Serenity

Work in progress.  This isn't the best photo, but I have been quite happy working on this one.  I thought about titling it "Serenity", because that is what it says to me.  I am not always good with perspective.  Perhaps that is why I gravitate toward perspective art.  Something I need to work on?  Perspective is all about life and living.

I always ask my spouse for help with perspective.  I appreciate his input.  He thought it looked good.  Also asked him what else I should provide.  I had been thinking about animals.  We talked about it and decided that since there are no fences, goats might be the answer.  You see the beginning of a doe with her babe near the pond.  More or less to come, depending on my mood!

Music and books have sparked my inspiration to paint in the past few years.  Currently, I am learning "What A Wonderful World".  This painting signifies the Wonderful World we live in.  "I see leaves of green..................skies of blue..........!"  How about you?

Davion's birthday sign

This isn't the greatest photo from my art project for the week.  But you get the gist.  Our son Davion  likes to make his own beer.  He has all the equipment for it, and his first batch was called "Davion's Brew".  A few weeks back, he was here helping his Dad with firewood.  They often have a beer together after the work is done.  Davion started talking about how he would love a rustic/antique kind of sign to put in his garage that showed some brew and said, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere."  Since his birthday was coming up, I did an internet search to find the perfect sign.  While looking at all the possibilities, I had an epiphany!  "Hell!  I can make that for him!"  Went to Michaels and found this awesome planed/sanded board with the bark on the top and bottom.  Stained it and started painting.  It was quite interesting to work on a stained piece of wood.  It was much like working with watercolor.  The base was oil, so the acrylic paint was quite translucent when applied.  I liked that. I used to do tole paintings, but I had always sealed the board before applying paint.

I painted the background the exterior color of his garage, but left the table the natural stain of the wood.  It was quite fun to work on.  I did get the clock idea from the images I saw on the internet.  Most of them had 5 for every number.  Clever.

Okay....so presented it to him today and he really liked it.  Here's to you, Davion!  So glad you were born!

Books

                                                                     Books

I have another passion.  I didn't really develop or recognize it until a few years ago.  What I have discovered is that I love historical fiction.  I have a number of favorite authors who write in this genre.  One in particular is Jane Kirkpatrick.  Jane has a beautiful way of taking a bit of history and weaving it into an amazing story of women (in particular) who have made a difference in the world.  Their story is one of inspiration, hope and faith under difficult circumstances.  My first exposure to Jane was The Tender Ties Series.  This trilogy is about Marie Dorian, an Iowa Indian woman who spent five weeks on the journey with Sacagawea.  Both were married to French Canadian men, both pregnant and both affiliated with white, male fur trapping expeditions.  http://web.oregon.com/history/hm/marie_dorian.cfm

Marie faced incredible odds on that journey.  This is an amazing story of strength, courage, devotion and faith.  http://www.jkbooks.com/Titles/TenderTiesHistoricalSeries.html

I have read most of Jane's books and have been inspired by all of them.  I am currently reading Where Lilacs Still Bloom.  The story of Hulda Klager and her lilac gardens in Woodland WA.   If you like gardening, you will love this book.  Her father encouraged Hulda to follow her dreams.  Quoted from the first chapter:  “Huldie, don’t deny the dreams. They’re a gift given to make your life full. Accept them. Reach for
them. We are not here just to endure hard times until we die."
Hulda followed her dreams and persevered through very tough times.  I am inspired by this story and visiting Hulda's Gardens is definitely on my bucket list.

More sharing of authors/books to come.

Warmth From The Light Within

I  decided to add the moon to this painting.  What do you think about that????

I have always loved this kind of winter scene.  I grew up in the west, so is it any wonder I would admire the mountains, the crisp winter air and the warmth and light that comes from within an abode?  I have always loved the mountains.  Always loved the light.  This painting depicts what I have been very recently feeling.  I KNOW and LOVE the light within me...........as well as within all of you. 

11805 Huckleberry Drive - Franktown, CO.

This is the home we lived in from 1977 to 1982.  I loved this place.  It was easy to care for and the neighborhood was exceptional.  We all had homes that sat on at least 2 acres of land.  We all had children around the same age.  It was the perfect community.  Not to mention the state and the climate.  Beautiful sunshine 360 days of the year, clear blue skies, mountain view and no humidity.   When it snowed and the sun shone the next day......much like this painting......you were often blinded by the light.

The house looks much different now.   But this is how we as a family will always remember it.  Brings back such fun memories of good times, good friends and lots of fun things to do.  Our son was born here and all three children made lasting friendships while we lived here.  I always loved the ring to the address, as well.  Eleven eight oh five, Huckleberry Drive.

Lynn's childhood home

There is a story............there always is.  We all tell one.  The story can be good, bad and/or ugly.  Stories, just the same.  The most important story is about how/where we grew up.  About the early years that shaped us into what we are today.  And how we can change that story whenever need be.

This isn't my story.  This is my husband's (Lynn) story about when/how and where he grew up.  This painting is with regard to the place where he spent most of his formative years.  The place where he created very important memories.  The memories he has shared with me over all the years we have been together.  The memories that shaped this portrait.  Lynn was the oldest of five boys.  He has the earliest memory of any of his brothers when first moving into this house.

His mother (who was the best mother-in-law anyone could ever have) had the most pristine yard and home.  She was an amazing daughter, woman, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She welcomed me in to her home that Christmas eve of 1968 with open arms.  It has been an honor for me to paint the portrait of this place aptly called "home".  A home that housed ALL boys.  A home that welcomed (with loving arms) my visiting family members whenever we came "home."  The back patio was the popular hangout for visitors.  And we all came together on that spot for years.

Lynn's mother passed away in 2003.  His father continued to live in this house until he died this past Feb.  He was able to stay home, due to the loving care of two family members.  He spent his last warm months sitting out on the patio, feeling the sunshine, welcoming visitors and taking a snooze or two.  He loved his patio.  He loved his home.  It's a good story.

Photos show the progression the house portrait.  If you are a family member (extended or otherwise) and would like a free print of this painting, let me know.  I present this in loving memory of Roger and Ruby Hill.