Spud

copy TweetieA bit of time has passed since my last post.  It’s been a busy time and I imagine will only get busier as the holidays approach.  Oh, that’s right, Thanksgiving is next week!  Our daughter is coming home (and her little doggie that we love…our grand-dog) for a few days and the time will be marvelous.  I have plans for a relaxing and yummy Thanksgiving day but come Friday, we may have to kick into high gear!  I have some shopping and baking to do and trying to spend some time with other family and friends!  We try to balance the calmness and the running around like crazy!  I love the holidays and oh, yes, I usually start decorating the day after Thanksgiving!  We’ll squeeze it all in, I’m sure!

This painting may stay in my private collection.  Two reasons, one being, years ago I had a special little canary we named Spud.  Little Spud sang and sang for several years, giving us such joy.  I’ve not had another bird since Spud passed into bird heaven but maybe one day.  The other reason for keeping this piece, well. I grew up shy.  It’s been a lifetime challenge for me to force myself to speak out and be heard.  I’ve often told close friends that at times I feel invisible.  They disagree, only because I can talk freely within my close circle.  I still get anxious around groups but I’m learning.  I always think of myself as a late bloomer!  Life is truly a journey and I believe we never stop growing, learning and developing into our purpose!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Preserving the Joy of Life

This little sketch is from my art journal.  When I travel I take my art journal and a few sets of colored pencils…minimizing packing art supplies is not easy!  The words on this piece “preserve what you love in life” does have a special meaning.  I’m presently visiting my younger daughter (my hubby is home supervising a bathroom remodel while I have fun…he is a great guy!) and taking care of her little doggie while she travels for a few days.  My older daughter is further away.  We visit and text a lot but we only see one another a few times a year.  The last couple times we’ve visited she has canned pears, apples, you name it, she loves all that domestic “stuff”.  So, today my thoughts were with her and I pictured the mason jars she is filling with the future bounty they will enjoy! 

Keep all those special memories preserved close to your heart!copy Mason

Dog Tails

Sometimes it is fun to break away from the canvas and create a little something for a sweet person and their doggie!!  My daughter has the most adorable mini dachshund who has won our hearts over and over!  His name is Finni and he loves his squeaky toys.  I cannot  resist giving him a new squeaky toy when I visit.  A few weeks ago Pickles ran a series of comic strips in our newspaper about Roscoe and his squeaky toy.  I laughed every morning, then decided to make my daughter a mini book titled Dog Tails.  A fun project!  Our dogs give us so much joy, they truly are part of our family.  Always giving unconditionally!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy Roscoe’s story!

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Heart Hugs

Today I finished this piece, Heart Hugs.  Several months ago I had done a piece with a flower grouping.  Never, never liked it.  I came across that piece over the weekend.  Covering it with gesso and starting over, this is the result.  So much happier with it.  I’ve found in the past that people love art with hearts.  Since the holidays are approaching I’m planning to create a few more heart pieces.

copy heart hugsThanks so much for visiting my blog.  Heart hugs to you!

My heart is singing!

I’ve stared for a couple of days at these four canvases with backgrounds finished.  A bit of creative spirit rose early today!  With my coffee in hand I spent the morning in my home studio.  Three years ago my Mom passed away, the last couple days I’ve not been able to stop the memories swirling in my mind.  This piece reflects some of what I’ve felt and simply some of what I love in art.  I’ve always enjoyed painting hearts with wings.  When I began the piece I thought it was just another subject that I enjoy.  After finishing the piece it felt more like my Mom earned her well deserved wings and was singing her way into heaven!  It always intrigue’s me, the thought process of my art.  When I do a background I never know what I will paint on the canvas, what message I want to get across…most often than not, it is best for me to just let it flow!  Enjoy each day.  Find your wings and soar with a song in your heart.  Make your dreams come true!

Thanks for visiting my blog.  copy heart Comments are welcomed!

Hound Doggie

copy bassett Just delivered this adorable Bassett Hound commissioned piece.  A tribute to a sweet Bassett that passed away a few weeks ago.  Creating a piece in memory of  a special pet is always an honor for me.  Having a Bassett Hound in our home while our girls were growing up made this piece especially heartwarming.  I am such an advocate for rescue of animals and believe each person that takes an animal into their home to love has their heart in the right place.  Dogs are so comforting, giving and just plain fun to hang out with!!  Their unconditional love for humans is amazing!  Thank you so much dear friend, D. for asking me to create this piece.  Hoping it will bring comfort to your friend and wonderful memories of her special little Bassett!

Thanks for visiting my blog!  Give your dog a hug today!!

Aspens

These two pieces completed and hanging in my living space.  Inspired from a recent trip with my husband to Glacier National Park.  The landscape of the park is bursting forth copy aspenswith aspens, a favorite tree of mine.  These two pieces, wrapped with burlap, created  with 10 layers of acrylics, recycled papers, and pen.  I added a magpie as well and a heart on one of the trunks with my husbands and mine initials (okay, a little personal touch since the pieces will stay in my home and not for sale).   I love nature and being outdoors brings me so much joy and peace.  Having this in my living space will always remind me of our special trip, time nurturing our souls and preparing for the changing of the seasons soon.

Thank you for visiting my blog…enjoy the beauty surrounding us!

Buttons and Tweed

This painting I just finished last week and gifted it to my wonderfully talented daughter.  She launched her handmade specialty bag business in 2013 called Buttons and Tweed.  The bag business along with everything else happening in her life; moving closer to us (which we love!), she started a new position in her career and just purchased a new condo!  The painting is for her home studio.  We are so very proud of all she has accomplished in the last nine months.copy tweed        Please visit her Buttons and Tweed blog and her facebook as well.  Her bags are presently represented in a local gallery as well as her nearly ready to go Etsy Shop.  Can you tell I’m pleased with it all…love her!

Close to my Heart

While hiking recently in Idaho, we came across a heart tree. A lovely old tree where visitors placed heart-shaped rocks. We searched for heart-shaped rocks along our hike, placing them at the tree on our return. We visited with other hikers at the heart tree, it felt like a peaceful, loving place along this beautiful hike.

I always look for heart shapes in my life, especially while I’m hiking. It is surprising how many heart shapes surround us every day. Sometimes, in our lives, we forget to ease our pace and see the beauty of our surroundings.  Wishing everyone a heartfelt day and the surprise of finding a heart shape!copy heart

Giraffe Completed

Finished the giraffe painting yesterday. This one will be hard to let go as I love animals. A subject that is close to my heart. I find myself sometimes fighting with the canvas to get just the right expression in the eyes. And the correct proportions are not always easy. The finished giraffe feels pretty good!

Thanks for visiting my blog…never stop stretching that neck out and pushing forward!IMG_0861