Thursday, October 24, 2013

Rosa

                                                                Happy almost weekend!!

   It's been a mixed bag of things in my household of ups and downs all week - the downs being pretty down ( or so it seems in the moments). But I am constantly trying to learn from the "bumps in the road", knowing they still hold blessings in disguise. Scroll further down for the art :):)

   Like this example: our Annie, AKA BooBoo (English Cocker who just celebrated 12 yrs. last Fri)). I just scheduled an appt. on that Sat. to have a growth under her stubby tail checked out for a most likely removal because I noticed it getting much bigger rather quickly. Same day I made the appt. that growth ruptured causing blood drippings all over. An ER visit to our vet indicated it def. needed to be removed and gave me a solution to apply anytime it would open up again before Tues. scheduled sx. We covered everything with sheets, blankets and towels-including areas of carpeting to somewhat protect. I kept a flashlight with me at night just to check on her. Mon. eve it again ruptured and was REALLY bad ( I won't get into details - good thing for my nursing background). I was able to stop bleeding and it was OK til appt. Tues. Chose to have teeth cleaned at the same time(she has had quite a number of teeth removed despite getting her teeth brushed daily since she was a pup). Never had sx. til mid afternoon. Had to have canine and small bony mass above it removed. Stitches in mouth and at base of tail. Picked her up early eve with her still being under the influence of the anesthetics, etc. with her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth and spent a sleepless night trying to comfort her as best I could. Even gave her bits of water through a dropper. Truly pitiful - like when you have an infant that can't tell you what's hurting or how bad. She finally slept a few hours and when she awoke , she woke me up by licking my cheek (blessing). She's been improving each day since. Another blessing in this - although it was tres expensive, we had been saving for a new furnace -having been told (falsely) we needed a new one ( a whole other story). Finally found someone very honest and reliable - no new furnace needed! This money paid for Annie's expenses.  Won't even venture into the other stuff, knowing it always works out in the end. Blessings.

  In honor of breast cancer awareness month:


  I have been so inspired by Tracey and so many other talented watercolor/ illustration artists I have "met" through Paint Party Friday that I decided to have a go at it although in no way do I consider myself a sketcher or watercolor painter. I began in my 5" x 8" Strathmore Visual Watercolor Journal. Pencilled in the figure and walkway. Used a combination of watercolors, acrylic paints and Pitt Pens. The hearts are punched from gelli plate prints. PLEASE BE SURE TO GET YOUR ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS AND BE AWARE OF ANY CHANGES YOU FEEL OR SENSE!
                Linking up to Inspiration Avenue - theme of pink for breast cancer awareness.

  Next up- a Halloween project for Simon Says Monday Challenge - which is "Spooky", Mandarin Orange Monday, and Glue It Tuesday:

                                                         Spook House ( 2 1/2" x 3 1/2")

  Products: wood house ( Michael's); black acrylic paint; Boo girl -ARTchix Studio; beads, wire, stickers, patterned papers from my stash.

  On to my last canvas of the wabi - sabi series inspired by Serena Barton I have been working on over the last few months. "Rosa" was written by Keith Harkin about his young Godchild. We got to hear him perform this song the other week during the Celtic Thunder show. They had silhouettes of little Rosa showing in the back drop. Just beautiful.


                                                 Only You Tube link I could find for the song.

  The inspired canvas:

                                                       Rosa  (5" x 7" canvas board)

  I began by gluing torn papers down across the lower third with words about love, affection, beauty. I painted and blotted on a layer of Artists Loft Parchment paint. "Rosa" was pencilled in at the top rt. Can you see it? Next a light coat of a blue reinker glaze and a green reinker glaze (see Serena's book Wabi - Sabi Art Workshop for the recipe). While it was still wet I sponged several colors of reinkers across the collaged area. Did some tweaking by adding some acrylic paints with my finger and adding and removing paint as needed. Although it doesn't show at all here, there are bits of the words showing through the paint.

  Linking up to  Art Journal Every Day, Creative Every Day, Glue It Tuesday, Inspiration Avenue, Mandarin Orange Monday, Paint Party Friday, Simon Monday Challenge.

        " Healing is a journey. It involves stepping out of our habitual 
     roles, our conventional scripts, and 
       improvising a dancing path."    Gabrielle Roth



  

40 comments:

  1. Your artwork is always beautiful and inspiring, Linda! So glad the surgery was successful for your little doggie. It sounds very stressful and I hope things are much better now!

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  2. What a beautiful painting for breast cancer awareness month. Lovely. I adore your floral painting too. I can't see the letters but it's fun that they're hidden in there somewhere.

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  3. Glad your BooBoo is doing better. We all love our family pet members and want the best for them. Love your "Rosa" canvas, it's awesome. Thanks, gloria

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  4. Beautiful artwork. Glad you little doggie is now on the road to recovery! Valerie

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  5. I love your cheerful watercolor page -- it looks great! But my favorite by far is your gorgeous wabi-sabi piece.

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  6. what a happy page and I love the halloween hanger

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  7. Your watercolor illustration is so pretty. Love your canvas art too. Happy to hear that your little doggie is feeling much better now.
    Have a great weekend
    Susan

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  8. All your works are inspiring and sweet! Especially like the spooky house piece, perfect for Halloween and so eye catching!

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  9. beautiful work Linda! Glad your Annie's on the mend.

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  10. You are the second person I've heard of lately who had a 'bad' furnace quote. She had a second opinion as well and found out it was a minor fix. What is wrong with people?

    So sorry poor Annie had so many issues of late, but she is one lucky girl to have you as her Mom. You took such good care of her and you know she's ever thankful.

    Hope next week is a bit better all around. Sending warm hugs......Jan

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  11. Awe so sorry about Annie...poor baby. They can need more geriatric care when they get older ...it can be so difficult. I felt so restricted by mine for about three years...I hated leaving him alone for too many hours and was always rushing home to care for him. It's such an unconditional love! Gorgeous watercolor , I love it! I hope Tracey sees it! She'll feel the spirit of your love! Fun Halloween piece too and very romantic Rosa canvas!

    Hugs Giggles

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  12. "Spook House" is just so spooky fun and whimsical and also perfect combination of color and pattern. "Rosa" is simply fantastic, love the dreamy feeling!

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  13. Your poor dog has been through a rough time, how lucky to have someone like you to lavish all that care and love, so needed to help the healing process! Your art is great, I particularly love that last wabi sabi piece, it's soothing and so good for the eyes, beautiful!

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  14. Yes, I love you your various proposals on Rosa, fun Halloween-themed portrait!

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  15. Gorgeous projects! the Halloween one is amazing! It's so funny and spooky all combined. Love the boo girl image! Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Hugs, Sandra

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  16. I glad your puppy is doing better! I love your pieces this week, especially your rose painting, its so colorful! xo

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  17. You asked about my post this week, and I had trouble emailing you, so I hope it's ok to leave you this message. I was hoping to find someone who would let me view their art and interprete it into a message. I took a class about tatoos and how people choose symbols for a reason, so I started thinking maybe our art is the same way. We often knowingly pick images, but also subconsiously choose them and its those symbols that could reveal something about us. Are you interested?

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  18. So you've had a wobbly week too. I for one am so glad my week is done now! I hope things are on the up and up for you dear heart and three cheers for Tracey, she is a wonderfully inspirational lady. Happy PPF

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  19. Poor BooBoo...she's lucky to have found you. Happy to hear it all worked out. Your inspired wabi-sabi canvas is just beautiful.

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  20. Good luck to Annie. I have a 13 1/2 year old German Shepard mix and I am blessed every day he keeps hopping and running and being a part of our family, so I know your worry and concern. Great art this week too, did you actually even find any art time?

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  21. All lovely pictures, and I especially like the lady in pink for 'Think Pink' - you certainly are a sketcher/watercolour painter.
    Strangely, just a few minutes ago I found a blog featuring a Wabi-Sabi image, and looked it up to see what the word meant. Very interesting. I shall look up Serena's book, thank you.

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  22. Poor Annie .... that sounds like quite an ordeal, but for you and her. I love your piece for breast cancer awareness, such a positive vibe!

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  23. Such gorgeous work..deeply meaningful and very special...stunning and I love the soft colors.! Very touching...and wonderful tribute!
    Victoria

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  24. Life is truly a mixed bag! So glad your pup is better - they do become family members. Wonderful work and message this week! Happy PPF!

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  25. So much to look at today..all so different too. The happy pic that is first...makes me smile...and that beautiful watercolour. I like the humour of your halloween pic too:)

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  26. Glad Annie is healing and post of the blessing is wonderful and your art work exquisite and varied ~ you are blessed ~ Happy Week to you ~ carol, xx

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  27. Hope your dog is well soon!
    You are a very thoughtful and compassionate person Linda, thank you for sharing your thoughts and art!
    Your Rosa-canvas is beuatiful!
    Happy PPF
    Ilona

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  28. Rosa is awesome page, I should say painting! loved her happy face!
    great inspiration, Linda, for AJ as well as for health care!

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  29. I'm so sorry to hear about the horrible time your poor wee dog had been having but I'm so glad it was operated on successfully and that the universe intervened to make a bad situation a bit better by having that money already saved up for the furnace you didn't need. Your artwork is lovely as always. I love to see other artists try new mediums and styles-i really think it's a great way for us to grow and develop even if we do go back to what we know and love best ultimately!

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  30. Thank you for joining us at Inspiration Avenue!!! Love your artwork!!

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  31. You did an awesome job with these projects, Linda. Fabulous haunted house project! I love that little girls face! Thanks for joining us for the "Spooky" challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge. I hope you can join us this week too for our Anything Goes challenge. ~Michelle

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  32. Awwww poor Annie! I hope she recovers nicely. You have been so busy. All these beautiful pieces! Happy PPF!

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  33. Annie BooBoo is blessed to have a loving master that's also a nurse. Hope she's feeling much better. I lOVE both your paintings, and that fun Halloween frame too. However, the last one is my favorite, because of its impressionistic feel. Blessings, my friend!

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  34. I love vintage Halloween stuff. So, when I saw your Spook house, I had to come check it out. This is so darling! Such a beautiful job of creating this little beauty! I love the chalkboard effect you've done on the body of the house. The orange and black roof is perfect! I also love the pumpkins in front...they really finish off the house so perfectly. And that vintage photograph of the little girl in the center...melts you heart! LOVE it! Thanks so much for sharing your art with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. <3 Candy

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  35. Beautiful artworks! I love the hearts in your first piece. I'm glad your pup is feeling better, it can be so heartrending when they aren't doing well.

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  36. I have come back to say thank you:) Thank you for sharing your pic Halloween pic on MoM#65:)

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  37. looks like you've been very busy!. So sorry to hear about Annie's bad health - glad she's coming through it all. Like you Halloween project - great to put on the doorknob! {:-Deb

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  38. I am glad you dog is on the mend. It is truly hard when your babies are sick! Gorgeous artworks by the way - I love your girl + the message she tells.

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  39. I really love your 'Rosa' canvas. Beautiful! (found you via GIT)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!