Buster and Jeanna - Gifted

 

Angel- SOLD

 

Sassy and The Girls - SOLD

 

My Bride - SOLD

 

Black Santa

 I love painting Santa.  He has so many faces.

10" x 10" acrylic on linen panel

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1114998478/black-santa?ref=hp_rv-1&frs=1

Oh Mary - SOLD

 

We Have Plans - SOLD

 I have written about a boy and his dog before but the reference picture for this painting says volumes.  

Snow Bird - SOLD

 

Christmas Redbird - SOLD

 

Brie - SOLD

 

Me and PeePaw - SOLD

 This painting of a grandfather introducing his grandson to Dodgers Stadium pricked my heart.  This long time Dodgers fan wanted to share with his grandson an important piece of himself.  Being an avid fan he was sharing the excitement, the team spirit and the gift of being a sports fan with  his grandson who would carry on the tradition of supporting his team in those stands.  

There is research that has been done on the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.  A close relationship brings to the child an endless supply of love, acceptance, patience and unwavering support that the grandparent offers in a unique way.  Grandchildren can always trust their grandparent and know that they always have someone on their side.  Research has also shown that kids who get to spend a lot of time with grandma and grandpa tend to have few emotional and behavioral problems.  For the grandparents there are lower levels of stress and depressive mood and they report having more meaning in their lives.  

For me personally, my life changed when those first grandchildren arrived.  Something about holding that little, trusting, dependent person in my arms for the first time brought my entire life full circle.  I was extremely blessed to have twin grandchildren and I was in love at first sight.  I could spoil them, spend the entire day playing with them and then know that I could always take a nap after they went home.  The fact that I was older, wiser and had less responsibilities provided more freedom to spend time with them than I had when I was a working Mom to my own kids.  It truly is a grand time.

Peek A Boo - SOLD

 

The Little Flower Girl and Her Escort - SOLD

 

My Forever Friend - SOLD

 

My Little Girl You Will Always Be - SOLD

 I absolutely loved painting this painting.  It speaks to me of the relationship between a mother and her child so much.  These tender, quiet, relaxed moments are on my mind a lot lately.  I   remember watching the sunset at the lake or drying tears after a skinned knee or just enjoying the time when one of them crawled up into my lap just to be there.  That seems like yesterday.

In three weeks my youngest son is getting married.  We have been in the process of selecting a song for our Mother/Son dance at the reception.  We chose a song from one of his favorite childhood movies, 

Somewhere Out There.

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight

Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight
Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishin' on the same bright star
And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

A Reely Good Day - SOLD

 

Walking With Our Buddies - SOLD

 Can anyone really know what unconditional love is without a dog?

Special, Special Day - NFS

 

Bama in the House Divided - SOLD

 24" x 18" with deep sides that are painted

I recently painted the mascot for Auburn University (the eagle) and I have had several folks request the mascot for Alabama. I am not sure if you are aware of the rival teams in Alabama but it is serious business.  My husband is a huge Auburn fan so I have this guy hiding out in my studio :)

 

Warrrrrrr Eagle - SOLD

Night, Night, Sweet Dreams - SOLD

I am not sure there is anything more precious than a newborn baby.  The way they smell, the way they smile in their sleep, the way they wiggle and the way they snuggle in your arms.  They are even more precious when they let you get a little sleep.  These two little snuggle bunnies are going to grace the nursery of a sweet little baby and I hope they help their little girl sleep.
 

Goin' to the Chapel and We're Goin' to Get Married - SOLD

 

You Will Always Be With Us - SOLD

 

A House Full of Memories - SOLD

When I was in Nursing School I learned about Erik Erikson's stages of life.  Of course, at the time I was more interested in the Young Adult stage thinking that the Middle Adulthood and Late Adulthood stages were so far away that they only related to my elderly patients.  Ha!  Now I am really interested in those stages.  Erikson stated that individuals between 40 and 65 years of age fall into the Middle Adulthood stage and it is a stage of generatively versus stagnation.  Generativity is when the adult instills a sense of care and responsibility in passing on their learnings to the next generation through parenting or mentoring.  If the individual is bitter or unhappy, they may stay restless and isolated without making any positive contribution to society.  In Late Adulthood, those who are 65 years and older are in the stage of ego integrity versus despair.  If they feel satisfied and take pride in what they did in their lives, they flaunt their wisdom and accept age with grace.  Those who believe they underachieved or have regrets fall into despair.  I came across another philosophy of the stage of the human life cycle by Thomas Armstrong.  He stated that Mature Adulthood encompasses those who are ages between 50 and 80 years of age.  They have raised families, established themselves in their work life and become contributors to the betterment of society through volunteerism, mentorships, and other forms of philanthropy.  All of humanity benefits from their benevolence.  Moreover, we all can learn from their example to give more of ourselves to others.  Supporting each other through these life cycles is very important.  Many times during Mature Adulthood we have to make decisions that remind us we are moving into a new phase.  Selling of our long time home where we raised our families, retiring from our jobs that have held certain pieces of our self esteem, or maybe even coming to grips with a lack of physical strength or agility that we once took for granted.  Major life events. When I was asked to paint this commission of the long time home of someone's parents who are relocating, I had these ideas in my mind.  I thought what a thoughtful gift to give parents who might be crossing in to a new phase of life.  A gift that says, "I see you, I love you and I appreciate your life."  A real honor.

Three's Company - SOLD

 This Holiday weekend we spent time with grandkids and kids at the lake.  There was a lot of swimming, boating, riding on tubes, eating, playing and laughing.  I could not help to look at my grandkids who some are now taller than me and wonder when did they grow up?  I can remember when my kids, their parents, were the kids.   At that time, I was trying to balance a job, going to graduate school and feeding and bathing three kids.  I thought some days my life was impossible and I would never have a minute to myself again.  Older women told me that my children would grow up so fast and the time would just fly by.  I didn't think so.

When all the kids left the lake this week, my husband and I were on the deck with a lot of quiet.  We both said we could not believe how fast the years had gone.  Our kids are now grown up adults and their kids are well on their way to becoming adults.  There are times when I think my way of thinking is so right but I see the fault in that now.  I was so wrong.  I now have a lot of minutes to myself and at times secretly wish to revisit those old days when I was a young mother with days full of chaos.

It Was Love at First Sight - SOLD

 14" x 11" oil on Linen panel

Mr. Snowman - SOLD

 

Sweet Angel Kisses - SOLD

 I absolutely love seeing a sleeping baby.

MaMa and Her Boys - SOLD

 

I have been asked to speak at our church this Sunday for Mother's Day and during the preparation for this talk I have been reminiscing about the experiences I have had as a Mother.  I remember all the joy, laughter, tears and frustrations of raising children.  Today I am so thankful for the amazing adults my children have become.  Time really does fly I realized when painting this picture of a Mom and her boys.

Three Little Pigs - SOLD

 

Sandra's Roses - Gifted

 

Chloe - SOLD

 

For God So Loved - SOLD

 

Little Rosa

 8" x 8" acrylic on paper mounted on wooden canvas

$200

Yesterday my husband and I were in the city of Tuskegee, Alabama and we drove down Rosa Park Avenue.  I realized what courage she had to have to be such an activist in the civil rights movement.  I am taking a painting course that relies on intuitive painting.  In other words, painting, making marks and using the process of taking away as well as adding to allow the paint speak to you as you are painting.  When this little girl appeared I felt she had the look of determination in her eye that she would come to understand even more fully as she grew up.  I found this quote of Rosa Parks that I loved that seemed to say what this little girl was saying, "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear".

Today when my dog, Max and I were walking around the lake I found several items to paint with. I use sweet gum balls, air moss and sticks to create unique marks with.  I came upon the most wonderful stick that had moss and other things growing on it.  the colors were wonderful and I decided to bring it home and use the colors in my painting.  

My Big Brother - SOLD

 I loved painting this portrait of a little sister and her big brother.  The curls on the little girl made me smile and the look of slight embarrassment on the face of the big brother.  He looks like he really did not want to play "house" with her but he would do anything to make her happy.  She was his baby sister after all.

Just Passing Through - NFS

When I walk around our small neighborhood lake with Max, (my dog) we see this beautiful white bird.  I am not sure if he is a heron or an egret but from what I can research on the internet, I believe he is an egret.  He is alone and he stands in the weeds very close to the edge of the lake.  When Max and I walk almost close enough to get a good picture he flies to the opposite side of the lake.   We walk all the way to that side and he then turns and flies back as if we are some sort of threat.  I so wanted to get a close up shot of him but obviously that was not going to happen so I had to paint this from a very small photo.  It did bring to mind another time when I was questioned to be a threat.  Why I thought of this, I have no idea. Several years ago when I was still working, I was scheduled to speak to a group of nurses in Cincinnati with my job.  I was to meet one of the salesmen I worked with and speak the next day at an event.  The salesman asked me to attend a baseball game the night we arrived with the group.  The Indians were playing the Tigers.  I am not really a sports fan, even though I am married to a major Auburn fan.  I tried to beg off from the game but my friend told me it was really not about the game as much as socializing with the group.  So......I went.  We had great seats and I actually liked watching the game.  

The next morning in the lobby of the Marriott I was waiting for my ride to the event.  A nice man came up to me and asked where I was from.  I told him I was visiting from Alabama and I had come with a group from my work to Cincinnati and it was my first visit there and I had also just attended my first baseball game.  I told him my group and I had cheered the Indians on to a win over the Tigers! The man's smile faded a little and he said, "It is nice to meet you.  I am Jim Leyland, manager of the Tigers".  I told him I was sorry and hoped today would be a better day for him. . A big, big man who was obviously taking care of Mr. Leyland,  came up to me during this conversation and appeared to be frustrated that I was talking to Mr. Leyland.  Mr. Leyland explained to the man that he had approached me not the other way around.  I felt like the man saw me as some sort of threat which is hilarious since I did not even know who the Tigers were until the day before.

Sometimes we can be misunderstood and sometimes we misunderstand.  I have found the older  I get I have learned that there are times when I might think things are a certain way but I am wrong.  I think I know what someone else is thinking or what their intentions are but  I jumped to a conclusion that was not correct.  I am trying to stop doing that.  Not every perceived threat is real.  I hope the Egret can see that too and let me get a little closer next time.

The Little Princess - SOLD

 

My Love - SOLD

Thumpin' is Going On - SOLD

 10" x 20" on deep sided canvas - sides painted pink

Buddy Jack - SOLD

 This is Buddy Jack and he is loved by his Mom and Grandmother.  Those of us who love our animals are so aware of the joy and companionship they bring to us.  Recently my daughter told me if I posted one more picture of my dog, Max on social media she was going to have me committed to a home!  I told her people post pictures of their children all the time and Max is her brother.

Penelope and Cleo - SOLD

 

I Love You Moo - SOLD

8" x 8" 

oil on linen

$125

 The reference photo for this painting came from Tricia Pegg, a great photographer.

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/marcia-hodges/i-love-you-moo/859735

The Beach Boys - SOLD

 Sometimes having a brother is better than having a Super Hero.

A Beacon of Hope - SOLD

 I am always amazed at how God brings people into our lives that we never would have met except for that moment when we were sitting in a meeting together and started talking and felt an immediate connection.  Our ages were way different, in fact I could have been her mother but we connected over a similar circumstance where we understood each other's pain.  She was a college student and I lived in a nearby city so we started visiting.  Virginia came to hang out with me on my pier at the lake and I got to appreciate the unique young woman she would become.  Several years have passed now and she is married, has a beautiful little daughter and has a dream.  She and her husband share the same focus.....to be a Beacon of Hope to the world and I know she was always destined for that calling.

Motherhood - SOLD

14" x 11" on deep canvas (sides are 1 1/2" and painted)

 

If you are a mother or grandmother you might have read the book entitled, Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.  The little children's book is about a young mother who holds her newborn son and looks at him lovingly.  She sings to him:

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I' living

my baby you'll be.

It is about the enduring nature of a parents' love and how it crosses generations.  I have found this to be true.  Today my 44 year old little boy came over to help move some furniture for me.  We sat and talked and shared a couple of moments.  I no longer see him as "my baby" but I do love him and I am so thankful and proud of the husband, father and son that he is.  I will love him forever.

Me and Dad - SOLD

Recently my husband told me about a particular day at the beach from many years ago when our children were small.  He said it was a beautiful, sunny day.  We had all of our kids with us and the day was perfect.  We laughed and played on the beach and went home and watched a movie and everyone was tired but content.   He could remember it like it happened yesterday. It is amazing how particular experiences stay in our mind and we can recall them even down to the last detail.  This young lady is about to go off to college but I bet she can remember this day with her Dad and the way the sun was shining and the way she felt safe just holding his hand.   My prayer is that she will always feel that love and remember that moment when everything seemed right with the world just holding his hand.

Sassy CiCe - SOLD