"Sun Sets For A New Day" - #30

     This was painted as a "special" request.  Special because Stacey and Ashley are big supporters of my paintings and Ashley, is a promising artist at age 10.  I asked them to give me an idea of what they would like in a painting.  Stacey emailed me two photographs, both of beautiful sunsets and told me her preference.  I was so inspired by that photo that I got to work right away.
     My enthusiasm was faced immediately with "how do I paint life-like clouds"?  It was indeed a challenge for me.   I "erased with paint" on the sky about three times.  I asked my husband for his critique.  He said the clouds were too heavy and not enough contrast in the sky.  After more experimentation, the paint got too thick that I had to start with a new canvas.   Cognizant of the need to be light, I started to use less paint and blended more.  The result, fluffier puffs of blue and shades of purple, blue, and white for the sky.

Lessons Learned and Hindsight - Since I painted this painting, I learned to look upward.   I don't think I would look at the clouds and sunsets ever the same again.  There will be much analyzing of the clouds and light and admiration of the beauty.   I am proud of myself for struggling through this painting.  The kicker is that no matter how purposefully one tries, mother nature's random and unintended brushstrokes will always produce a far more superior and original work of art.

"Waiting For Me to Come Home" - #13

Not every painting I did was a challenge or an attempt on my part to copy the work of a famous painter.  This simple painting was inspired by my cat.

In 2003, I was working long hours.  As I approach the house every evening, like clockwork, I could see one of my cats, Minnie looking out of the office window.  Seeing her brought me such comfort and love after a long day at work.  By the time I park my car and open the front door, she would be there to greet me.  What touched me the most was that she had to really hustle to get to the door that quickly!  It got me thinking of the many cats out there that sit by their windows, waiting for their owners to come home.  As a result, I came up with an idea for a painting.  I wanted to try something abstract - very simple. I painted the silhouette of three cats in one of the high rise buildings.  I didn't want the sky to be dark, so I painted it a relaxing soft blue.  This canvas is bigger than the ones I normally use - 24 X 30.

Lessons Learned and Hindsight - Like poets are moved to write poetry, painters are moved to paint.  Minnie passed away in 2007.  Maybe she is looking out a different window, waiting for me to come home one day.

"Sunflowers" - A gift for my new friend

When I first met Laurie, I knew she would become a good friend for life.  She is sunshine in a room.   Not long after we met at work, I was inspired to do a paintng for her.  I showed her a picture in the book, "The Captain's Garden, A Reflective Journey Home Through the Art of Paul Landry."  She liked it - the decor in her house is nautical country and it would fit in nicely.  I like Paul Landry's work.  Very old New England - lots of misty waterfronts, sail boats on calm water at dusk, and cottages with flower gardens and white picket fences.  All the images of what I thought New England looks like before I moved here.
     Laurie is a considerate person.  She insisted on giving me a gift in return.  I said no but made one request.  "Just get me a blank canvas to replace the one I used."  Hey, you never know when a new friend will drop into your life.
     Lessons Learned and Hindsight - When the people you give your paintings to frame them, you know they like them.  But when someone not only frames the painting but installs a picture light over it, then you know she really likes it.  Laurie loves her painting.

"Karen's Paradise" - In Loving Memory of Velvet

     I wanted to paint a picture for my friend Karen.  She loves nature and spends every possible moment outdoors.  She also loves her animals - her dog, Tele, and her three cats, Velvet, Spooky, and Willow.  I wanted to put her in a beautiful and serene setting with her favorite friends.  During that time, one of her cats, Velvet, was ill.  She was a senior cat and getting up in years.  I wanted to capture her spending precious time with them, especially Velvet.  I named it "Karen's Paradise."   After a few weeks, the oil paint dried and I sent it to Karen.  Velvet was nursed back to health.  That was in the summer of 2008.
     This August, I received an email from Karen that Velvet passed away.  Her little body was too weak to fight anymore.  Karen was overcome with grief.   I talked to her recently.  She said the painting reminds her of Velvet whenever she looks at it.  She said that without any sadness.  That's good.

"In Karen's paradise,  she is surrounded by prestine beauty and accompanied by her beloved babies, forever."  (on a card I enclosed with the painting)