A Moment Of Reflection

Fireflies
photomontage/digital

Hi there! I have been gone for a few days, lost in my own world. Today I decided to come up for air and share "Fireflies" a digital collage I have been working on for several days. Yes, I know it's a bit dark but it just evolved as I worked. I also think this piece fits pretty well with IF "Satellite".  Fireflies came to me one night while I was outside surrounded by flickering little lights. I watched them quietly for hours, like when I was a child, amazed by how often these little bugs would light up and surprised at where my thoughts took me. Thoughts of childhood and life came to mind. The purity and innocence of childhood. The continuous change and often scary challenges of life. I thank these beautiful floating lights for giving me a moment of reflection.

♥

 

IF "Paisley" revealed

Wedding Dress (close up)

photomontage/mixed media

Ok, as promised this is a close-up of "Paisley" for IF (*see previous post). Many of you had some great guesses of where I placed the paisley on this piece. Some guessed on the butterflies, top of the dress, bottom of the dress and others guessed it right – on the chair. Obvious but not obvious ;-) Thank you everyone for leaving incredible comments on this special piece.

♥

IF "Paisley"

Wedding Dress

photomontage/mixed media

Well, I guess I am still in anniversary mode. This is Wedding Dress. I have spent several hours/days obsessing on this piece (as I normally do with my work) I am pretty sure it's because I got the crazy idea of recreating my wedding dress. Yes, crazy! I won't share more on this piece being that, I like my work to tell its own story to the viewer, but I do hope you like it. I decided to add "Paisley" in this montage for IF. So where's the "Paisley" you ask? Hmmm... might be difficult to see it's small, sorry but I promise it's there. Look around, can you find it or can you guess? Perhaps I will show a close-up before Friday :)

♥

Happy Father's Day ♥

A photo I took at the beach of a father and son in Cape May, New Jersey.    Texture by Kim Klassen.

 
What Makes A Dad

 God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

•

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle’s flight,

•

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

•

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it … Dad


~ Author Unknown

 ♥

A Special Day ♥

Flower Girl
mixed media/photomontage

Hi there! It's been a few days since I've posted. I have been hiding out, working very hard on a new body of work, so excited for it!  This is Flower Girl I thought she would be appropriate for today's post. Today is my 4 year wedding anniversary! I am happily married to a wonderful man who is so supportive of everything I do,  including my art. I love you Gordo.

"I announce and declare my intention to give you my deepest friendship and love... not only when your moments are high...but when they are low... not only when you remember clearly Who you Are... but when you forget... not only when you are acting with love... but when you are not...". "It is my intention to stay with you forever.."  

Part of our vows from the book Conversations with God.

♥

IF "Ripple"

The Innocent Ones

photomontage

This is my creative for IF "Ripple". My heart continues to ache for what is happening in the Gulf. I am so sorry for what is happening to you.. to The Innocent Ones.

p.s. please check out  Kelly's blog in response to the tragic disaster on the Gulf. You will see my contribution (#196 sold)  from  a previous post. Visit her site for more art for sale or to contribute.

 ♥
 

Looking Out

Looking Out

6x6 oil on masonite

As I painted this piece today I realized it made me think of the oil spill again {sigh}. It's as if these friends are looking out waiting to see what will become of our waters. Ugh.. twice as big, twice as bad – really?! Will we ever look at our waters the same way? What will come of this nightmare will it ever be right again? God... the environment, all the marine life, all the fragile species please make this nightmare stop. We need to stop this disaster, I have hope we will – that's all I have. Prayers and Hope.

Let's help!

Calling all artists please contribute, take a look at Kelly Light's blog

 or consider donating directly to

The Institute For Marine Mammal Studies

and/or

The international Research Center

♥

Girl Talk

Girl Talk

5x7 oil on board

Here's a little painting I went back and revamped. This was from a shot I took in NYC, the ladies were so into their conversation I just liked how the little girl was looking up at them as if she were in the conversation as well. I had fun taking some liberties with the background adding a little pop of green :)

♥

Puppy Eyes

Duke(ie)

Do you ever feel like you have eyes on you but you ignore them and keep working. You work so hard and get so into it you forget to come up for air? Jeez...its like you forget those around you...that is until a loved one nudges you back into reality. For me that nudge was from Dukie. He'll come up to me around the end of the day and pull on my shirt or my pants (while working on my laptop) as if to say "ok, it's time for a break". I have been so consumed with my work, my art/business, organizing, planning etc.. that sometimes it takes that little nudge to snap me out of it – and so today I look down on those puppy eyes... and decided for this moment, I will take a little break. A little break to share this photo I took over a weekend at the shore - oh those puppy eyes make me melt! How can I work looking at those? Do you have little eyes watching you – waiting for you to take that little break too? 

♥

IF "Trail"

Black Trail In The Gulf

digital mixed media 

Ahhh yes the TRAIL of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. It was the first thing I thought about when the word trail came up. I have to admit I've been avoiding the headlines about this oil spill as to not let this disaster get to me. I don't mean to be ignorant I just can't deal with it emotionally. However, this weeks word lead me to finally take the time and read about this mess. {sigh} and so... as I knew I would be, I am heartbroken thinking about the helpless and innocent wildlife. This is my work, my vision of this nightmare...the Black Trail In The Gulf.

p.s. This image has been SOLD over on Kellys blog, her blog is in response to the tragic disaster on the Gulf. This is my contribution - please visit her site for more art for sale.

♥

Mug Shot

Stella

6x6 oil on canvas

Today it was time to paint a dog, its been a while since I painted a pooch so here I introduce to you Stella a beautiful Vizsla and another regular at Dog Days Daycare. She just stared right at the camera with some attitude - funny I almost titled this painting Mug Shot but I only title a dog portrait if I don't have the name of the dog, so Stella it is.

♥

Lunch Break

Lunch Break

5x7 oil on panel board

Here is another painting from my workshop in NYC with Karin Jurick.  Oh... Karin how I love thee!  Karin is an incredible artist and what a beautiful person she is! This was from an image I took as I was crossing Central Park to my class. It was a beautiful bright day and I thought she was perfect sitting there in the sun doing her own thing. A fun little painting :)

♥

IF Slither

Stone Cold

mixed media

Slithering snakes of hair. We all know in Greek mythology Medusa was the beautiful monster who turned onlookers into stone. I find her perfect for the topic SLITHER and I always wanted to paint her so this will be my sketch for a future painting  :)

♥