Poppy Field

"When I Was in Italy ...."

8" X 10" Oil on Linen Panel

 Original photo

Cropped for my purposes

Several of my friends have traveled abroad, but none of them have told their story quite like Christina.  In fact, within the first few minutes of meeting her, I learned that she recently took a university class in Florence, Italy called “The Diet and Lifestyles of the Mediterranean.”  Her entire face lit up as she related her experiences with fresh enthusiasm!   (You should see the food pictures!)

If the students wanted to see any other parts of the country, they were on their own to plan day trips on the weekends.  They had to choose between trying to squeeze in as many places as they could in a short period of time, or spend more time in fewer places.  Christina chose  to embrace all she could.  Of course, that meant literally running through the streets in some places, and viewing others from the inside of a vehicle. 

I loved looking through all the photos, but was specifically drawn to the one above.   I actually looked at it for a while before realizing it was taken through the bus window.  (Some representations can be deceiving!)   I asked her if it was a poppy field, and because she was just driving by, she really didn’t know for sure.  She just knew it was a pretty field with reddish-orange flowers and a few buildings that obviously attracted her enough to take a picture.  And it attracted me enough to take a second look, zoom in, choose the part I liked, and crop it.  Then when it came time to apply the composition to my canvas, I just made the things I couldn’t discern into whatever I felt suited my goal of a well-balanced landscape.

Viewing someone’s life from a distance is somewhat like that.  We see some dots and connect them in a way that seems logical to us – and bingo, we’ve come to a conclusion that may not be the truth.  Yeah – it's all too easy to “judge from afar.”  But, the closer we get to someone, the more we can see how wrong – or right - our assumptions may have been.  (For example - those may not be poppies at all!!)

And what about our relationship with God?  Are we settling for the drive-by, the view from the foggy window, or even looking through someone else’s lenses?  It may obscure the truth, or misrepresent it, and if it does, we lose.  We lose because we put God in a box that we’ve constructed – we make Him what we want Him to be – “to fit the landscape” – and He's so much more than that!  

You want to know if “poppies are really poppies?"  Find out for yourself - go straight to Him - because you can!

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” 

James 4:8

[Guess I'll have to go to Italy!  :)))]

Oh, and you're wondering about the title?  According to Christina's father, since her return, she often begins her sentences with, "When I was in Italy, ....."  There's that passion - gotta love it!   (I think he's given her a new nickname:)

Still Life

“Petal Pushers II”

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Panel

Available

In case you’re not familiar with the term “still life," it is an art form in which the subject matter is most often an inanimate object, such as fruit, pottery, a vase of flowers, etc.   The artist has significant control over his/her composition and arranges it in a “fixed” manner, even choosing the type and position of the light source, creating dramatic shadows and beautiful highlights.

Still lifes, while very popular, have never been at the top of my list to paint – with the exception of flower close-ups.   I’m not sure exactly why, but I think it might be because they’re usually just so ………........ STILL…….and still is really hard for me to do!!  

Or maybe it’s the same reason why I’m not especially fond of social events where the primary activity is the proverbial “small talk."  You know – the kind of contrived conversation that starts with the typical  “How do you like this weather we’ve been having?"  Or, “Love your dress!  Where’d you get it?”, and continues to proceed, and end, superficially with both participants carefully controlling their exposure – if any at all.   (You know what I’m talkin’ about!)

Now I am NOT saying there isn’t VALUE in properly placed shadows and highlights. For instance, I think you will agree that not everyone needs to see and know EVERY thing.   To quote a dear friend, “You don’t have to tell everything you know!”  And another, “You don’t have to show your hand!”  True - some things are just meant to be shadowed.  (Remember when I used to do makeovers?)   ‘Nuff said.  (Hey - I'm not talkin' about you!)

I guess when it comes to the art of painting, I prefer things in their natural setting – like fruit on the vine/tree, flowers in the garden, and horses in the paddock.   Or maybe a better term is “life," because life is not still.  Not when you’re bored.  Not when you’re sleeping.  Not even after it stops.  

But aren’t we all still life artists in a way?  In social situations, don’t we position ourselves, and our families, in the “light” that we want others to see us in?  Don’t we keep things in the shadows – even from ourselves (and God)?  And when things aren’t going the way we think they should, don’t we try to control, manipulate, contrive, arrange, position –  FIX?  Uh-huh.

Yep - you’re probably an artist – even if you don’t call yourself one.  And the more you try to control, the tighter you are wound, the greater the potential loss.  Been there.  Am there.  Trying to learn …...... to let go ……… and let God.  It’s a process.  Join me?

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of our faith.” 

Hebrews 12:2

Captive

It sure wasn’t on my family’s agenda for the day. Mark it down – one more day that I don’t get up to my studio to paint – I’m beginning to think it’s an elusive dream.  But when my husband emergently called my son and me to the backyard that morning, I knew something was taking precedence.  (On a scale of 1-10, he routinely scores about a “3” on “easily excitable”).  As soon as we stepped outside, we could hear a cacophony of very vocal blue jays in one of our trees – and there on a lower limb, serenely perched, was a hawk in all its magnificence.

We watched as he eventually took flight, landing 25 feet away under the pine trees.  We were amazed when we were able to get 12-15 feet away and he didn’t take off again.  (Could we be bird whisperers?)   Well, reality hit and things started falling into place – why wasn’t he flying away, why would the smaller birds stay in a tree that occupied a hawk?  Why would they have the guts to even speak to this predator?  After snapping approximately 85 photos, we noticed that one of his wings hung slightly lower than the other.  He was essentially "grounded".  We decided the situation was bigger than we were and it was up to us to get him help.

True to the old family-favorite Ghostbusters movie theme song, we looked at each other and said, 

“When there's something strange,

in your neighborhood.....

Who ya gonna call?    

 Mel Lodato!"

Well, it wasn’t on Mel’s agenda either.  He was already out doing his part in maintaining the Eagle Slough Natural Area before the temperature reached 108+.  But, we reached him just as he was finishing up, and true to his calling, he sacrificed his plans to come to the rescue. 

Now, I know you're still singing that song in your head, so you're probably picturing him in a full bodysuit, a long-handled Hawk Zapper, a backpack, and a helmet for protection - just in case the bird decides Mel is the prey.  Not so, people!  Not so!  (I was kinda hoping he would come with the helmets – I didn’t want that thing coming at my head!  Ah, but that’s another story for another time :))  No, Mel showed up in his every day attire - shorts, t-shirt, and baseball cap -bearing only a pair of long gloves and a short pole with a small net on the end to accessorize his attire.  Really?  Surely there was a blood bath – I mean bird bath - in store!

Mel looked at the hawk for a few minutes and immediately we had lots of information.  For instance, he said he was a red-tail, a male, hadn’t been out of the nest very long, and was underweight.  (You have GOT to be kidding – this guy could have been mistaken for a turkey!  Well, by me, anyway.)   

A falconer, Mel holds both a state and federal license, which allows him to trap and house a hawk in captivity for a time, and he knows his stuff!  Apparently obtaining this license is no small accomplishment, but it is for the protection of the birds and the sport from abuse.  According to www.americanfalconry.com, “First you take a written test on biology, training, and veterinary aspects of raptors.  To pass you must score at least 80%.  Next you have to find a sponsor to train you. He will have a general or master falconry permit, and sponsor your two-year apprenticeship. Then you must build a suitable facility to house your raptor and obtain necessary equipment. This is then physically inspected by a Game and Fish representative.  After paying the state fee you become a licensed falconer. Now you can trap a raptor.”

Well, as one would expect, the bird morphed into “fight or flight” mode, which certainly made his capture a challenge.  Hopping, with a few short flights over the neighbors privacy fences (the bird, not us!), the chase ensued, but our strategies began to wane, as my husband, son, neighbor Nathan, and I were ready to surrender to failure to help this bird who should have been long gone by now. 

But in one split second, it was a done deal!!!  With extreme skill, finesse, and the quickness of an athlete, Mel acted, and the bird was rescued!  While the hawk obviously didn’t think so, he was now literally safe in Mel’s caring, capable hands.  We got another hawk lesson - close-up this time - and some of us even got to touch him.  Mel would take the bird home, put him in a special cage, feed him his favorite foods (the hawks, not Mels), in hopes of nurturing him back to good health – even helping him rebuild his strength in flying long distances.  His rescuer knew what was best for this “little” guy and will do all he can to rehab him, with the goal of releasing him to freedom in his natural habitat when healed. 

  

            

Thank you, Mel!!!!

(Note:  If the bird is still unable to fly after 4-5 days of R & R at the Lodato Raptor Resort, he will be taken to Wessleman Park Nature Center for more comprehensive rerehabilitation.)

To the hawk, captivity doesn’t feel like freedom.  Nor does it to us.  But, really, isn’t it all in what, or who, you’re captive TO?    

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives,

and release from darkness for the prisoners…

                                                                 Isaiah 61:1

“But thanks be to God,

who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession,

and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.”

                                                                                                        2 Corinthians 2:14

Donna's House

"Donna's House"

6" X 6" Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

Sold

My friend, Donna, recently had to place her mother in a nursing home due to a stroke that left her unable to care for herself.  Hard thing to do - really hard.  Donna asked me to paint a composition of the home her mother recently moved out of - the same one Donna grew up in.  I am humbled.  What a special project to be a part of. 

As I always do when I’m painting, I wondered what life was like in this inviting bungalow in the small town of Huntingburg, Indiana.  I bet Donna ran through the grass barefoot, long blond hair flying in the breeze, dodging bumble bees!

 

It reminds me of my grandmother’s home – especially the large covered porch that sweeps across the front.  Oh, the stories that were probably told on that glider!  And I bet there were plenty of times she watched it rain from under the protection of that roof – then ran out and played in the puddles.    And what about all the times it was too hot to play in the yard and it shielded her from the heat of the sun?

What is it about a building that we become so attached to it – or any inanimate object (like my car that we just sold!)  It’s not the “thing”, ya know.  It’s the memories that make us feel all warm and fuzzy – or not.   And when we lose (or sell) “the thing”, it doesn’t cancel out the memories, or even erase them.  They remain as real as life itself.  Still, it feels like a loss. 

But, “things” are limited in their power.  For instance, we need protection from a lot that porches or houses or cars – things - cannot provide.  Like when life gets too hard ,,,,,,,,, like when a situation feels threatening and we lose hope……when a quick fix won’t get the job done…like when temptation tries to get the best of us ……….

It is my prayer that this painting will provide Donna’s mother with fond memories of her life in this home – and even more so, the love of her family – and even more so, the love of Him who provides it all!

“The Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm –

He will watch over your life.

The Lord will watch over your coming and going

Both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121:5-8

"Basket Kases"

No.  I'm absolutely not being mean.  They gave themselves that name!  April Biggerstaff and Charlene Bitter, that is.  I'm just kinda thinkin',.........well, you can take it up with them if ya really wanna know! 

Okay - truth is, they make gift baskets.  With all the awesome merchandise in their little shop.  "Talented" doesn't quite get it - these ladies just have a knack for making the ordinary special.  Very special! 

Blessed am I to have my artwork on display (and available for purchase) there.  I hadn't been in since I dropped off my inventory a few weeks ago.  My friend, Cindy, told me I really needed to see it - so, obediently, I stopped in.  Check out the beautiful presentation April created!!! Love it, love it, love it!  Don't you??  

Okay - so, it's not just about me.  But, y'all really should check it out.  (2009 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, Indiana · Phone (812) 491- 9799.)  Their little shop packs a big punch from the street with their window display, only to be upstaged by the menagerie of unique gifts and original art inside.  AND, when in the market for gift giving, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS buy something for YOURSELF!

I know I said it's not about me, but my little 6" X 6" mini oil paintings are a great "one-of-a-kind" personal gift for Mother's Day - or for any other special event!  (FYI - real flowers, beautiful as they are, wither and are thrown in the trash within a week - oil lives forever!!!)  


And, if you don't mind, may I suggest a little "girlfriend" or "mother-daughter" excursion:
     1)  Browse Basket Kases.
     2)  Browse Barefoot Cottage, next door.
     3)  Cross Weinbach and visit UE's art gallery on the corner (Tell Mr. Brown I sent you!)
     4)  Go back across Weinbach and lunch at Coffee Cottage (chicken salad, cornbread  
           salad, salmon sliders - just a few ideas!) and say "hey" to Jill.    And if you have the  
           willpower to pass up the desserts ........
     4)  Step back around the corner and stop in Jeannie's Gelato for some superb "lite ice 
           cream".  (Or have lunch there in the 1st place - salmon soup, tomato bisque, paninis)

THEN

     5)  STOP BACK in BASKET KASES and make your purchase(s) - you know, those items
           you just haven't been able to get out of your mind over lunch :)

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

"Entwined for a Time"

“Entwined for a Time”

8" x 24"
SOLD

Having waited for 20 minutes in inclement weather, dressed for sunny and warm, my husband and I grabbed the opportunity when the hostess offered two chairs at the breakfast bar.  Not what we had hoped for, yet we enthusiastically approached our seats.  I quickly realized that I would be sitting shoulder to shoulder with a young lady I had never laid eyes on.  Awkward, I thought, but that uneasy feeling was trumped by my growling stomach and frozen feet. 

Within minutes, Julie initiated conversation.  We limped along for a little while – chatting about routine matters like the weather, the food, and the masses of people.    Then she mentioned why she was in Chicago – just a stopover while job searching.  Prefacing my question with a “You don’t have to answer this if you don’t want ”, I rather apologetically asked her if she was a spiritual person.  (I knew we were either “done”, or just getting started.  She was finished eating by then, so she could have made a quick get-away if she wanted!)  And then it got personal.

Turns out, it was just the beginning.  And, because she knows the Lord, total strangers suddenly knew a lot about each other.  Now I know you absolutely cannot wait to hear what we talked about – you want all the juicy details, don’t ya?  Well, that’s between me, and my new BFF.  But, what I will tell you is that we both agreed that it was a “God thing”!  She just so happened to need to hear what God just so happened to equip me to say, not to mention the blessing our meeting had on me.

Our lives are nothing alike – she is at least 35 years younger than moi, is outgoing, and has a passion for animals.  Her lifelong ambition is to work in a zoo, and she’s brave enough to move to another state - alone!  

Polar opposites.  She – from the north (Michigan), and me – from the south.   Next to each other at Tempo on East Chestnut in downtown Chicago.   Indulging in a scrumptious breakfast.  At lunch time.  Today.  And our hearts met and our lives “Entwined for a Time".   (BTW, Julie’s the poppy at the top – the one reflecting the Son  – uh, I mean sun!)

Oh, and prayers answered – she WILL be moving to Nashville for the job of her dreams.  Praise the Lord and congratulations, Julie!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

 plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a futurel”

                                                                                                                   Jeremiah 29:11

“Crucified”

6" X 6" Oil on Canvas Panel

Available

It is when we come to the end of ourselves that we can see Jesus for who He truly is.

 In this somber remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion, let us surrender our lives –

our sins, our failures, our inadequacies, our will – at the foot of the cross.

“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slave to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”   (Romans 6:6)