“I can no longer stay quiet in this world, I have a voice and I feel it reverberate off my internal walls, making its slow climb upward until its melody can be heard all around.” Elin Stebbins Waldal
Typically, I paint with no thought of documenting the process. This work was different, however. If you visit Kim’s blog, you’ll understand why, which is my reason for posting the work. I won’t ramble ’cause what I’d like you to do after watching the video, if you would, is to go over to Kim’s and show her some love.
Hope you like, Kim. While life may be bittersweet, keep on helping other women bring out their inner chick.
Kay’s Memorial Walk / Run is on May 20–on the Waterfront Trail. More info to come at My Inner Chick
800-799-SAFE (7233) or at TTY 1-800-787-3224.
I'm an artist who's writing,mothering, blogging and doing a few other things under the sun. I buy toilet paper 99.9% of every trip I make to the grocery store. I'm a people watcher, so I know you're here but drop me a line anyway.
What a sweet and loving thing to do, Totsy! I’m feeling teary over this lovely gesture and the wonderful paintings!
Kim deserves it. The least I could do.
Totsy,
You are without a doubt an incredibly inspiring woman, one that I am so grateful to know on this earth. What a wonderful, loving thing you have done for our dear Kim, and the memory of her dear sister Kay. The painting is stunning – you have a God-given gift with your hands and eyes.
I imagine many here will shed a tear or two, while Kay smiles down at your talent.
You’re the best Totsy!
Yes, she is ‘Our Dear Kim,” isn’t she? I hope Kay is smiling. She’s beautiful and I hope I captured her inner beauty as well. I certainly felt I came to know her a little more as I looked at the other portraits of her on Kim’s blog. They’re a beautiful family, I have to say.
–I am overflowing with love and love and love….
My heart is bursting, because of your generosity, Tots…. & this amazing gift you have given to me. ( and my family )
You have captured Kay’s great beauty, her soul, her eternal breath.
“”“I can no longer stay quiet in this world, I have a voice and I feel it reverberate off my internal walls, making its slow climb upward until its melody can be heard all around.””"
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
For your Amazing Art, your Passion, & your continual Blessings.
I love you. xx
I think you’ll like the final piece more. The artist in me kept finding things to make the portrait as Kay is. My son says you’ll have it by Thursday or Friday. Love you back, Kim. I’m honored to paint Kay.
That is so beautiful!!!
It touched my heart and brought me to tears.
If only there was more Love in this world, more love like the one you have Totsymae and Kim, it would be such a beautiful place.
I am sure Kate is smiling from above, and sending you her love. She is certainly so proud of you both for all your efforts to make this earth a better and safer place for women.
I dont know what to say, but Thank you
You’re very welcome. I hope Kay is smiling.
Totsy, what a fabulous painting (and tribute) for such a beautiful woman…
Thank you for posting and giving us all the chance to send Kim some love.
xoxo
Yes, she is beautiful. Ever feel like you know people you paint? I was glad to extend myself to Kim and her family this way.
Its so beautiful. I love it.
Love,
mercy
Thank you. Kay made that so.
Totsy you art made me feel like I knew Kay too and I thank you for it.
Can’t you sense the beauty of her spirit? I certainly did. Thank you also,
WOW!!! I can’t quit crying!!! What a BEAUTIFUL tribute from one BEAUTIFUL person for OUR BEAUTIFUL KAY!!!! Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with us!!!
)
Yes, Kay is beautiful. Thank you. I’m very glad to share this with those who love her.
Bless your dear heart, Tots, for sharing this tribute to Kay, Kim’s murdered sister! I am aching so bad for Kim! I pray for Kay’s soul and Kim’s comfort and reassurance with loving memories! I cannot imagine having a close family member murdered! So pleased there will be that memorial walk for Kim. And your tribute painting comes straight from your heart through your fingertips–I can tell! Bless you for sharing that with us, as well!
Thank you, Granbee. You see, I’m learning something from reading your Bible stories.
Kim’s family suffered a tragic loss and I kept imagining the kind of person Kay was. Thank you for visiting Kim. She’s as beautiful as her sister.
Totsymae, what a stunning work of art, and love, and kindness. I too an teary-eyed.
Thank you, Beverly. Yours and Kim’s messages are so important. What you both say through your blog speaks those important messages women need to hear. I appreciate you both.
STUNNING! …..and how extremely thoughtful of you, Totsymae, to honor Kay in this way and to show Kim how much she is loved!
Thank you, Nik. Kim’s story is so heart wrenching. If I could sculpt her and bring her back to life, I’d work tirelessly.
Who would ever have guessed the power of the Love that is transmitted in our world called blogging? What a gesture. My heart aches for Kim as well…she’s a delicate and tender reed – especially after this loss. What you have done has touched me to the core. I, too, love you for your kindness and generosity, Totsymae.
Blogging is a powerful tool. Kim expresses her loss so candidly, I feel her deep sense of pain on some level. I’m only so honored to have painted Kay for Kim and her family.
Beautiful. Thank you, Totsy, and thank you, Kim, for keeping her spirit alive.
Yes, her spirit is very much alive.
You captured Kay beautifully,
Thank you,
Tia
Thank you. Kay made it so easy. I hope Kim is even more pleased when she receives the final piece.
Well done, Tots. You make a difference in the world. My condolences to Kim and her family.
Thanks. And you know all about making a difference. I’m learning steadily.
[...] Click here to experience her SWEET GIFT [...]
What a sweet and loving gift for Kim! You’ve got a fantastic talent and you’ve brought out Kay’s best! Touching!
Thank you.
What an amazingly lovely thing to do. Just beautiful.
Blogging is a dynamic and powerful tool. I hope the message Kim sends to women reaches many.
Wow. Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Thank you, Lola.
What a truly lovely gesture. Kim and Kay have won my heart and that of so many others in the blogosphere. This is a truly marvellous expression of that. Thank you.
Yes, they have won mine as well. And thank you for your kind words.
That was simply beautiful and gracious. What a thoughtful, kind and sweet gesture of love for Kim and Kay.
I was more than happy to do this for Kim. She and Kay are sweethearts.
I am visiting from Kim’s site…and I have no words. This is absolutely beautiful. What you have done for her and her sweet sisters memory. Just…I have no words.
You are a lovely caring person.
Xoxo
Thank you, Kimberly. Kim and Kay have become special to me and I was honored to do the portrait.
absolutely beautiful!
Thank you. Kay is beautiful, as is her sister.
Totsy, your words and art are truly beautiful!
Thank you so much.
Truly a thing of beauty–both your action and Kay’s painting. What a sweet heart you have and artistic talent to boot. Thank you, Totsy!
Thank you, Jann. I’m glad to share whatever I can toward Kim’s message.
Beautiful and a lovely gift for Kim in remembrance of Kay.
Thanks. Kay.
Totsy, you’ve made Kay’s story real to all who read your blog or see your beautiful painting. Blessings and peace to you and to her family. You are truly talented.
Thank you. If only this story wasn’t real…
a beautifully generous tribute and gift.
Thank you. Kay’s story has touched so many through Kim’s voice.
This is absolutely beautiful and so touching. I love how you documented the progression of your work. Kim must be ecstatic about your beautiful art and tribute to her sister Kay. You are one talented crazy chick!!!!
Thank you. Kim’s message is so vital to women and young girls even. I’m just glad Kim is pleased.
What a beautiful, moving tribute; bravo!
Thank you, Kelly.
Beautiful, sad, and moving. What a gift to Kim and her family and everyone who knew Kay or has come to feel we know her through Kim’s blog. I’m glad I saw this. Karen
Yes, I do hope Kay is smiling at all of us who are thinking of her today. The process of painting Kay did make me feel as though I knew her. I felt an easy spirit in her.
This is incredibly amazing, Totsy. It is a beautiful work of art, the perfect way to honor the memory of Kay, and our amazing friend, Kim. The angels are singing your praises tonight, for making Kim’s world, and ours, a better place through your work. Thank you so much.
Thanks, Monica. Kim is amazing. Her heartfelt words and stories of Kay compelled me to paint her sister. Much honored to do so.
Reblogged this on Random Thoughts and commented:
Witness the power of love and community that can occur between online friends who have never met in real life, yet share an emotional bond as deep and as rich as though they live next door. I am quite touched by both the heart and soul of Totsy as she shares her gift of artistic talent to capture Kay in all her beauty as a loving tribute to Kim and her family. Kay is Kim’s dearly departed sister, so brutally murdered almost two years ago in an act of domestic violence. I dare you to read on and not be touched…
Awww, thank you, Phil. It is quite something that bonding that blogging can promote among these virtual visits. So much heart and soul in Kim lamenting the tragic loss of her sister. My heart hurts when reading her words. We’re all better for meeting up this way, I think.
Beautifully painted and beautifully written. Truly a gift from the heart. I am humbled.
Thank you. I think, as much as we possibly can, have all felt Kim’s pain.
So tough and sad. Her grief is so terrible. Totsy, you are so good to do this.
Yes, it is. I’m simply glad I could make her smile today. Thank you.
I am overwhelmed by your love and your talent. God bless you for this tribute to Kay for Kim and her family. Just beautiful, my dear.
Thank you, Helen.
Thank you so much for this. Kay was so beautiful in so many ways, I believe you captured this. God Bless You.
Thank you, Annette.
What a wonderfully thoughtful thing for you to do! From what I’ve read about Kay through Kim, you’ve managed to capture her beautiful spirit in your beautiful work. What a blessing!
Thanks, Stacy. I do wish my meeting Kim, even if only virtually, was under different circumstances. I think you would agree that the anguish and sadness she feels makes one want to protect her and want Kay back. I hope Kim and her family enjoy the portrait for years to come.
Wow. You are an amazing artist. What a wonderful, sweet, generous gift to give to our friend Kim. There are truly some wonderful and caring people left in this world.
Thanks for sharing. =)
Thank you. Kim and Kay have become sisters to all of us and I was happy to paint Kay’s portrait. I have to credit Kim with being so caring in trying to reach other women with her message. She’s a gift.
Totsy,
I am Kim & Kays cousin. I am not a blogger and until Kim started her blog hadn’t really visited any blog sites before. Now, I am hooked. The depth and emotion, joy, humor, sorrow, and love generated between what was virtual strangers that now seems to have become more like an extended family is stagering to me. But this incredible gift of love you have created for Kim is spectacular, beautiful, unbelievably generous and kind. I know she will treasure it always. My faith in the human spirit is constantly restored by all of the contributions from the group but non so much as today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hello, Sue. You’re most welcome.
I think I speak for so many who have come to know Kim and Kay, that we all feel a connection. I’m also floored at the outpouring of love that’s been extended and never has that connection and bonding been so strong as what I’ve witnessed in the last 24 hours in the blogging community. I hope Kim and family will enjoy the portrait of Kay for years to come.
Magnificent. Everything you do. Everything Kim does. Just simply magnificent. Thank you, Tots.
Aww, Aurora. Thank you.
My delight to know you both
Totsy, this was such a gorgeous experience. I am thrilled to be here. Love and hugs.
Thank you, Vidya. Love and hugs to you.
It is breathtaking and I am speechless. What an amazing tribute and a beautiful look into your process. I have to go watch it again and again. You are a blessing.
Thanks, Nan. Kay is radiant and it was an honor.
This is such a kind gesture Totsy and a beautiful portrait of Kay, they will all cherish it for a long time I am sure.
Thank you, Marie. I certainly hope so.
That is lovely – the painting is magical. What a thoughtful and precious gift. I usually don’t like to start my day with tears, but this was an exception.
Thank you. Even more than what I have done is the message Kim sends to women. While her loss has been tragic, she unselfishly pours her heart out to other women to get across a very important message.
Oh my god. I clicked on kims link too… I have no words. Goosebumps, anger at the senselessness of this…
That’s a beautiful video Totsy. Oh hell, I need a tissue… I think, I’m going to keep scolding women to honor and respect themselves more… I scold, because I care, no one should EVER go through this…
Yes, the emotion behind Kim’s writing has a tendency to do that. Her words are powerful and heartfelt and one can feel them to the core.
Yes.
[...] From Totsy ~ Domestic Violence ~ Memorial to Kim’s Sister who was senselessly killed by her hu… [...]
Totsy, this tribute is as much heart-lifting as heartbreaking. I loved seeing your process, from the initial sketch, to the laying in of color, to the play of light and shadow. You captured Kay’s essence, based on what I know of her from Kim’s blog. Such loving generosity.
Yes, it is heartbreaking. I kept wishing this wasn’t so as I painted Kay.
Totsy, Wow, what talent. Thank you so much for
taking the time for showing so much passion
& love, not only for Kay, but for are whole family.
Dad
Thank you. It was an honor to paint your daughter’s portrait. As Kim would say, she IS beautiful. I agree.
That was incredibly lovely. Thank you for doing this for Kay. And not just for Kay but for all domestic violence victims around the world. Let our voices be heard and yours certainly is through these beautiful paintings.
You’re welcome. And yes, Kay speaks through Kim to all women.
That is so beautiful and such a kind thing to do for Kay. I loved, loved it.
Thank you, Kelley.
Too many traumatic and tragic lives linger in our hearts and memories … talent, gracious generosity and compassion – the grand trifecta, Totsymae, cheers catchul8r molly
So true. It’s the lingering that makes it so difficult. I think compassion is what we’ve seen over the past day as we all learn of or remember Kay.
Absolutely beautiful.
Thanks, Bridget.
What a beautiful tribute to Kim and her sister.
Thank you, Jessica. I was glad to share and surprise Kim with something I hope she’d like.
What a kind and generous thing for you to do. I have been following Kim’s blog for a while and I am glad she sent me over here to see what a wonderful artist you are. As a friend of Kim’s I too thank you.
It’s least I could do. We’re all a fortunate group of people to know Kim by any means and I was glad to make her smile a little.
What a beautiful tribute.
Thank you much.
What an extraordinary gift. As one who also has an art form, I truly appreciate the time and thoughtfulness of your offering. What a beautiful gift;). You are truly a loving soul. Beautiful.
Thanks. I’m glad it could bring smiles to Kim.
Thank you for helping my dear friend Kim and her family. what a big heart you walk around with. elizabeth
You’re welcome. Kim and Kay are beloved by many in the blog community. I was happy to be able to do something as the tribute to Kay for her and her family.
Wow, that was really beautiful. What a priceless gift. Thank you for helping sweet, sweet Kim.
Thank you. It was my pleasure to bring a smile to Kim’s face to recognize Kay,
Totsy, your generosity of spirit makes you the beautiful soul that you are. What a lovely tribute to Kay, Kim and their family. Both of these ladies have made their way into our hearts as have you with this selfless and loving gesture. Beautiful.
Thanks, Bella. Yes, they are definitely in so many hearts, as you can see from reading Kim’s blogs and this post. I’m humbled at the outpouring of love for Kay, Kim and her family and most of us have never even met.
A lovely thoughtful post that moved me. A wonderful tribute to Kay – and Kim.
I could give no less and I’m warmed to see the spirit of the people who love, care and support Kim. She’s a sweetheart.
I came over from Kim’s blog and wanted to tell you I think this is fantastic. I loved watching your process and what an incredible gift. What a tribute! This was a beautiful expression of your art and friendship.
Thanks, Emily. I was glad to extend my friendship to Kim in such a way. She and Kay are adored by us all.
Ugh! My computer won’t let me view the video! I’ll keep trying though. Just wanted you to know that you’re fabulous! Kim is inspirational, and clearly, so is her friend!
Oh, gee. I’m sorry.
Yes, Kim is an inspiration and I’m glad to be called her friend.
[...] This is really a three-fer. You get Phil, whose random thoughts amuse, delight and confound; Totsy Mae, whose art is a thing of beauty and whose words touch the heartstrings; and Kim, whose [...]
So very special for your to pay such a beautiful tribute to Kim’s sister Kay!
Mandy
Kim has touched so many of our hearts and souls with her living story. Even though Kim and I have never met, I feel like we will be life long friends.
I feel likewise. I’m glad to see the show of love for Kim and her family.
Beautiful. Touching.
Girl, you ROCK!
[...] My Angel, Tots, Remembering Kay [...]