One of my favorite scenes in life: my sweet girls next to me, all in a row at church, quietly and busily sketching in our sketchbooks. (I cropped out Gavin on the end, wrestling Ezra, cheerios a-flyin'.) They love their sketchbooks, and I love to see what they come up with.
Cloe, who will be four next month, drew this picture of me and a snowman. Oh, and that's her at the top. I have rosy cheeks, a standard in her drawings of people, and some serious eyelashes.
This is my delia's. She is six. She drew her sisters, me, and herself. We are princesses with high heels. I love the clouds and flowers in vases. They both want me to have long hair, so they included that in their drawings. Too cute!

Up from Moil and Toil

Today was one of those days. I just needed to get away from it, to climb up to the top of my ladder and breath for a minute. Above and away from the duties, chaos, responsibilities, and the constant need to uplift, encourage, and nurture others. These are all wonderful things, but sometimes... it's hard. The animal crackers crushed into the carpet can wait, as well as the disciplinary action of the crusher, while I climb to the very top of my ladder, perhaps under the guise of changing a light bulb, and have an unreachable moment to myself.

Colors

"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist’s palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love." Marc Chagall
When I read this quote I thought of the colors in this painting. I called it Pick Yourself up. When rough spots and unpleasant things come along, pick yourself up, over, and carry on. I like how gingerly she is lifting herself, with confidence and a bit of style. This painting managed to incorporate my favorite colors. The blue in particular, is my very favorite. If Bella's blood sings to Edward, this shade of blue sings to me. It is in a really nice, black frame with an arched insert... and is long gone. Sigh.
This is one of my favorites. Another sigh. It sold a couple years ago. I called it Serene - even though she has a rather large, potentially harmful bumble bee on her shoulder, she has found peace. This blue is serenity and peace to me. I would like to paint love, to express meaning and love with color. I will ever strive to do it. If it happens, you will let me know, won't you?

The painting that I'm working on right now has a beautiful pattern for the background. After six combinations of cool colors, my intent was to offset the warm figures, I was incredibly frustrated. The only thing to do in such a situation is to turn it upside down and do the opposite. I went for hot! And I love it, I think it will be stunning. (Note: this painting is very unfinished.)
I have my struggles with color. Ron Ranson (I have no idea who he is) said, "My personal theory is that being frugal with the number of colours, one gets to know them intimately and to understand how each reacts with the others." In a way I have done this. I have kept to a rather limited palette, honing in on some odd colors that really work together. Perhaps I'll do it with conscious effort now. Or maybe I'll just paint everything off-sky-blue and swim in it.

My Three Muses

My sweet angels are my muses. I feel so privileged and blessed to be their mother. There are so many virtues that I hope to instill in them. Most of all, realizing the vastness of their potential and their individual strength. They are continual inspiration to me, and movtivation to push for greatness.

"A wonderful realization will be the day you realized that you are unique in all the world. The world is an incredible unfulfilled tapestry, and only you can fill that tiny space that is yours." Leo Buscaglia

Mother Cake

Did you know that the word for Placenta in many languages is literally translated as Mother Cake? Just some food for thought... I painted this for my sister, Cass. We decided to do a straight across trade for Christmas, 2003. This is a subtle reminder that, though it would be hard to part with this piece after it has hung in my living room for four and a half years, I would do it if she would finish her piece for me!!!

Tea Party

"I dreamed I was having a tea party with a monster. It was a nice monster,... but kinda scary." It was too delicious I had to paint it. In fact I did a whole series based on Delia's dreams. She was two and a half when she started telling me about her dreams. Children have the most wonderful imaginations. I wish they could elaborate so much more on what is going on in their heads. I tried to imitate her imagination. I didn't succeed. I couldn't, I know too much. When all was said and done, it was my voice coming through. Nice, but kinda scary. Life is like that.