CRISTY DUNN FINE ART
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5/6/2014

Turning Ink Stains to Hummingbirds

16 Comments

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Picture
This painting saved me. My husband, Shane, a healthy, young, non-smoker, was recently diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. Of course, it was devastating to our family. How could we cope with the uncertainty that now plagued our future? None of us is ever guaranteed another minute, but now we were forced to face our mortality. How could we move forward with our lives and integrate this experience, forever changed, but not broken? 

There was a brief hospitalization a few weeks ago, and during that stay it was discovered that there was quite a bit of progression to the brain... devastation anew. 

Making Art is my way of coping when I am faced with difficulty. Somehow, I learned at a very young age that through the act of creation, one can feel the presence of a God so infinitely wise and powerful that our human concerns seem inconsequential. I remember the first time this happened for me, and coincidentally, I was drawing a bird then, too, a tufted tit-mouse, still my favorite. 

This, however, is a hummingbird. The tradition in the Andes of South America teaches that the hummingbird is  a symbol for resurrection. On cold nights, the tiny birds become lifeless and seem to die, but when the sun rises they miraculously come back to life! In our culture, hummingbirds symbolize living life to the fullest and making the most of every minute. Unless we are very fortunate, life will send us our share of troubles. These are the ink stains. We have to find a way to turn them into something more. The poem that follows is part of the painting: 

From Ink Stains to Hummingbirds


Blue Black Stains have fallen on us
We will be forever changed
No more the pale, pristine, uncolored surface

In time, the Darkness will dissipate
broken by Rays of Light
magnified and brought into focus through our Tears
brought to order by our Prayers

Colors will find their way to the surface
They will transform the Blue Black Stain
and we will become the Vision of the Hummingbird

We will learn to fly forward and backward -to stop time
to kiss every flower and love life with every breath

We will no longer fear when our movement ceases at midnight
Quietly, peacefully, we will wait for the Resurrection of the Dawn
                                                                 -Cristy


Birds are symbolic of a great many things. Does a bird mean something special to you? 











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16 Comments
Michelle
5/6/2014 03:38:49 pm

There are no words! I love you and your precious family!

Reply
Cristy
5/7/2014 02:21:11 pm

Love you, too Michelle!

Reply
Amy Dowell
5/6/2014 03:55:42 pm

You have such a wonderful talent! I'm so glad you find refuge in painting. Much love and prayers for your family.

Reply
Cristy
5/7/2014 02:22:06 pm

Thank you, Amy.

Reply
Peggy Rochelle
5/6/2014 04:00:17 pm

This is some of your best work! Know that you and your family are my prayers.

Reply
Cristy
5/7/2014 02:24:45 pm

Hope to see you again this summer! Do you know that you showed me how to find this part of myself? Love you.

Reply
Megan McEwen
5/7/2014 01:01:03 am

Beautiful! We are praying

Reply
Cristy
5/7/2014 02:26:10 pm

Thank you, Megan and Amy for your comments. Your prayers are appreciated.

Reply
Dottie
5/8/2014 02:48:51 am

Your talent, not only in painting, but also poetry, take my breath away!

Reply
Cristy
5/8/2014 02:57:39 pm

Dottie, glad you like it! I should have your proof soon.

Reply
Rhonda
5/24/2014 03:03:26 am

Christy,
I found your beautiful painting through the Inspire website. My husband also has stage 4 lung cancer with the ALK mutation. In the beginning of this journey we looked to the birds around us a symbol of God's love for us. My husband even bought me a little bird figurine and wrote "No Worries" on the bottom. But I had not heard of the symbolism of the hummingbird until I read your words. Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement and I will be praying for you and your husband and family that you will feel God's presence close to all of you. Rhonda

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Cristy link
5/29/2014 08:56:55 am

I am so glad we can share and encourage each other, Rhonda. Your husband must be so thoughtful. That bird figurine is so touching. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers as well. I wish you all the best in this journey.

Reply
Carol Chisenhall
6/3/2014 02:23:19 pm

Cristy, this is absolutely beautiful, both the painting and the poem. I'm from the Inspire site and follow one of the the threads you frequent. I am so impressed with your faith and your strength. I also lean heavily on my faith to get me through as I also have stage IV ALK lung cancer. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with us!
Carol

Reply
Arrin Crain
6/4/2014 09:11:11 pm

Cristy, I can only echo the sentiments of the rest of the Inspire group - you are a true inspiration, strong beyond measure and a ray of hope and light in such times. Though I may not post a lot (at times anyway) know that I frequently check-in on the site to see how you and Shane are doing.

I will continue to pray for the healing power of God and also Alectinib (mom is doing great on it and I know Shane will too). I will never look at hummingbirds the same - thank you.

Hugs,
Arrin

Reply
Jason Hughes
12/13/2016 09:15:55 am

Cristy, I love the painting even more now that I know more of what hummingbirds mean for you. The poem blows me away. God has so richly blessed your creativity in painting and thought. My view of the hummingbird is forever changed. Jason

Reply
Pam Steinke
9/6/2019 10:29:39 pm

Cristy
You were right. Your blog and the story of the hummingbird brought me to tears. I will cherish this print and cherish getting to know you and what a blessing your gift of painting is to many

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    Cristy Dunn

    Painting Makers, the Tools of Making, and the Magic of Creation. 

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  • HOME
  • WORKS
  • PURCHASE
  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • SHOWS AND EVENTS
  • Classes
    • Trompe L'oeil Online
    • Painting Water in the Landscape
    • Portraits in the Style of the Old Masters
  • Murals
    • Clarence "Tom" Ashley
    • Birth of a Ballad: The Capture of Tom Dooley
    • First Sunrise: Fred Price, Clint Howard, and Sons
    • Historic 1925 Fiddler's Convention
  • CONNECT
  • PATREON SECRET STORE
  • PORTRAITS