The 'Just Because' bouquet. It's not expected. It's just to let you know you are loved.
My favorite kind.

This 3 ft. x 3 ft. bouquet is the 2nd triptych created for Central DuPage Hospital's Maternal Fetal Medicine suite.*

While I was thinking about and praying for the women sitting in the waiting room with a high risk pregnancy, likely feeling uncertain or anxious, I just wanted to give them a bouquet - just because.

*Due to some changes in plans, 'Just Because' may not end up in that section of the hospital.

Apparently, I couldn't stop with Miss Chicken and the toys... (See previous post.)

It snowed quite a bit while The Traveling Chicken was in town. For inspiration, my husband suggested that I take her out in the snow. I was resistant because I simply did not want to paint snow. (Hence the indoor play in the previous painting.)

Well, the day I sent her off to Florida, the snow was so beautiful that I felt I should at least try the chick in the snow.

It felt SO good to be outside on a quiet snowy morning. After taking quite a few pictures, I perched the chicken on a hydrangea bush (I believe it's a chantilly hydrangea for those who are curious) next to a few dried blooms that have hung on all winter... Gorgeous.

And, I got to paint Miss Chicken with some flowers. :)

Yes, it's a bit kooky to paint a ceramic chicken in the snow, but there is exquisite beauty in all seasons - chicken or no chicken, I'm grateful I didn't miss it!

You can read the story to go along with little Miss Chicken at The Traveling Chicken blog.

The chicken has arrived in sunny Florida at Pamela Sweet's studio.

The Traveling Chicken, affectionately known as Miss Chicken or TC, visited my studio for 2 weeks. She is a wee one, but loaded with possibility!

Deciding on just what to do with this ceramic chicken was a conundrum. She was smaller and frankly, less interesting than I had imagined her to be.  Also, I thought Miss chick should be sitting amidst a flower or two - to 'go' with my current florals. Ultimately, I decided to just have fun with it.

Because of her size, I pictured her amidst the many 'set-ups' my two sons create with their star wars figures, superheroes, legos, etc. I basically let the boys play with her (on a cushy carpeted floor to avoid any mishaps), while I tried to capture an inspiring photo to paint from.

The boys had a great time including her in many different scenarios. Some tension arose and we had to take turns (myself included) because we all had our own ideas for the little ceramic chicken!

Because we were indoors and we were 'playing' right before bedtime (dark outside), it was hard to get good photos. My 9 year old found a small, but glaring, flashlight that we tried to use as a spotlight. Here are some of the better shots.

The next morning, I brought her downstairs - and saw our chess set on the coffee table. Perfect! Miss Chicken gets to be the queen, good lighting was coming in from a nearby window, there were interesting textures and possibilities for a captivating composition.

Yep - but that little 4x6 inch composition was not so simple (surprise, surprise). For a while, Miss Chicken got lost (literally) in the game. Making the onyx chess pieces 'make sense' was a challenge. I pushed and pulled values for hours.

BUT working with a different subject, blending and mixing and layering the oil paint, arranging (and rearranging) the composition - all were valuable and just plain fun.

Before she left for Pamela Sweet's studio in Florida, I took some photos of Miss Chicken with her new friends.

To read about Miss Chick in more of a story form, visit my post on The Traveling Chicken blog.

When I see the sun breaking through the trees, my attention is led away from the day-to-day.
In that magical moment, I experience peace. 

There's a message of hope in such a scene. I keep taking pictures, trying to capture it. Look how the light gets so bright in the center that the branches closest to the light seem to disappear.

I took photos of my progress - from sketch to completed painting. In order to reflect my original inspiration of the sun breaking through the branches, I realized that the circles needed to be brought tighter together and painted brighter as they got closer to the center of the light. (I wasn't trying to make it snow!)

Seeing it broken down into steps, it looks easier that it was!

Color-wise, I was coordinating with 'Drink' - another painting purchased for the suite.

I wrote about the inspiration for 'Drink' in a previous post: All Who Are Thirsty...Drink

A few months ago, I was awake early and couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to check e-mail. I subscribe to Carol Marine's Painting a Day blog and through it, was introduced to The Traveling Chicken.  A small ceramic chicken is being sent to artists all around the world as a muse of sorts. (Click on the link to check out the wonderful paintings other artists have created with this little chick.)

Well, in the wee hours of the morning, I signed up and 'Miss Chicken' will soon be on her way to me!


Have you signed up for my blog? Once or twice a week you'll get to see the latest things happening in my studio. Sign up is on the right - enter your e-mail and don't forget to respond the verification e-mail that comes soon after you sign up.

I find it comforting to be under the canopy of a tree as the sun breaks through...

After 20+ years, I met up with my high school art teacher, Mr. Williams -  Jim and I visited his studio/gallery in Door County, WI.

Behind his inspiring studio, there is a gorgeous garden (planted and cultivated by his wife) and a forest stretching out back. This little painting was inspired by one of the photos I took on our walk in the woods.

Visit Rob William's gallery online or in person! http://robwilliamsstudio.com/home

When I entered Mr. William's art room my junior year of high school, I had my feet firmly planted in the math and science track.
By graduation, I was heading off to college as an Art Major.

Thinking about Door County
has got me thinkin' about cherries.
Yum!

I keep noticing flowers with their heads turned down. I have wondered why - why is such beauty being hidden?

On one of my 'treasure hunts' around the yard, I captured this little Springtime beauty (a Columbine). The warm lighting and the   exquisite lines and shapes in the petals revealed a bit of glory right there in our side yard!

But - why the downward pose?

This verse from the Bible came to mind:
"But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." (found in Psalm 3:3)

"The lifter of my head" ... Ahhh ... I then saw the flower face down as a person - in grief, despair, or shame (symbolized by the rainy sky). But the scene is far from hopeless!

From above, the bloom is cast in the warm light of God's presence and affection. At the same time, he is coming around underneath, gently touching and lifting the downcast 'chin'. The head is lifting and hope is being restored (symbolized by the highlighted circles and their upward movement).

This painting is about adoring and honoring the God of all creation - 
and discovering the incredible truth that He adores and cherishes us!

This painting is about being overwhelmed - and not staying in that state.

It could be too much paperwork, being too busy, too many decisions, too much to accomplish, too many expectations, too many emotions, too much fear, too many mistakes, too many worries...

The blooms in the image are intentionally placed at the top of the composition. They are pushing to get their heads above water. They reach up for a deep breath (symbolized by the circles at the top).

The image reminds me that Peace, Wisdom and Perspective are available. The Giver of Life offers fresh, life-giving air.

The flowers in the painting won't drown. In fact, they are thriving!
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Then Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yolk is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28

"I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." - John 14:27

'The Fabs' (4 long time friends)
wanted to give their beloved 'Honey'
(one of the Fab's moms)
a special retirement gift.

Honey loves white tulips. The 5 blooms in the bouquet represent each of the women. When Honey was described as "a very lovely person with a bright warm smile and a huge heart", a golden joy-filled background came to mind. 


Celebrating friendship and the love for a Mama - I love it! Happy retirement Honey!

Honey's reaction to her gift. :)

If you've got special someone in mind - I'm in! Contact me and we'll talk about ideas and pricing.