Daily Artsy Figurative Paintings

Naked. Daniel Catalano.

There is more to nakedness than the simple truth of being without clothing.  It requires trust and vulnerability, traits not always easy to come by.  This season of my life, dealing with my mom’s illness, has without a doubt at times left me raw, while also virtually piling on layers in the way of self preservation and protection.

Situations like these tend to bring out our worst or our best.  We’ve been dealing with both sides of the coin.  The best people leaving us feeling protected and safe in our vulnerable state, the worst piling on judgement and hurtfulness when we are at our most bare.

Daniel Catalano | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #figurativeart #contemporaryart Daniel Catalano | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #figurativeart #contemporaryart

My poor mom has been left without her own shroud physically and in just about every other way.  Stripped of her health and her independence, she has had to lay herself open, to lose the security of her ordered world, to ask for help in ways she never dreamed of.

Daniel Catalano | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #figurativeart #contemporaryart

I’ve had friends thank me for being so open about what we’ve been going through as they go through similar circumstances, yet keep to themselves.  And that would usually be my own way.. to keep everything private, bottled up.  But to be naked is to also let others know that they have your trust, that they are needed, that you know that you can’t do it alone.

Daniel Catalano | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #figurativeart #contemporaryart Daniel Catalano | artsy forager #art #artists #paintings #figurativeart #contemporaryart

Since her diagnosis, there have been a lot of tears.  But there has also been meaningful conversation and deep laughter with those who’ve allowed us the freedom to be vulnerable and the security of knowing we are safe in our nakedness.

Featured paintings are by Daniel Catalano.  Please visit his website to see more of his work.

All images are via the artist’s website.

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  • Kelly Schulz
    January 20, 2015 at 5:43 AM

    I’m sorry you are going through this. I’ve always enjoyed your blog and art features. Life is so hard. There are so many struggles and pain that must be dealt with, but it is also beautiful, which you illustrate perfectly in this post. My prayers go out to you and your family.

    • Artsy Forager
      January 20, 2015 at 9:24 AM

      Thank you so much, Kelly. Continuing to see and be thankful for the beautiful moments is what gets us through the pain!