8" X 8" Oil on linen panel
Sold
"Louie"
8" x 8" Oil on linen panel
Sold
When I begin a painting project, sometimes selecting a reference photo to paint from can be the biggest challenge. It’s a matter of setting myself up for success or failure.
And so it was with Nellie and Louie. I was grateful to have a number of photos to choose from - it's just that none of them were perfect - well, at least for my personal purposes. The one I liked the best had both of them in it. But, Nellie was in the front, center stage, in the spotlight as the featured star - and poor Louie was stuck in the back, like one of the supporting cast, or maybe just a cameo. So we decided to paint them separately, giving them each the sunshine they deserve, and also to avoid "favorite child" accusations!
And so it was with Nellie and Louie. I was grateful to have a number of photos to choose from - it's just that none of them were perfect - well, at least for my personal purposes. The one I liked the best had both of them in it. But, Nellie was in the front, center stage, in the spotlight as the featured star - and poor Louie was stuck in the back, like one of the supporting cast, or maybe just a cameo. So we decided to paint them separately, giving them each the sunshine they deserve, and also to avoid "favorite child" accusations!
By the way, did I mention they are both rescues with no genetic connection? Nellie came first. Mom and dad loved her soooo much that they thought if one was great, then two would be awesome, right? (I get it.) Actually, Nellie had a bit of a barking issue and FYI, she had to go to a “special school” for a little while. (Shhhhh - she’s still a tad embarrassed about it.) Well.....turns out, she was of no personality to hang at home by herself while her parents work. Oh no - she had way too much personality and surely deserved more attention! She felt so strongly about this that she barked and yipped even when they were home - just to make her point.
Well, you know how the squeaky wheel gets the grease? So, mom and dad brought home dreamy-eyed Louie who would claim any girls heart! Surely, he was the answer! But, unfortunately, Nellie viewed him as her competition rather than a playmate. What? So, the barking got worse, as Nellie worked even harder to maintain her perceived threatened authority!
Now hold on a minute - Nellie IS a sweetheart and does have her merits! Surely she’s the more fun to be around, never a dull moment, get-your-party-on-what-are-we-waiting-for kind of girl! And Louie - bless his heart - is such a compatible companion, happy to just “be” - to soak up whatever love comes his way, even if he is being upstaged by his stepsister! (Okay, I happen to know that Louie gets what he wants too, simply by looking at his mom with his begging eyes and naive goofiness!) Together, and individually, they are loved, loved, loved.
We chuckle at Nellie's entertaining, yet lovable personality, but we're no different. Sometimes we act out when we think our wants aren't met. But, we already have what we're working so hard to get. If, like Louie, we would just stop and look to our Father (yes, with our adoring eyes!)….. and let His love wash over us ……we will find our "rest."
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy,
and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30 NIV
Guilty here!! How about you - are you a Nellie or a Louie today? (Please comment below - Nellie would like to know, um, who's on her side .....ahem.)
