Scribble Art and Watercolors

Thought I would try something new. 

 

I can't even call these studies. They are just ink scribbles and watercolor thrown down really fast.  The papers are curling a little since I never work with water. I'll fix that next time.  Some of the photos are crooked but that's okay too.

 

If I held you down and forced you to pick your favorite, which one would it be?

 

This is just  a survey. Names will be changed to protect the innocent.

 

Bottle  2.5" x 3.5"

 

 

Flower 2.5" x 3.5"

 

 

Geranium

2.5" x 3.5"

 

Fish

2.5" x 3.5"

Trash or Treasure?

This is one of my earliest paintings and I can see many "things wrong with it".  I put it in the trash bin last week......and I'm so glad I changed my mind and retrieved it before it was carted away!   I don't remember if it is oils or acrylics, oils I think.  It just makes me feel good.  Hope you enjoy it too.

12" x 16"

Original

 

Wouldn't it be fun to live near the beach? To go there whenever the fresh air, sunshine, and breeze beckon?  To go there whenever you want to really feel oneness with nature, to sing out loud, to run and not even realize it, to breathe deeply, to think, play, cool your heels?  I don't live anywhere near the beach so I'm keeping my little beachy painting.  It will be the closest I get to the real thing for awhile.  Treasure for sure.

Getting To Know Andy Warhol 1928-1987

American Artist and Father of Pop Art

 

Even though someone once tried to murder him, he survived.  But years later, following routine gall bladder surgery, he died in his sleep.  When it's your time, it's your time.

 

 

 

We all agree with this but I'm wondering if we all do it.

 

 

 

 

"Open my eyes that I may see."  Remember that song?

 

 

 

 

And someone else said, "Things do not change, we change."

 

 

 

 

The artists I know all want to make money.  They want to make it doing what they love, but they do want to make it.

 

 

Very good advice for me. 

 

 

 

 

Did you know he coined this phrase?  It really stuck around didn't it.

 

 

  

And then there was the humble tomato soup can.  My favorite soup.

 



 Enjoy the day and see beauty in everything.  Create something that wasn't here yesterday.  Hmmmm.  What could that be?



Gardening Without Gloves, Living Without Thought

Today was my day to plant flowers.  Purple waves all across the front of the house.  Here is what I'm envisioning once they mature.

Photo From The Garder's Companion

First  thing I had to do was thin out a big patch of overgrown mint (which I do not want), to make room for the lovely petunias (which I do want).

That is when I thought about what happened last week when I reached my naked hand into a bush to trim some dead leaves and a sudden, searing pain stabbed my gloveless hand. A vicous wasp attack that left me weak and wailing....yet realizing it was my own fault.

So today, once again carelessly gardening without gloves, reaching into overgrown patches I thought, "What if there is a snake in there?  What if a snake bites my hand?"  I decided, if that happened I would just call 911, and get them to save me.  About a minute passed and, you guessed it!  There is a snake right there.  Really.  It's amazing I didn't grab it!

 

 

It didn't bite me though.  I think he was just as glad I didn't bite him!  But it did cause me to think.   We all know our thoughts create our world. At least I think  most people agree with that to some degree. This was what I call a gentle reminder just for me of that very fact.  Did my thoughts have anything to do with the snake to showing up?   I don't know.  But as careless as I sometimes am with  thoughts and focus, I know I need little reminders to stay on track and live my life the way I choose.

So, okay, I will force myself to wear gloves when I garden... or be prepared to accept the consequences of wasp stings and snake bites, poison ivy, sunburn and scratches.  And I will watch my thoughts a little more carefully... or be prepared to accept the consequences.  And if I choose them more carefully I just might have a better day. 

And still, I know there is a big ole momma snake out there too....just in case I need a bigger reminder down the road.  God is so creative.   :)

In The Pink

Pink....such a delicate yet powerful color.  Once I decided I would wear "something" pink every day for the rest of my life.  Of course I did not.

 

 We think of pink as the color of love, compassion, and sweetness. We wrap baby girls in it from head to toe, and even though men wear pink now, we wouldn't think of wrapping our baby boys in pink blankets.  Would we?

 

 

A strong color made up a fiery, determined, out-there red tinted with white...pure and innocent. 

Innocence and strength is always alluring. 

 

 

 Pink calms us, nurtures us, relaxes us.
 

 

And it fights hard for women. 

  

 

 

 

 We love our rosy pink cheeks and lips, and if they aren't that way naturally, we help them out a bit. 

To be continued.

 

 

 

 

An Old Friend and a Cup of Coffee



There isn't much better in this world than being with those we care about.  We think of our families first.  Like a fish jumping in the lake, family is our first "ripple ring".  But there many more rings as the ripples spread.  Your best friends, your colleagues, or your neighbors all may end up in your ripple effect.

The other day I heard a quote that said, "Never miss a chance to hug an old friend". It's now on my refrigerator fighting for a place amid all the healthy eating signs my husband hangs there. Today I not only got to hug one but I got to have coffee with her too. 

We shared so much it exhausts me to think about it.  Working together day in and day out for years.  Handling usually difficult situations that could bring you to tears, laughter, or just frustration equally fast. Sharing a glance in a tense meeting and reading each other's minds.  Partying too.  And then, fast forward. Time moves on and they are gone from your daily life. 

It was like we were talking about yesterday.  So real.  Catching up on all the people we know...the one who had open heart surgery yesterday, the one who lost 60 pounds, the one moving to Destin, Florida.    But best of all we talked about now!  The now is retirement...the time when you can do whatever you want to do.  A gift from the Gods!!!!!!

Talking about the past is fun but we don't live there anymore and we don't want to.  Now we want to talk about new Ipads , yoga, her new blog, learning to paint, volunteering at MUST Ministries, reading at the library, planning a trip, staying healthy, and just loving each and every day.

Were you a Brownie?  Or a Girl Scout?  I was.  That's where I learned to sing, "Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold."  I hope I never forget it.