Cross My Heart – touching places of uncertainty

Cross My Heart came together through a mix of intuition and quiet reflection. I wasn’t consciously trying to tell a specific story, but as the portrait took shape, I noticed certain elements rising to the surface — symbols I’ve long found comforting or significant in subtle ways. The title echoes a phrase many of us knew as children — “Cross my heart and hope to die.” But stopping short leaves it unresolved, which to me speaks to the weight of quiet promises, the will to keep going, and the tender truths we often carry without words.

The background imagery holds its own quiet symbolism — hints of home, the comfort of tradition, and nature as a kind of sanctuary. The owl appeared almost without thinking, but later I remembered my mother’s affection for them. Whether it’s memory, intuition, or some thread of unseen wisdom, it felt right. I chose this figure deliberately — her appearance echoing ideals I grew up with. Beauty has evolved so much in our culture, and this painting brushes up against that tension. I don’t expect viewers to know the story behind every element, but I hope it gives them a place to reflect — on their own past, perceptions, or quiet inner truths.

One recurring element in this series is the presence of blue shadows. For me, they speak to the parts of ourselves we keep hidden — the quieter sides, the places touched by memory or uncertainty. They’re not meant to feel heavy, but honest, and a little tender. You might also notice an outline of gold paint that doesn’t entirely come through clearly in photographs — they often trace the edges of larger shapes, mirroring the cut forms from the original collage. For me, these lines hold a symbolic kind of magic — like flickers of grace or insight, alive and quietly holding things together.

Sharing the collage and earlier painting alongside this piece feels like opening a window into the path I took — not just in the making, but in the meaning that slowly revealed itself along the way.

If you would like more information on this portrait series as it develops please reach out to me. I am happy to answer any questions. Contact Me

Categories: Flowers, Interiors, New Paintings, Original oil paintings, PeopleTags: art, collage to canvas, colorful paintings, contemporary art, contemporary portrait, expressionism, figurative art, fine art, inner self, intuitive art, love, oil paintings, original art, painting, Poetry, portraits, Visual Storytelling, women, women artists, writing