Original art, art classes, plein air, Lake Saint Louis, MO

I heard some rather distressing news on Christmas day....an old family friend had passed, to celebrate Jesus birthday in heaven as said by the family. When put that way, I don't know whether to be happy for Marvin, or sad that their holiday was spent without this special, husband, father, and grandfather.

We get so busy in our lives, with all the "things". The job, the house,money, or lack of it, the family dramas, and then when something like the passing of such a special man, falls on a special day, it makes you stop and think, "What was all the fuss about, until, this?" Then, I think, what do you say, to the people left behind? While everyone in the world is celebrating a joyous time of year, they are mourning someone so special to them. What in the world can you do, or say, that could possibly alleviate the pain they are suffering of this moment in time, even a little bit? Send flowers? Just doesn't seem right, afterall, what do they do, die? How do these people feel when that happens? Everyone sends flowers, and a lot of them get donated somewhere. That didn't seem right to do. A card? Food? hhhh...What I really wished is that I had taken the time to go visit, but I didn't. Kept saying I wanted to, but I didn't, and so here we are.An opportunity missed.

Marvin was a sweet gentle man, that I have fond memories of. Probably 50 years or more. What can I say about Marvin? He had a sweet smile and a twinkle in his eye, and he liked his beer. Loved his beer. He and his wife Ruth, were there for me, whether they realize it or not, during a really tough time in my life, and knowing that they were there, meant more to me than either of them will ever know. Many miles separated us, but the memories of this kind man (and his wife) are in my childhood memories. The family get togethers, the camping trips, and what they meant to my mom over the years.

So what do I do? I do what I do best..better than any words I can say, longer lasting than any flowers I can send. I capture a moment in time of Marvin, being Marvin. A gentle moment of him with one of his grandchildren. This is my gift to his wife Ruth. No flowers...no card, now words, just a moment in time, for her to keep. I hope it gives her comfort. It was painted with love.

Bless you Ruth, your children and grandchildren,

with Love,

G

I have been lax on the blog posting of late. I do appologize to those who are looking forward to a post from me now and then. I had not realized I had not posted since we were unpacking, and now it is time for New Years Resolutions! Ofcourse, as usual, my resolution is to be more dedicated to my art and paint every day. This year was rough, with the move, and some major family issues, ie illness, death, drama etc, that I won't go into on this blog. Just lets say that life definately got in the way this year, and until after the first of the year, will continue to do so. At least I have given myself permission to focus on the holidays and family "stuff" for now.  I do however hope to get back to the daily painting, after the new year, at least for a while.

Daily painting, is a good thing. There are artists that say, "I don't need to do"daily painting" because I am dedicated to do my painting every single day. I say, "well, that is great for you!" For me, it is not that simple. I am a wife, a mom, and Oma. Life gets in the way, and making a commitment to paint at least a small something every day, keeps me focused during some of those, tough to focus times. As with many of you, I fall off the wagon, and lose inspiration, get painters block or what ever, and just let time go by with out even going into the studio.  I feel guilt, and even sometimes lose confidence. You know, that "white canvas syndrome" sets in. Every now and then, I have to kick myself in the butt, and remind myself, that even if I don't have "inspiration" at that moment, it will come from going out there and pushing paint around, not by waiting for inspiration to hit. 

Don't get me wrong, I have been painting since the move out here to the high desert in August. I have done at least a dozen plein air paintings, joined a life drawing open studio group, and painted some small pieces, if only to keep my sanity, so it is not like I am rotting out here, which is what I thought would happen....LOL. I have been lax mostly at the promotion end of things. I have given myself permission to just do what I can, and not worry about the rest for now. If you are interested in seeing some of my work, you can go to my facebook, the personal one...The art one, well, remember I said I gave myself permission right? New stuff is not on there either.  I will be posting some of my plein air pieces to my Daily Paintworks site, soon.

Here are a couple pieces I have done while I have been "hanging out" here in the So Cal High Desert:

This one is 6x8 oil on Panel Painted plein air in Valyermo CA click here for DWP Auction on this painting

This one is 8x 10 oil on panel painted in Leona Valley, CA Plein air