Drawing / Sketch

The Perception of Love

Cheemnonso20 Comments
A portrait rendition using graphite on Bristol vellum

How do you perceive love? Is she like the seasonal relative that visits only during Valentine’s, Easter, Christmas and other holidays, then vanishes with the wind when the jolly days are over? Does her auburn aura, ever so bright and stunning, blind your judgement of that which is right and wrong? Do you feel like the utterance of Her Majesty’s name to thy ears seeps through the mouth and not from the heart? Sigh!

Well, whilst you try to answer these questions introspectively, here’s L’Antoinette Stines’ reply when quizzed on her perception of love, as sampled in The Carters’ BLACK EFFECT intro.

“Hmm, well, there’s love of children,

Love of self,

Love of God,

Love of a partner,

and all of them have a different shape;

but all of them are the same in the end.

It’s about sensitivity, it’s about passion,

It’s about unconditional giving of self to another person;

And there’s love of humanity,

that’s the love that is right now needed most,

Love of humanity;

but in everything, in all of that love, there is a soul;

It’s like when you take some eggs and break them,

and you take the shells and mix them up,

trying to find the ones that match;

when you find the perfect match

that compatibility results in passion.

results in unconditional giving of self”

Now, that truly packs a lot, I must say; and even though Love has the patience, kindness and endurance to overcome those nagging questions, L’Antoinette makes us remember that it’s more of the unconditional giving of self, whilst prioritizing humankind, thus, suggesting our questions should be confined within the boundaries of the love we give rather than that which we receive.

Alas, this begs another question, at least from my perspective: In a world where certain varying conditions are essential for existence by default, is it possible to give self to another unconditionally?

Anyway, these spurred me to have this drawing; no more than the inscription of love on the muse’s fingers, lol, and I will say I hugely enjoyed it, particularly as this is my first drawing in a while. I also look forward to creating more, as I have just recently got a new pencil and chalk pastel set that I would love to try out in the coming days; but in the meantime, do feel free to share your views on this piece.

Do stay blessed and have a good week ahead. Ciao!

Cheemnonso

20 thoughts on “The Perception of Love”

  5. I think loving someone (everyone) unconditionally is… a real complex ethical necessity. I mean it makes absolute sense, but the way it works with emotional reality, well, it’s a bit of a round peg in a square hole.

    I’m probably not making much sense there. I’m running a lot of background assumptions. Like I assume that whatever someone does for their survival – mental or physical – is normal and righteous. I mean, what else can you do? But working from that assumption you find a lot of weird and wonderful behaviours.

    Once you allow people to love themselves, you generally find they’re more interested in loving others. And, if you’re going to love someone, yourself or anyone else, well, it’d better be unconditional.

    Again, easy to say, not so easy to do. But that’s….I mean that’s our reality. Kinda easy to describe, but not all that easy to live. But who said it was supposed to be easy? No-one, that’s who!

    Beautiful picture and a beautiful question.

    Somehow we all already know everything, and the great struggle is coming to terms with existence. Not so much agreeing with it, but knowing it. We’re born knowing, and yet knowing will take longer than our lives to accomplish.

    Anyhoo…. I’ve been a bit heartbroken lately (but I’m determined to keep loving him anyway) so anything around this topic is going to get me talking at half past midnight on Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

    Peace, love, blessed be x

    (it really is an amazing drawing btw)

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    • Many thanks for your remarks on the drawing, Rosa, and as for your wise words, I couldn’t agree more.

      Self-love truly plays a pivotal role in the love we give, as we can only love our neighbours as we love ourselves.

      I believe that once this is achieved, navigating through the inevitable hurdles in life becomes much easier; but like you said, it is always easier said than done.

      Many thanks for sharing once again, and keep being the strong lady you are; Love will surely come around🌹.

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  8. Wow what a weave of words! How long did this picture take to draw? It’s very murky much like love! Love is life, an energy humming through me in all its many infinite forms. I’m constantly trying to connect with other people via it. And when it does happen, wow, it’s such a lovely calm feeling. Love your blog 🧡

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    • Thank you for your kind words, Nikki.

      The portrait did take roughly 5 hrs to complete. Guess that’s one of the reasons I love portraiture (the ultimate test for patience:)

      Moreover, it’s so lovely to hear that you’re spreading love and kindness through many forms to others. That’s what we all need right now❤️🌷

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    • Thanks for this, Pat.

      It is indeed one of those muses where it’s unclear if the character is telling rather than showing – That’s what piqued my interest in the reference photo.

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