Andy for Fasha

Here is a painting I did a while back but never got a picture of it. This one was done for my father in law, whom I call "Fasha", of his dog Andy. This dog is not just any dog...he is Fasha's pride and joy. His eyes carry an almost human like quality. He seems to know what you are talking about and has feelings. And smart! This dog is really intelligent. He is the kind of dog that people dream of having. You know the one that doesn't pee in the house or get out of control. The one who follows you on long walks and just loves to be in your presence....that's Andy.

So this one is for Fasha, who I love dearly :)

Enjoy!

Romancing the Canvas

I learned a lesson a while back from my good friend Angie over at Pick My Brains Art http://pickmybrainsart.blogspot.com/

She taught me to "romance the canvas". This is a time when I put my canvas on the easel, face it so that I pass by and see it every day, stop and look here and there, pray and wait for the vision to appear. I carry a sketch book with me where ever I go. So during the romancing stage, and whenever I get a still moment, I put my thoughts to pen and paper either doodling, drawing or writing down what I feel. This book is full of daily inspirations. When the time has come and I can feel that the time is right, I start to paint.

So here is a picture of a canvas I have on the easel now. It is the same size as the commission piece I am still working on. So while I paint on that one I take time to glance over my shoulder at the blank one and give it a little wink. :) I think I already have a vision for this one....but we will have to wait and see if it comes to fruition.

So take time to "romance YOUR canvas". It might be an actual canvas or it might be something in your life that you need to ponder, decide or just slowly take your time with. In the end, it always pays to take your time. There's really no rush.

Enjoy!

(Update: A vision is starting to come to life)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

and a Blessed New Year

from,

my family to yours

Her Legacy

35 hours in and counting

ok...this one is one of the paintings I told you all about in the last blog entry. It is a commission piece for a beautifully spiritual woman! I am sorry that I can only show you a portion...but needs to stay somewhat a surprise. She knows I am doing it but has no idea what it will look like or become. Stay tuned to the progress and the big reveal!

One thing I can tell you about this work...it seems to be pulling me. This is one that I am not thinking about or plotting out. I have done lots of prayer and meditation and am letting God guide this one. What a feeling of joy and comfort it is bringing....ahhhhh

Still Painting

Here are two large canvases that I have started. One of them I can only show a small portion of because it is a commission piece. I really don't want her to see it until it is done ;)

So... enjoy the little glimpse into my Christmas break!

The Poet

I was at the Lowe Mill yesterday. Standing in line to get some hot chocolate, I noticed this beautiful woman. Her skin was glowing and her head wrap and jewelry just popped under the yummy cloudiness of the day. I knew right then that I had to paint her. So I asked if I could take her photo and paint her. She accepted graciously, and introduced herself. The is a poet...and I thought"how perfect".

So here is the beginning of "The Poet". It is nice to be painting again. The fun part is that we never know what will inspire us....but when it does.....it is a flood of color and emotion! The Poet has also helped to get me going on a large commission piece for another very spiritual woman. So I have them both on canvases, music going, and am painting from one to another in a cocoon of art today!

Thank you God for giving me the inspiration today...

I love you,

M

Finished The Lake and starting a new

Well the Lake is finally done. And I have now started a new commission piece. It is nice to jump into an abstract. I love the flow of color that they bring...YUM!

Dreams

My dreams are filled with joy and sorrow, fear and flying, anger and love, friends and people I don't know, achievement and loss, and all sorts of weird and strange places. But most of all they are filled with pictures. Pictures that get stuck sometimes for days after. Pictures I can only get out through art. I have a sketch book that I carry in my purse for just such an occasion. I might be waiting in the car line, waiting on a client or in a meeting and need to either let them go or just do something with my hands. Here is what I find with art....I always feel the urge to do something with my hands. Sometimes I even get the urge to play with a new texture and not use any brushes. My soul just needs to feel the color and texture of whatever it is. You know like when you go through a clothing or fabric store and you feel the need to hold your hand out just a little further than your hip and run along the fabric? That is the feeling I get from sketching. There is a little sound of "ahhhhhh" in me. I was thinking the other day....I know, dangerous huh? But never the less I was thinking, I always wait until a painting is started or completed before I post. But I don't ever share my sketch book with anyone. So here is one that came out the other day. This one is more of a need to scribble and has no real meaning. Some do, and I will share those too. But for today.......

Enjoy!

Progress NOT perfection

We strive to progress in this life...NOT to perfect it. When I find myself disappointed about the outcome it is usually because I had expectations of how it should have gone. But when I realize that this life is not my own, but yet an adventure in learning and growing.....THAT is when I can see the beauty in this world I call....... "Paradise".

Enjoy!

Michele

Finally I have started again!

Finally I started painting again. Granted it is just a little landscape. But hopefully it will get me back in the mood and the groove. Work has been so busy that I literally do not have any energy when I get home to do much more than drop onto the couch and fall asleep. Now, I am not complaining, mind you, but I do miss the painting time. My soul aches for the quiet, relaxing time that comes with painting.

I guess this would be a good time for a little serenity prayer.....

Enjoy!