Home Sweet Home

Since I'm off in the summer (because I work in a school), I am enjoying the little things like peonies in an old jar, the birds singing early in the morning and the amazing stars outside last night at 3:30 am when I took the dog out (ok this morning, not last night).  I am appreciating all the little moments of being home, so I just finished this painting titled "Home Sweet Home." 

We've been talking constantly about wanting to live on the lake soooo badly, but it's not in the cards for us now (maybe never).  But, I have to remember we do have a great home and we need to see how lucky we are instead of wishing for more and someone else.  It really is a home sweet home feeling when we're here and I need to remember that when I feel like it's not enough--because it is.  It is more than enough.  It has our personal touches and comforts which are priceless.  Doing this painting helps me remember to enjoy what we have AND enjoy each moment, not looking for another one but the one we have right now.

Of course, this painting is for sale, but if it doesn't sell--it's going to be proudly displayed on my teal shelf in the living room as a reminder of the comforts we enjoy everyday together, the three of us and our dog Mazie.

Trying New Things

These past two years have been full, I mean full of changes for me.  I went through 18 months of chemotherapy for my lupus nephritis (kidneys), quit my full-time job as a teacher, started working only 20 hours a week, painting regularly, starting an etsy shop and doing occasional art shows on the weekends.

 So many of these decisions came from my heart speaking to me, but so many inspirational quotes have also pushed me as well, such as this one from Max Dupree. 

"We cannot become what we NEED to be, remaining what we are."

Part of my journey of change is reminding myself that if I want a certain life, I have to do different things.  I've been painting for a few years, but now I'm starting to draw as well which I'm finding so fun because I'm letting it flow out of me more easily than when I paint.  I drew (then painted) this girl today and I'm pleased with it.  Typically I shy away from drawing people at all--faces are hard for me, hair is hard for me and hands are almost impossible.  But today I felt looser and free as I drew her.  I actually love her face and her hair (hands are hiding behind the dress).  For me, she's great, compared to any other peope I've drawn.  It's actually giving me a boost of confidence to try even more people.