Drawing Strength from Art

For the last few years I have concentrated on taking care of my Mother and on our business. Between these things and trying to manage a home that has some sort of order, I have found very little time for myself.  Recently Lewis, my youngest son, suggested that I start painting a series of paintings of icebergs with the idea that I would prepare for a show of my work.  Now, I have a purpose for doing my art.
It has taken me a lot to get back into my art.  Lewis suggested that I paint Icebergs....It has been so hot that I understand Global Warming better than I used to.  However, I do remember some really Hot summers in the 1950's.

So with the idea fresh in my mind I get on line and order new or at least more and newer art supplies.  Several colors that I felt necessary to add to my palette for painting Icebergs.  Just writing about it makes me feel cool.  Everything arrived a while back and last week I started my first painting.

It truly has been years since I have been excited about my art.  I've struggled with paintings, that I was just not crazy about.  I blamed this on the fact that I am a full time care taker for my mother, who is well into dementia.  Not fair, the blame must be put squarely on my shoulders.  I let my enthusiasm slip.  I did not make time for myself. Shame on me.  In order to take care of some one you love and do a good job, you should not forget about your own interest or yourself.

Once I start painting something that I love from nature, I become fascinated.  I can not wait to get home and finish fixing dinner, so that I can work on the next painting.  I have done several paintings of snow in the past and icebergs were not that different in concept and color.

Looking up photos of Icebergs on line just fuels the enthusiasm.  There is such a wide variety of forms, shapes and colors.  Daylight, night, even northern lights what inspirations to draw from.  It has been several weeks and I have now done four good size paintings.  I got so excited that I got on line and ordered six canvases in primed linen. Also a large tube of white paint and a few more brushes.  I even talked to my son Chris about making me some floating frames out of walnut.

Having a mission really gets me going.


I ordered canvases and fresh paints, as well as a few good brushes.  My art has always paid for itself, ever since I first started painting.  I remember sending one of the first paintings  to my Dad's gallery to be framed.  He called me, and said, that a lady had come in and had loved my painting could he sell it to her.  I was amazed that someone would actually buy one of my paintings.  This happened at a time when I was recuperating from surgery and  going thru a divorce.What a boost to my ego.

I should have remembered that my art work had gotten me through the trauma of my divorce.  It had allowed me to clear my head, and relax.  Why I had failed to make time for my art?  It was beyond me.  Maybe having a new purpose to paint was a way for me to remember that art is one of the best therapies available. It's cost was off set by rewards both physical and mental.  When I practice my art I relax totally concentrating on the task at hand of rendering my subject onto the canvas.  I have realized that my work is spiritual as well as physical.  I am putting down the subject, but also I am projecting part of my spiritual feelings unto to canvas or board with my paints.

Painting Icebergs....Who would have thought that would get me excited about my art again.  I went on line and found all sorts of images of icebergs, ice flows and Glaciers.  I took the images and had them blown up to a manageable size.  I used these as a jumping off point for my paintings.  These were my inspiration.  I can not always go to the locations, where I want to get my photos that I work from.  I am limited because of my mobility.  I have always been a keen observer of nature.  I have watched the clouds, the mountains, the hills and streams from the passenger window of a car.  When I was more able I walked through the fields and woods of both Virginia and Vermont.  While living in Vermont, I vividly remember the ski mobile rides on the old logging trails, and the walk up the woods on packed snow to see a beaver pond.  I adsorbed as much nature as possible.

While still in school my grandfather would take us on long rides in the car.  His father was a Methodist minister and  when we would exclaim over a beautiful sky or a wonderful sunset, he would quote "The heavens declare the Glory of the Lord and the firmament showeth His handiwork."  I took this to heart and have always sort out inspiration from nature.

Once again I have been diverted from my art.  I have been floundering.  My life was once more consumed by taking care of mother.  I have after getting her settled into assisted living tried to get my mind once more on my art, but I have found it hard to unwind from always being there for someone else.  I can feel myself relaxing and i will return to my art.