Wednesday, April 29, 2009

"Water Lily"



With the warmer weather this past week, the ice went out of Lake Francis, and I started thinking about getting out my kayak. I love getting out onto the lakes and streams whenever possible. There's always something to see when you're on the water, and I usually take my camera along, to capture those fleeting images that may someday turn into paintings.

A couple of years ago, I was kayaking on an inlet to Third Connecticut Lake, where the water was calmly flowing in a gentle current into the lake. There, growing from the shallow depths of the stream, were yellow water lilies, floating and swaying as the water drifted by. One particular lily caught my eye, and my camera forever captured it's simple elegance. While the other lilies, bobbed and dipped in the gentle flow, this lily rose out of the water, above floating green leaves, as if to say, "I will stand tall, and show strength amidst diversity."

If only we could embrace that elegance, secure in who we are, daring to be different, and allowing others to be who they are. Acceptance, can only be found in the strength of one's inner self. Mother nature has a wonderful way of teaching.

"Water Lily"
Blue Butterfly Series #3
8 x 10 Original Oil Painting on Canvas
$100.00

To purchase this painting, please contact the artist.


Visit ArtRECreation, my art and history blog to read this article about the series of water lily paintings created by Claude Monet.
French impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840-1926), a diversity in water lilies.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Nature's Kittens




When I was a little girl, I remember walking along a neighborhood roadway, looking with anticipation for the first pussy willows. It was always so exciting to find them, tiny little puffs, soft and fuzzy to the touch. I loved stroking the the little pods. They reminded me of baby kittens or bunnies all lined up along a branch. And like seeing the robins return, we knew when the pussy willows popped, spring had finally arrived.

I still get excited when I see pussy willows. What a pleasant surprise it was, when my husband came in last Friday with a handful of them, and presented them to me like a floral bouquet. I placed them in a clay pitcher, to display them with honor, as I remembered the excitement of finding them as a child.

Spring flowers are pleasant this time of year....with the celebration of Easter, and the anticipation that winter is finally retreating. But, I can't think of any arrangement that would look better to me, then the gift of pussy willows shared by my husband.

Wishing everyone a happy and joyous Easter.


"Nature's Kittens"
7 x 5 Original Oil on Canvas
$80.00 

To purchase this painting, please contact the artist.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Sculpted Birches



"Sculpted Birches"
Blue Butterfly Series #1

10 x 8 Original Oil on Canvas
$100.00
Unframed: framing options available

To purchase this painting, please contact the artist.