Shapes-Rhode Trip

Shapes-Finding Inner Piece

Shapes-A Cookie Changes Shape

Shapes: Frequently Seen

Road Trip-Goodbye Uncle Joe

Woke up to a frosty but sunny day, feeling like I slept in a shoebox. I uncurled each limb slowly, surveying the damage.

The 2 day trip to and from New Jersey involved endless traveling, but it was well worth it. Uncle Joe had a wonderful turnout for his send off. Most of the family was there. Cousin Bruce gave his dad a charming, funny eulogy, full of previously unrevealed facts.

As my sister pointed out, the tone was different from the usual family funeral. This was rather relaxed, kinda like how Uncle Joe was. We all were, of course, very sad, but this was no tragedy. What I mean is he lived to be 93; he played golf, drove and had most of his marbles until just a few months ago. He didn't suffer for very long.  Perhaps because there's so much suffering wherever you turn these days, paying tribute to someone who seemed to always be smiling and laughing provided a warm, festive event.

There was much to admire in the way the local police held up traffic and guided the procession through the streets to the cemetery. (I've always found it to be so stressful trying to keep up with the line of cars, especially when stopped for a red light.)

 A young soldier played taps at the graveside, then 2 more carefully synched their movements as they folded the flag that draped the coffin. I smiled at how seriously they took their task, and noticed my cousin hesitate before returning the salute to the tall, uniformed presenter with great posture.

The hardest part was stepping forward to take my turn scooping the dirt for my 3 shovelful allotment. Sobs escaped at the sound of the rocks hitting the box. I stepped away and in a vulnerable, impulsive moment, leaned in to hug my brother. He squeezed me back then opened the circle to include my sister who wiggled her way in for the group hug.

Spring-Same window?

Uncle Joe - a short interview

Spring-RIP Uncle Joe

I crossed the front lawn to the lilac tree at the edge of the road. A large branch was hanging by a toothpick, dangling in the wind. With a slight tug it came undone. Another casualty of winter.

When I think of spring, I mainly think of new growth; strong little sprouts, pushing their way up to the light. Today I was noticing the litter left behind;  the  tangle of black-eyed susans and cone flowers papery stalks jutting out from the dried, curling leaves. But as I dragged the rake through the debris, precious bits of jade sparkled in the sunlight.

Spring-Rhodies

Stepsisters (Cinderella's)

Stepping Outside in the Morning

Step right up!

Steps-Breaking Up

Steps-Dance Off

Yeah, but can you do this?

Steps-Built to last

Steps-Ancient Steps

When this prompt came to me, I thought I would be illustrating process; taking certain steps toward a goal, perhaps. I didn't really think I would render so literally. I have found, though, an interest in these stone steps that I've been drawing. They hold mystery and stories. Steps always lead somewhere. Even ancient, abandoned steps, when climbed will give you a new perspective.

Steps-Made of stone 2

Steps-Made of stone

Soft pastel on textured paper

Nest-Same window, different day

Nest-View from my nest at dusk

Nest-A Bird's Eye View From Inside

Nest-Breaking Out

Nest-Examples

Details-The calendar says it's spring

Details-Imagine

I painted this background and sat back to watch how it changed as it dried. I want to add details, but I'm still waiting on them to appear.

Details-Minimal

Sat down to doodle with watercolor. Started with the background - just enjoying the colors moving around with the water. This really looks more interesting online than it is. But it was relaxing.

Details-Too many

Sometimes the day seems too full of details. When making marks on paper as self-expression, these feelings may play out as scribbles, sweeping strokes, coloring in, or other simple, soothing methods. Using oil pastels, like crayons, feels primal and satisfying. Doing this picture was transforming.

Details-A process

I painted a background with watercolor on paper. Let it dry. Then I saw some shapes emerge and followed my impulse and painted what I saw. I also used oil pastels to contrast the details.

Details- Itsy bitsy sushi

Details-Enlargement

Impulse - Tangerines

Our structure today, in mindfulness class had to do with impulse. I did a number of pieces but didn't finish this one except for making a background. I had an impulse after dinner to continue by painting the bowl of tangerines.

Playtime

Applied labels and stickers to cardboard

Applied ink

Peeled off all the stickers

Applied oil pastel and scratched it with
the brush handle.

The Blues

The blues in this piece refers to my mood. Have been feeling somewhat stuck this week. I decided to play around with some stickers and tape. I applied various shapes to the paper. Then I did a wash with Chinese ink. I then removed the maskings and used watercolor to fill in the white areas. I did some imprinting with paper towel for more texture.

Ink and watercolor

The Blues

Watercolor and oil pastel

Metamorphosis-Spring

"After the first three months of treatment, there was a shift. New medicine, and the first signs of spring, changed my perspective."- from The Artful Warrior