Mystic Roses

Thanks for stopping by.  This pastel painting called, Mystic Roses, was inspired by a friend's arrangement of "wild roses" from her yard.  I took a picture of the table where we were sitting and enjoying iced tea and good conversation.  I think that sometimes when we share our innermost thoughts, concerns, fears, joys, etc. with a good friend, a mystical and magical thing happens:  Everything seems ok.  Everything feels like it will work out, get resolved or maybe even improve.  Through this process, we hear ourselves speak of things, and in the speaking, it seems a part of us is affirming our ability to solve problems, achieve success or, just survive; and the friend, listening and speaking, is doing the same.  I wrote a poem called, "Lofty Companion."  It talks about that higher part of ourselves that guides us on our journey, and can look across time, and see things "from on high."  I think, when I sat across from my friend, with her wild roses beside us, our "lofty companions" exchanged greetings and it was mystical.

Over The Hills

     Hello Folks.  This is a framed 12" x 14" watercolor and ink painting I did to satisfy my need to paint poppies.  It makes me think of The Wizard Of Oz.  I enjoyed imagining being Dorothy as she skipped along in the Land of Oz. 
     It is for sale for $35.00.  Please contact me if you would like to purchase it and escape into the Land of Oz where everything is so bright and happy.  Thanks for stopping by.

February Snow at Bob's House

It snowed here last night and it was beautiful.  I looked out  in my backyard for something to photograph so that I could paint this gorgeous stuff.  Saw nothing but snow.  Then I went on FB and my friend, Bob Baxter, had posted a photo of his house that he took with his cell phone before leaving for work this morning.  I just loved it so I painted it today, using pastels.  I want to give Bob the credit for the photo and God the credit for the inspiration.  Thanks for stopping by.

China Cuppa 2

Hello Folks!  I painted today!  Nothing outside to paint so I grabbed a china cup and a flower arrangement and set up this still life.  I call it China Cuppa because I once had a roomate who was from Ireland.  She would ask me if I wanted a "cuppa".  Of course, that's what a cup of tea is called in Ireland.  So we sat down and had a cuppa.  I call this China Cuppa 2 because I bought a new camera today and China Cuppa 1 wasn't fit to print.  This pic isn't the greatest but I'm sure I'll improve.  Sure hope all is well with you.  Thanks for stopping by.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you from our house to yours.  This is a picture of our Christmas tree this year.  Several of the ornaments were made by my parents and me when I was a teenager.  Dad has passed on.  Mom is slowing down.  I'm getting along.  But, when decorating this tree each year with these ornaments, I am flashed back to the 60's with Mom, Dad and me making ornaments at the dining room table, decorating the tree, Mom making her divinity, and me wondering what I was going to get for Christmas.  In the background, Bing Crosby was singing, White Christmas", Brenda Lee was singing, "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," and me crying the first time I heard "Little Drummer Boy."  The ornaments on this tree represent the early part of my family and the later years when the ornaments were hung on the tree at my house with my husband and 2 little boys.  And the same music played on.......  Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Grief

Hello Folks.  A friend of mine called yesterday to say that her aunt had passed away, having lived vigorously for 98 years.  My friend was crying and I understood so well how she felt.  Even though her aunt had been in poor health for about a year, my friend had been the one to travel to the assisted living center, the hospital, the rehab center, and her aunt's home to provide "care" for her in a myriad of ways.  My friend had called me often, exhausted, overwhelmed and sometimes even a little put-out because her own life had been put on hold.  Now, though, my friend spoke of what a blessing it had been for her to get to know her great aunt in the last few years as her aunt's mind was clear and she had entertained my friend with stories of herself and ones about my friend as a small child. 
I share this sketch with you that I call "Grief."  It represents my own grief over several losses I have suffered but I hope you see in it the silent part of grief that lingers and is triggered by small things in every day life that reminds us of those we loved.  These triggers often make us weep but sometimes they make us smile because no one ever leaves us, do they?  They stay in our heart and mind and we think of them and still love them, don't we?

Thanks for passing by.

Cary Grant in Bloom

Hello Folks, sorry I haven't posted in a while but things were busy at my house.  However, thought I would post this picture of the rose called "Cary Grant" in it's last stages of blooming for the season.  I hope to paint this over the winter and will share with you when I do.  Thanks for passing by.