women writers...

Irène Némirovsky was an author who, at the age of 26,  sent her manuscript anonymously to a Paris publisher. He was floored at the quality of writing, and asked that the writer make himself known. He was floored a second time when he saw a young woman walk in. She was from a well to do Russian family, but neglected by her parents, so at the age of 13, immersed herself in books & writing.

When France was occupied by the Germans in 1940, Némirosvky & her husband were forbidden to pursue their careers because they were Jews. They sent their two daughters away for safety, and joined them later in 1941. During this time, she began another novel, "Suite Française", describing everyday life in France under the occupation. She finished part of 1000 pages, and in June, 1942, she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where she died a few weeks later. Her daughters kept the writings and years later - in 2004 - "Suite Française" was published in France with enormous success.

Stories like these make me smile and cry at the same time... 

red pepper & tomato

I did this one at the end of the summer - harvesting time. I get as much pleasure from the vibrant colors of fruit & veggies in the garden as I do from taste. Although I do enjoy winter (and yes, I realize I'm in the minority here), I look forward to warmer days & melting snow... 

swirly twirls & dots...

Not sure what it is about swirls & dots, but they can be meditative for me. I get started on one little section and before I know it, the swirls grow into trees or clouds or dust particles in the wind. Call me cookoo. :o) Some paintings are well thought out in the initial stages, others aren't. Can you guess which one this is? 

wild flowers

I pick wildflowers at the end of the summer and keep them near my desk for the cold winter months - for those days where I need a reminder that the snow will indeed eventually melt. I also scour the beach during the warmer months, not for beach glass, but for little natural treasures like this starfish. 

Fred's horses

My father in law passed away over the weekend, at the ripe age of 99. A good, long life.

The "end" of something always brings about inspiration, questions, contemplations. At least for me it does. The end of a job, the end of a relationship, the end of a life. I try to make sure I have pen (or paintbrush!) in hand during these times. The best songs were created during difficult times - the most profound paintings were painted, the most meaningful poems were written...you just never know what may bring about your own masterpiece. :o)

round, round we go...

Inspired by death. 

liquid mountain

J'ai demeuré dans l'ouest canadien pendant quelques années. Une fois de temps en temps, je pense aux montagnes et aux lacs et je m'ennuie. C'est de toute beauté - même quand c'est seulement dans ma tête. :o)

Emily Carr

Alex

Well folks, since I haven't posted in the past week or so, you're in for a treat - two postings in ONE day!

As promised, the finished painting of a sketch i had posted a while ago. I'm not sure how I feel about this one yet. It looks fragmented to me. Sometimes, my moods vary so much from one sitting to the next, it shows in the brush strokes. I put the finishing touches on this one yesterday, as the wind & snow howled out there & made me feel like i was shut out from the rest of the world. Not a bad thing, I must say... Nothing like a snowstorm on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

starry sky...

A gentle reminder to be yourself - even when others don't "get" you. ESPECIALLY when others don't get you. :o) There's room for everyone in this big 'ol world.