"Spirit Works" 16" X 20" Acrylic on Canvas

So I am very excited to have completed Uncle Frankie's painting, his gift for his 60th birthday!

The idea for this painting came to me in a meditation after following a friend's advice on how to choose the medium and my color scheme. First I wrote down watercolor and acrylic on 2 separate pieces of paper and folded them up to randomly pick acrylic with my eyes closed. Then I chose 5 tubes of paint from my paint basket, also with my eyes closed.

This was a fun process because it really forced me to trust my intuition!

This painting represents my brother working in our lives 10 years after his death. His presence if felt by all he was close to and he had a special connection with my uncle. Many of you know that my 2 uncles and my mom won big in the Kentucky Derby this year, using the formula that my brother came up with before he died. Hence, the horse running along the beach.

I think that I managed to incorporate the symbolism that I wanted without making it too hokey. I had a lot of fun creating this! I can't wait to see what Uncle Frankie says when I give it to him!

Eve - A study in Watercolor - 16" X 20"

OK, so it's been awhile since I've posted! I am afraid I have succumbed to long bouts of artist's block! However, I am back in the groove and I am committed to staying inspired and busy!

The Above is a watercolor study of my beautiful daughter Eve! I previously did an acrylic painting from the same photo of her. I may still do more with her clothing and the backround but I was so excited to be working in watercolor for the first time since HS that I wanted to share!

I am very pleased with this painting.

New Look, New Adventures!

"Serious Fairy" Acrylic on canvas (20"X16")

This is a portrait that I Just Finished of my daughter Eve. I will be posting my artwork here as I am working on and completing new projects and would appreciate your feedback and comments.

The previous post about my brother was the spark that began my re-entry into the artworld after a 10 year hiatus while raising my children.

This has also developed a new avenue of income for me. To be earning a living doing what I love is truly a blessing and I am excited to be sharing this journey with all of you!

Happy, Happier & Happiest

Portrait of Lanny - Oil Pastel on Black Paper 18X24"

January 17, 2009 will mark the 10 year Anniversary of my brother, Lanny Charton's death.

My brother Lanny died at the age of 29 after losing his 4 year battle with Leukemia and complications following a bone marrow transplant. He was a very strong presence in my life as I naturally looked up to my big brother.

I'm sharing this because when he was sick he had a powerful message and philosophy that rings true today.

When he was bed-ridden, he told me that his new motto in life was "Happy, Happier & Happiest". It's pretty self-explanatory, focus on what will bring happiness and joy into your life. It's only complicated if we make it so. I guess being restricted to a bed and eventually, learning that your time on earth is coming to an end, it's easy to see what really matters.

This ties in with a book I'm reading by Deepak Chopra, "Why Is God Laughing?". In it Chopra stresses that we need to find happiness inside of ourselves, regardless of our current situations and problems.

If you are constantly striving for the brass ring and it is always out of reach, then you know what I am talking about!

"I'll be happy if.........I loose 10lbs, I pay off my credit cards, I get that job I want, I get that relationship I want, I get the house, the car, the whatever....I want" You get the point.

I've learned that if this is what we base our happiness on, we will always be striving for happiness and never attaining it.

These are exciting and challenging times in our country right now. We are being challenged to not give into the fear and chaos of the economy and bring our focus on what is really important. To stay positive and hopeful as we figure out new solutions and new ways of looking at life.

If your happiness is based on the price of gas then guess what? The oil companies are in control of your joy. The good news is that you can take back the control! By focusing on our blessings and expressing gratitude for them. By helping out our neighbors that are hurting. By uniting ourselves with our fellows instead of seeing ourselves as separate. We're all in this together and we are all connected.

So, slow down this holiday season. Don't spend money that you don't have. Now more than ever we can use our imagination and creativity to show our friends and family that we care, without spending a lot of money. Give someone your time. Donate a coat or food to the needy.

Focus on what will TRULY make you happy and you can't go wrong!