"The Queen's Deep Silence" Abstract Face Multi-Media Original Artwork

She has seen it all. She has done it all. She has fixed problems created by everyone throughout all time, from broken hearts to broken water pipes to broken communities.

Generations of pain for her and everyone she has loved will never bend or break the steel spine of this fierce warrior, this staunch protector of everyone she loves. Teaching the young ones to embrace joy through deep, loving celebrations, she also is the example of dignity and grace under the weight of grief and despair.

Who do you turn to when the work at hand will be harder than anyone can imagine?

Who knows the way when it feels certain that hope is for fools?

Who can inspire not just herself, but somehow everyone in the room to be aimed toward the sliver of light?

Her jaw is set. Her eyes are set on a vision - is it partly a memory? - that maybe only she can still see. She will use her body, her mind, her soul, and her voice for the good of the community until her dying day, and awaken everyone around her to their capacity and their responsibility. 

While these insides appear young and colorful and funky and creative, this person's outsides - their skin suit - may actually look very different. Might be any gender, any age - very old or young, might look conventionally "beautiful" or average or even unappealing to you. They may be wounded or have a disability of any kind.

They could be your neighbor, your sister, the "weird" aunt you make fun of.  Could be you.

One of the great human skills, I think, is for us to learn not to let the skin suit and outward appearance keep us from seeing a person's inside capacities. 

Who in your life is this person?

"The Queen's Deep Silence", abstract multi-media artwork © Lisa Johnson Arts
Original artwork ~ 7 1/4" x 10"