Six Word Saturday #20

~After the storm

I seek solace~

Well, this has been a time of turbulence.

Friends and loved ones sick and dying.

No time for art to speak of.

Not much time to connect because there's such a dis-connect right now.

Because I believe in the cyle of things I know this will pass.

This is NOT meant to be a downer of a post, but one of hopefulness that things will begin to turn around.

I'll be back soon!

photo locations from top to bottom:Barrington Beach, Rhode Island, Pueblo west, CO,  again...Pueblo West, CO, Provincetown, Mass, my back yard in Barrington, Rhode Island,  Cove Haven Marina, Barrington, Rhode Island, and finally, Barrington Country Club, Barrington, Rhode Island.

For more "six words" click here!

Suki's Emily

Okay, I have been absent long enough.

I really miss posting and visiting, so I'm going to start with the very last painting I did and then hopefully have more to post very soon.

This is a portrait of our friend Suki's beloved and sorely missed cat, Miss Emily Dickinson.

I went to Suki's blog and borrowed a photo to paint from. The photo wasn't very clear but I did my best to capture her spirit. Suki approved and was quite touched and grateful.

It's a simple portrait trying to capture an enormous little spirit.

We are never, ever ready to let them go, but we must in order for them to move on.

I hope to be back soon with something new from my easel. I miss you all!

xo

Lo♥

A Letter to my Uncle

Dear Uncle Don~

I learned this morning that you left us in the wee hours of the night.

That's just like you to slip away quietly. I hope you know you were surrounded my many in mind and spirit. I'd like to think Aunt Jean was waiting for you with open arms.

I'm sure she was. And Hogan and Tom were there wagging their tails.

You were more af a dad to me than an Uncle. You were my rock.

We shared so much. Our love of nature and all living things.

Quiet moments...

There wasn't anything that didn't fascinate you.

I'll miss our weekly talks and I'll treasure all the conversations between us.

You were my confidant and true friend.

When my friends put you up in their guest room while we were packing to move, you became family in an instant. You never enter a life without entering their hearts.

You dazzled us all with your self-taught piano magic. Fats Waller would have been proud of you!

My life is richer for having known you.

There's a giant space in this world without you in it, but I know there's a new star in the sky now.

You shined bright while you were here, too.

Goodbye dearest Uncle. I know I'll hear from you again.

 I'll treasure your drawings which have a place of honor in my studio.

You were the kindest, dearest soul and I will miss you deeply.

Thank you for all you've taught me and shared with me for so many years.

Blessings to you on your new journey,

Love always,

Laurel♥

Illustration Friday: Grounded

Whether soaring high, surveying the skies,

or grounded with feet firmly planted where he stands~

Raven is King of all the land.

For Illustration Friday: grounded

Acrylic paint and colored pencil on patterned paper, and a sticker for his crown. 

Pulled from my archives because I miss playing :)

December Skies

This is a view from my studio window, untouched, flaming sky glowing with hope.

The view from my kitchen window, sky-blue pink afternoon.

Barrington Country Club which I pass daily.

I always pull off the road for sky photos. They call to me.

The magic of afternoon light. A perfect backdrop for winter trees.

Clouds dancing on tree tops.



As the sun sets on the last day of 2011, I reflect on the year that is leaving.

I always try to pick the gems from the rubble because I know they're there no matter how hard the year may have been.

I wish all of you, dear friends, a year full of gems, peace in your heart, good health and happiness always.

All I'm going to ask of myself this year is to show up.

I'm going to strive for improved health in body and mind.

And more art...and blogging!

And being a better friend.

Happy New Year, with love always~

Lo

xoxo

Holiday Hope

This is the time of year when many people complain about what they don't have. They make huges lists of material 'must haves" for Santa to bring or for other people to buy because they think life will be better with them.

For others, this is a time of year when we remember the less fortunate. Those without food, shelter or warmth. Those who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Those who don't have any family members left and feel totally alone. Big TVs, Ipods, computers, diamonds or fancy cars wouldn't fill their needs or their hearts.

 

What all of us need to keep in mind in any of these situations is that people care. I still believe that good outweighs bad. So let's remember the less fortunate in this season of giving. Let's show them that hope is always on the horizon.

Wishing you all who celebrate, A Very Merry Christmas. Sharing with you week after week is one of my greatest gifts of all!

( And for those of you who don't know my secret signature, the 3 cypress trees are always in my heart. They represent the 3 cats we drove from Rhode Island to California with 18 years ago. I miss them dearly and feel blessed to have had them in my life for so many years. Merry Christmas, boys.)

( click the image to see hope on the horizon!)

This is a repost from 2007, but worthy today.

xoxo

Lo

Happy HOWL-idays to MEW!

Well, at least Emma and Bliss are ready for the holidays!

I did have every intention of printing these and mailing them to my friends but I only got as far as designing it.

Please feel free to right click, save and print and sign "Love, Lo" on it and put it on your mantle!

One of my resolutions for the new year is to find balance between life and work and to get back to blogging.

I miss everyone!

Have a wonderful Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza...whatever you celebrate, celebrate with all your heart! ♥

Love,

Lo

xoxoxo

New paintings and Bear winner!

Somehow I've managed to whip up two new small paintings for Grasmere.

This snowy lamb ...

And this Baroque-era raven.

There's shiny coppery bits on the rave's background which is hard to make out.

It felt good to paint again!

And now....drum roll please...

The winner of the cute bears is

Marion!

Congrats my friend! I know your grandkids will give them lots of love♥

How funny that you entered just in the nick of time :)

ReGift-Away

I have mixed feelings about doing this, but in my heart I think it's the best solution all around.

I opened a box from a dear distant relative (whom I've never met) and inside were these two, brand new darling bears. She and I have exchanged Christmas gifts for eleven years now. The thing is, these are different from what she normaly sends.

I don't collect anything, especialy dolls or bears or anything cute.

I'd be an art collector if I could afford it, but I can't.

So after gazing in these sweet eyes for a couple of weeks I thought the right thing to do would be to have a regift-a-way and have the winner reimburse me for the postage. You get two collectible bears for the cost of shipping and I don't have a heavy heart from shoving these cuties in a drawer when they should be proudly displayed.

They are Bearington Bears. Look at her face! Her dress is more of a Christmas green, not this dull green in the photo. They come complete with a stand with the tags still attached. 

Look at this little cutie in his cable knit sweater!

What little girl (or big girl collector) wouldn't love these?

I can't help that I'm missing that gene! :)

Think of who you have on your list who would be thrilled to open this package on Christmas day. I will draw the name of one lucky winner on Sunday, Dec 4th.

I'm only allowing those of you who already visit me to enter this.

That's my small gift to you, my loyal friends. (Whom I haven't been so loyal to these days, sorry.)

 I know how giveaways can ooze into the blogosphere and everyone comes a runnin'!

Sorry, friends only Good luck everyone!

I just want these bears to have a wonderful, loving home.

If she had sent me a puppy or kitten there would NOT be a giveaway ;)

xo

Lo ♥

Thanksgiving Grace

I don't need one particular day of the year to give thanks for all that I have in life.

I try to be thankful every day, and yes, sometimes it's hard

Like when friends and family get sick. Or when there's not enough money for bills.

But even if I'm in a weeping heap, I know how blessed I am just by being given another day to try to get it right. To make a difference even in some small way.

Here's to all of you who have made a huge difference in my life. I'm grateful to you all even though I may not say it (or visit) often enough.

I really love knowing you're there.

Really ♥

xoxo

Lo

full moon photo taken in Pacific Grove, CA.

raven photos taken at Nepenthe, Big Sur, CA

Animal Wednesday: Meditation

I had a day off today and all I asked for was to find a few moments to take a shot or two of the foliage before today's rain brings down all the leaves.

This is one of my favorite vistas. A house on the marsh looking as if it's its own island. I was thrilled to see it had visitors today as I was driving by on my way home from the market. 

Hello, Mr. and Mrs.!!

Soft rain falling in Autumn...and swans!

Thank you, Universe. ♥ 

P.S.  My nickname at work is tree hugger. And that's a bad thing?

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Sunday Thoughts

Wow, what a whirlwind couple of weeks.

A new job with intense hours. (40 hours in three and a half days.)

My dear friend and Uncle stricken with end stage pancreatic cancer even after having gone to doctor after doctor only to be diagnosed too damn late because they weren't listening to him.

My friend's daughter in law, age 32, diagnosed with bladder cancer after having been given three rounds of antibiotics and NO urinalysis tests. She had surgery to have the tumor removed, but here we are three weeks later and now she has a tumor on one of her kidneys. 

And now another friend facing her own challenges and waiting to confirm a cancer diagnosis after months of being ill. Let's hope it's a false alarm and her battle can be won.

What's happening here? Aren't we in a time where diagnoses are easier to form?

I'm exhausted and sad today.

All I can do is send out prayers and stay true to myself by being authentic.

I miss you all and love you. Once I get adjusted to all of these changes and life challenges I will be better at visiting.

Life is good still, but overwhelming at times, no?

xoxo

Lo♥

Oh Joy!!!!

I had the day off today. Oh Joy!

I spent time cleaning my messy studio. Oh joy!

And then I made myself take a little time to paint.

Little painting for Grasmere.

BIG joy in my heart to make art again.

5" x 5" for my new "Teasers" series.

xoxo

Lo♥

Illustration Friday: Stripes

Cats will do anything to find a sunny spot.

This is a painting of my old cat Biff who graced my life for nearly seventeen years.

He had malnutrition and pneumonia and weighed 5 pounds when I adopted (stole) him from his neglectful owners.

He showed his gratitude for life every single day.

Meanwhile, I started my new job at the veterinary hospital on Tuesday. I have put in nearly 30 hours in 3 days which is why I've been so scarce, yet again.

It will take some time to get acclimated to these hours, but so far it's going well.

Everyone is nice and helpful, but best of all I get to hold puppies again and greet so many new fur friends!

Oh, and getting a paycheck again? Priceless!

I hope to visit you all soon. It looks like I've missed a million posts!

xo

Lo♥

It's Birthday Time!

From one Princess to another!

Have a super birthday, dear LS :)

Love, Lo, Bri, Princess Bliss and Emma♥

Animal Wednesday: Mystery Box

Well what do you think is in this big box that came from Robin?

The lilac tissue is SO her :)

WOW!!! Look at the size of this guy! He's tired after flying all the way from San Francisco.

Well, he sort of flew :)

Emma took off like a shot and hid under the pillow!

It could be that she remembers the story about her daddy (Brian) getting attacked by ravens in Bodega Bay at the same place where "The Birds" was filmed. See the schoolhouse? She just KNOWS Alfred Hitchcock sent this damn bird!

It's true, they showed no mercy.

Bliss is a lot tougher than Emma, believe it or not.

Here she is checking him out near one of her beds.

There'd better not be bird poop in there, hairy guy!

Nope. Good thing for you! I'll be watching you though.

But I love him and he apparantly loves our Rhode Island Red Rooster.

Aww, he'll find a place in Em's heart soon. And Bliss will lighten up too.

Meanwhile, guess what I named him?

Really.....guess!

He's a bit more hairy looking than feathery, probably because he's still young and downish.

Ready?

Hairy CAWnick Jr. !!

Happy Animal Wednesday, my dear friends.

Thank you Robin! I love him. Can I keep him, huh, can I?

xo

Lo♥