"BILL" 12 X 12 Watercolor on Canvas

Life seems to rush by at whirlwinds speeds at times. So much for all of us to do and so little time. The saying "BE STILL" can be used so much, because it means so much. A dear friend's husband had a massive heart attack yesterday, and again it wakes me up. We are praying and believing for him to pull through. Studies have indicated that medical patients who get prayer do so much better that those who don't. Prayer is free and costs us nothing, and could change everything!
For me this is a reminder of how fragile life is. Maybe "Bill" here is giving us all a "WAKE UP" call.

"The Crowd" 11 X 14 Oil on Panel

Painting with a friend is always an inspiration. My Girlfriend was working on several Mixed Media pieces as I had been. Suddenly I got this urge to get the oils out and do something spontaneous. So this crowd evolved, then came the river and the grand finale of a fountain. Lesson Learned: Catch those Suddenly moments and do something to make your heart sing!

"Girl in Oil 1" Oil on Canvas (Excercise)

Back in January, I took a journey into Figurative painting. I haven't done alot of this type of work and just thought it would be fun to switch it up and take a workshop. I took "Ingrid Christensen's classdown at Cactus Art. Ingrid was a great teacher and I loved her excercises to loosen us up. We had 15 minutes to work on a pose before the model would change position. Here are a results of my journey.

"Girl in oil" Oil on canvas (Excercise)

This is the same model as above, and again we had 15 minutes to do this pose. See how different each piece is and how the brain and hand have to work quickly together. This excercise really stretched me, but I so enjoyed it.

"Beauty Within" 16 X 20 Oil on Canvas

So many times I can get caught up with the outcome, when I am simply to enjoy the process. When I focus on having fun again, it appears in my work. I like that idea. After having had 2 frustrated attempts, I dug this piece out of hiding and reworked it with a palette knife and waas pleasantly surprised at the turn of events. The reds, oranges, and greens are from the previous work, and are now seeing a better day! Hope today you too can see the "Beauty Within"

"The cat came back! (True Story)

This one is funny! My son came home last night and told a "Tale" he had heard on the news. He said a lady in Manitoba, whose cat went missing 14 years ago has returned. What a hoot! He was found because he had a tatoo. One can only imagine that if he could talk, he would have a few "Tales" of his own. Maybe a lesson to learn about "Not ever giving up on our dreams"

As for my week so far, been laying low, hanging out with my furry friend (Who by the way had upset some paint in my studio and my water container is now dumped into my palette, overturned the garbage container.....etc) Just being a wee bit of a rascal, but ever holding onto his cuteness, making it somewhat difficult to scold!!!!!!!! Anyways loads of ideas for the coming year, lots of projects on the go, and gearing up to teach a children's class at the Library on Feb 20th. That should be a Blast!

"Canadian Rockies" Watercolor on paper (2004)

How could one possibly attempt to capture the breath taking moments of the Rockies? Yet many artists do and with great success. This was one of those moments in my attempting way back in 2004. Looking back, I am glad I tried. It was from a photograph my son took and this spurred me on. Do like the way the Mountains turned out. Also know that much could be redone. Always good to remember from where you have come from!

My Garden Awaits My Return

Even my garden gets a rest. That is the way it is meant to be in these Northern parts. A time to reflect, a time to "Be Still". There is a wonder in stillness. Perhaps it is called "Peace"

"Loving Winter Still"

Reflecting on Beauty, is my thought for the day. As I sit here at home nursing a cold, sipping on my homemade chicken soup, I was reflecting on Beauty, how I love it and what it means to me. It is indeed "Soup For The Soul" I do believe mankind needs it more than we realize. It is healing for the inmost parts, a way to know all will be well again! A quiet place has a Beauty of its own.