Red, White and Blue

Today is Memorial Day in the United States when we proudly wave our American flag to thank ALL who have served our country so we can live in freedom!

Hoorah for the red, white and blue!!

On a side note, it has been a windy, rainy and cool weekend at the lake.  We have spent much of it indoors; reading, napping and eating! 😉

What have you been doing over the weekend to relax?

Cheers! 🙂

Flowers And Trees

I inherited my mom’s journal with 40 years of flowers and trees she planted in the yard where I grew up as a child.

I love that it is in her handwriting…

 

I treasure it too because it connects us together… we both love flowers and trees.

I’m taking an online class from Lendon Noe hosted by Carla Sonheim called, Inspired By Lives and Letters, which gave me the inspiration to create this piece:

I made a copy of watercolor painting I did last year and a copy of mom’s journal page from the year I was born… to connect our past and present together as a remembrance.

It is a way for me to have a lovely conversation with my past…

A way for me to say, “Happy Birthday,” to my mom whose birthday is approaching in early March even though she is no longer with us.

I’d like to think she would treasure it.

Cheers! 🙂

Art From the Heart ❤️

My mom’s birthday was this week on Friday, March 3rd.  She would have been 88 years old if she was still living… she died much too soon at age 70.

My mom and I didn’t always get along.  Yet, the last 6 months before she died, she and I connected.  It has been one of the greatest gifts I received and cherish when I think of her.

I created this piece in my art journal this week as an assignment for Carla Sonheim’s class, writing a poem (I chose this quote) with a paint brush and watercolor.  I added the flowers with the crayon resist technique:

Afterwards, I realized that it was art from my heart – which is so powerful!  My mom and I both LOVED flowers!

How do you and your mom connect from the heart?!

Cheers!  🙂

In Lieu of Flowers

My father-in-law recently passed away.

Although we were not close, I still wanted him to die peacefully.

I was thankful that his wishes were met and he is no longer suffering.

I started my mixed media collage by gluing my Gelli printed papers with Matte Medium onto 140 lb hot press paper.   I added gesso around the flowers and textured it while it was still wet with the end of my paint brush and syran wrap.

After the gesso was dry, I added watercolor:

Adding several more layers of watercolor, I buffed it with a damp cloth to bring out the texture.

I added watercolor pencil to define the flowers at the end.

In lieu of flowers, 🌹 – my father-in-law would love if you planted a tree.   🌲

I would love to know how YOU celebrated and remembered your family and friends that have died – thank you for sharing your stories with me.

Hugs!  ❤️