So Angi, my art loving friend, recognized the woman depicted on my blog and did a little research. It turns out the template was designed from a Botticelli painting of the goddess Venus. I love art too, but I’ve never studied it and I’m not very familiar with some of the “masterpieces” other artsy people are so fond of. And yes, Jared was correct – she is naked. No worries – you will never see bare breasts on this blog. So at first I was bothered by this little fact of a “pagan” painting being my inspiration for a beautiful blog background. How does that mesh with my faith? Isn’t it just a painting? Should I change it? Will it give the wrong impression to people who stop by here and don’t really know me? Yeah, I tend to overthink things a lot. I need to get over myself sometimes.
Here’s what I think…
She is incredibly beautiful…and fictional. I do not believe in Greek gods and goddesses and therefore to me she is a symbol of what is important to me. To me she is free, soft, and wild, and I see in her a strength and deep love. My husband saw it first and said, “You should use this one, it’s more ‘you'”. He knows that I appreciate beauty in many forms and the fact that he associated this woman with my tastes is very flattering. She exudes a gentle beauty with her wild hair waving in the breeze, a soft expression on her face, and her hand over her heart as if she’s captivated by whatever she’s looking at and her breath is caught. It’s what and who I want to be…who I was made to be. Free, soft, wild, strong and overflowing with love. That may sound a bit cheesey to you and that’s o.k. I said yesterday that I aim to be “nakedly open and honest” here. It’s how I choose to live my life. Sometimes it’s easier than others. So she stays.
The writing beside her is symbolic as well. I have a story to tell. I’m part of a great adventure. The writing is not always clear to me, but it is there. It is still unfinished and I’m adding my own pen strokes to the parchment, in my own style – the one given to me by my Heavenly Father. Some days the lines flow gracefully in an orderly row and some the ink falls in scratches and blotches across the paper. It’s all a part of the story that is mine. Oh yes, this template is me alright. Still unfinished, imperfect, but beautiful all the same. Did I mention she has red hair? 😉
Sometimes I Write 
It took me a minute to get the writing at the top…and I love it!
“..where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that’s where you’ll find me…” Good place to be, dear.
I like the new look. I would probably make the green a little softer on the sides. Brash, Bold… still you! Don’t change it for a while.
You can, by the way, add my blog to your list of stuff, if you like. I added you, after all. 🙂
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I wondered if the original art would bother you, so that’s why I sent you the info. I’m glad you took it all in and not only decided to keep it, but turned it around into something that bings out your beauty and blesses God as well. That’s what it’s about. taking a something, anything regardless of its origingal intent and finding God in it. Imagine if every Christian tried to do that instead of nitpicking about what is wrong all the time.
I hope you know how much I appreciate your beauty… Love you, girl!
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Me thinks you should be a writer. :o)
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Well said. This is YOUR place; you can do whatever you want. We’re all just innocent bystanders. LOL!
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Totally – and well said too I might say!
I think that it is just fine. I’m thinking if the Corinthians got clearance to eat meat intentionally sacrificed to/blessed for idols, and the only “rule” was that if it was against their conscience, not to eat it – the same concept applies here, ya know?
Besides, I seriously doubt that there are many who would do the research (after this post fades away that is) AND feel like you are being sacriligious (sp?).
FWIW, you and a few others inspired me to get a new ‘do in the blogosphere – stop by and take a look – let me know what you think!
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Hey girl. I pulled up your blog from a different computer. I love it. Everything shows and the writing is where you can read it. I love the artwork. I guess my work computer just could not pull it in right.
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I dig it, like I said. I have read the stories of Greek/Latin mythology. Therein lies many valuable lessons about the nature of man. It’s some dang good drama, too!
If we object to this, then we ought object to the goddess “Liberty” sitting atop the capitol building in Washington D.C. She was set there during 1863, in the middle of the civil war. That was a time when people were turning their hearts to God so much like never before. Wouldn’t they have had a problem with it if there were a problem to be had?
Keep being “naked” Niki. I think we all like that a lot about you.
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