at WHOLE, entire myself and you. And your last sentence is spot on for me! Thank you!
    Cheers, Sadami

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  31. Sadami, I always find interesting thoughts and ideas when I visit you here. I get stuck more often than you, but through your words I find I can move past and continue. Your art is wonderful and thank you for sharing it. ((hugs))
    Dora

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  32. Oh, Dora, very happy to know if my messy writing is some help for you. Your blog, too, has interesting thoughts. Let us share joy and move on!
    Cheers&Hugs,Sadami

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  33. Dear Sadami, your posts are so different and so interesting....much, much more than a simple presentation of an artist work (like it is the mine for example!). Hugs.

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  34. Very thoughtful post Sadami. Who "I am" yesterday, today,tomorrow is never the same, always changing,evolving even when we're stuck, we're not, we're growing. Being artists we can see our growth just looking at our work from one day to the next. Our writing is revealing too--our choice of words illuminates who "I am" that minute. The next, I may delete. I've moved on.

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  35. Dear Tito,
    Thank you! Yes like yours. We cannot capture who we are with only a glance from one angle. A holistic view is needed. Eveyone has a universe.
    Cheers,Sadami

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  36. Hi,Linda,
    Yes, your say overlaps mine and you have another media, language, too.(U're so good at writing!) Hope we can grow.
    Cheers,Sadami

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  37. Sadami,
    you touched on a subject so important to me ...
    is true; as a child I also worry with the 'why' I am in the world?
    not yet satisfactorily answered this question.

    It was so good to read these words on your search identity! share the same search! :))
    I think we always feel for answers is what makes us alive!

    The design of the couple really conveys happiness, you're on your way,
    you know how to trace your search!

    Congratulations dear friend!
    Besides giving us your wonderful work,
    you always have such a sincere way
    of talking about life ...

    Thank you for sharing your humanity!

    hugs & kisses ... from the heart

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  38. Your wonderful post made me put into words something I feel ..... the real difference between art and illustration is that art comes from the heart, from the artist's soul. Who we are changes a little with time, and so does our art.

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  39. Hi, Denise,
    Yes, I'm sure all of us have ever thought of identity and why we are on the earth. Very happy to share the feeling with you. Indeed, answers give us the meaning of life.
    Regarding the couple, I'll remake it into another watercolour in my own way.

    Thank you for giving me encouragements, energy and candid words.

    Hugs&Kissesʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ,Sadami

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  40. Dear Elva,
    Thank you for a thoughtful comment. I'd like to ponder about it more and pick up brushes.
    For me..."the real difference between art and illustration is that"...
    illustration brings me more money than fine art ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ?!?
    Cheers,Sadami

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  41. Hi Sadami, I confess..I do not always read everyone's blog posts..often I just look at the photos. YOUR blog is different, because I know if I read the words I will never be disappointed. I like how you are so thoughtful about your work and you life...and ours too. Love the reclining couple, the young woman and the boat. You were born to paint.

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  42. Oh, Celeste,
    Thank you soooo much! Yes, I'm convinced I was born to paint. No doubt. You, too. Let us travel together and share pain and joy.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  43. WonderfulWork
    _______________
    my new blog:
    http://brandnewstudio.blogspot.com
    see you
    skizo

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  44. You are the best............

    Un saludoSadami.

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  45. Hi, Skizo, thanks for the comment and the info of the new address. Cheers,Sadami

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  46. Hi, Montse,
    That's too much, but thank you. You,too, do the great job.
    Cheers,Sadami

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  47. hi sadami ...like the bg on the girl wonderful mono - chrome statue .

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  48. Hi, Jane,
    Thanks! I love your washses and work! Cheers,Sadami

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  49. Hola Sadami, estoy de vuelta , después de unos días de vacaciones lejos del ordenador y lo primero que hice es ir a ver tu blog para ver tus ultimos post, siempre apasionantes , tus dibujos y acuarelas siempre me encantan, pero ademas las explicaciones sobre tu manera de pintar y como sientes la pintura son muy interesantes, volveré a verlos con tranquilidad, saludos.

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  50. Dear Francis,
    Thank you. Welcome back. Very happy that you enjoy my posts and apprecite work. I really look forward to your new posts. Let us enjoy our journeys!!
    Best wishes,Sadami

    Estimado Francisco,
    Gracias. Bienvenido de nuevo. Muy feliz de que mis mensajes y disfrutar de apprecite trabajo. Estoy deseando a sus nuevos puestos. Vamos a disfrutar de nuestros viajes!
    Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

    >>>Francis said...
    Sadami Hello, I'm back after a short holiday away from the computer and the first thing I did is go see your blog to see your last post, always exciting, your drawings and watercolors always love me, but also the explanations about painting style and how you feel the paint is very interesting, I will see them in peace, greetings.

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  51. This is probably one of your best posts..BUT I love them all! These sketches are all wonderful..and your advice is always on target, Sadami. I'm just starting to find myself and thank God, its all good! Let's enjoy painting and life itself.

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  52. Love your last works (and the joke :). There's more colour saturation and look more determined and self-confident. Keep up Sadami!! You're on the right track!!

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  53. Dear Hilda,
    Thank you! Very happy to know you enjoy my posts and work. Yes, let's enjoy painting and life itselft together! Yey!!
    Cheers,Sadami

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  54. Hi, Anna,
    Thank you so much for encouragements! I'll keep up and enjoy this journey. You, too, enjoy your invited stay in France and the exhibition.
    Cheers,Sadami

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  55. very beautiful blog!very beautiful work!

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  56. Hi,Harlequin,
    Welcome and thank you so much! Your blog has beautiful photos and art work. You're a very happy mom & wife! Please keep up blog and share your happiness with readers.
    Best wishes ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞSadami

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  57. I did enjoy that line 'being old is a very demanding job' LOL. Maybe not so demanding as being a teenager though!
    What gorgeous sketches Sadami - thank you for always putting a smile on my face. x

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  58. Hi, Gillian,
    Thank you! Ahahaha, I want children to know it, "Being old is not easy." Very happy to share humour & smile. Let us enjoy our lives and ourselves fully.
    Cheers,Sadami

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  59. I think you have your answer when you get to the heaven's gate- and what a profound answer! I love what you wrote:"In my eyes, each person is a universe" I am so happy to have found you on my art journey :) And your writings and your sketches really complement each other.

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  60. Oh, Meera,
    Thank you so much!
    Me, too, very happy to have met you in this huge universe. It's a miracle to see each other on the earth. So, I'd like to do my best for my met person in our short lives.
    Kind regards,Sadami

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