cheryl e wilson

10 things I know about babies:

2012-01-30T06:00:00.009-06:00

1. Newborn babies are the best babies to hold because they don't care who holds them.

2. Babies are soft and sweet and are nice to snuggle.

3. Babies can be very, very loud and they don't care who hears or if it is time to be quiet.

4. Babies are a lot of hard work to take care of and they require your commitment.

5. Babies grow more in the first year than in any other time of their life.

6. Babies are partial to their parents when the reach a certain age- usually within the first year - which is why number one is true.

7. You can not spoil a baby.

8. Babies smell. Sometimes good. Sometimes not so good.

9. Babies don't care if you're tired.

10. Babies grow up very fast.

I had a dream about painting last night.

2012-01-26T17:05:00.000-06:00

It was a red, pink, and white painting with hearts and lace and love. I kind of remember a person in the painting but I'm not 100% sure. It was kind of abstract. I think a heart formed a torso of a woman.

Except now I see I doodled it backwards. The torso heart should be red and the skirt black with a black background.

I dreamed about painting last night.

10 things I wonder about are:

2012-01-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

1. I wonder what my boys are doing when I'm not around.

2. Why is it easier to criticize and find the negative than it is be complimentary and positive?

3. Why do people assume you want a white Christmas? I don't!

4. What does the face of God look like?

5. What will it feel like when I die?

6. I wonder who will remember me 100 years after my death?

7. How many souls are there?

8. Is Heaven crowded?

9. Why do we have to have cellulite and stretch marks?

10. What should I paint today?

I Love Ralph Marston Daily Motivators

2012-01-24T06:00:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure how I found Ralph Marston's Daily Motivator site but I love it! And you will, too! Check it out.

Here's what Ralph says today:

Keep going
When you have a long way to go, keep going. When you’ve almost reached the goal, keep going.

Success is achieved by those who simply do whatever it takes to keep going. All it ever takes, is taking the next step.

When you’re frustrated, make note of your frustration and keep going. When you’re tired and weary, take time out for a little rest, and then keep going.

The real joy is in the journey, so give yourself the joy of making that journey. Pick yourself up, again and again, and keep going.

You know full well that you can do it, so do it. Remind yourself why you’ve chosen to get there, and keep going.

You are a bundle of beautiful and unique possibilities. Keep going, and bring the best of them to life.

— Ralph Marston

Poem of the Day: Emily Dickinson

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

Because I could not stop for death by Emily Dickinson

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility.
We passed the school, where children strove
At recess, in the ring;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.
Or rather, he passed us;
The dews grew quivering and chill,
For only gossamer my gown,
My tippet only tulle.
We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.
Since then 'tis centuries, and yet each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.

Poem of the Day: Edgar Allan Poe

2012-01-17T15:50:00.001-06:00

A Dream Within a Dream by Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

10 things I should have learned by now:

2012-01-16T06:00:00.029-06:00

1. I should have learned how to use comma's by now but I'm dreadful at putting them in the proper place.

2. How to cook.

3. I can not change anyone else. I can only change me.

4. Geography.

5. To be soft spoken in times of frustration.

6. I should have learned how to control my emotions by now.

7. Spanish.

8. Spend wisely. Save money.

9. To play the piano. I took so many lessons. But, sadly, I stink at it!

10. To always send a thank you note.

Poem of the Day: Maya Angelou

2012-01-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Poem of the Day: e e cummings

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

may i feel said he
by E. E. Cummings

may i feel said he
(i'll squeal said she
just once said he)
it's fun said she

(may i touch said he
how much said she
a lot said he)
why not said she

(let's go said he
not too far said she
what's too far said he
where you are said she)

may i stay said he
which way said she
like this said he
if you kiss said she

may i move said he
is it love said she)
if you're willing said he
(but you're killing said she

but it's life said he
but your wife said she
now said he)
ow said she

(tiptop said he
don't stop said she
oh no said he)
go slow said she

(cccome?said he
ummm said she)
you're divine!said he
(you are Mine said she)

Poem of the Day: William Butler Yeats

2012-01-11T06:00:00.002-06:00

Brown Penny by William Butler Yeats

I whispered, 'I am too young,'
And then, 'I am old enough';
Wherefore I threw a penny
To find out if I might love.
'Go and love, go and love, young man,
If the lady be young and fair.'
Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,
I am looped in the loops of her hair.

O love is the crooked thing,
There is nobody wise enough
To find out all that is in it,
For he would be thinking of love
Till the stars had run away
And the shadows eaten the moon.
Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,
One cannot begin it too soon.

Poem of the Day: e e cummings

2012-01-10T09:31:00.000-06:00

i carry your heart with me
By e e cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

10 places i have lived:

2012-01-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

1. Refugio, Texas

2. Lubbock, Texas

3. Corpus Christi, Texas

4. Austin, Texas

5. Fort Worth, Texas

6. Bedford, Texas

7. Park City, Utah

8. Grapevine, Texas

9. Euless, Texas

oops.

10. to be determined at a later date

2012 - Year of Poetry

2012-01-09T13:42:00.001-06:00

I'm a long time member and contributor to House of Shine. One of the rituals we have is naming our year. It started in 2009. In 2009, it was the Year of Art for me. I promptly jumped into my company fitness competition and art was pushed aside. The one thing I did do for art in 2009 was sign up to attend a workshop in February, 2010.

So, when 2010 rolled around- it was the Year of Art, Take 2. I attended the Robert Burridge Workshop and that helped educate and inspire painting in 2010.

And, this little blog of mine.

2011- Year of Love. What a great year! Amazing! Seriously. Wow.

After such a great year, it was hard to think of what else I could even want in my life. I pondered several things and finally settled on the Year of Poetry being inspired by Sarah Kay's Ted Speech and I have heard that poetry is the language of love so it just seems natural. Hopefully, it will inspire some painting as well.

What does the Year of Poetry mean? It means I will read poetry, write poetry, think poetry, speak poetry, hear poetry! I will even taste poetry somehow! I'm going to study the classic poets like Whitman, Frost, Cummings and Poe. I'm going to look to women poets like Plath, Angelou, and Dickinson. And, I'm going to revisit one of my favorite, fun writers, Shel Silverstein.

I'm going to revisit styles of poetry- the haiku, free verse, prose and more. I cannot say how many poems I will write or even if the ones I do write will be any good. I don't have a goal or a plan other than believing that something good will come from my Year of Poetry.

10 things I know about snow:

2012-01-09T06:00:00.012-06:00

1. Snow sparkles in the light like a million tiny diamonds.

2. Snow is wet which would be could if you were dying of thirst but bad if you just wanted to be dry.

3. Snow is cold. Freezing cold to be exact. At first, it might be refreshing but after a while it's out and out numbing.

4. Snow is ugly when it mixes with mud. It's grey and dirty. And not sparkly.

5. Snow falls down light and fluffy sometimes in tiny flakes and sometimes in big, fat flakes.

6. When flakes group together, a few things can happen. If you gather them together in blocks, you can build a fort. Then you can gather them together in balls and have a snowball fight. And sometimes they crush together on their own and they're like a mean gang set on destroying everything they can weigh down.

7. Snow melts and creates ice. Ice is slippery to walk on. And, especially if you live in Texas, to drive on.

8. A lot of people like to ski on snow cutting through the air speeding down the side of a steep mountain creating that whooshing sound as they go. I am not one of those people.

9. Snow makes me want to crawl in bed with a big fuzzy blanket, a warm man, a hot cup of tea (or is it a hot man and a warm of cup of tea?), watch movies and snuggle all day.

10. Snow cones on a clear, sunny day are a beautiful thing.

10 things I wish for 2012.

2012-01-03T06:00:00.003-06:00

1. Love

2. Peace

3. Health

4. Creativity

5. Music

6. Laughter

7. Wisdom

8. Kindness

9. Wealth

10. Love

I know! Love is on there twice but you can never have too much love- receiving and giving.

10 things I know to be true about 2011:

2011-12-31T23:59:00.041-06:00

1. I fell in love with the man of my dreams.
2. Valley Creek Church rocks.
3. I spent a great 5 days painting at a Robert Burridge Workshop
4. Spent the most consecutive days away from my boys while they went on vacation with their grandparents.
5. Had the funniest dating experience that I have ever had in my whole life!
6. Watching my boys grow in everything they do is fun and such a gift.
7. I missed going to Wimberley this year. The beach is so windy.
8. It was the hottest summer since the 80's but we didn't break the record of the most days in triple digits.
9. Refugio Bobcats are the 2A State Champions! What a fun game and fun friends.
10. We got a dart board for Christmas. Can't wait to play in 2012.

Journal - Happy New Year

2011-12-31T06:00:00.044-06:00

2011 has been a great year.
A really great year.

It was full of ups and a couple of downs, creative moments, laughter, some frustrating moments, I cried a few sad tears but mostly 2011 was full of really good loving. The last 201 days were really good days of loving.

That sentence makes me smile.

2012 will see some changes for this little creative blog of mine. It's still a creative blog but 2010 and 2011 have taught me that my painting is sporatic and undisciplined. When it goes well, it goes well but when it doesn't it is non-existant. I'm not a full-time painter and though I love painting, I'm not 100% that just painting is my passion. At 42 years old, I'm still trying to figure it all out. Well, at least I haven't given up on discovering.

I finally finished my journal that I bought when I was 30. It only took 12 years.

Hopefully it won't take 12 years to finish this one:

Or, this one:

Happy New Year!!

Music Monday - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

2011-12-26T06:00:00.003-06:00

This is the last Music Monday in my Year of Love and what a wonderful year it has been.

It truly is a wonderful world when you choose to see it that way. Be grateful for all that you have and for all that you are because if you dream it, you can be it.

Fifty Second Sunday

2011-12-25T08:00:00.000-06:00

A strong man
stands up for
himself;
a stronger man

stands up

for others.

- Ben the Cow,

from the animated

movie Barnyard

is it silly that i love this quote?

Journal - Signature Page

2011-12-24T06:00:00.015-06:00

Holy Crabby Patties! It only took me 12 plus years to finish this journal! And, I love it. I love the way it has developed. There is one white half page that I thought I would go back and paint on but now I think I'm going to leave it white. 2011 was a great year for Love. I found the love of my life, I love my boys, my family and friends so much, I'm going to church again, and I'm loving my art. Love, love, love. Thank you 2011 for being such a great year. Merry Christmas.

Music Monday - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-06:00

This is my favorite Christmas song! It's cheerful and fun.

Fifty First Sunday

2011-12-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

I took a

deep breath

and listened

to the old

bray of

my heart.

I am.

- Sylvia Plath

Journal - Double Rothko

2011-12-17T06:00:00.007-06:00

I was copying a Rothko painting that I like. This image reminds me of a window with the sky and grass.

Doodle inspiration

2011-12-14T13:09:00.001-06:00

In 2012, I'm playing with the idea of posting doodles that I draw. This was done on a post it note- where most of my doodles are drawn. Yes! I've decided I will post doodles next year. And look! I can post them using my phone. Technology is grand!

Music Monday - Merry Christmas from the Family

2011-12-12T06:00:00.001-06:00

I am something of a Scrooge at Christmas time so here's a funny song to try to get me in a jolly mood. Note: This is not for you. This is for me!

Bah Humbug!

Fiftieth Sunday

2011-12-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Today is

your day,

your mountain
is waiting,

so get on
your way.

- Dr Seuss

Journal - Bob's Trees in Green.

2011-12-10T06:00:00.005-06:00

I worked on most of this while I waited for an oil change and tire rotation at the dealership. It's a good way to pass the time.

Music Monday - Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

2011-12-05T06:00:00.002-06:00

It's the second Monday after Thanksgiving, the first Monday in December and I'm sure you have already been inundated with Christmas decorations, music and more. I have exactly 3 Monday's until Christmas so I guess I'll jump on the band wagon. And maybe, just maybe, it will help me get my Bah-humbug-self in the mood for some Christmas cheer! Hey Rudolph! That's my favorite part of this song. :)

Forty Nineth Sunday

2011-12-04T08:00:00.000-06:00

It doesn't matter

where you come from,

what matters is

where you are going.

- Ingrid Munro

Journal - Guitar Heart

2011-12-03T06:00:00.006-06:00

I'm loving the brick pattern lately. I drew a heart and in that heart I drew a C and it reminded me of the tuners of a guitar. So I drew the headstock in the heart. I love the sound of guitar.

10 things I know to be true about my day job:

2011-12-02T13:32:00.032-06:00

1. As soon as I throw something away, my boss always needs it.

2. I conquered the 200g heavy bonded glossy paper and the Ricoh machine producing some awesome flyers.

3. I don't like answering the main phone line during my lunch hour or when Margaret is gone.

4. I don't think it's professional to call your co-workers love, darling, sweetie or any other intimate nickname whether you are male or female.

5. The view I see out my interior office window are of an eagle with a dead catfish, some hawks and bird dogs. The eagle print is most prominent.

6. I'm grateful for the Internet.

7. I love when my cell phone chirps and it's a text message from Chris. It makes my day happy. Happier.

8. I wish I could go back to my old routine of working out and eating a peaceful lunch alone in the real estate kitchen.

9. I feel lucky that my office provides lunches on Monday and Thursday which I stretch out to all week long. Salad on Monday, Sandwich on Tuesday, Soup on Wednesday, Lunch on Thursday splits in half to provide for Friday.

10. I know how fortunate I am to have an on site fitness facility and fitness trainer that I can utilize during my lunch hour.

December First

2011-12-01T14:35:00.000-06:00

Today I was inspired by a post that my friend, Claudia, wrote at House of Shine.

She shared this video:

And just like that I am renewed and hopeful and inspired.

Do they show TED videos at schools? They should!

Thinking of a plan... 2012

2011-11-30T17:30:00.001-06:00

31 days left of 2011 and I'm thinking about 2012. I have paintings at home that need to be finished and I'm thinking about what kind of project I want to take on in 2012. Because, honestly, I know there won't be much painting in the next month. But, I want to do something different for this blog next year.

I'm craving a new blog project that will challenge me creatively but not overwhelm me.

I want a new project that let's me post what's inspiring me, touching my heart, using different mediums but not too chaotic or unfocused.

I want there to be structure but not too much structure.

I want to be able to create some posts in advance but keep it fresh as well.

I'm over analyzing and complicating the plan.

I'm thinking about subjects like: hearts, guitars, trees, flowers, fish, portraits, and words.

I'm thinking about words like: jubilee, caramel, love, happy and roulette.

I'm thinking about mediums like: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and writing.

I'm thinking about schedules like: hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly.

What if I pick a monthly word and a quarterly subject or a monthly subject and a quarterly word? Maybe I'll post by the hour on some weeks and weekly some months. Do you see my quandary? What's the plan? Do I just draw it or do I sculpt it, write about it, and sew it, too?

You know all of that will not happen because holding myself accountable will be excruciating.

Discipline.

It all comes down to discipline. And, what I want out of my days. Do I want to work out everyday at lunch? Can I discipline myself to paint everyday? (I know the answer to that one is no.) I'm lacking passion but I'm feeling passionate about wanting a new project.

2012: Project ?

The Magic of Floating

2011-11-29T06:00:00.002-06:00

I feel a sense of magic

when I float on

top of the water.

Whether it is in

a lake, a river, a pool

or an ocean, there is

magic in that moment.

My body is limp and relaxed.

My arms and legs hang in

any direction that I move them.

I take a deep breath in

and hold it.

I float higher

and the sun is

there to warm me.

I exhale and sink

but my spirit remains high.

My long brown hair floats

around my head

like a feathery crown.

I am alone with my thoughts

but not alone.

I look to the sky

and there I float.

And think.

And relax.

And soak in the magic.

~cew

Music Monday - Just A Kiss

2011-11-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

XOX

Forty Eighth Sunday

2011-11-27T08:00:00.001-06:00

Every day

is a new

chance to

choose.

- Ishita Gupta

Journal - School of Fish

2011-11-26T06:00:00.008-06:00

Happy Birthday JB! You are such a sweet, creative, smart boy! I love you.

I have drawn a lot of fish. Unfortunately, many of them were stolen from my car in Park City, Utah. It was a sad day for me when I realized my portfolio was gone. I might pick them back up again.

Photo: I Miss Summer

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

Taken in Fall of 2008 or 2009. Can't be sure.

My pool.

Music Monday - Family Portrait

2011-11-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm a big P!nk fan and could have picked a number of her songs but I love this. It has so much of her soul in it. I love that not only does she have the showmanship that it takes today to put on a concert but that she has the voice to back it up.

Forty Seventh Sunday

2011-11-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

What

you

seek

seeking

you.

- Paulo Coelho

Journal - Loving you is easy

2011-11-19T10:11:00.005-06:00

Just doodling and reflecting.

Photo - A Very Large Tree

2011-11-18T06:00:00.002-06:00

I think it was the summer of 2009 when Claudia, Katie and I set out on a Serendipty trip for House of Shine. At the alotted time we ended up in an old, overgrown cemetary. This very large, overgrown tree was there. I love this photo.

I might also mentioned that Katie and I were the recipients of some mean chiggers. Claudia wore pants that day so she escaped the little skin munchers.

Poetry - da mi basia mille

2011-11-17T06:00:00.001-06:00

There is a famous Latin poem written by Catullus and it goes like this:

Vivamus mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
rumoresque senum seueriorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis!
soles occidere et redire possunt:
nobis cum semel occidit breuis lux,
nox est perpetua una dormienda.
da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.
dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,
conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
aut ne quis malus inuidere possit,
cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.

There are many translations of the poem some more literal translations than others but this is the one I like best:

Let us live, my dear, and let us love,

and let us count the opinion
of others as just one penny.
The sun will set and rise again;
Our time together is brief
so before that light has fallen for us
and we must sleep a never ending night,
give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred
then another thousand and a second hundred
then a thousand and a hundred
over and over again.
We will have kissed many a thousand times,
even we will not know how many.
and no one who wishes us ill because he is envious
can hold against us the kisses he cannot count.

I came discovered the poem in the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. The husband inscribed the words da mi basia mille in his wife's wedding ring. I've always thought it was lovely.

Photo: Pool Shadow

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Taken in November of 2008. Or 2009. Not sure.

Photography - Old Grandma Rose

2011-11-15T06:00:00.002-06:00

Taken October 2011.

Music Monday - Remind Me

2011-11-14T06:00:00.006-06:00

I still can't get enough of you. Even on day 154. Or 5 months. I never want to lose this feeling. I'm so happy. So, promise to remind me.

Forty Sixth Sunday

2011-11-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

- Vincent van Gogh

Journal - Unconditional, Appreciation, Honesty, Presence, Grace

2011-11-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

These are the things that we should all have in our relationships:

Unconditional Love - I will always choose to love you. No matter what.

Appreciation- I won't take you for granted. I will appreciate you for all that you are and for all that you give.

Honesty- I will always be honest with you. Kind, but honest.

Presence- I will carry you in my heart always. Your presence will be felt even when you are not present.

Grace- I will forgive, forget and extend to you grace. I will always try to make your life better.

Photography - Sun Kissed Rose

2011-11-11T06:00:00.002-06:00

Taken in October 2011.

Photography - A Rose by Any Other Name...

2011-11-10T06:00:00.002-06:00

This is not the best image or composition but here's what I like about it:

1. I like the curve of the stem.
2. I like the brick pattern on the right background.
3. I like the leaf hanging down from above.

Photography - You Never Promised Me a Rose Garden

2011-11-09T06:00:00.002-06:00

My one rose bush in my backyard went crazy blooming in October.

Photography - One last kiss

2011-11-08T06:00:00.002-06:00

I love this photo of the tulip that was reaching out of the vase. Nature really is a wonderful place to gather inspirations for artwork.

Music Monday - So Pure

2011-11-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

I always liked this song but I fell in love with the video.

I broke the country cycle. But, it probably won't last long.

Forty Fifth Sunday

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

Life is short,

but there is

always time

enough for

courtesy.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Journal - Many Hearts Create One Love

2011-11-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

I saw someone elses illustration of something similar to this and had to draw my own.

Photography - Kisses

2011-11-04T06:00:00.005-05:00

Tulips & Irises from Chris.

Or, Hugs & Kisses from Chris.

Photography - Hugs & Kisses

2011-11-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Oops. I've run out of paintings. Because, I haven't been painting.

Chris sent me flowers in October. It was called the Hugs & Kisses arrangement and they were beautiful. I enjoyed them at work and then brought them home to enjoy. I took this photo because I liked the way the tulip reached out to the right reminding me of the cantilever design compisition so I think I'm going to paint these one day. I will simply the background to be more of solid.

I'll leave out the kitchen water spout, too.

Flying Heart - Deep Peace

2011-11-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

Acrylic & Collage on paper.
Size:

The collage portion reads:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.

Deep peace of the running waves to you,

Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the smiling stars to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

Hearts - Broken but Beautiful

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

acrylic on paper
size:

Music Monday - Take a Back Road

2011-10-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

5 weeks of country music...

Happy Birthday, Drew! I can't believe 11 years has gone by since I held you in the blue light of the cloud lamp in your first bedroom. You were such a sweet baby and you've grown into being such a sweet boy.

Forty Fourth Sunday

2011-10-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.

- Henry David Thoreau

Journal - Texas Live

2011-10-29T06:00:00.012-05:00

Flying Hearts - I Know

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Acrylic & Collage on paper.
Size:

It's wonderful to simply know that you are loved because you feel it in every fiber of your body.

Flying Hearts - Love is Free

2011-10-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on paper
Size

Hearts - Monochrome Red Study

2011-10-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on paper
Size:

Hearts - In blue color study

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

12 x 12" Acrylic on panel board

Color study

Music Monday - Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not

2011-10-24T06:00:00.005-05:00

I love the phrase "Shut up and kiss me" which is not in this song but I still love it. The End. Now enjoy the song.

Forty Third Sunday

2011-10-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give.

- Walt Whitman

Journal - Bob's Trees

2011-10-22T06:00:00.015-05:00

I'm such a hug fan of Bob Burridge and all of his paintings. His landscapes of trees are some of my favorites. I feel so fortunate to have been able to learn from him and to watch him paint. It is truly a beautiful thing to watch.
His painting below is one of my favorites because the trees are forming hearts. The way he gets the light to shine through is amazing. So beautiful.

Hearts - Shut Up & Kiss Me

2011-10-21T06:00:00.005-05:00

6x6"Acrylic & Collage on Canvas

Hearts - J26

2011-10-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

6x6" Acrylic on Canvas

This needs work and I'll probably paint over it but it's kind of sweet. I traced JB's hand on the canvas before I went to the workshop.

Hearts - Moon Hearts

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Much like yesterdays post here is a study I did with the heart being the moon.

I had them all looking exactly the same with the heart moon moved in the one but Bob wanted me to make them more different. I didn't change much in them as you can see but I'm not really that in love with them so they'll probably all change.

Below is the 6 x 6" version.

And now 8 x 8" version.

12 x 12" version.

And finally the 24 x 24" version

And now all together.

Hearts - Black & White

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Look at these four hearts that I painted at the Burridge Workshop this past August.

They look a lot alike, right? And they are.

Except the one below is 6 x 6 inches.

And the one below is 8 x 8 inches.

And this one is 12 x 12 inches.

And my favorite one is 24 x 24 inches.

I like this on best because I like the way it runs off the edge.

Here they are all photographed together.

Music Monday - Don't You Wanna Stay

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, I do wanna stay.

Forty Second Sunday

2011-10-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Just tell yourself,

"Duckie, you're

really quite lucky!"

- Dr. Seuss

Journal - Bricks

2011-10-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

I needed a break from my watercolor pencils so I broke out just my regular pencils.

Hearts - 6x6 Black & White

2011-10-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Bob Burridge does small studies of pears. Watch this video to see what I mean.

I struggle with lighting so I decided I would do my own version of pears but with hearts.

Below is a 6x6" canvas painting I did while at the workshop and next week is going to be all hearts. Most of them painted at the workshop.

I will most likely go back and add color to this one but right now I'm enjoying the simplicity of it.

Guitars - Yellow & Orange Head Stock

2011-10-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on Canvas
24 x 24"

Guitars - Dueling Blues Revised. Again.

2011-10-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

Acrylic & Collage on Paper
Size 15x22"

This painting won't go away and seeing where it came from and where it is now it's still not done. Where will it go next?

Guitars - Black & White plus Orange Electric Guitar

2011-10-11T09:50:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on paper
Update Size

Music Monday - Crazy Girl

2011-10-10T06:00:00.008-05:00

Forty First Sunday

2011-10-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Do more than belong:

Participate.

Do more than care:

Help.

Do more than believe:

Practice.

Do more than be fair:

Be Kind.

Do more than forgive:

Forget.

Do more than dream:

Work.

- William Ward.

Journal - Cupcakes

2011-10-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Guitars - Black & White Plus Orange

2011-10-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

Acrylic on paper
11x15"

Just a quick study. This will change.

Guitars - Green Bass Head Stock Study

2011-10-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on canvas
6 x 6"

Not complete

Guitars - Head Stock in Blue Study

2011-10-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Acrylic on Canvas
8 x 8"

Will come back and add more to this one. Most likely.

Guitars - Black and White Head Stock Study

2011-10-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

Acrylic on Canvas
8x8"

I think I will evenutally go back and add to this but it was a good study piece as I struggle with lighting.

Music Monday - Honey Bee

2011-10-03T06:00:00.005-05:00

I am on a serious country kick lately which I love since I grew up loving country music.

Fortieth Sunday

2011-10-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

And as we let

our own light shine,

we unconsciously

give other people

permission

to do the same.

- Nelson Mandela

Journal - More Love I Know

2011-10-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

Guitars - Dare to Dream

2011-09-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

Acrylic
Size: 10x12"

Guitars - Live Your Dreams

2011-09-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Acrylic

Size:9x11"

I'm pretty sure I painted over something else that was featured previously that I just decided didn't work. Painted prior to workshop. Love the movement.

Guitars - From Our Hearts

2011-09-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

Acrylic
Size: 11x15"

It has a glare in the bottom right corner. Bummer. Painted before I left for workshop.

Guitars - Texas Guitar

2011-09-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Acrylic on Canvas
8 x 8"

Music Monday - Home

2011-09-26T06:00:00.004-05:00

I love this song because it embodies how it should feel to be in love. It doesn't matter where we are as long as we are with our loved ones.

Thirty Ninth Sunday

2011-09-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Be a good listener.

Your ears will

never get you

in trouble.

- Frank Tyger

Journal - Love Letters

2011-09-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Guitars - Texas 14

2011-09-23T06:00:00.007-05:00

A note on the series I've been showing this week - I'm not sure they're done.

Acrylic on paper

11x15"

Guitar - American Guitar Head Stock

2011-09-22T06:00:00.003-05:00

Acrylic on paper
11x15"

Guitars - Patriotic

2011-09-21T06:00:00.003-05:00

Last week I showed you this painting. It's 24 x 24" on canvas. I like it but the vision I orginially had was a rectangular painting.

I started the painting below at home and got it to where it is now.

Acrylic on paper.
15x22"