Color Addiction

 These two canvases done in acrylic for my family room were inspired by these doodles that my artist friend Janet did. I was going to post her doodles with  my art, but mine pale  in comparison. My family like these good size canvases and since it is communal living, that's a good thing.  I'll post a before and after photo of my new lamps with the orange canvas soon as I set it up!

Energy Thieves

Digital 
"Sciatica"

Who the heck knows where these illustrations come from.  I have  objectively observed people my whole life.What  mother called critical, I knew to be analytical  in my quest to understand the world!

It's my experience human beings are the most interesting

diverse creatures on the planet. I have always found it amusing to people watch. Wondering the stories of those

passing by.

Lured by sad  tales of woe I used to be vulnerable to victim  types, An unhealthy pattern I was forced to abandon with depleting energy. Now I surround myself with loving, well rounded people instead. What an awakening that was!

Of course we all have glitches in our life. Relatives  who blame us for things wrong in their own life.  And supporting  friends and family in troubled times stands without reason. It's the chronic victims, whining twenty years later about the  same unresolved issues, that  always dragged me down! Empathizing, wanting to lend an ear and words of comfort  seemed to sabotage productive time. I like to think I'm slightly wiser now, and don't need to rescue everyone.It may sound callus, I promise it's not. Putting ourselves on the list is important, wish I knew that at a younger age!

If the truth be known, I must have been fulfilling my own voids by supporting the down trodden. I must have needed to feel needed. Possibly a diversion from my own problems. I will admit, it's much simpler keeping the energy thieves at bay!   

How about you? Have you weaned off the  energy robbers? Has it left you more time to be productive? I once  heard Barbara Sher lecture on the importance of letting those toxic relationship go as you age! Have you? Sure hope I have!

Sunday Scribblings "A thousand roses"

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is "Treatment"
of which we had the best! 

The Bride, a single  forty something business owner.
The groom, a divorced father of two!
The  theme, Music! 

The wedding, Spectacular! 

I cried and laughed through the whole ceremony!

Pleased I'd worn my sun glasses.

  Beauty abounding with one thousand red roses. 

(Inside scoop, straight from the wedding coordinator.)

The clouds parted so the sun could sparkle during the vows!

The room, 

Breathtaking!

The  bride, fabulous in a whimsical music note embossed wedding dress. Nothing minimal about this red and black embellished wedding! 

 Surprisingly my daughters former boss, normally a frugal  minimalist perfected the music theme   with everything from the treble clef ice sculpture, wedding rings and white sneakers (well hidden under her dress), to the  music note place card holders.

Treatment was exemplary, with full open bar,
excellent food, music, and
  entertaining tributes to the newlyweds!

  

My darling dancing queen boogied to each song.

As she joined in the celebration of the couple
who met while dee-jaying.

 As you can see, it was a joyful occasion!

 

 Trumping my brothers intimate wedding at a posh bed and breakfast!

 

They sang and danced until the music stopped!

Gratefully we left with one hundred red roses in tow,

bestowed on us by the bride who encouraged

 us to take as many as we could! And we all left with

that lovin feeling you so often hear about in songs!

Pardon?

Last night, as a family, we were running around excited about buying a wedding gift for my daughters ex boss. She's an independent business owner in her mid forties and this is her first marriage. A minimalist, with no gift registry her list was pretty simple. Costco happened to have the best choices. So we loaded up then headed to the dollar store for some wedding bags. I waited in the car at the front door knowing they didn’t need three of us picking out bags and bows. Aparently I was wrong because the kids kept poking their heads out the door to get my artist approval anyway. Seriously I am the worst gift wrapper on the planet now that I paint. Used to be my thing to make everything pretty, now I throw it in the most accessible bag and go! Better yet, get my daughter to wrap everything!!! She likes it!



While in the Dollar store, the cashier,( an older woman, grey short hair, I’d say late fifties, but she really looks even older than that  with jeans from the nineties, white Velcro runners, and dowdy sweatshirt) says to Bryan, (after they both  popped  their heads out the door to speak to me too many times,) “You should have bought this stuff a month ago! “


“ Excuse me….she said WHAT? Are you kidding me. This woman who has no one in the store, is lecturing the one sale she might have about when to buy gift wrap….Bryan responded,” You don’t even know, it’s been hectic lately.” Which really is an understatement.


If she only knew we have a huge Rubbermaid box full of wrapping paper and bags, and cards. None of which will fit these huge gifts….silly woman! She’s just lucky she didn’t say it to my daughter….oh my…..I wouldn’t have wanted to be there after Pepper had a go at her for being rude!  Pepper is ALL about giving and getting exemplary customer service!


How about you? What did you do the last time a store clerk was rude to you?

Squeezed out

This is an acrylic I did a while back called " Squeezed Out"

It's funny how the titles and images appear out of the blue. Speaking of which the colors in this photo aren't true to the painting. The bottom has a more purple hue. In fact I was planning on making changes because it looks too dark on the wall.

Who are these characters, why is one being squeezed out? Maybe if I stare at it long enough, I will find the answers. It's most hypnotic staring at a painting, wondering what it needs and what it's trying to say!  Unfortunately staring at a picture is my only form of meditation, probably because it's the only way to quiet my very active mind.

Funny how the one being "squeezed out" looks bitchy. Ha, maybe she's going through menopause! One thing I know for sure, I can wipe  paint that bitchy look right off her face if I want!! lol  We'll see what happens.....

I have too many unhappy paintings laying around lately that need an overhaul with a good coat of Gesso and a new perspective!! I'll take photos before I cover them up!

Sunday Scribblings " Waiting"

Sunday Scribblings prompt this week is "Wait"

Lately my life has been less about me more about others. I’m not complaining, I owe the goodwill bank big time. For the last Ten years I’ve needed others more than I care to admit. The last two week there’s been loads of waiting in the mix. Still I managed to steal moments of solace on my own. However on the tired days, which are many, I can be found gazing into space. A vulnerable time when negative thoughts sneak in the back door and beat me up a little, and quirky queries follow behind! That’s when I know I need good rest, healthy food, vitamins and time alone to replenish my positive energy.

A Question I’ve been pondering,

Who do you think embraces aging better,

Men or women?

Thinking Thins

Spread too thin

Amongst friends

Family,

life and health

Spread to think

Of words blurted

Deeds done

Hope hampered

Spread thins

On life’s canvas

Quietly awaiting

A new image

Sorry that poem was a bit odd, but I'm in a weird headspace of late.

 

Waiting

I discovered the joy

Of unlocked

wireless internet

Chai tea in hand

Playing scrabble online

Alone in the sun

A sense of peace

And power

Filled me with warmth

The wait disippated

while reading blogs

I  realized

Sometimes we can be nudged

 into finding solace

In stolen moments

Outside our usual zone

where modified inspiration

Can rejuvenate our tone!