, Revisit, Remember, and Remove to Restart!

Look at this beautiful nest built from river birch in our nandina. Rather than focus on the news cycle, I chose to focus on beauty. Our enemy is Satan and the evil he is perpetrating, but I believe in God, the creator who gives gifts to those with eyes to see. I am heartbroken by the losses we as a nation have sustained, but God is able! I pray for the hearts of all of us!

Cleaning out is a process, what better way to use this time in the home studio? Under the "varnish station" were loads of paintings done early on, and I took a mat knife to them, cutting the art to shreds and then off the stretcher bars. Now I have colorful strips and find myself dreaming about what could they become, perhaps a woven accent, a mosaic? As a result, I have boxes of empty frames (plein air--gold). Does anyone want them ?

Below is "Woven History" creative play as a result of the shredded paintings.

Our bookcases are full of books I haven't looked at in years. Cookbooks, self-help books, workbooks and textbooks, antiques for sure! Now I have stacks ready for the 2nd hand shop or salvation army, will those places be open again? The art-books are still on the shelves, including my art history textbook from way back. That book went with us to the Loire Valley when we camped and visited chateau after chateau and many cathedrals. I would tell Jim I couldn't remember much about "this" except for the helix staircase, and I'd return to the book, look up the site, and there was one sentence about the helix staircase! Pretty exciting to get to see first hand many of the places I'd only studied.

This "dig" has brought to light things I didn't remember, but trigger memories of trips and adventures we have taken. One such item was a pitcher I purchased while in Spain to see the Alumbra and the Mosque of Cordoba. While making the circuit from the Costa del Sol to Ronda, Sevilla, and Granada, we saw amazing things. Ronda sits high on rocks like a naturally fortified city. We were on a German tour, and all members were punctual. I had the opportunity to practice my German translating for Jim (who had been working too hard to learn more than the basics). I did let the guide know it wasn't my first language (should have seen his alarmed face when I told him that) and doublechecked with him about timing and locations for meeting points. Occasionally the guide was even able to find a city or cathedral guide who could answer our questions in English.

Ronda, Spain

Sometimes it was the stone mosaic courtyard underfoot which caught my eye, in another place we were shown a room full of 13-15 century illuminated manuscripts with what seemed like no regard for their age or beauty (except the "no flash" rule). The blue and white pottery and tiles caught my eye, and the pitcher almost made us late for the bus. What a trip! Great fun to recall, knowing each of these experiences is woven into my art.

Abe's Bear Adventure is my illustrated book written by Kathleen Martin and available through Amazon . We would love for you to order it, then write a review.

New Work

"Eno & Zeukie" 16" X 12", "Sigmund and Kara" 12" X 16"

Pet portraits see my website for sizes and details or contact me via email .

Pretty Peonies 2020

Not a spring goes by that I don't clip every single peony blossom off my bush and go strait to the studio to paint. This is "Pretty Peonies" 2020

20" X 16" acrylic and available