Paintings, Butterflies and Life.

So where have I been ... well that is an a loaded question because the answer far surpasses the attention of most blog readers! 

Life suddenly got busy, and rather then sit back and watch I took the wave and have been riding it ever since. 

Here is a brief summary:

• Interpreting career has been very full, challenging and rewarding
• Finished one art e-course and then started taking another
• Finished my 3rd commission and have 4 and 5 lined up already
• Celebrated Hubbies 40th birthday with a big bash
• Will be celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary on Tuesday

I always feel so honored and blessed when I am asked to paint something for someone, but those requests aren't void of trials and tribulations.

Its one thing to paint from your soul, its another to paint from your brain. I feel less of the "joy" when painting a commission as I become so engulfed in the process. Suddenly "perfection" takes center stage and I am merely a lost shadow. 

I lose site of the goal. When I am approached it is because MY style has captured the eye of another; remembering that, I finally let go of form and embrace what I know and love. I grow and become whole again. 

Just when the Caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. 

I am not a lover of symmetry, so butterfly wings were hard to achieve at first. This is actually the 4th butterfly and to arrive at this,  I had to consult a repeating dream I had been having. 

I had dreamed  that I was in an art class and rather then focus on balance the teacher wanted symmetry. I felt stuck and would get yelled at for not following the rules. No matter how nice my painting looked it was never good enough. In my dream I teach myself to become ambidextrous and draw each outline of my paintings with two hands so each half would be the mirror of the other. 

In reality, I am right-handed. My left hand has very little responsibility and lacks confidence. 

Feeling desperate I grab two pieces of white pastel and in one fluid motion my two hands work as one. In seconds I had the shape I was after and that was all it took! Who knew such a feat was possible?

I love wrapping the images around the sides of my canvases.

I am anxious to try this technique again in future paintings to see how it works for my faces!

Since the painting has been completed I have had NUMEROUS encounters

with butterflies, to the point of freaky.

I have had them land on the windshield while in the car at a stop light.

Nearly ran over them while they lie on the road in front of 

my drive way.

The most freakish was when I was walking along a wall of windows

down a hall way at a building I was working. 

The butterfly in a lovely outdoor atrium was following me the whole walk

down and just as I was about to turn the corner

the butterfly repeatedly flew into the glass making an audible noise!

I was so surprised that I stopped and walked toward the window

at which time the butterfly relaxed and landed on the window sill.

I was stunned and took two pictures. One was a shot of a calm creature

the second was a much more curious creature as it tilted its body upward to look

right at me!  Some day I may share those:)

At the same time the painted butterfly was taking transformation I had started to hang out with a new friend ... kinda weird. The butterfly has many symbolic meanings, but "soul" is one that comes to mind. I feel like I have known this person (newer friend) for a long time and that is rather cool ... We both just "get it",  everyone should have a friend like that. :)

I hope all of you wonderful readers are doing well, leave a message and say HI :)

  

Good-Night Blondie (finished I think)

I finished (I think) this little painting tonight ... not sure what she is capturing for me and why I am loving so much random color on the face.

Remember the old classic Blondie and Dagwood? I remember watching re-runs of that show on Sunday mornings before church ... The show mainly depicted the absent minded husband and his wacky antics. Don't you suppose Blondie had dreams? I bet she did (before dagwood and baby dumpling) ... I wonder what those dreams were.

I won't say this is an homage to Blondie from the old sit-com, and it really doesn't have anything to do with sleep as much as it has to do with dreaming those wonderful dreams ... dreams of the life you want and can (yes you can!) lead.

So Good-Night world, and dream those wonderful dreams 

and when you awake... follow them!