Impressions

I realized that this was the best picture I took of my children on Easter. This particular picture is worth one million words, it has it all...just not at all what most people try to captured in your traditional Easter photo......
     -No Sunday best but rather pajamas and dress up cowgirl boots on one and a swimsuit on another.
     -Comical amounts of dirt on clothes and faces.
     -I am pretty sure this could be the first Easter photo with an "heirloom" hatchet clutched protectively in a seven-year-old hand (Thank you Grandpa Tom).
     -A look of pure disgust at having been bossed around by his sister a moment earlier.
     -All photo subjects completely distracted by the incredible Nature Planet quality bird show to my right.

I may still stage a more formal Easter best photoshoot, but in truth, it was an AMAZING Easter evening spent with Grandma down in the cattails.

I am joining themamabyrd in her weekly impressions. Feel free to join:)

The Field

The Field

5x7

Oil on canvas

I painted this painting and it made me think of my sweet mother-in-law. She is the daughter of a shepherd. It is hanging in her home today. Love that sweet gal.

Water Weenies

Water Weenies

36x24

Oil on Canvas

I am gearing up to start some large oil paintings. This painting sold a few years ago, but I have never posted it. My lovely nieces are all in college (almost) now. They were so sweet and adorable playing in the pool with me that day. 

Arden

Arden

11x14

Oil on canvas

I did this painting for an old coach/friend of mine. His young daughter swimming. So beautiful. 

Wheat Field with LarkS

They Fly Together

20x24

Oil on Canvas

This is my VanGogh  collaboration. I completed this painting before we moved, but I don't think I ever posted it. 

I LOVE VanGogh's original "Wheat Field With Lark". Yeah, there is just one lark in the original. I LOVE his colors and handling of grass and I really wanted to try it out. All through my studies in art we are repeatedly taught about how much artists learn by copying the work of the great Masters. The Masters themselves spent countless hours in the Louve or other museums,  or in cathedrals, or churches copying Master-works. I believe Van Gogh himself did it.

Well, I am here to add to the testimony. It is truly a learning experience. I was putting so much paint on that canvas and in such pure colors...it scared me a little. Honestly!

I did make one change. I added another lark. I know, blasphemy right!? But I read Irving Stone's book,  Lust for Life. It is the story of VanGogh life. I thought about that book the whole time I was painting. It really brought to mind the importance of have a companion. Someone to fly with. So, I decided to add another lark, and I gave the painting to my husband. Forgive me art-purists..but it just felt right.

The log home

Huntsville Barn

5x7

Oil on canvas

Another barn collaboration with one of my Dad's photos. It is a nice little painting. I know he would want us all to move forward and not be sad. I am very happy, but I still really miss him.

Impressions

Apparently, deer LOVE Weeping Cedars.

The surprise photos

You know that other woman in my house?

Sometimes, without my knowing, she gets a hold of my camera.

I don't know until I am downloading my disc and I come across an interesting series of pictures.

I love when this happens.

 

It is like getting to peek inside her mind...

and getting to see  what she finds beautiful, 

and fun.

I think her pictures are some of my favorites.

I will have to strategically leave my camera around so she will take some more.:)

Impressions

"Don't lift the blindfold, honey."

"But I can't see it."

Some call it cheating. In his beautiful sweet young mind it is simple problem solving.

Joining my friend Mamabyrd in her weekly Impression.

Impressions

Several impressions.....

(Forgive my cheating....I have never been good at picking just ONE picture anyway:))

-I have been told, eventually the water will be too where I am standing. In the meantime, it appears my children are just going to walk on out to meet it.

-What better way to spend your first day of Spring than with friends on a beach.

-Ohhh my heart aches to see them getting so big, and yet I am so happy for them.


I am joining themamabyrd in her weekly Impressions.

Apple Blossoms

Apple Blossoms

6x6

Oil on panel

Happy first day of Spring! 

The First Summer

The First Summer

12x12

Oil on Canvas

Young and in love. Isn't it inspiring? This is another young couple that "modeled" for me for a summer or two. I repeatedly said to myself, "Beautiful", every time I took a picture of them. So young and so sparkly.

Whew! I was dealing with some wicked glare on the painting when I shot the photo of the painting. I will have to seriously problem solve glare. It certainly is a problem when shooting large areas of dark paint. Still... I think the general idea of the painting is apparent.

Impressions

When the bus drops them off in the afternoon, he runs out to welcome them home too, everyday.

Roommate Perks

       Some years ago I had my first roommate. Well, she wasn't a roommate in the traditional way because I was married, with two children. But she was the closest thing to a roommate I have ever had. She stayed with us for such a short stint, she was between degrees and needed only temporary housing. I think she was possibly they best roommate a girl could hope for. Here is a short and not complete list of the perks of our roommate...

 -My sink was dirty dish free during her entire visit.:) It was heavenly!

-We had a live in babysitter for date night.

-She introduced us to The Office (which my sweet husband and I enjoyed until Dwight got married and Jim and Pam moved away, sigh). 

-She taught me how to run a marathon. 

-She introduced me to Twilight (Yes, I said Twilight as in the vampire series). 

-She introduced me to the internet (Yes, I said internet), actually I knew about the internet before she moved in and even used it on occasion, but she opened my eyes to it's true possiblities:) 

-She gave me my first IPOD.

-She taught me how to buy and wear jeans like a modern girl should. 

-She introduced me to the idea of blogging and even helped me get this one started, it just took me a couple years to cotton on to the idea. 

There were so many things she taught me, but the most predominate one, in my opinion, was how to really make a birthday cake. 

He loved it:)

Thank you my sweet long-distance friend.

Look Up

Look Up on 1st Street

24x18

Oil on Canvas

It was such a lovely evening. My mother-in-law and I had gone for an evening drive, and she patiently waited while I did some sketching. On the way home we were given such a beautiful sky.

I am so excited for my painting projects this week! I hope to have some good ones to post before the  weeks end:)

Impressions

I have the nicest friends. I even have a cute little jar to prove it. She is so "Sweet".


I am joining up with my friends at  themamabyrd.blogspot.com. Please feel free to join us and leave your weekly impression here or there.

Three Years

Three Years

6x6

Oil on Panel

For this day I decided to paint something I love very much, because he loved it sooo much. Patriotism is one of the best gifts he left me. I can not see a flag without forcibly thinking of him. It is a funny dichotomy....to have something make you smile and choke up with tears at the same time.  

While He Sleeps

While He Sleeps

6x8

Graphite

He has been telling me that is hair is a lot like Harry Potters. He likes that it lays all over, he refuses to let us cut it.:)

The Tree on the Monterey Peninsula

The Tree on the Monterey Peninsula

8x6

Graphite

Here is another hint, for those of you still playing along at home. I won't say if those of you who have guessed are right or not, yet. I'll wait until the reveal later this week.

Peach Blossoms

Peach Blossoms

6x6

Oil on Panel

I have a stack of things I want to paint, about 7 inches high. 

To help me focus, I have decided upon a theme for the week.

 See if you can guess my theme by the weeks end.