Shout out to Monet

It's been a while, I know, but I thought I'd show you a photo of my latest. I did this for my mom's guest room. Yes, I know, it's a copy of a Monet seascape. I used acrylic as opposed to Monet's oils--not quite the same effect, but I glazed it with a varnish, which gave it more richness and depth. I'm definitely leaning more toward the oils these days.

Crickett's Painting

Crickett's Song

Oil and Paper on Canvas

24"x36"

Last year, an old friend from college, affectionately called Crickett, contacted me and asked me to do a painting. She is a very gifted violinist and music teacher, and she had a wall in her studio that needed some color. She remembered some pieces I had done back in college and wanted me to do something special for her, giving me total artistic freedom. This is what I came up with. It's not the best picture--the color is a little more vibrant in person, but you get the idea. This one was very experimental for me, using many, many layers of oil color, drybrushing, gluing on pages from a Bible, using leaves to make imprints, dripping the sludge from the bottom of the turpentine jar, and more glue to add sheen and dimension. I'm really getting excited about mixed media lately. God is so amazing to provide me with ideas and inspiration in the midst of all the madness of life.

Three's Company

One of the most popular questions I've gotten as a mom and artist is "Do you find any time to paint?" This was a depressing thought when I first embarked on motherhood--that I would somehow lose my ability or time or passion to paint because my much more important children have taken priority. Well, had no problem painting through my oldest's first year of life, since he was an amazing napper and also very content to sit in a swing and watch. It became more of a challenge as he got older and napped less. Since baby #2 came along, I have often wondered if I needed to just store all my art supplies and give it up for a few years. I have recently come to terms with not having nearly the time or energy to pour into my artwork like I did before kids. I still long for the day that I can go to my easel and paint whenever the inspiration hits me.

A sweet friend and fellow artist, Ramona, gave me some great advice shortly before she passed away. She encouraged me to get Asher his very own easel and art supplies to put next to me while I'm painting. That way, he won't feel like art is off limits for him. I always remembered Ramona's words, and this Christmas I asked grandparents for art supplies for Asher. He now has his very own awesome two-sided easel, paints and art kit in the art room. For the first time last week, we created together--Asher with watercolors, Eden with chalk, and it was so wonderful to share my love for art with my son and daughter. So, the answer to the question is, yes, I do find time to paint! Sometimes it just looks different than I thought it would.