The First Day of 2011

A good day to relax and remind myself to keep balance in my life! 

"In whatever one does there must be a relationship between the eye and the heart." 

----Henri Cartier-Besson

Twothousandandten

"If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you."-- Winnie the Pooh





d.....you will always be in my heart......love - j

In The PINK !

Today is a cold but beautiful day.  I am wrapping up 2010 and reviewing all that has transpired this last year.  It has been a difficult one for me personally but today on my walk through the garden, I spied this last little pink Coneflower (Echinacea) that was braving the cold morning chill.  Somehow I can relate to her. Also, I love this quote by Audrey Hepburn......



Pink Coneflower

 

"I believe in pink.  I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.  I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.  I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.  I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.  I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."

- Audrey Hepburn

Getting Un-stuck!



Narcissus



Iceland Poppy



The last two days I have been working on several new paintings for two new gallery shows.  When I am under pressure to complete something in an allotted time, my creativity doesn't flow naturally and I find myself constantly distracted.  Yesterday I struggled all day long and ended up painting over the portrait that I had been working so hard on!  So I woke up this morning with a new attitude.  I decided that I would take some breaks during the day and before I began to paint, I would have a game plan.  What a surprise, it was a much better day!  I took a break first thing this morning and walked around our yard looking at and enjoying nature.  Then I took three deep breaths and planned what I needed to do to resolve some issues with my paintings.  At noon, I took a lunch break and sat in the sunshine coming through the studio window.  Later in the day as the shadows got long, I went outside again with my new camera and shot some photo's of my garden.  It was interesting that most of the plants that are blooming are white.  Is that because I tend to gravitate towards a white & green garden design or is it because of something in nature where more white plants flower in the winter?  Mmmmm....I'll have to investigate! 



Snowdrops



"The earth laughs in flowers" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Winter White Hydrangea's

Winter White Hydrangea's

I just spent the last few days with my husband and our three son's who were home for Christmas.  As a Christmas gift, I received a new camera and I was itching to get outside and play with it some but somehow with four guys in the house, somebody always wants to eat!  Today I did spend some time reading the instruction booklet and taking some photo's in the garden. I take a lot of photo's during our travels and for studio reference.  I think I may need a class in photography so I don't keep the camera on "auto" all of the time!  This photo was taken indoors from our table centerpiece with the camera set on "A" for Aperture.  I did have fun seeking out interesting photo "op's" and I am very excited to share some more photo's as well as paintings!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

May every heart
On earth
Find peace,
Love,
Harmony,
And beauty.