Artist's Statement:
The charcoal shown below is the third of four I have drawn as studies for an oil painting of Miriam (Moses’ sister) comforting Yocheved (mother of Moses and Miriam) as Yocheved has decided to abandon her infant son, and place him in a basket on the Nile River, in the hopes of saving his life. In contrast to the other three charcoals, this one omits Miriam so as to guide me to a greater focus on Yocheved. In this charcoal, I see Moses’ mother moments after she has made her terrible and terrifying decision.
She looks resolved but almost in a trance. The eyes are said to be a window into one’s soul, but Yocheved’s eyes are closed. We cannot see into her feelings; we can only imagine them.
(Perhaps coincidentally, while the other charcoals show the baby smiling, here baby Moses’ face shows apprehension.)
Charcoal Drawing
19 x 15.25 in
There is a saying in Tibetan,
“Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.”
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is,
if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.”
Dalai Lama XIV
A mother's life, you see, is one long succession of dramas, now soft and tender, now terrible. Not an hour but has its joys and fears.
Honore De Balzac
Life tried to crush her, but only succeeded in creating a diamond.
John Mark Green American IT tech turned poet
Art as an Oasis™
Art as an Oasis is a series of occasional postings from the art of Carrie Kleinberger
providing a temporary respite from both mundane and monumental cares
complimented by words of wisdom from a diversity of others.