Why is it so hard to let go, to relinquish control? The old saying goes, if you love someone let them go…? Well anyway, being a ‘mum’ is one of the most painful, yet rewarding experiences a person can have in my opinion. Oh how I remember the longing to have a baby, how sweet. I remember saying…”let’s have a baby” ❤ oh my…it was such a joyous time, it was a time of bliss, to have this tiny human growing inside, bringing that life into this world and nurturing them. Oh how lovely to watch them learn and grow into this beautiful young adult. Even with all of the pain of heartaches and struggles along life’s path, I can honestly say it was worth it. But the time comes when that life, that was once so dependent on me, needs to spread their wings and fly…oh what a bitter-sweet experience. I long to hold on, but I know I can’t…it would be a detriment if I did…so to love is to let go, to love is to set aside ones own desires in order to allow the other to be free, to make their own way. It has been an investment of time, tears, prayers and yes…love.
“The more you invest in anything, the more you get out of it. That’s true in any area of life. David Leffel
“When I first started painting I just thought it was something I’d like to do — and if I could make some money at it, then I didn’t have to get a job! As I went further into it, I needed confirmation that the things I was discovering in paint were true. I found that if it was true in painting, it was also true in life. Painting is like an interlocking set of relationships — color, edges, values, thick and thin, etc. Life is the same. Everything is interrelated. All of life is like one big, interlocking relationship. Everything you do has a consequence to everything else.” David Leffel
I absolutely love the light, this girl played Andree (the model who married Renoir’s son) in the film Renoir.
The images in the film are so beautiful. I don’t always have the luxury of having a model so I seek sources that are challenging yet beautiful.
According to behavioral research conducted at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, nature provides us with a simple way to improve emotional health – FLOWERS. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behavior in a positive manner far beyond what is normally believed.
A team of researchers explored the link between flowers and life satisfaction in a 10-month study of participants’ behavioral and emotional responses to receiving flowers. The results show that flowers are a natural and healthful moderator of moods.
Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. All study participants expressed “true” or “excited” smiles upon receiving flowers, demonstrating extraordinary delight and gratitude. This reaction was universal, occurring in all age groups.
Flowers have a long-term positive effect on moods. Specifically, study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers, and demonstrated a higher sense of enjoyment and life satisfaction.
Flowers make intimate connections. The presence of flowers led to increased contact with family and friends.
“Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy,” said Dr. Haviland-Jones. “Now, science shows that not only do flowers make us happier than we know, they have strong positive effects on our emotional well being.”
My paintings of flowers are more than just representations, they inspire joy, they brighten your environment and they last. In harmony with the image of the flowers there are the brushstrokes, the texture, the color…one can be absorbed into a painting for any length of time and every time may discover something about it that transmits a wealth of happiness and satisfaction.
Some of these paintings are available. They vary in price. You can contact me here or my social media for more information.
I met Valerie at the PureNorth S’energy Foundation. She is so sweet and attentive. The very first time I went to the Dental Clinic I handed her my card and months later when I went for the Tennant Clinic [pain relief] she remembered me which made me feel good.
I couldn’t help but notice that she has much the same taste in her style of dress as my youngest daughter and so this was the beginning of my topic of conversation with her. She is a very gentle and caring young lady and I felt that there was an instant connection with her.
I invited Valerie to come over to my studio for a portrait painting session, I admitted that I need all the practice I can get painting from life, she agreed to do that. Today was the big day, she sat patiently for me and we had a good time. We talked about many different topics and that really touches my heart because she is near the same age as my children, so to have a young person converse with me is very rewarding.
I pray that she was equally rewarded by having this experience, because making memories and having experiences is what it is all about. I hope to give back to her many times over in the near future through classes. It was the beginning of hopefully many more sessions. 🙂
These two Irises are among some of my favorite paintings because they were done in “premiere coup” style…that means first strike or first blow.
The process for me is I intentionally decide the color, the direction of the brush stroke and the pressure of the brush stroke all before ever touching the brush to the surface that I am painting on.
As I make each brush stroke I leave it exactly as it was when laid down on the canvas or board without retouching or reworking it. This means that the process of each stroke is done in my mind first, it is a contemplative practice that can be very freeing and in many ways healing.
This direct painting method that has no underpainting layers and no drawing, it is simple, intuitive and fresh… from me through the brush to the surface. .
I think it is similar to Chinese painting in some sense because of the immediacy of it.
You will be able to see the brushstrokes in the close up photos below.
Thank you for visiting my page, I hope you enjoy it.
I don’t need to tell anyone how trying life is these days. Everyone on earth is aware that things are not …so peaceful.
One of the most glaring of trials is that of war; the atrocities of taking another human, life for whatever reason, doesn’t sit well with many of us yet… it is happening. We see evidence of the toll it is taking in the weary eyes all around us and we feel helpless, it is upsetting to say the least, emotions are high and trust is low.
Disease is also very high on this list as we see so many who are suffering, hospitals are jammed… if one can afford to go to a hospital. Children are suffering with so many more illnesses than the world has ever seen and the blaming… doesn’t stop. “Who is at fault?” is the question on many minds; we simply want to find answers so that we can save the children and comfort those in agony.
Our food is another extreme concern, simply because the very substance that was created to heal us, is making us sick; oh yes…tampering with the seeds plays a enormous role in this dilemma. Pollution, water contamination and soil depletion are a few of the concerns we, our children and grandchildren are encountering.
Economy, here is an enormous giant that has been overstuffed and yet is never satisfied and while sitting on the structure made from splinters it’s foundation is about to collapse threatening to cause the monstrous giant to come tumbling down on top of the nations…you and me.
So far I have only given you a brief sketch of some of the issues this world is facing, and I am sure we all know that there is so much more going on; we cannot even imagine.
Knowledge is increasing at an incredible rate as a result of the internet, you can have your wildest dreams brought right in front of you in your own home; it will fill your mind with so much to buy, so much to know, so much to do, so much to hear and it keeps everyone very hectic. So busy that there is no time for family, no time for friends no time for love…no time for… peace and quiet.
This painting is filled with symbolism.
The tree is a symbol for one who is living a good life, like a tree planted by the rivers of water. This tree is bearing fruit in its season, it is spreading out the branches to give shade on a hot day. This tree is strong to withstand any storm and it is beautiful. The tree has many meanings, in this painting the tree represents a human being who is living a life in harmony with the Creator he is planted firmly by the water where he will never be thirsty, he is strong to withstand any storm and gives shelter to those who abide near him.
The water in this painting is a symbol for Living Waters, water that satiate the dry and thirst land …you will never thirst again because it is the water of life, it is the Life Giver dwelling us and continually flows through us quickening us and pouring out His life giving truth to others that we touch.
The horse is a symbol of the Pure Spirit in us Who gently shows us the way to walk, who quietly waits to answer us whenever we call on Him, He is watching, listening and interceding on our behalf with words that cannot be uttered.
The light is a symbol of being illuminated, it comes from the One who made light, HE illuminates the mind by opening the eyes and causing the blind to see.
Ah peace, yes beautiful peace… there is one source where we can find true peace for our souls, a peace that is there even in the most difficult trials, it fills with assurance that our Creator is Sovereign over all, we trust Him and He never lets us down.
Over the past years I have come to the realization that a painting is not just something captured on a board or canvas to look at. It is the experience that the artist has encountered, it is time which the artist has captured and held still onto the surface in order to be revisited over and over again. A painting to inspire, or stir up one’s emotions or speak out against tyranny…or simply is beautiful to behold are all meaningful and historical pieces ensuring perpetual discourse to as many souls as possible.
A painting or any other art work is antiquity, fleeting moments that are stilled and preserved for years to come.
This is a piece of the artist, drawing snippets and morsels from their life experiences that has brought them (me) to that particular point in time. What value can we place on that?
This is a session that I had with a beautiful young lady named Leah. She is a nurse who works for Pure North S’ynergy Foundation http://www.purenorth.ca/ she works so hard, most often at the homeless shelter http://www.theseed.ca/ starting in the wee hours of the morning in order to help the vulnerable before they head out the door for the day.
Leah is also co-founder of an orphanage called Darja Foundation here is the link. https://www.facebook.com/darajafoundationinc?pnref=story http://www.daraja.ca/
Daraja means bridge in Swahili, isn’t that lovely? Isn’t that what life is all about bridging relationships between fellow, flesh and blood human beings? 🙂
I met Leah at Pure North (which is another story for another time but please read about them, the founder of this program is a very generous and caring man Allan Markin) and have had the pleasure of spending time with her creating our artwork.
Leah lost all of her art supplies (among other things) in the Calgary flood that happened in 2013 and that is why she comes to paint with me at my studio. She paints her artwork while I paint her. We spend our time working and listening to music while we get to connect and share our experiences in life.
This thing called art has brought me in touch with a lovely young lady who has blessed my life.
Thank you Leah and thank you to all of you who stop by and take the precious time to read and comment.
Going out to my dad’s at any time of year will always prove to be a beautiful experience. I love the country, not only is it peaceful but there are so many stunning views in a landscape full of simplistic, delicate, natural beauty.
This is one of those times when the sunset was just so breathtakingly soft yet warm, shining onto the snow, displaying intimate, soft pastel colours contrasted against the naked trees and bushes.
It is so satisfying for me to paint thin layers of paint onto the canvas and see the bounty of life’s blessings come alive.
Love is truth …if there is someone in my life that I have not forgiven it will constantly be there…nagging at me (and you) like a shadow. If that someone that I withheld grace from is me, then there is the possibility that the shadow of unforgiveness becomes larger and larger until it will overtake any rays of peace and light. Forgiveness is a key to love, to happiness, to peace and harmony. Today and everyday, I choose to live in forgiveness.
Yellow Roses signify Friendship, Joy, Get Well
Throughout history, yellow has been closely associated with the sun, making these roses excellent for cheering people up. Yellow roses send a message of appreciation and platonic love without the romantic subtext of other colors. The color represents feelings of joy and delight.
heatherdawnfineart 