children

Freedom at the Beach: Ronald McDonald House Charities Orlando

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I was asked by Coldwell Banker Realty and the Ronald McDonald House Charities to do a piece for the CB sponsored room in Orlando. What a fabulous place for parents and families with sick children to rest while they go through such an ordeal! I am honored to do such a small part. I wanted to give families an image of hope and fun and better times. This is another version from a painting I first did in my book If You Could Tell Time, What Would You Tell It? There will be a copy of that in the room as well. My message to Time and to anyone who takes the time to look and love art is the same: Thank You.

Freedom at the Beach.jpg

Day 10: Choose

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Day after Labor Day and back to reality....school, work and painting! That's right. Making the time. I used to say "there's not enough time in the day", but then I realized that we all have exactly the same moments. We can choose how we use them. I recommend painting or drawing or cooking or sewing for 30 minutes rather than watching mindless tv for example. Be the change you want to see in the world. And I want to see a creative one.

Today, I painted my Mom with her doll carriage. Love you Mom! Pat Weaver was rocking it again with "fast and loose" watercolors. Love that free-ness! Nancy Johnson's work got beautifully esoteric being inspired by the book Paint Yourself Calm. Heather Earnest was inspired by the puppy on the loose since all she wanted to do was high tail it out of her job today! lol. And all our thoughts and prayers are with you Lynn Ashford...good luck tomorrow and speedy healing from your Daily Painting friends!!

My great-grandmother

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I love the women in my family. I just happened to end up the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter, of the oldest daughter....in other words, the first child, grandchild and great-grandchild. One straight line of strong willed women!  My grandmother told me stories about how she remembered sitting in a car with no heat in the middle of a snowstorm, with her 4 siblings, during the depression, while her father went into the bar for 'a' drink and to gamble. My great-grandmother found the courage to go into that male only bar and demand that he bring them home. She was brave. She was filled with only love and gratitude for us grandkids and great-grandkids. She was the glue that kept the family together for a long time. She was simply amazing.

My Memere was a huge source of love and compassion for my Mom and her sisters. I am so honored that I got to experience being her first great-grandchild! (That's me in the first drawing.) These drawings of her were commissioned by my Aunt for her two sisters ..and I did one for my Aunt too. Happy Birthday Judy, Elizabeth and Shelly! Memere's love still shines down on us all. 

In my haste to hit the birthday deadline, these got shipped out without being photographed! Thanks for taking these pics of them Mom! 

Little Slugger

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Finished! Little Slugger got worked on at my demo for the Leesburg Art Association at the Leesburg Center for the Arts. This was a great example of the balance between what to cover up and what to leave revealed. I just loved the pattern of the outfit but it was seriously clashing with the original background patterns. Think this works...

Little Slugger, 12" x 12", acrylics, charcoal, fabric and paper collage on wood panel

Little Slugger, 12" x 12", acrylics, charcoal, fabric and paper collage on wood panel