Rainbows from Real Life

I actually wrote this post a while back, thought I had posted it and discovered today I hadn't. I love the days I get to spend with my girls so much that I can't help but post this now.

***

 Today we painted "rainbows from real life," as my daughter called them. It was raining on and off throughout the day but the sun was up and shining bright so there were rainbows to be seen.
A fun day all around. I was happy to spend some much needed time with my two favorite girls.

Medium: Watercolor

Scribble of Trees

I needed a mini vacation so I scribbled these trees on a lake. 

Somehow it helped, but now I want to go camping. 

Medium: Permanent Marker on White Paper with Digital Finishing

Missing Out

				Image Source: Vincent's House in Arles (The Yellow House) - http://www.vggallery.com

First impressions are often what drive our opinion of a person, event, or even work of art. For example, I've never particularly cared for the work of Vincent Van Gogh. However, driven by the desire for a little art enrichment, I had the pleasure of taking an art history course last year. It was through this course I was introduced to Van Gogh's letters. The perspective I gained from reading his letters encouraged me to take a second look at what I once had passed up. 

Unfortunately, I had formed my initial opinion based on a single statement made by a friend (who was an admirer of Van Gogh's work). I am not sure why the statement had turned me off, and to be honest I can't even remember what the statement was. What I do know is, I was missing out, and for years I held a negative opinion of Van Gogh's work without any real justification. I had subconsciously made it a point to ignore his work whenever possible. 

The art history class forced my hand, requiring me, not only to review his work but also establish a relationship with the artist through letters he and his family had written. After reading the letters I realized the way in which Van Gogh wrote about his art, and its inspiration, was very different from what I had imagined. He seemed upbeat and inspired by life. I particularly liked when he wrote about using color to add emotion to his paintings. Even in the letters where he seemed deflated by his progress or situation there was something I could connect with.

I was intrigued by how Van Gogh's letters transformed him from a famous artist to an ordinary person. I had always wondered what kind of life famous painters of centuries past had lived, yet for some reason I never made the connection to "ordinary" until I read these letters. He seems like a typical young adult searching for a place he could turn his calling into a career. After reading his thoughts on the acceptability of his artistic approach by others, I started to think about how much art has changed. It is amazing to see the transformation art has made over the centuries.

I have discovered an appreciation for Van Gogh's work which I never thought I would have. I can't say I like all of his paintings, in fact there are only a few I do like. However, I am more cautious about forming a negative opinion of an artist, and his or her work, without any real justification.

Whether you like Van Gogh's work or not, I hope you will take some time to read his letters. Often it takes some form of personal connection to an artist to help you connect with their work. I think when it comes to what we might call the Masters we feel obligated to like their work because society has told us how great they are. However, I think it is still important to find our own understanding and connection to their work, good or bad, it improves the experience. My story is a perfect example of what the majority of people miss when it comes to viewing and experiencing art... a relationship with the artist.


P.S. Here are two of my favorite pieces by Van Gogh.

 Image Source: Blossoming Almond Tree - Vincent Van Gogh - http://www.vggallery.com

 Image Source: Green Ears of Wheat - Vincent Van Gogh - http://www.vggallery.com

Precious Moments

Here is a new piece I did for a friend of mine. It's a picture of her sister and nephew. It's a sweet moment that takes me back to when my girls were babies. It warms my heart with happy memories, as I hope it will for her and her family.

Medium: Charcoal on Smooth White Bristol

Words

Here is another poem I wrote a while back, when I was reminded how important effective communication is and how tough it can be to achieve. 

My words are not always bold.

Sometimes dim and sometimes old,

new, bright, thin, or cold.

Mostly clean, or with a little mold.

Sometimes smart...or so I'm told.

Some words they come with crease and fold,

often loose and hard to hold.

Some are tight and neatly rolled,

packed and wrapped, but never sold.

Some like teeth they must be pulled,

and some, like cattle, should be culled.

(The picture is another one of my permanent marker drawings... I was playing with words.... sorry, I couldn't help it.)

Medium: Black Permanent Marker with Digital Editing

Something Different

Every once in a while I like to try something different. I love branching out and trying different forms of art. It is fun to see what I create, but even better when I find something I really enjoy. I haven't decided how I feel about poetry, however I have written a few pieces. Good or bad it was fun to try. 

When my oldest daughter was born I wrote this poem.

***

She is the image of true beauty 

in body, mind, and spirit.

I am captivated by her, 

as if I am narcissus staring at my own reflection.

I cannot pull myself away, 

afraid she will vanish in an instant.

Her soul is pure and unblemished.

She is a gift to this world, 

              ...entrusted to my care.

I am blessed beyond all measure, 

euphoric, and afraid.

She is my baby, 

my joy, 

my pain, 

my love, 

my future.

A New Old Rug

Rather than spend a ton of money on a new rug, my mom decided to take the large white rug she already had and refurbish it. She cleaned the old rug and this last Sunday we spent the afternoon dying it. Neither of us have ever done something like this before so it was a lot of fun trying something new. I think it turned out pretty good. I can't wait to see what it looks like in her living room.

Time Out!

Well, like it or not I have been forced to take a short time out from all normal activities. It still amazes me how a little pneumonia can knock you right off your feet. Despite my efforts to continue with every scheduled event I had on my calendar this last week, I was forced to cancel quite a few, including some photo editing and finishing a few oil paintings I had started several weeks ago. I am kinda bummed, to say the least. Normally when I am forced to take a sick day I look at it as an opportunity to work on some art or read a book... not this time. I just haven't been able to find the energy to put towards much of anything. There have been some high points. I got to attend both my girl's swim lessons, something I haven't gotten to do in the past. Down side is I forgot to take my camera so I didn't get any photos for their scrap books. Hopefully I will have another chance to get some pictures before they are done for the summer. Tomorrow it's back to work and I am hoping this also means I will have more art to share with you soon. For now I will continue to pray for energy and healing while I add more projects to my to-do list.