Emmanuel (life drawing, 10 minutes), pastel on Canson colored paper, 12″ x 18″, 2012.
lifeArchive for the 'A Beautiful Life' Category
life11
Apr
12
Gessoing MDF boards
08
Jan
11
Gramma Emily and I
When people remark upon my creativity— particularly my capacity for making something with what is available, for seeing the use in something most would not—I know that I owe this particular quality to my grandmother. She was obscenely talented at making things. It was at her side that I learned to turn catalogs into paper dolls, tuna fish cans and carboard into doll furniture, and spin all kinds of other straw into gold. I never learned to sew as well as she, nor keep as lovely a house, but I like to think that her keen eye for color and her ability to make something out of almost nothing lives in me.
Gramma Emily died on Thursday after a bad fall resulted in complications. She was about to turn 95 in a few days.
After I finish my work at the computer today, I will open my sewing machine, dump out my basket of scraps and random rescued clothing, and I will see what I can make today. And I will raise my glass of wine to my gramma in gratitude for all her care for me, and for the things I learned from her.
21
Oct
10
Dulcinea and Henry
I fell in love again. I didn’t think it possible at this age, at this time in my life, but I did.
I took a week off to meet my good friend for fourty years, Graciela, in the city, and to bring home our new housemate, Henry. Henry is my daughter, Anna’s cat, and she’ll follow in a few weeks for an extended visit. I was worried about this new guy. In particular I was worried about how Dulcinea, my seven-year-old sweet black loving cat who has reigned sola happily over this household. But as I write this, only 11 days after Henry’s move in, they are lying on my bed together and all is well.
These are a few snaps of Henry and Dulci–an introduction to my new love and my old love.
16
Sep
10
Easy Fast
To everyone who is fasting tomorrow night through the next day of Yom Kippur, I wish you an easy fast and a good year: May we all know peace. May we all be inscribed in the book of life.
Viola
Today we delivered the paintings from Joyce Kennedy’s framing shop to Taraden B& B. This afternoon was the North Bennington quick draw competition, which was VERY fun! For two and a half hours I worked on the first painting of Park Mc C House with two beautiful trees. When I finished I found there were about 15 minutes left, so I painted the second one, which may be a better start altogether! I may go back there and try to finish it.
We attended the preview exhibit gala tonight, but I forgot to take photos, so I’ll take some tomorrow at the open exhibition.
22
Jul
10
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas, Pen& Inks on paper, 19.5″ x 26.5″, 2010
Hydrangeas, oil on board, 14″ x 18″, 2010
Dear Gardners,
It’s been about a year since I wrote you, a little less. And, frankly I blame you all for my lack of communication—gardening is a full-time, year round job! But, because of you I have felt appreciation for the turn of seasons here in Vermont in a whole new way. Because of you I love my little red house and little gardens and little life in a whole new way. I stepped outside just to check on things, and it occurred to me that I was long overdue in sending an update.
After this past week’s recuperating from some knee surgery and contending with pneumonia, instead of snarking at the clover or those pesky weeks that sneak in when I’m asleep, I found myself just looking out at the gardens, reflecting on last year at this time of building the garden with a little (LOT of) help from my friends.
Since the first breath of spring air there has been one generous surprise after another. Flowers coming and going so quickly I didn’t get to paint each of them, just marvel at the abundance and beauty with my big mouth wide open. I have flowers to give, flowers to bring in…….All those bits of things you trusted me with—-well, most of them, anyway—-are really, actually, truly growing and changing and giving over the stage to each other as if this had been planned and timed…..and you know what kind of planner I am (NOT). My ready, fire, aim style did not seem to bother these strong plants you gave me….quite the opposite. I think about each one of you every time I tend to them and fight with the weeds and slugs (weeds and slugs=very high score, viola=very low score). Much of the time it is a complete surprise to me what is coming up next.
And, as busy as Jon is, he has been out there working, too, benefiting from the fresh air and sunshine as well as from the sustenance of fresh herbs and sungold tomatoes, and it is fun for us to make these gardens together now.
I just want to say THANK YOU for letting me dig up your yards, for lending me stuff, for giving me stuff, for helping me haul rocks, for advice, for trusting me with tender, precious seeds and shoots and bulbs and plants….to my dad for making those amazing steps so I could stop falling down the hill to the backyard….and mostly for being my friends and my family.
And if you ever feel like walking around my yard and saying hello to your old friends growing here, just stop on by.
With enormous Love and gratitude,
Viola
Vimorpainter.wordpress.com
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
~Mary Oliver
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Flowers in Bottles on a Red Tablecloth, oil on canvas, 24″ x 18″, June 2010.
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