The Four Sisters



"Smitty & the Girls"
by Jeanette Baird



My mother has three sisters and even though they are in their 80's, they will forever be "the girls".



"Sisters are different flowers from the same garden." 

~ Author Unknown

Chicken Scratch

"If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens." ~ Grandma Moses 

I guess that I did it backwards as I raised my chickens first and after several years of enjoying their antics, delicious eggs and funny personalities, only then did I begin to paint! 

Owl Moon

Last night I could hear an owl calling from a nearby tree. It reminded me of my middle son Jon. When he was about two, he was enthralled with the book "Owl Moon".  We read it to him often and he had a cassette tape of it so he could listen to it whenever he wanted. Within a few months he had  memorized the story and I remember him playing his tape and reading along with the storyteller word for word.  My husband and I watched him from his bedroom door, sitting on his bed and "reading" along with the tape.  Such a sweet memory. Thanks Jonnie!

"I could feel the cold......But I never said a word. Because if you go owling, you have to be quiet and make your own heat."  - quote from Owl Moon by Jane Yolan

The Pond Gardener

The Pond Gardener at Giverny

Today I am working on a painting of the pond cleaner at Giverny.  I am working at adding some background atmosphere, as it was a overcast Spring day.  Every morning a gardener goes out in a little green boat and maintains Claude Monet's waterlilies.  I am trying to capture the tranquility of the pond as well as the gardener who is intent on doing  a good job in this beautiful place. This is my photo reference and tomorrow I hope to post the finished painting!

"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment."  - Claude Monet

Rain and a Comfy Chair

"Playgirl" rose hanging her head in the rain

Today I woke to the pitter-patter of rain on our rooftop. I am glad the garden is getting the water it needs.  Rain makes me feel like curling up in a comfy chair, having a cup of fragrant tea, a warm fire, reading a good book and putting flannel sheets on all the beds.  The reality is that I will probably end up doing a load or two of laundry, cleaning up last nights dishes, feel guilty for not planting those last 50 bulbs yet and paying a few bills. But still the cozy feeling will be with me all day long and I still may jump into that chair for a chapter or two!

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet." - Roger Miller