Hello Friends.
I finished up this painting of Casper today - “Casper the Friendly Ghost”.
I always loved Casper as a kid and while I was making this I was reflecting on why. I’ve always struggled with self-doubt, self-criticism, etc. and in seminary I was told this was a demon that needed to be cast out of me! I went through countless exorcisms and deliverance sessions and all sorts of things to get rid of this “evil voice” inside …
Anointed with oil.
Prayer circles.
Laying on of hands.
Etc.
Etc.
Etc.
… For a while it would go away, but it would always come back.
Then after I left that life behind, I had a friend suggest that maybe the voice wasn’t a demon or some sort of evil force, but my inner child – a younger version of myself who was parroting back things he heard growing up.
Hm.
He suggested that trying to “cast that voice out” was only pushing him aside as he always was by those bigger voices in his life and that perhaps I (as grown-up Glenn) could take a different approach – invite that younger version of myself to the table, see him as I see Jordan (my daughter), sit him on my knee, and tell him the truth of who he is … maybe we could be friends.
Anyways – I think that’s what Casper has become to me and maybe it’s why I feel so drawn to him. The “evil voice” or the “ghostly voice” that I was so scared of and trying to get rid of for much of my life is actually quite friendly and just needs a friend to listen to him, love him, and make him feel seen. When I think of my inner child I think of Casper the Friendly Ghost.
Yeah.
Maybe the whole idea of Casper is that the things we fear the most might actually become our closest companions on the journey of life … if we’ll take a chance on befriending them.
Want him? Suggested prices in the Art Studio is $250, but (as always) I’m happy to work with whatever your budget will allow - send me an offer and I’ll get him the mail.
Much love.
Glenn || ART STUDIO / PATREON