Her sisters children all have middle names that are birds. She wanted paintings of each of the birds.
Here is what I created for her!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
A few little cuties
Saturday, October 31, 2015
It's been a while
This past year has been very busy and I just realized I've been a terrible blogger.
Hopefully I can redeem myself by posting a whole bunch of art that I have finished over the past few months!!!
Hopefully I can redeem myself by posting a whole bunch of art that I have finished over the past few months!!!
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| Baby Elephant |
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| A Little Batty |
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| Giraffe Truth |
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| Blue Jay with Attitude |
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| Owl Insight |
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| Chickadee with Berries |
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| Baby Fluffy Owl |
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| Peaceful Crane |
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| KOI - Love Harmony |
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| Joyful Finch |
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| Raven - Mystery |
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| Narwhal Love |
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| Hummingbird - Determination |
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| Octopus - Be flexable |
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| Raven Oracle |
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| Baby Sea Turtle - Find Your Way |
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| Snow Leopard - Balanced |
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| Turkey - Generosity |
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| Sea Turtle - Adaptable |
Thursday, July 24, 2014
An Elephant in the Room
I just love animal related idioms.
Mostly because I love animals, but secondly they just say what needs to be said and the point is made in just a small phrase.
Some of my favorites include...
A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush.
Which means... Be satisfied with what you have rather than mourning things you don't have.
or
The Cat's Got your Tongue.
Which means... You are too shy to speak up so the only logical reason is the cat took your tongue. Seriously?
As Blind as A Bat. This one is just silly to me!
It is suppose to mean... You don't see very well.
I guess because bats live in dark caves and only come out at night they were thought to be blind. Seriously, could you catch a mosquito in the dusk?
I'm as blind as a human, would be a better idiom.
A Bull in a China Shop.
Which Means... You're so big and clumsy that you destroy everything around you.
I love the visual of a Bull trying to carefully navigate a fully packed china shop.
It makes me giggle every time. Haha!
And Geeze we LOVE our Cats...
Cat Nap .. Duh no one sleeps better than a Cat.
A Scaredy- Cat.. Means you get scared as easily as a Cat. They ARE very jumpy, especially around dogs. When they are scared they sure are funny to watch with their tail all puffed up!!
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof... If your a jumpy nervous type I guess you could resemble a cat racing across a hot surface.
A Fat Cat, means you have a lot of money. (Mine is Fat, but not very rich, I bet Grumpy Cat is a "Fat Cat")
Let the Cat out of the Bag.... I think of Mom when I hear this one, she must have said this more than once, probably because I could never keep her secrets as a kid.
It's Raining Cats and Dogs... Well who hasn't said this one on a down pour. I say this all the time now that I live in Oregon.
Not enough Room to Swing a Cat (Someone must have actually done this for it to be a thing... Terrible!)
Look What the Cat Drug In (Another one that makes me laugh, cats can bring in the darnedest things.)
But Dogs are just as popular...
Dog Tired means you are more tired than normal, I guess Dogs get more tired than people because of their exhausting lives.
It's Gone to the Dogs... Means you've hit hard times or let your self go, which is really unfair to Dogs they don't have terrible lives. In fact most that I know are down right spoiled.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie ... Serious this is just good advice. You could get bit if you wake up a sleeping Dog or a Sleeping Dad.
Like a Dog with two tails... HAHA ... If you're uber happy and excited you are like a dog with two tails. Let face it most dogs are that happy.
There are so many more and my husband has a few that are just inappropriate to mention. Use your imagination and think of a Horse and a Goat. Nuf said.
But my all time favorite saying is "There is a dead elephant in the room!"
It's actually just "An Elephant in the Room" but, at some point I added the "Dead" I'm not sure if I read it somewhere like that or I just added it during a rough patch in my life and the dead elephant just seemed so much more relevant.
You know Stinky, Festering, Large and in the Way.
I find myself using this one a lot. Probably because when you come from a dysfunctional family there is always a dead something in the room.
I am hyper aware of situations when people are just ignoring the obvious and pretending it's not there.
So even the little infractions of this become a "Dead Elephant" for me.
I should probably re-name the little ones something else, like "Dead Pigeon in the Room" (No offense to the lovely pigeon.) But, you know, still stinky and festering, just not as in the way.
Perhaps for the little things we pretend are not there, like the person in the family who never changes the toilet paper roll when it's out.
Or someone who leaves stinky shoes in the middle of the room.
Then I can just reserve the "Dead Elephant" for the big stuff, like alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling or stealing issues.
So go fourth and Dog Ear your favorite animal idiom, and let the troubles run off you like Water Off A Ducks Back, don't be a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing and be sure to Grab the Tiger by the Tail.
But Most of all ...
Remember this ...
The Early Bird Catches the Worm.
Mostly because I love animals, but secondly they just say what needs to be said and the point is made in just a small phrase.
Some of my favorites include...
A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush.
Which means... Be satisfied with what you have rather than mourning things you don't have.
or
The Cat's Got your Tongue.
Which means... You are too shy to speak up so the only logical reason is the cat took your tongue. Seriously?
As Blind as A Bat. This one is just silly to me!
It is suppose to mean... You don't see very well.
I guess because bats live in dark caves and only come out at night they were thought to be blind. Seriously, could you catch a mosquito in the dusk?
I'm as blind as a human, would be a better idiom.
A Bull in a China Shop.
Which Means... You're so big and clumsy that you destroy everything around you.
I love the visual of a Bull trying to carefully navigate a fully packed china shop.
It makes me giggle every time. Haha!
And Geeze we LOVE our Cats...
Cat Nap .. Duh no one sleeps better than a Cat.
A Scaredy- Cat.. Means you get scared as easily as a Cat. They ARE very jumpy, especially around dogs. When they are scared they sure are funny to watch with their tail all puffed up!!
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof... If your a jumpy nervous type I guess you could resemble a cat racing across a hot surface.
A Fat Cat, means you have a lot of money. (Mine is Fat, but not very rich, I bet Grumpy Cat is a "Fat Cat")
Let the Cat out of the Bag.... I think of Mom when I hear this one, she must have said this more than once, probably because I could never keep her secrets as a kid.
It's Raining Cats and Dogs... Well who hasn't said this one on a down pour. I say this all the time now that I live in Oregon.
Not enough Room to Swing a Cat (Someone must have actually done this for it to be a thing... Terrible!)
Look What the Cat Drug In (Another one that makes me laugh, cats can bring in the darnedest things.)
But Dogs are just as popular...
Dog Tired means you are more tired than normal, I guess Dogs get more tired than people because of their exhausting lives.
It's Gone to the Dogs... Means you've hit hard times or let your self go, which is really unfair to Dogs they don't have terrible lives. In fact most that I know are down right spoiled.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie ... Serious this is just good advice. You could get bit if you wake up a sleeping Dog or a Sleeping Dad.
Like a Dog with two tails... HAHA ... If you're uber happy and excited you are like a dog with two tails. Let face it most dogs are that happy.
There are so many more and my husband has a few that are just inappropriate to mention. Use your imagination and think of a Horse and a Goat. Nuf said.
But my all time favorite saying is "There is a dead elephant in the room!"
It's actually just "An Elephant in the Room" but, at some point I added the "Dead" I'm not sure if I read it somewhere like that or I just added it during a rough patch in my life and the dead elephant just seemed so much more relevant.
You know Stinky, Festering, Large and in the Way.
I find myself using this one a lot. Probably because when you come from a dysfunctional family there is always a dead something in the room.
I am hyper aware of situations when people are just ignoring the obvious and pretending it's not there.
So even the little infractions of this become a "Dead Elephant" for me.
I should probably re-name the little ones something else, like "Dead Pigeon in the Room" (No offense to the lovely pigeon.) But, you know, still stinky and festering, just not as in the way.
Perhaps for the little things we pretend are not there, like the person in the family who never changes the toilet paper roll when it's out.
Or someone who leaves stinky shoes in the middle of the room.
Then I can just reserve the "Dead Elephant" for the big stuff, like alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling or stealing issues.
So go fourth and Dog Ear your favorite animal idiom, and let the troubles run off you like Water Off A Ducks Back, don't be a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing and be sure to Grab the Tiger by the Tail.
But Most of all ...
Remember this ...
The Early Bird Catches the Worm.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Some New Art
I noticed that I had not posted in a while but I actually may have a very good excuse this time... I've been a busy artist!!
It's part of the dream to be so busy and successful as an artist that I don't need a day job because the day job is being an artist... I feel closer, this past month, to that dream than ever before!!
Back in February I entered a painting in the CAPS art auction which is a judged art auction to raise money for aids awareness. I was worried about submitting because it is a judged entry and only a select few are accepted. I really hate rejection, especially of my art. But good news I got accepted.
Here is the piece I donated...
I'm a little sad because I really love this painting and will miss seeing it in my house, but I am also happy to donate it to a good cause. I just hope it is bought by a loving person who will treasure it.
Any way the auction is this weekend so I am super excited because I get to go and dress up and be fancy and elegant.
Another project that has been keeping me really really really busy is the "little art / BIG CAUSE" show at a cute little bar in Portland called Scandals. They have a ton of artists doing 8x8 panels and they hang them all up and people come in buy what they want for $40.00 and then take them home that night. Super cool!!
This Thursday is the opening night and they sell most paintings the first few nights. I am excited because I painted 6 new panels for this one. I only had 28 days to get them done. I worked like a beast to get them finished.
Below are the new paintings for the Scandals show.
It's part of the dream to be so busy and successful as an artist that I don't need a day job because the day job is being an artist... I feel closer, this past month, to that dream than ever before!!
Back in February I entered a painting in the CAPS art auction which is a judged art auction to raise money for aids awareness. I was worried about submitting because it is a judged entry and only a select few are accepted. I really hate rejection, especially of my art. But good news I got accepted.
Here is the piece I donated...
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| Flying Raven |
Any way the auction is this weekend so I am super excited because I get to go and dress up and be fancy and elegant.
Another project that has been keeping me really really really busy is the "little art / BIG CAUSE" show at a cute little bar in Portland called Scandals. They have a ton of artists doing 8x8 panels and they hang them all up and people come in buy what they want for $40.00 and then take them home that night. Super cool!!
This Thursday is the opening night and they sell most paintings the first few nights. I am excited because I painted 6 new panels for this one. I only had 28 days to get them done. I worked like a beast to get them finished.
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| Pure Heart - Deer |
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| Play, Laugh, Love - Dolphin |
It was so much fun doing these and I have been so revitalized for doing my art.
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| Untapped Strength - Bear |
The other thing I have been busy with is the totems that I do.
I've had a bunch of new clients and interest.
I love doing the totems the most because I get to know so many great people.
I'll share one of those on my next post.
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| Shine Bright - Peacock |
The last thing that has kept me so busy this month is getting ready for the First Thursday street show. I put myself out there on the street (with tons of other artists). Including my dear friends, Pat, Chuck and Derrick to hold my hand and help me feel brave while exposing my heart and soul to the public. I did it last year until I got sick and the first one in April, was rained out :(
We're suppose to have great 80 degree weather and lots of people out there so I am excited to be there and hopefully have some real fun meeting new people who like my art!!! For all my friends who live in Portland I hope you'll come out and see me!!!
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| Big Bold Beautiful - Alligator |
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| Deepest Desires - Snake |
Friday, December 20, 2013
New Year's Resolution ... The New REVISED Me in Progress!
I love the New Year! I especially love making new resolutions.
I always feel like my life is a series of experiments on "getting it right", so when I have a particularly tough year, the "NEW" Year signals in my mind that it's OK to start over and give it another try.
I'll sit down and evaluate the past year and edit out the bad elements, just get rid of those things that didn't work.
Like this past year...
1. Suffering with uterine pain is OUT! My uterus is gone so the fresh new healthy me is ready to go.
2. A less than satisfying career. There's got to be something out there at stimulates all my talents!!!
3. A Negative attitude bye bye ... only positive influences, people and self talk in my life.
4. Destructive sabotaging people ... asta la vista, baby! (You know who you are.)
5. Procrastination (Oh, this is the thorn in my side) It's so GONE, first thing tomorrow!
Wow only five things... I thought there was more! (Thats the new positive me talking)
I see that my life is going pretty good and perhaps I am "Getting it Right" more than I thought.
Here is what's right and I plan on keeping and developing further this year...
1. My Marriage ... Love makes my world go round! Having the best support system around sure makes life great!!
2. My Daughter ... She makes me proud every day and knowing that my love and support is helping her become the amazing person I know she is, makes me feel like I'm doing everything right!
3. Running ... It's challenging and tough at times, but everyday I run I feel happy and inspired and knowing I ran a bit better and further than yesterday makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something important. (That may just be the dopamine talking, but I'll take it!!).
4. My Art ... I've been "practicing" this one my entire life. It stays on my list every year. What my art has taught me is, never give up on a dream, there is always room for growth and development, and even if no one else likes what you do, if it makes you happy keep doing it!!!
Here are a couple of new pieces I'm happy to share with you...
5. Writing ... It's a big insecurity and I feel extremely vulnerable to ridicule and criticism, but I love writing. I've got hundreds (No exaggeration) of journals that I have been writing since my teen age years, I have three blogs that only a very tiny select few even know about (just my most trusted friends and family) and I never seem to follow through with the consistency of writing, but It really makes me feel happy when I write. So write I shall, (maybe I'll even share it with the general public. .. hmm that might be a 2015 improvement goal)
6. Positive Influences ... There seems to be a lot of negative people and events and influences being bombarded towards me daily and when I don't pay attention, I sure do let those things in and effect my thoughts and actions. But this year I am going to intentionally deny, block and prohibit the negative into my life. I'm blocking those negative nellys' on face book. I'm turning off the news (expect NPR). I'm walking away from those who choose to argue, fight, bicker or speak ill of others. I choose to see the good in life and people.
Resolutions are not bad things that we may or may not achieve, they are side notes and edits to a life in progress and I welcome a new year that allows me to correct mistakes and start over ...
so I raise my glass and toast to a brand new and exciting year ahead!!!
(Insert whistles and horns and throw the confetti now.)
I always feel like my life is a series of experiments on "getting it right", so when I have a particularly tough year, the "NEW" Year signals in my mind that it's OK to start over and give it another try.
I'll sit down and evaluate the past year and edit out the bad elements, just get rid of those things that didn't work.
Like this past year...
1. Suffering with uterine pain is OUT! My uterus is gone so the fresh new healthy me is ready to go.
2. A less than satisfying career. There's got to be something out there at stimulates all my talents!!!
3. A Negative attitude bye bye ... only positive influences, people and self talk in my life.
4. Destructive sabotaging people ... asta la vista, baby! (You know who you are.)
5. Procrastination (Oh, this is the thorn in my side) It's so GONE, first thing tomorrow!
Wow only five things... I thought there was more! (Thats the new positive me talking)
I see that my life is going pretty good and perhaps I am "Getting it Right" more than I thought.
Here is what's right and I plan on keeping and developing further this year...
1. My Marriage ... Love makes my world go round! Having the best support system around sure makes life great!!
2. My Daughter ... She makes me proud every day and knowing that my love and support is helping her become the amazing person I know she is, makes me feel like I'm doing everything right!
3. Running ... It's challenging and tough at times, but everyday I run I feel happy and inspired and knowing I ran a bit better and further than yesterday makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something important. (That may just be the dopamine talking, but I'll take it!!).
4. My Art ... I've been "practicing" this one my entire life. It stays on my list every year. What my art has taught me is, never give up on a dream, there is always room for growth and development, and even if no one else likes what you do, if it makes you happy keep doing it!!!
Here are a couple of new pieces I'm happy to share with you...
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| All Together Different |
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| Play Often |
6. Positive Influences ... There seems to be a lot of negative people and events and influences being bombarded towards me daily and when I don't pay attention, I sure do let those things in and effect my thoughts and actions. But this year I am going to intentionally deny, block and prohibit the negative into my life. I'm blocking those negative nellys' on face book. I'm turning off the news (expect NPR). I'm walking away from those who choose to argue, fight, bicker or speak ill of others. I choose to see the good in life and people.
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| Reach for the Stars |
Resolutions are not bad things that we may or may not achieve, they are side notes and edits to a life in progress and I welcome a new year that allows me to correct mistakes and start over ...
so I raise my glass and toast to a brand new and exciting year ahead!!!
(Insert whistles and horns and throw the confetti now.)
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Farewell my uterus!
Well here it is a few days before I expell the traitor in my abdomen ... My uterus!
Yes that's right a hysterectomy!
I fought hard for the past 8 years to keep the bloody thing! (Pun intended)
It turns out that my fibroid tumors, which supposedly don't cause most women any trouble at all, have been wrecking havoc in my uterus for years. Probably even the cause for all the horrendous PMS bouts I've suffered with all these years!
I do want to honor my uterus for the one good thing that did come from it...
My daughter Lyndi-Rae. Even then though my uterus didn't want to cooperate when it came time to expell that giant baby! She was two weeks past due and 9lb 4oz and we had to force my uterus to cooperate with drugs and a team of doctors and nurses forcing the issue for two days!
But it did make a really healthy wonderful baby girl for me so kudos to you, uterus!
But now the time has come to say farewell, sinanara ...
Don't let the door hit you on your way out!!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
In the beginning
Here is the beginning of a sketch I'm doing for my new painting!!
Just thought I'd share!!
Just thought I'd share!!
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