Bridge Over Sad Waters

Journal

We lost my former father-in-law yesterday ... an especially sad time for my children. He was very good to me and we remained friends even after his son and I ended our marriage.

I painted this to cheer myself and didn't realize the symbolism until after it was finished.

May he rest in peace.

Light

 
Journal

Rain --- again.

This time of year the evening hours seem darker and deeper and colder ...

The need for light grows strong, and I crave candles, firelight and all things bright against the dark ... and the cold.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A MOST JOYOUS CHRISTMAS!!

From the Nativity

Journal

Rain still pelting the windows and flooding the streets .. sure do wish it were snow instead.

These figurines are from my mom's antique Nativity scene ... they're chipped and aged and worn with the years -- and though I have newer versions, I love the tie to family and holiday they represent.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing for Snow

It's raining again -- so I'm turning the rain to snow -- at least on my page!!! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Future Sketch Artists

My daughter and her family celebrated Christmas with us this weekend during their visit. I had created individualized sketch journals for each of the grandchildren ... You can see by these images -- they loved them ...! And the ten and six year olds already completed several pages! My youngest granddaughter told me that she sketched people so well because 'She was 'almost' an artist'!" Maybe she'll feel like a 'real artist' by the time she's six and a half !!! LOL


From Taylor, age 10

And from my "Almost an Artist" 6 year old granddaughter:

First Snow!

Journal

My daughter's family is visiting and we're celebrating Christmas this weekend with her family and my two youngest granddaughters. We invited their two older cousins (my son's) to stay with us for a rollicking COUSIN time! Imagine the bliss yesterday morning when we awoke to unexpected SNOW FLURRIES!! The kids donned jackets and gloves and ran around the property trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues!

A Confectionery Blessing to our Celebrations!

Nandina

Journal

A quick sketch as I waited for our weekend company!  The holiday celebrations have begun!

Fall Barn

Overcast and rainy today -- a perfect day to stay inside and prepare holiday cookies. Thought I would warm up a bit with this memory of August ...

Let It Snow!!

Journal

Though sunshine and temperatures in the 50s make snow impossible, whenever I use these salt and pepper shakers, I can pretend we're all surrounded by SNOW!

Wishful thinking!

Smelts

Journal

Though yesterday began with frost on the fields, it turned into a beautiful day - sunshine and in the low 60s! I went into Raleigh to pick up some paintings, have lunch with a friend, and do some holiday grocery shopping. What a joy it was to find fresh SMELTS! This cold water fish is a family tradition - though it's very challenging to find them in my part of North Carolina except once in a while during the holidays. I bought all they had on display .. and will fry these into golden 'chips' for my family's Christmas Eve dinner.

That meal will be even more special this year with memories AND food!

Pepper

Sketchbook Skool -
Pepper

Sketch of my cat, Pepper, in his 'half asleep' eye look .. resting in his bed under my art table.  Yes, he's a BIG boy -- almost 20 pounds of muscle!

A Page from my Journal

November 30 
A page from my journal -

An absolutely gorgeous day yesterday - sunshine and warm. A walk at the GAP - pines and this marsh elder - the colors we see. Lots of walkers and joggers. A simple pizza for dinner.


I really am enjoying my journal sketching and writing time. I began sketching and painting nine years ago but keeping such a journal was neglected over the years I focused on painting. Journaling has been a really good 'return' for me.

It's been wonderful, too, to have that bit of quiet time spent on reflection and contemplation without thought of perfect paintings, matting and framing. Good skill practice too.

I'm still painting for the classes I teach, gifts, and sales, but these journals are what they first were to me - a place to think, dream, meditate, reflect, practice, plan.

It's like filling the well ...