earth angel...

I want to say a few things about these "little women" paintings...

For those of you who are tired of seeing them, I understand. I realize that for some of you, i may seem stuck in this twilight zone filled with women with wings. I don't get it myself sometimes.

As mentioned in an earlier post, they are inspired by illness (cancer). My mother's diagnosis & the loss of a good friend in the last year. But i think the inspiration comes from elsewhere as well...

Those who know me well, know that i am not a religious person. When talking with a friend the other day, I mentioned that i don't really believe in angels - but that they must believe in me. :-) Strange as it may sound, a few months ago, I had a dream one night about Emily Carr. Why Emily Carr, you ask? Don't know.

In the dream, Emily was walking, high on a cliff of deep red earth... and i was walking below, near the water. We walked side by side (her above, me below) and she looked down on me reassuringly, smiling & gesturing for me to carry on, to keep moving in the same direction. When i woke the next morning, i made a mental note to stop eating popcorn so late at night - and to read up on Emily Carr. :-)

(For those who aren't familiar with Emily, she was one of Canada's great artists and lived a rather solitary life - but HER life nonetheless.)

After the dream, and subsequent dreams of my friend Liz, these little women came to life. Not quite sure what they mean, but i do know they want to be painted. So i paint. 

Without wanting to sound like those crackpots who think that "god speaks to them directly", I am simply painting what i feel inspired to paint at this time in my life. Two years down the road, i may be painting scenes from the holocaust... who knows.

But what i've discovered in the past year or so, is this: don't WAIT for the perfect circumstance, or the perfect moment to do what you love to do, or to love where you are, or who you are. Trust that you are exactly where you need to be right now, at this time in your life and try to make at least a bit of time every day to do something that fulfills you.

Do that for yourself, ok?

little women...

I don't think I had posted this final painting.

I just had another great night with my brushes & paints. I'll post the results tomorrow. No pics yet...

Did you do anything creative this weekend?

(Remember, creativity is not restricted to painting or art!) :-)

I'd love to hear how YOU choose to express yourself.

Have a great week everyone!

more little women

There is nothing to me like spending a Sunday night with my paintbrushes in hand. It is so important to me to get at least some painting done every day or two. I know it may seem like a lot to those who have hectic lives, but really, it's all a matter of what we choose as a priority.

What's important to you?

Do you have a creative spirit?

Do you have something to say or paint or sing or dance?

I believe we all have stories to tell...

we only need to quiet the world, quiet ourselves, and listen.

listen to the whispers

I am not done this one, but I'm posting here anyway with a little story to explain these little women.

When i was a teenager, I used to be really annoyed by constant complainers. I remember secretly wishing they'd be transported to a secluded, neglected, remote part of the world somewhere, where there was little food & they'd just be dropped off there, alone, to fend for themselves for a few months. See how long they complain after that. I now realize that it has little to do with where the complainer is physically in the world, but it has everything to do with where he or she is mentally.

Constant complainers still annoy the hell out of me, only now, i avoid them like the plague, and I no longer wish anything for them, because i know that they see the world how they want to see it.

But today, if I was to think that something may help them see things differently, it would be a little trip to the oncology center. I just came from there with my mother, who gets chemo every 3 weeks for the next few months. Again. No one visits the oncology center for the fun of it. It's no fun. On my first visit there with her, I saw a young kid, about the same age as my son, 14 or 15... pale, losing his hair, slumped shoulders - and my heart sank. My heart sinks almost every time I accompany her.

I've been with her to most of her treatments, and time & time again, I'm blown away by how random illness is. People from all walks of life & all ages sit in those big chairs & get their bodies pumped with poison in hopes that it'll make them well again. Many are optimistic, hopeful, full of courage. Others seem resigned & defeated. My mother is one who is full of courage. This doesn't mean she is not afraid, or that she knows what the outcome will be. But whenever it's time for another treatment, she goes in there with an open heart & confidence that they are doing everything they can to help her heal. Mom's optimism has taught me to find the good in every day and every one. I may not be as forgiving as she is (especially with complainers), but I'd like to think I'm getting better. :-)

I always leave the oncology center with a deep sense of appreciation. The air always smells sweeter, the trees are always greener. I leave there listening to the whispers...

This series of little women paintings came to life after mom's diagnosis & seeing how she chooses to live her life - despite the difficulties. These paintings are also expressions of love for my friend Liz, who left this world way too soon.

Art heals. 

:-)

little women...

This morning started out with painting (on the kitchen table!)...

the essentials - good (and not so good) brushes

my palette - usually MUCH messier...

and of course, the whole thing only comes together once i get these little dots on...

I'll post the finished piece in here (or on ETSY) soon. 

Have a great weekend everyone.

xoxo