Labor of Love!!

So beautifully colored, thought out, labor intensive...

detail...

And framed...

Comforter, so skillfully crocheted by my Grandmother decades ago, still in use today...

Victorian doorknobs, 1 & 2,  circa, 1900, drawn by Me, from the Big House in R.I.

Today is National Siblings Day, so I include, Sibling-In-Law, i.e, my Sister-in-Law, Sheila. She has found a great way to spend some quiet time, midst her very busy and demanding job, and life in general. Upon discovery of coloring in, what to me look like the most elaborate Victorian doorknobs, Sheila has turned this wonderful hobby into a few 'labor of love' pieces, which she has signed, framed, popped in the mail to some very happy recipients. 'Moi' included. It came on Friday. I liken this gorgeous labor intensive piece to the crocheting of a quilt, or cross-stitch works, which were so carefully hand crafted by my Mom, Grandmother, Great-Aunt. Each, a treasure, withstanding the test of time.

Even though I have said it many times over at this point, I so appreciate the time, dedication, thought and love which was put into this beautiful drawing. Along with the colors of the matte, which my Brother chose, although without thinking, he said, our camp colors of blue and 'gold'. We have found a place of honor to hang it where the blazing Colorado sun will not touch it and make it fade or alter the colors in any way. 

So, many thank you's again, dear SIL!!!

'May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;

    establish the work of our hands for us—

    yes, establish the work of our hands..'

                                         Psaml 90:17

The Circle Game

Very first photo of me painting...I was 3. I wonder how many of those 3x5 cards I filled up that day!!

My little Ninja...already developing his 'Endpoint' character in his head...

There have been a few most memorable moments with Edward these past couple of years. He'll be 22 years old this month, quite grown up in ways. Appreciative, he's very very appreciative, and that's big. But, it was what he said to me a couple of days ago which warmed the cockles of my heart. Mom, he said, I was looking at your blog, and you know those drawings that you do (here it comes...). With a grin on his face which could only be described as pride, and a glimmer in his eyes, he said, (lo and behold), you have quite an imagination...what's going on in that little head of yours???? I smiled, inside and out. All I can say is, as parents, we live for these moments. My dear friend, Yo Mama tells me that on the other side of 26, they come around alot more often. Right now, I am still basking in the afterglow.

'And the seasons they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We're captive on the carousel of time

We can't return we can only look

Behind from where we came

And go round and round and round

In the circle game.'

Joni Mitchell, 'The Circle Game'

Riding the Wave....

This simple pencil drawing I did, is from the archives. Cruising along on the wave called 'life'.

Edward's Work...and Growth

Edward and I spent an afternoon at the Museum of Natural History, in the winter of 2007. He needed more 'life' drawings for his portfolio. We sat together and drew with pencil, this lion (bottom image) on the second floor of the museum. I love the drawing he did. We even made stamps out of the image. However, he was home this weekend from Boston and he showed me this pencil drawing he recently competed of another lion (top image). I must say, I believe he has really grown as an artist!!!

Thrilled for him...more to come!
Click here to see more of his work...

September 15, Happy Birthday Edward!

Today my son, Edward is celebrating his 19th birthday! WOW, 19 years ago at 8 o'clock in the morning I pushed out of my 4'10 1/2" body a screaming 5 lb. 6 ounce little boy! Miracle of miracles. There is nothing that can prepare you, there is no book that you can read that will explain to you what happens to your heart in that moment. You are forever changed, your name is forever changed to 'Mommy', or 'Edward's Mom'. I could tell you how proud we are of him, with all of his struggles, being diagnosed at the age of 12 with Juvenile Diabetes, and how well he his handling his daily health care while at college. I could tell you how handsome he is, and funny, he's a really funny kid, great sense of humor. But, instead, I share with you his gift. He's a brilliant artist. I could show you all the masterful drawings he has done with the character he has created for his yet to be published comic book. I could show you his great aptitude with all that he has learned on Photoshop, while taking classes at Rhode Island School of Design when he was 13, 14 and 15. But instead, I share with you a drawing that we both did at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. Just pencil. The top drawing is his and the piece underneath it, mine. We sat side by side, and drew. Happy Birthday Edward, we love you!

Knight in Shining Armour

This magnificent knight in shining armour, sitting atop this majestic horse is found in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I took this picture for sentimental reasons a couple of summers ago. My husband and I were in New York visiting Mom when Edward was at camp. When my son was in 4th grade (now a college freshman), he and Julia (if you're reading this, hi Jules!!) and I, spent the afternoon at the museum. Sketchbooks in hand, we made ourselves comfy on the floor of the museum. There are always artists of ALL ages sketching throughout the museum. Edward, the budding artist was getting frustrated with himself, wanting to do his best job. AHHH, the perfectionist at the tender age of 9...well, at least with his artwork. He finally quieted himself down and drew the picture posted above (in close-up), which is still, these many years later, my favorite of all his drawings.