Fun With Color

Ferns and Grasses

 

I've always enjoyed potching with paints and mixing color.  My latest art cards have reflected this love of blending and coordinating colors.  The pieces I'm posting here are more free-flowing than most of my other paintings.  Neither were drawn in pencil outline first, but simply painted directly and colors mixed on the paper until the desired effect was achieved. 

 

Bluebells



Both of the pieces above were purchased by a favorite patron who's shown great appreciation for my artwork.  It's such a joy to share my art, especially with those who truly find enjoyment in what I come up with in my paintings!  I'm glad this individual got the pair. Even though they feature different colors, they share a botanical woodland theme, and I like how the colors of both fit together

harmoniously. 

 

Remembrance in February

After the death of my dear Uncles The and Bob in late 2011, I planted a simple fall garden of pansies in their memory.  Last spring, the biennial blooms returned and the photograph above pictures one of those lovely opened blossoms.  Little did I know at the time, but I had planted a symbolically meaningful garden, as pansies represent loving thoughts and memories and the blue color represents peace, tranquility, and healing.

 

The month of February is full of memories and important dates.  My daughter was born on February 23.  She shares her birth month with my Mother, February 28, my Great Step-Grandmother, February 8, and my Uncle Bob and Grandfather, February 4. The birthdays of notable American leaders Abraham Lincoln and George Washington are commemorated this month, too.  February 8 is also the day of my kidney transplant, the 3rd anniversary this year. Ground Hog's Day, February 2 marks the passing of my oldest brother, Jeff.  And, we can't forget Valentine's Day, celebrating romantic love, on the 14th!

 

February is a month that stands out amongst the rest for me as a special one of loving remembrances.

 

 

Congregation of Deer

 

 

At the end of winter, we see lots of deer around the cabin.  In the colder months, when the trees are leafless and animals are more exposed, the herd sticks close for safety.  We've seen as many as 18 together at one time. Each evening just before the sun goes down, the deer make a circuit loop through the woods and stop at our goldfish pond for water before they bed down for the evening.  The younger members of the herd love to play. They kick up their heels, butt one another, and frolic, as their elders calmly nibble at any bits of vegetation they might find.  Today, the youngsters  decided to play "king of the hill."  The victor maintained his perch atop the wood pile of logs from last fall's cutting, shoving off any of the others who tried to dethrone him. As you can see, he seemed to enjoy striking his victory pose above :)

A Day in D.C.

Washington Monument at Sunset

 

 

  Views of the Capitol Building

 

Smithsonian Castle Building

On President's Day, Kevin and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to take in the sights.  Our nation's capital is home to so many beautiful old buildings which leave one in awe of the architectural feats of days gone by.  My favorite museum is the Natural History Museum.  We were treated to a virtual feast of color in the museum's temporary exhibit of Latin American orchids.
 

 

 

Orchid Display in Natural History Museum  

  

 

 



Living Love

Live now.

  When you are eating eat.
When you are loving, love.  When you
are talking with someone talk.  When you are
looking at a flower, look. Catch the
beauty of the moment.

~Leo Buscaglia

Celebration

 

Earlier this month, my daughter joined us to celebrate two major occasions ~ President Obama's second Inauguration and her 28th birthday.  It brought me so much happiness to share these special times together.  We celebrated Obama on a national stage and Desirae in a family gathering ... and honoring both brings much pride and joy.

  

 

 

I'm so happy my daughter is actively participating in and living in a time when equality for women and all cultures is becoming more of a reality.  I believe her generation is making huge strides to further bridge differences and pave the way towards greater harmony in the world.  I find Barack Obama to be an ideal president in that he inspires so many and that he truly instills hope for a brighter future, not just for Americans, but for all.  He offers young people an incredible example that belief in one's self, actively caring for one's community, and hard work truly do make a difference, and all of these factors together are what can and will help us progress as a society.

 

Happy Birthday to my courageous, beautiful daughter ... and Happy 2nd Term to Barack Obama!!!    



HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

Since I rarely dress up, I thought I'd start the New Year with a photograph Kevin took last night...of me dressed up!  We celebrated the New Year by going to one of our favorite restaurants that's housed in an old stone inn.  The atmosphere is cozy and the wait staff wear period clothing.  We were seated in a small room with a fireplace and only three other tables.  A troubadour serenaded guests as we dined.  After our dinner, as we were leaving the restaurant to return home, a couple of young guys were just starting to create an ice sculpture outside in front of the building.  We were curious as to what they would create, but the cold won out and we raced home to the warmth of the cabin where we later watched the ball drop in Time's Square from the warmth of our living room.  It's always amazing to see how many people crowd into the square and withstand the frigid temps to be part of the moment.

 

Instead of making resolutions, Kevin suggested we just try to make this year a little better than last year ~ and his idea suited me just fine :)

 

I hope all of us have a year better than the last, and one filled with promise, peace, love, and joy...

 

Happy 2013!!!