Happy Tuesday, fellow bloghoppers!
Many thanks to all for the overwhelming well-wishes and kudos sent to Mr. Sunshine since his return last week. Your kindness is one of the many reasons I love this little handmade online community we're all citizens of...
One thing I did very little of during Mr. Sunshine's deployment was to just sit down and start to paint....whatever came to mind....
There was a time when painting was ALL I did....
That started with his first deployment in 2004.
In between then and now, there was a move or two (or three), some health problems for both me and Mr. Sunshine (and a few other family members), the loss of my Father, and a second deployment . Major creative mojo killers taken individually, let alone racked up, one on top of the other in quick succession.
So it has been a long time since I just sat down and exhaled, releasing everything- the tension, obligations, the pressure to make something with selling it in mind- and just creating for me, myself and I...
There was a time when painting was ALL I did....
That started with his first deployment in 2004.
In between then and now, there was a move or two (or three), some health problems for both me and Mr. Sunshine (and a few other family members), the loss of my Father, and a second deployment . Major creative mojo killers taken individually, let alone racked up, one on top of the other in quick succession.
So it has been a long time since I just sat down and exhaled, releasing everything- the tension, obligations, the pressure to make something with selling it in mind- and just creating for me, myself and I...
I have always, always, been fascinated with houses.
I paint them often. Cute little cottages, folk art inspired saltbox houses, houses for critters (barns), houses for worship (chapels). I think every painter has a favorite subject, like winsome little girls with big eyes, still life florals, whimsical animals, and on and on. Mine is houses.
We moved often when I was a child, and each new house was an adventure, a new start. Maybe it was the new color I got to paint my room every time we moved, I honestly don't know...but moving did not bother me that much...
As an adult, I have lived in many, many houses...not so much of an adventure anymore and new starts are over-rated, specially when you have teens who don't consider this lifestyle exciting.
Some houses I have loved, others I have loathed. But each has contributed at least one tick (some positive, some negative) to my mental check list of what the "forever house" (the one we move into after Mr. Sunshine retires from the military and hopefully NEVER leave again) will, and maybe more importantly, will not have. I pity the poor Realtor who has to deal with me in a few years...
I paint them often. Cute little cottages, folk art inspired saltbox houses, houses for critters (barns), houses for worship (chapels). I think every painter has a favorite subject, like winsome little girls with big eyes, still life florals, whimsical animals, and on and on. Mine is houses.
We moved often when I was a child, and each new house was an adventure, a new start. Maybe it was the new color I got to paint my room every time we moved, I honestly don't know...but moving did not bother me that much...
As an adult, I have lived in many, many houses...not so much of an adventure anymore and new starts are over-rated, specially when you have teens who don't consider this lifestyle exciting.
Some houses I have loved, others I have loathed. But each has contributed at least one tick (some positive, some negative) to my mental check list of what the "forever house" (the one we move into after Mr. Sunshine retires from the military and hopefully NEVER leave again) will, and maybe more importantly, will not have. I pity the poor Realtor who has to deal with me in a few years...
Anyway, I sat down last night and just painted. When I did, of course what naturally came out of the brushes was this wee little purple house.
I sketched a series of three small canvases, all featuring (of course) a house or two, connected by the yellow brick road you see above....
A happy, simple little painting....
this is what happens when I exhale...
How about you?
What is your "happy, just for you" crafting groove?
I would love to read all about it....
Until Next Time,
What is your "happy, just for you" crafting groove?
I would love to read all about it....
Until Next Time,
7 comments:
Hi, Steph! What a beautiful painting! It is so fresh and cheerful! Love it! :-)
Steph, I love your painting. It is a wonderful thing to have time to indulge in a little me time. Good for you. I hope you all feel well very soon.
That is a beautiful painting - I love house, too! I like to sew dresses for my little one - I make them up as I go and she always loves them!
Thank you all!
Little girls are sooo fun to dress. My 15 year old is just discovering how cute little girls' clothes are. We've had some wonderful conversations spring from things like "remember that yellow dress with the pretty flowers?" Sounds strange, but you take good convos from teens however you can take them!
Nice painting! I love your style of drawing and such a cozy home sweet home:)
xoxo
Zoe
Love the painting, it's so well done and happy. Best wishes.
Lesley
i love your paintings.. Looks really great.. :)
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