Magical billy goats

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There is just something about them..., baby goats, old goats, grumpy ones and funny ones....

They make me happy when I am sad.

Moonshine

Moonshine
8" X 8" Original acrylic painting on stretched canvas
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Lullaby Moon

Lullaby Moon
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8" x 8" Original acrylic painting on stretched canvas

Inspired by my new grandson.  Babies are such magical creatures...

Outlaw Pete

8" x 10 Original acrylic painting on canvas panel

"We'll celebrate when he gets out"

Odge Gribble quote

Silence...........

Original Acrylic Painting
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"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and
restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature.... trees,
flowers, and grass grows in silence;  see the stars, the moon
 and the sun, how they move in silence....
We need silence to be able to touch souls."

Mother Teresa Quote

Finding Zen

"Zen"
Original mixed combing acrylic paint and paper on a canvas panel
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Nature has it's own religion, and it has a gentle way of
healing aching memories.  I'm learning to live more in the
present and less in the past.  After a fifteen month sabbatical
from painting I'm forcing myself to pick up a paint brush again.  Honestly,
I made a failed attempt at painting four pieces for an art challenge
last year.  I will call them "the ugly teacup series"..... Hiccup
I believe people have the power to manifest there own reality....., and so
as I am learning the ability within my mind to do this I have come to
understand that an alchemist cannot achieve much by being idle.
This particular painting was done about three years ago.  I wasn't
secure with it at the time, but looking at it now with a new
perspective.  I see it, and I hear it....  It's time to move on.......

SOLOMON

"A good name is rather to be chosen than riches"
King Solomon Quote

"I would like you to paint my mother's black cat.  His name is "Solomon."

Liz, a total stranger at that moment of inquiry asked.  A black cat is a very challenging animal to paint.  Finding light, and shadows in black requires a wizard's eye.  So when Liz asked me to paint a black cat my stomach twitched, but then she said his name...., and my heart listened.  I connected with not only his name, but with his spirit.... 
 I feel honored to have been chosen to paint him.

He definitely was a king in his past life....

Be Happy :)

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It's been nearly a year since I painted something new.  Life has been challenging, and packed full of  hardship.  A few years ago I opened a fortune cookie to unveil my winning ticket.  It read, "Happiness is a choice."  Simple little words that have continued to pop in my head when I have a low day.  There is always, always something to be thankful for.....  Gratitude is a magical solution.  It reveals good intentions, good memories, and the little things one should never forget.  Each day I choose to be happy because I can. :)

Tickles..... :)

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Chipper

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Call me Bat Cat (deep voice)



"Bat Cat" Original 8" x 10" Acrylic painting on canvas panel
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Vampurrrrr..............

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Wisdom

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7" x 5" original acrylic painting on canvas panel

Chester

My husband took one look at this little creature upon it's completion, and said, "He looks like a gremlin, or you know...  One of those leprechauns?  He just has one of those grins."  In response, I laughed... just like a leprechaun :)

  

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Bossily takes a selfie.... :)



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This was a challenging angel and perspective to paint. 
 I'm so happy with this piece,
 and the texture added to the canvas makes me want to pet his face.  LOL



Angels among us

Original acrylic painting on recycled cabinet door

Moon watch

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Original Acrylic painting on recycled fence wood

Jimbo

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Another angry bird for  JW
Thank you :)

The negotiation..........?

Original acrylic painting on a salvaged wood cabinet door
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I'm not a strong negotiator. However I'm a peacemaker, so I suppose it's a mixed contradiction of thoughts. There are times in my life when I have thought to myself, "I talked myself out of that one." Like when I divulged a meticulous plan with my two cousins to decorate my parent's front lawn with extra soft toilet paper. I convinced my mother it must have been our sneaky neighbors. Many years later the truth came out, and I confessed in a heap of laughter. "I'm sorry to all of my neighbors whom may have been caught up in the cross-fire.

Sad, sad kitty..., Very sad.

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A New Day.........

9" x 12" Original Acrylic Painting On Canvas
 

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning."

 

J. B. Priestley Quote

The Unexpected Visitor

"Pauly"
6" x 6"  Original Acrylic Painting

 

 

Not everyone is happy to see the stork

Mr. Jones

This one' a little spooky....

 

"Mr.. Jones"
Original 6" x 6" Acrylic Painting

 

 



The Flying Lesson

"The Flying Lesson"
Original Acrylic Painting
Recycled wood cabinet door
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A little identity crisis.....

Identity Crisis
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Bad Hare Day

"Bad Hare Day"
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Boo!

"Boo!"

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Ready, Set.................. Go!

When packing for a short trip, or a long one.....  This picture is a good example of what not to forget;  Laptop charger, Power bar, A good book, GPS, Medicine, A bar of soap, Shampoo, and yes most definately....... Kitty.

 

In memory of my lost cat whom went missing 1/28/2012

In Memory of "Kitty"

I awake.... and yet I still yearn to sleep....  Escape

Shaking hands, a trembling heart

Tears return again..... Nightime sings...

and I hope for his return

In memory of my lost cat

"Kitty"

Missing since 1/28/2012

GRACE

SOLD! "GRACE," 8"x 8' Acrylic on canvas panel. #1 of 20/40 Art Challenge. 08/2009

Oh, you weak, beautiful people who give up with such grace. What you need is someone to take hold of you - gently, with love, and hand your life back to you.

Tennessee Williams
American, Dramatist Quotes
more famous quotes

"Say hello to my little friend!"

Jake & Ayden. TWO-OF-A-KIND!! 7/09

Jake brought home a new friend about a year ago, and I can't express what a joy it has been getting to know him. Though neither of them  are teacher's pets...... Understandably. I on the other hand being a visionary kind of parent have had to look on the inside too see out. Let me tell you about his little friend. He has this amazing sense of humor.... One-of-a-kind actually. He should write comedy for a living. I for one appreciate his sense of originality in his choice of clothes. One day he will be wearing a Polo shirt with plaid flannel shorts, the next a zombie t-shirt with a nice pear of black slacks. You just never know with this kid. He keeps me wondering what he's going to be wearing from one day to the next. Jake is attracted to good hearted people. Sometimes he may bring home a Raggedy Ann, or Andy but I can see that big red heart painted on their chest under their tattered shirts.

Love Mom

Me & My Cousin Mysti when we were wee little sprouts. I was so proud of my pearly cat's eye glasses.

Your blog is so you. From the time you were a child I let you choose your own clothes and colors. I enjoyed watching your choices. Sometimes a little surprising, but I would get a good laugh. The bright colors, the checkered shirts with the striped skirts, it was always you. I wanted you to get your own imagination and your own self awareness. Shopping was always so fun for us. We shopped until we dropped. Not buying much, but looking and finding the best buys in town. Your 5 1/2 size shoe and my size 9. You always won out with a new pair because the small sizes were always left. How I always wanted to be a size 5 1/2! Only you and your great grandma Laura had that size. I wish I had kept her shoes for you... I will always regret you not knowing her. I cry as I write this as I wish she were here now, holding my hand and rubbing it in her own special way. I also have great memories of watching you play under the shade tree in Pendleton, with all your friends and all your dolls. Movies have always been a part of the lives of you and Mark. Dad is the beginner of all that, I have a hard time sitting still that long. I would rather be in the garden.

Love Mom

My Father Loved A Thistle

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"Sunflower" My very first painting 2000.

Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.

Abraham Lincoln
American, President Quotes

My father Mark's wisdom is tested, and true. He is the most noble, honest, loyal, loving and virtuous man I know. I am so proud to call him dad. There was a time in my life I was menacing thistle, but dad had faith in me and what I could become....... And so he plucked that troublesome thorn, then prayed over it. He planted it with a Father's faith, and protected it with all of his love. His prayers brought forth a flower.

LESSONS OF LOVE

My mom loves Bambi! Okay seriously, who doesn't? However, my mother is drenched in the after affects of too much Disney. I am grateful for all of the imagination she birthed in me throughout my life. She saw the softer side of life, and invited me into it. She taught me to accept people the way they were, to love the unloved and the unlovely. Her tender ways planted so many seeds in my heart, and the fruit of those blooms are full of grace. Her short little lessons in love held strong to my soul. Her teachings were like putting on a fuzzy pair of mittens. Once we were out shopping and came across a man in a wheelchair while standing in line. Mom didn't say a word, just gave me that don't stare kind of look. When we left she said, "You see that man in the wheelchair? Well he's just like you, never judge a person for being disabled." (and then I had to ask what disabled meant?) I thought about that man all day, and never forgot him since. The color of that memory hasn't faded into my 40's. The small town I was raised in had a family of Albino people living there. I remember them so distinctively. Not just because of how they looked, but because of the way they were treated. The stares, the whispers, the pointing fingers and because I noticed nobody talked to them. Once while my mother and I saw them in town. She looked at them for a moment, then glanced at me. She whispered, "Aren't they beautiful!"

That's the kind of mother I have. She's a sweet soul! Because of her I learned to search a man's heart before you judge him. She had the ability to see through a child's eyes, and read life with a child's heart. Thanks Mom for the many virtues you instilled within me. I Love You.

I'M JUST BEING A BOOB

"It's Been One Of Those Days." 4" x 6" Acrylic on stretched canvas 2009

Grandma Sylvia used to get the blues from time-to-time. Her tears were sweet as could be....... Quiet little things that whispered sad songs. She always kept a box of Kleenex by her chair, and used them often. "Grandma, why are you crying?" I'd ask. She always responded the same, no matter what the reason. "I'm just being a boob." She'd sniffle.

Now that I'm OLD I understand those blues. Menopause sucks! I've been warned about it's coming since way back. Heard my Aunt's go on-and-on about the miseries of it, and it seems my mother still suffers in her 60's. Will it ever end? The tears just seem to come out of no where. Dames, that's the thing about us. We can cry a bucket, and an hour later you'd never know what just happened.

The Magic Man

Deep breathe..............and sigh. I have to get myself centered this morning. My thoughts and head are spinning around so many subjects. My first grounded thought is of my husband. How does he do it? I will call him "The Magic Man." He keeps things together and from falling apart no matter how difficult, stressful, complicated, distracting, menacing or painful life can be. He somehow manages to find a way to complete his tasks, and take care of us all. A simple example of his tenacity; Kitty wears a hot pink collar. He's a male cat, but he is no ordinary feline so a hot bright pink necklace seemed appropriate. Kitty has been scratching at it, and now it appears he has a pretty mane of neon hair growing around his neck. I was going to throw the pitiful thing away last week, but Dayne was certain he could salvage it. It started with a small adjustment one day, but then I saw him fiddling with it again yesterday morning. LOL We aren't living in the depression (yet) and we can afford a new one at the dollar store. Dayne is determined however to not give up. He never does. (Excerpt from My Morning Pages January 15, 2008)
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PETE'S POND

Pete's Pond was a little restaurant tucked away in a garden like setting surrounding a large pond filled with a dreamy assortment of beautiful swans. I only had the pleasure of seeing this peaceful abode once while visiting my father Rod. It seems like an eternity ago that we stopped there for lunch.......... I was so young and bright-eyed then.

Rodney has a mischievous sense of humor. The kind that is passed on by a serious crooked grin , broken by a boyish laugh. "Which one's Pete?" I asked seriously. "They all are." My father answered sheepishly.

Sister Scarlet

24" x 30" Acrylic on stretched canvas. 2008

I awoke the morning of Wednesday January 16Th, 2008 feeling my Artist within calling me back to paint. I've heard her brushes tapping about a few times in the past five years, her whistling and humming tempting me back into the world where she dreams in color.....A world where she dreams in red...... This time I did not ignore her. A confident woman cloaked in fur adorned by a background of inviting reds. It's a love-hate relationship, Sister Scarlet and I. she is stubborn, strong willed and demanding to come through a blank canvas with every stroke. The first sketch started with an Indian Chief, a virtuous strong character with the best of intentions. However, when I painted him I felt resistance. Unlike Scarlet, Chief didn't want to be seen. He doesn't like sitting for portraits. He sees an imitator, a counterfeit of his true self. Words to him are more important then colors. He would rather I paint his soul, not his face. I painted over him with 2 coats of white primer and one coat of a gritty neutral base. I attempted to sketch his soul, but a woman's face would come through. I spoke to the canvas, "No, I don't want a woman's face...Your supposed to be a man. I erased the face and started over only to see it happen again. Frustrated I began the battle one last time. The Artist, "Sister Scarlet," won...... Now we dream together.

SHADOW WOMAN

My newest work completed 8/10/2008. Inspired by a New Your Times Bestselling book written by Princess: Jean Sasson: MAYADA Daughter Of Iraq. One woman's Survival Under Saddam Hussein.

The most captivating book I've read in 7 years. I grieved for three days upon completing its story. So moving, and painfully gripping with each word that I felt the humiliation, loss and suffering each of the seventeen women in cell #52 endured. Jean Sasson's writing is so breathtaking, so vivid it literally draws you in to Mayada's world. A world that few if any American woman could fathom. Her courage to survive when few would find the hope or faith to do so compelled me. This tragic miraculous story is one of triumph and fear. Mayada referred to the women she shared dark chamber with as "shadow women," cellmates that suffered more severe punishment then her own. Yet they nursed her when she was sick, cared for her, listened to her story, prayed for each other daily and even gave up their own small food ration to give another the strength to endure a morning torture.

I am haunted by each woman's story. Only one survived, Mayada daughter of Iraq. This painting deplicts my gratitude for her survival, and is also in memory of those woman who suffer daily in Baladiyat prison cells with no name, or face to save them.

4 Red Beauties

I discretly watched his aged hands reach out for a package of ripened tomatoes. His sorrowful expression hesitated before touching the four red beauties, and then just stopped mid-air as though struck by some fearful voice. I stood only a couple of feet away sifting through soggy cucumbers, but could not resist watching the silent story unfold before me as the frail man slowly reached in his back right pocket with a shaken hand withdrawing a warn black leather wallet. He humbly fingered through his meager treasure, and then returned his gaze upon his hunger. His thoughts seemed to stumble back and forth before returning his meek wallet back to his eager pocket. He then opened the package and touched each plump tomato before choosing his treasure.

My thoughts were in a tither; do I offer to pay for the tomatoes? Do I politely give him money for groceries? I didn't want to offend him, I didn't want to embarrass him. He struck me as a man who had worked hard all of his life, a man of good character and virtues (Like my father). My thoughts went so far as to ponder if he had children? Did he loose his wife? But still I did nothing, I said nothing. I am left with a deep regret, and an ache in my heart for those who do not beg, who do not seek assistance but silently suffer in poverty.

Mother Teresa's spoke with tender wisdom when she said, "To smile at someone who is sad; to visit for even a little while, someone who is lonely; to give someone shelter from the rain with our umbrella; to read something for someone who is blind: These and others can be small things, but they are appropriate to give our love of God concrete expression to the poor."