Saturday, January 14, 2012

Thoughts from the Art Room Window

Snowy days are such a treat if you are lucky enough to be able to stay indoors, in your art room with peace and quiet as your closest companions! With or without snow, this is the first time in weeks/months that I've had a couple hours to call my own. Lots of time and energy go to my number one priority: family. But today, I had some time for painting and made a few still lifes in acrylic, pen and ink, pencil and gold marker. Ah, such fun! I see a color scheme, for example, in an old quilt at an antique store, then I pull some color swatches from my Benjamin and Moore case and try to duplicate them using basic colors in acrylic. Once this is done, I start to work on an interior sketch, put that to canvas or board and then decorate with my color scheme. I love putting together an idea, it's my favorite part of any project whether it be sewing or painting. To see a beautiful sunset then think about how those colors would work in a still life gets my creativity stirring. All this takes time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And, it's only a fraction of what is involved. Much of a day could be spent on practicing drawing a chair, or an eye or a shoe. Time is zapped in so many different ways. Even getting my blog updated is a major challenge (I'm not complaining, just whining).l Sadly, sometimes life takes our energy and time because of enduring a loss. I lost my beloved sheep, Betty this past December. I miss her terribly! I had her for 11 years. She was a companion to my horse whom I worry will become depressed. I now spend more time in the barn keeping my horse company and trying to figure out if I should get another sheep for her to mother. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my wonderful grandson Henry is coming for a visit. I've so much to be grateful for! Speaking of being grateful, here is Our Lady's message of January 2, 2012: "Dear Children, As with motherly concern I look in your hearts, in them I see pain and suffering; I see a wounded past and an incessant search; I see My children who desire to be happy but do not know how. Open yourselves to the father. That is the way to happiness, the way by which I desire to lead you. God the Father never leaves His children alone, especially not in pain and despair. When you comprehend and accept this, you will be happy. Your search will end, you will love and you will not be afraid. Your life will be hope and truth which is My Son. I implore you, pray for those whom my Son has chosen. Do not judge because you will all be judged."