Southernmost - SOLD

I spent the last week in Key West with my dear friend. Such a great trip and  I have so many photos that I want to paint but I have to pace myself as I am completing Christmas commissions.  But there are some days when painting a special place or scene without any expectations helps me have a freedom in painting that I really enjoy.  I completely become enmeshed with the subject and I forget to eat or even leave my little studio.   

 Have you ever gone on a trip and you see something that you love.  The colors of the day, the way the house looks, the music you hear in the street and the people you see all create a "moment" in time?  This house near the Southernmost point in Key West did that for me. Not only that, someone recommended a great book while I was in Key West entitled, Southernmost.  I loved the book and it came to life when walking around the city and being in the exact places mentioned in the book.  

Little Cinderella - SOLD

I love being asked to paint pictures that tell stories.  The reference photo for this painting depicted the child like wonder of a little girl dreaming.  The castle in the background, the Cinderella dress and the little butterflies all create the beauty and excitement of the childlike spirit.  Little children have the ability to see the incredible in everything.  They have faith and immerse themselves in little wonders.  As adults we sometimes lose this ability to be awed by little things but we can learn to live this way again.  Look around at our incredible  universe and become fascinated again with what you are passionate about.  Be grateful.  Keep the fire in your soul.  

Loose Moose - SOLD

I am still trying to paint a couple of animals that I was inspired by in Alaska.  This is my "loose" moose.  I did not get to see a moose "in person" but when I got home there was a baby deer in my front yard and that is close :)

"I Just Need Some Bunny to Love" - SOLD

A little whimsical bunny who just needs some bunny to love.

Bear Naked Lady - SOLD

I spend all my time in the studio between May and December painting commissions for Christmas.  I feel so honored that people would seek me out for this.  I do try and keep Mondays a "free day", a day when I can paint for myself.  Recently I spent two weeks in Alaska and became mesmerized with the bears, moose and eagles that I heard about and read about. Unfortunately I only saw an eagle "in person".  I was really hoping to see a bear  but I did not want to see him real close.  Anyway, I came home with a lot of ideas for paintings and this little 8" x 10" is one of those.

I named her "Bear Naked Lady" after the band, Barenaked Ladies.  They sing  the theme song  for The Big Bang Theory.  I love that show, it makes me laugh but I seem to be the only one in my family that finds it funny.

You Are Loved Little One - SOLD

I cherish my experiences as a Labor and Delivery nurse for all those years.  There is really no greater moment that I can imagine than being present at a birth.  We rarely get to see miracles in life but witnessing birth qualifies as a miracle.  Regardless of the "route" the infant takes (natural or c-section), the entrance into this world follows a lot of the same processes.  ( Trust me on this if your experience is limited.)  I have often thought about the story in the Bible where Nicodemus asks Jesus what it means to be "born again".  Nic knew that Jesus was not speaking of literally being born again from one's mother's womb but he was trying to draw out the meaning of the words.  In my humble opinion, I have found that life gives us opportunities to be "born again" or "born from above".  This encompasses a spiritual rebirth, maybe even one where we have to make changes in our lives.  Greed, unforgiveness, lack of compassion, anger, addictions, unbelief, or anything else that keeps us from living in the nature and flow of the Spirit.  I have witnessed hundreds, probably over a thousand births in my career.  If I could interview a newborn right after birth and ask him, "how was it being born?"  I seriously doubt he would say "Man, that was great, I would love to do that again!"  There is a lot of pressure and pushing and contractions and squeezing that occurs. But after his arrival to this world he is looking around, bundled up and loved on, he can breathe and take in this new life.   A good, new life.  
 I think the same occurs for us when we decide to be "born by the Spirit" or "born again".  Changing some bad habits and addictions and getting rid of junk in our lives can require some discomfort.  Maybe even some pressure or squeezing, but on the other side of that is a wonderful new life.

This quote kinda sums up what I mean about someone who has been "born again" and maybe even for someone who becomes a mother.

Everything has changed and yet, I am more me than I've ever been.  Iain Thomas