I don’t do this when the children are here. But, when I’m alone on a beautiful day like this one, I curl up on the red couch with my coffee and look through books like this Spirit of the Ocean book. The photographs take me to a different place and I thank God for this amazing world we live in, with its oceans, mountains and rivers.
A dear friend gave me the beautiful card that I’ve framed because I wanted to be reminded daily, of the power of friendship. I particularly like the bubbles. Life is ephemeral, so it stands to reason, that we treasure every moment. (It becomes a cliche, doesn’t it?) But, do we really take heed?
The painting was done, one of a series, after Laurie-dog passed away. I revisited a whole number of places where we used to walk, places that had inspired earlier paintings. When I showed slides to my then-dealer, he said, “There is too much sky and we really can’t use them.” It was the beginning to my exasperation with life in the commercial galleries and a sign that my relationship with the people in that business, was failing. I needed to do something in my life differently, and the Heaven series taught me that. These were the last oil paintings I did before moving on to my Covenant Series.
I love the photograph of my brother and I. We were very close when we were both very little, being born only a year apart. I yearn for that closeness again. This wee black and white photograph somehow keeps me connected. Photographers have such an importance. I wonder often, who was behind the camera when that photograph was taken.
I made papier mache trees with my wee students in The Chapel/My Studio some time ago. Hanging from my tree are some of the ornaments my students decorated for various artists over the years. I treasure their work.