Quiet reflections of a fax. Basking in the light of God.
Card -gouache.
Card -gouache.
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All this rain has mushrooms out in full force, unfortunately the mosquitos are in abundance as well.
More rain is expected - it's a good day to paint more cards! While painting I've been listening to a fascinating book: The Secret History of America. By Manly P. Hall. I found track 10, especially interesting. I recommend it for an eye opening education (third eye), I was wondering if there is a: The Secret History of Canada, book out there. No doubts it too, would be a rude awakening. It also makes it easier to understand... why we are where we are & hopefully - what we might do to rectify the situation. I also read two books recently, I enjoyed - well kinda. The Truth About Contagion, was slightly disturbing considering our current situation with our love of 'technology. & the other a fiction: The Guest List -I breezed through in 2 days, great ending. Reading is exercise. Read... turn off the T.V. and give your eyes and brain a work out. Food for the mind. Created to create & striving to be a better artist, I'm also currently reading this: Creating cards... as mentioned before- creating cards is a great way to experiment and make sweet tiny original gifts!
I wanted to share a new paint set I purchased that I am pleased with. seen above, metallic paints -complete with a brush & water brush and sheets to paint for reference - black & while! #Artistro makes it. I purchased off Amazon It's hard to see in the photo but they really glitter in the light and were very affordable, complete with paper- back & white -all in a handy metal tin, should you want to travel paint. I'm using them with my regular gouache for extra enhancement. Below is a friends kitty - 'Ace' the cards in the mail. It's been raining for a few days, I & the forest love it- the dogs not so much, with all the fires across Canada the rain is a welcome gift, I hope it spreads. I've decided to take a social media break as I found some posts I've been reading consumed my thoughts after I turned it off, especially posts regarding children who seems to be caught up in 'politics lately. From bathrooms to pride events & conspiracy theories about trafficking of children, difficult to ponder since so many conspiracy theories have proven true lately. I have no issues with Pride or events/parades but do not agree with pushing them in schools. When I taught art/cartooning in school I was told not to draw holidays or topics like Christmas or even Halloween, so pushing pride as we are witnessing now, seems out of place. Don't draw or celebrate Jesus but encourage Pride? Hmmmmmm.... How is that, 'inclusive' of everyone? I agree love is love. It's also none of my business unless you 'force' it and make it my/our business. I don't agree with encouraging hormone replacement on children, not old enough to understand the life long ramifications. One comedian on social media put it bluntly - he wanted to be a pirate when he was a kid and now is grateful his parents didn't take him seriously & cut off his leg for a peg or poke out his eye for a patch. Teaching children, I witnessed how they changed opinions & wants in weeks let alone years later. As for teachers influencing or keeping information from parents intentionally', is messed up. They are there to educate (not to encourage altering their bodies) on what I'm not sure anymore. No wonder homeschooling is on the rise. Anyway, between that and social media (Facebook & Instagram) not going to be sharing 'news' because of Trudeau and his bill keeping us in the dark, deciding we should be censored, even what content we should be watching. wow. Who would have believed this is Canada we once knew? What did Canadians fight for and lose lives over.. not this. I'll focus for a while on creating cards, painting & spending time with the dogs -Poppy is looking so grey lately, I just want to snuggle her more... less social media -more snuggling. Created to create. I'm in card mode', small paintings that let me explore different ideas & techniques, still creating works of art I can share & hopefully brighten someones day. There will be several deer paintings - all deer taken from images on the trail cameras, deer in all positions & sizes, many in the evening and some as though posing for the camera. Even a few bucks with horns! Deer appear such peaceful creatures, I've seen a few video circulating on social media where deer attack dogs & humans, including a toddler who's parent I presume thought it was a cute moment, understandably -as we also see many pleasant exchanges between man and beast. I think it best to always keep your distance when encountering a wild creature. Bear wearing a daisy crown, Queen of the forest. Would she be> The top predator, especially when with cubs? Or would it be a moose do you think? I'm not sure, I'll research the topic. I love when you see sunlight reflecting on a subject & dancing through the leaves, something am practicing more, just painting it is 'enlightening'. When is summer, I have little desire to paint winter, it will be back soon enough & by then like most Canadians, I shall be anticipating it and all it's beauty! I find painting black creatures- bears, dogs or cats - difficult. Reason for more practice. Everyone who reads this blog or knows me in person is very aware- I love my girls,' my dogs... I will admit I do have moments & this was one where I asked - really? Must you sit with me, in my chair!? Not a big chair either, them all snuggled and comfortable - me sitting on the edge of my seat, so that they remain comfortable. I get frustrated but then remember to just step back & look at that sweetness that LOVES me so much they want to be by my side, always. I am grateful for sharing my chair & heart with these beasts. Maybe, I just need a bigger chair... or a smaller behind! hahaha.
Storm made rice crispy squares (his first time) to bring to church yesterday, it makes me smile every time I think about it... and when we went down for coffee after a mass - as though on cue ' an older gentleman was standing there eating one and said to us -"these are so good"... he did not know he was speaking to the chef! Priceless. heeheehee. Created to create. Grateful for another day to paint! Praise Jesus! :D Use it or lose it... I have several friends/family who are in pain' with different ailments. Some recently acquired, others have been living with it for years. Most days, I find it's not the actual pain but frustrations that come with it that 'hurt' the most. The biggest frustration is having others around that do not understand (luckily for them, they don't feel it) or they disbelieve the degree of pain -because they can't 'see' it. If you see someone with a fresh burn or a bone poking through the skin with a terrible break - many will wince' just looking at another & can indeed imagine their pain. Often, those living with pain you can't see, will be told "it's all in your head" and that is hurtful. I get it though... I've had it said to me several times. I yes, it is mostly in my head... physically. In many cases, I do believe the medical industry does not help - it hurts even further. You can't say I didn't try - failed brain surgery, countless years of tests and prescribed medicines, nothing worked. I know many on several medications at once, all promised to help but in most cases don't, they only mask problems for a while (including antidepressants) and give the illusion that it should not hurt'. We are all aware of the dangers of opiates now, many addicted to them, (some dead from them) long after the injury has healed. I try to point out to people taking many medications that that is often a deadly chemical cocktail. No, I am not a Dr., neither are you, but it doesn't take a Dr. or genius to know... several medicines all tested to help, are not tested to see how they might react with each other. It was sick kids hospital that told me long ago: the medicine Storm was offered, would in fact destroy his organs after years of use. I am thankful they did make me aware, idled us to understanding cannabis which helped & didn't do damage & prevented him from taking deadly medicines' will all sorts of side effects. Because I'm no Dr., most don't listen and all I can do is make people wonder (I hope). In general, I've discovered over the years, people don't think they should be in pain. Pain is a part of life. Just like we 'think we should be happy all the time. There are many reasons to be unhappy, if we learn to balance & live with them, we become better equipped for life overall. God sends people to talk to me, when older people 'now' hurt - I remind them, many children suffer their entire lives with pain, be grateful. People tell me arthritis bothers them or their feet hurt... then I show them my hands and feet- crippled from arthritis, but I'm still walking, still painting and still able to do pretty much everything albeit in pain - use it or lose it. Some days my head hurts so bad, it's uncomfortable to put it on a pillow, I am use to it - & thank God, I am. It has made me more resilient & my faith, stronger. If you are still able to walk, talk, see, hear - (even with aids) give thanks! Many are not. M.A.I.D in Canada has made it much easier to quit.' I can't tell anyone what to do as I know there are days I feel terrible too, but I force myself to paint. We are here to teach others, including living with pain. Teach family & friends compassion & understanding, patience & LOVE. Some of life's lessons are incredibly painful - losing a love one, a lesson some never forget or get over. It's just as important to ease the pain of frustration for the mind, not with pills. Research psilocybin, natural medicines -non addictive. I read about a woman who was set for her assisted suicide but then she tired Ketamine (I think that's what it was) and she felt better and changed her mind. Change your mind, feeling better is a human right. God provided choices - do some research before giving up... learn to live with pain, it allows you to appreciate other things all the more. Netflix or read the book: 'How to change your mind' ...is a good start. Below are a few things I've done/purchased to help ease frustration, that button assist thing is very handy -I had given up on buttons until I got it. Stop focusing on pain and focus on what you might to to ease the frustration, including telling those who say -"it's all in your head" to screw off. Because I have lived with my pain for a long time, I have had people who have apologized for things said in the past - now that they are dealing with pain. Everything changes, go with the flow - it's all part of the lesson -in love. Love for yourself. I am grateful for every day -I thank God by painting. Bears in our backyard. 12 x 9 gouache
With all the rain -the forest greens are so vibrant, I can't count all the different shades. While it rained, I painted the bears caught on the tail cameras. How sweet those tiny cubs are - mom not so much, especially while educating her cubs, not something I want to encounter while exploring the woods with the dogs. Not sweet but magnificent, still. I think they have ventured on as the dogs don't seem to be sniffing the air any longer, or barking at the woods. We have taken (& will continue) to take extra care disposing the trash, especially food scraps & have not filled the bird feeders. We watched (on Netflix) - The Days... 7 days in total... well not quite -as it's still ongoing. About the nuclear power plant in Japan. The last episode in particular was very powerful, a lesson I hope we would learn from others, rather than learn the hard way - as Japan did. Nature destroyed, being claimed by humans... claimed again by nature. Below - a stump just off the driveway - where I can pick mushrooms for a meal. Dryads saddle - beautiful & edible. Thankful for the bear sighting (especially since it was not in person), grateful for another glorious day in Gods garden - Planet Earth. The mushrooms are going to be abundant this coming week, after all that rain! Enjoy the adventure - Rejoice - another day to explore... & paint more bears. The seed is the word of God. Acrylic on round. I pray the seeds I hear/read bloom into a magnificent garden!
I'm trying, every day.. every morning is new opportunity to be better. With God, I can do anything & everything. I am enjoying pondering & painting the word of God! I love how Jesus relates the word of God to seeds - without seeds where would we be - non existent. I also enjoy cannabis seeds - Gods medicine. It rained all night & is to rain all day! Amen! The forest need it - Canada needs it, to put out the fires & nourish the earth and encourage any seeds which still need to sprout- like all the clover seeds in my yard to replace grass. My body is somewhat sore with all the rain so I enjoyed a puff of cannabis - Gods medicine, this a.m. to help with the pain. The other day I gave Poppy & Ginger their yearly bath, they only get 2, one in the early spring & fall or if they stink or get really dirty. They are easy peasy to wash, pop them in the sink, scrub a dub and towel or sunshine dry. They both enjoy it, Daisy does too! Storm spoils her with a few baths a year, her favourite part is hiding' under the towel as she gets dried & we ask - Where's Daisy? Her tail wags and she give us a big smile. Storm gave Arrow her first bath! We both had anticipated that it might not go smoothly, we thought she'd try to escape or jump out of the tub & I am happy to admit -we were both wrong! She loved it and just sat there and didn't make one attempt to escape. Perhaps because she watched Daisy getting her bath the day before. She was dirty, I guess so but she never smelled - now her fur is shiny soft and it's nice to know - giving her a bath will be a pleasure. I'm grateful to Storm for doing it because the small dogs are fine but the big dogs hurt my hands. My desk & paint await! Have a creative yet soggy day, each day is a new day to plant some goods seeds, water them with LOVE & watch them grow Ontario wildlife in my back yard. Love bears all things - including bears.
These images are from a camera on our trail, as adorable as they are - yikes. I know exactly where it is as that's part of our usual walk. The other day as we ventured into the forest the dogs all stopped and started to sniff the air and didn't run ahead like they usually do. I listened to my gut (then tightening) and said lets go' as I turned around back home. Nope & thank goodness as the date from the camera was the day after. It's one thing run into a bear, not that I care to - but even I'm aware - it's another thing to run into a bear with cubs. I don't even want to imagine the possibilities with dogs. Ginger & I are not fast runners & Poppy, I know 'thinks' she could take on a bear to defend her mama bear. Nope. Frig, those babies are cute! It has inspired more bear paintings or two or three! I laughed because I tell everyone, they are welcome to visit but must sleep in a tent, as we don't have a guest room but for some reason now, no one seems excited to do so.. hee hee hee. My mom asked "if it's safe to visit?" lol I still remember the day the bear crossed the front lawn, feet from where I was chilling on the deck, it took a while to calm down that day. Running into one in the woods - no thanks. It was a reminder we all needed though, we have bear spray but never carry it. For the next while I think I'll refrain from a foray. On the camera was also a fisher - like a big mink, raccoon and deer, it's easy to forget sitting on the sofa watching Netflix - we live amongst wild beasts. Dreams come true. For all those that camp in the highlands - be Bear aware as they are out there! I've been told several times, as long as they hear you -they will avoid you - they'll be long gone, still use caution with your camping food & make noise when walking through the woods and keep your dogs safe. I watched a deer attack a dog on an instagram clip, we are in their territory, it's up to us to be careful & safe. I'm grateful to witness a few of Gods creature creations from a distance! I also won't be putting out suet or bird food for a bit, best not to entice the big furry creatures. Love thy neighbour, the bears are my neighbours too! Here before we were. Love bears all things. Love endures all things, including bears in the backyard. 1 Corinthians 13:7. Love bears all things... acrylic on wood.
I painted this bear the same time as the sloth and yesterday read 1 corinthians 13:7 - the perfect line for tis image. Painted before, I couldn't bear to pass up the opportunity to express it again, and again. :). Love does bear all things. Love keeps us going by believing, hoping & enduring. Without Love we give up... & you can't beat the Love of God & Jesus, there is no other love, none as powerful and everlasting. To discover Gods love is a blessing!! It helps one with all other 'love' that doesn't always feel so loving. There are days I don't feel loved or lovable... on those days, I thank Jesus for loving me, always. Another powerful love - is the love from dogs, dogs provide unconditional love & that is why I am positive it is intentional - 'Dog is 'God backwards, to remind us. All who love dogs & are fortunate enough to be loved by a dog (or several) understand this. I've met a few who do not love dogs, I've seen a few who treat dogs like crap... forever chained to a doghouse, never let around to be loved, abused and neglected. Definitely one reason I do not enjoy social media, teaching a new awareness of how cruel some humans can actually be towards these loving beasts, albeit my heart swells to see when they are rescued by a loving human to a forever new home. God knows, God sees. I also know a few who do love dogs like family, as we do love "my girls". When searching for a new home a priority was for my girls to be able to explore, run & bark -free from traffic & humans (who don't like dogs) God put us here. I am forever grateful. Maybe, I need to paint a dog for this series. I'll seek the bible for guidance & sure, I shall find! The dog days of summer are here, 30 degrees several days this week! I feel' it's time to paint a new dog group portrait, each with their favourite things. Enjoy the day & keep your yourself & your dogs cool, I notice the girls like to be inside and will encourage me to do the same, considering they wear fur coats- I think they know best. My furry family on a foray. acrylic on canvas
I Painted an updated pet portrait, it took a while because I'm still missing Scruffy, Bow & Fluffy. It was hard losing 3 pets last year & a couple of humans. I waited until I felt ready, emotionally, to paint them all. I'm pleased with the results, above all it was a joy & wonderful distraction to paint. I didn't look at photos but painted from glancing at my girls and thinking about each personality. Arrow can jump up on the kitchen counter - which she has done a couple of times , once to steal the butter! So, we can't leave any meat out or she'll help herself! She got in trouble for it & appeared very remorseful so hopefully she won't do it again & she has trained us to put all leftovers promptly away, which is good practice anyhow. I once had a Great Dane walk of with the entire roast. A couple of nights ago Poppy started barking & I spanked her, and then I heard she what she was barking at in the early morning hours and I felt bad, she was just being a great tiny watch dog. I've never spanked her & she looked at me devastated... I still feel terrible about it. Never again. When exhausted, I do take my frustrations out on them, we don't play as much and then I get angry at myself. They just want to play, love and snuggle and they are not to blame for the actions of humans, who frustrate me. Quite the opposite. They continually remind me to love & that I am loved. Our favourite game is 'Hide & Seek' - with me always hiding, usually at the end of the driveway or behind a tree, when I see they go off in the wrong direction I usually yell "Peek a boo!!" Then they search by sound. It never gets boring and always has me laughing, when they find me and are overcome with JOY. Love is a dog -or 4... or more. Get a dog - a furry family member to snuggle and bring you joy & teach you to put leftovers away. Below, Daisy's photo bomb and Ying & Yang. Created to create. Yesterday, I started a new 'forest family portrait', so happy I did... today, I had to force myself to take a break as it comes to life. I didn't look at photos but drew from life'... my lovely models happy to pose. Time flies when you're creating something joyful. I'm sure I'll finish today as it's just to much fun to watch appear. Surrounding me in live time, my girls -it's too hot & they are happy to be chilling in the 'tiny studio - big on love. I noticed Sweet Cheeks likes 70's tunes (summer hits) that's when he sings the most, he's not such a terrific singer, not like my last bird but I'm happy to hear him all the same.
Full fire ban effect again, I guess so as now Halifax is on fire, terrible to see & hear of the destruction & evacuations. I just read: if they find out you have indeed started a forest fire - you will pay. I can only imagine how much it must cost - thousands$$$$$. With the fire ban and the recent pranks of setting off fireworks on the TTC, (I hope that kid does get serious punishment - they were well aware of what they were doing. I read the video was sold for money. The company that bought it should be charged for encouraging such acts. I can see fireworks becoming a thing of the past. Good riddance. Some say -it's a Canadian tradition' but when we know better - aren't we supposed to do & be better? If nothing else consider your & your children's hearing, firework displays do damage. Fact. There are some incredible light shows using drones! Mind blowing - let's hope that becomes the new thing, in all honest -I've not researched though, so I don't know how feasible or if any danger' is involved.. either way, traditional fireworks and forest = possible destruction of creatures, fauna and firefighters. Created to create. |