A Painter’s Pup

Lilee is definitely a painter’s pup. Here she is as a puppy giving me the perfect lick, while we pose for the photographer to shoot us against the backdrop of my “Seafoam” acrylic painting. This is a favorite of mine as it is total joy, which Lilee is.

Hope you enjoy the moment, and it brings to mind how much joy our fur companions give us, and how lucky we are to be their guardians.

Inspiration

Where does our inspiration come from as a creative, as an artist, or for myself, as a painter? I find inspiration all around me in everything. The way the wind blows on the tree leaves, the morning light glistening dew drops on the grass, the space in-between the up and coming architectural buildings. It really is everywhere for me in movement, color and form. The beginning of my career, my inspiration of everything burst forth in non-stop paintings. The paint seemed to pour from my being in a hurry to take form and speak to you through its colors and shapes, inviting you to explore and have a conversation.

I can look at something and all of a sudden I need to paint such as The Tibetan Sunset. I was sitting in a theater watch the Last Samurai, and half way through I found myself needing to paint, so I left my friend came home and painted. All my paintings name themselves.

I am a tool being used by Spirit to create and share what is coming forth from nothing. It is a gift that brings much joy to my being, and seems to bring happy to my clients.

Every day is an opportunity to be grateful for the beauty in the world and share it in a way that my heart speaks.

Kids & Art Foundation

Does art heal? It seems this is the question that many ask themselves, when they see a child who is sick, losing their pain for a portion of time as they draw or paint.

I only know from my own experience in working with kids, I believe it does. For a moment or two, the pain is transformed into a memorable work of art.

Take a look at the happy faces of the artists on the blog. Can you not feel their joy?

“Kids & Art Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of pediatric cancer care by focusing on the whole child in treatment by including healing through arts in their protocol.”

We can all use more joy, especially right now, because as I write, the Pandemic is alive and kicking, with many suffering. Art is a way to speak “soul.” Be a “playmate” with God. When I have the honor to help a kid in the creation process, the joy is overwhelming.

When you take a tour of hope on Kids & Art website kidsandart.org you will see many who spend with their hearts depositing hope for the kids and the parents.

Or better said “CANCER SUCKS. ART HEALS.

"Lilee Eyes"

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.  My elegant beautiful pup Lilee is always by my side.  Today, I turned my head and caught her looking at me again.  In that instant I was moved to write.  It is impossible to write this feeling.  The closes I come to this is painting.  The urge to paint is very sudden, no thought planned, total inspiration on the spot.  I also think that is how creativity is.  You have it and it shows up more and more as you are open.

If I were to paint Lilee it would be a painting of her soul.  I feel the painting coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy these pictures of Lilee with me and without me and with my paintings.

"Kids & Art"

Many years ago I was part of the San Francisco Rotary.  Bay Area Kids representative was our guest speaker.  I was very moved that this organization worked with kids who had life threatening illness. Kids & Art Foundation was part of this.  Afterwards, I felt myself be propelled from my seat to to speak the person.  I volunteered to teach children to paint.

This was totally amazing to me.  I wonder what had come over me and now what.  I’ve never taught a child to paint.  This action was the beginning of a marvelous enriching journey with Kids & Art.  Purvi Shah’s second son came down with leukemia, Hence, Kids & Art Foundation was born.  She was right on that kids needs a healthy outlet.  A way to express themselves and feel good about themselves.  I love working with kids.  They have no filter.  They are turned on and tuned it.  The way I paint.  The first time I taught kids, I asked them to “paint what an ice cream cone tastes like.”  They got it.

Purvi had her work cut out for her finding locations that would open up their doors to artists and children. Pixar Studios & Google are two that come to mind that I’ve participated in with many other fabulous artist, plus others opening their hearts and their doors.

The pictures you are about to see are from years ago at Pixar Studios.  Amaey has since passed away.  He was my student from the get go.  An old soul and a “foodie.”  I like to share a writing from Amaey Shah.

“If People Were Buildings…”

“If people were buildings, I would be a brick cottage.  My heart would be the fireplace glowing warm. My feelings would be the family living inside me.  My nose would be the chimney blowing out smoke.  The food the family makes would say I’m always hungry.

My hands would be the bricks holding up the cottage.  And, my eyes would the two small windows which you look out of.”

On another note, though closely joined, which is why I am sharing this.  When I had my West Coast Opening.  It was not held in a gallery.  It was held in a beautiful home on the market in Atherton, California.  The outdoor setting was feng shui by Linda Lenore of Green Chia Designs.  We had about 50 paintings throughout the gardens, around the pool and walk ways.  It was important for me to have the children be involved with my work. They could touch it and have pictures taken of themselves with it.  These were kids from the Bay Area Kids Organization. 

One little girl, Brenna, had created a painting for me.  She was one of the children I taught to paint at Lucille Packard Hospital, and quite sassy.  I loved her.  The painting had four hearts, small to big.  A in each corner.  When I asked her what the A was for, she said “A for Artist Dummy!”

I write like I talk, so excuse the way I introduce a new related topic, now moving on to my West Coast Opening. My tee shirts made for the kids had a big red heart.  I painted gold drops on them too. And, my West Coast Opening was called “Art of the Art.”  Because all art comes from and lives in our hearts.

Kids & Art Foundation, Amaey Shah in particular lives in my heart, and perhaps he might peak inside yours.