existent or nonexistent love

"There is no disguise that can for long conceal love where it exists or simulate it where it does not."

Francois De La Rochefoucauld
1613-1680, French Classical Writer

friends

The other day I had a friend over. She began a sock on bamboo knitting needles, while I crocheted. We talked. We shared silence. We talked. We laughed. We talked more. We laughed much. Then we laughed some more.

"Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit." ~ Aristotle (4th century B.C.)

the path

a very cool green beetle in one of our trees (no flash used)

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
~ Psalm 119:105

It's a walk of faith.

never understand

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his (/her) point of view - until you climb into his (/her) skin and walk around in it."
- spoken by Atticus Finch, by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

my patron

pa·tron (pā'trən)
n.

1. One that supports, protects, or champions someone or something, such as an institution, event, or cause; a sponsor or benefactor: a patron of the arts.

Over the past few weeks my hubby has spoiled me with many artsy presents. He knows how much I want to pursue painting. He loves to provide me with the tools I need to make my little dreams come true, even when we can't really afford it. Any man who sacrifices and works hard at a job that doesn't excite him just so he can take care of his family is a man of great value to his family, friends, and community. It's easy to spoil him right back!

The following 2 books have exceeded my expectations as far as any descriptions I found online in regards to their contents. "watercolour in 10 steps" and "acrylics in 10 steps". 10 steps?! No, it's 10 chapters, each one containing many steps, some as many as 36. It's brilliant! These are books that you approach like an art class and apparently some art instructors are using them exactly for this purpose. I look forward to going through each book slowly and consistently.




Here are two other new favourite books of mine. "The Fundamentals of Drawing Landscapes: A Practical and Inspirational Course", and "Watercolour: All the techniques and inspiration you need to get into painting". I was especially thrilled to find the watercolour one because it's a pretty thorough reference book. It covers trees, water, landscapes, seascapes, figures, buildings and flowers.




Student grade paints dominate my current palette, but they'll be great to practice with. All that's stopping me now is being able to dedicate time to being a student. Between house projects, responsibilities, and the transition of the kids being off school for the summer, it's a challenge.



Even so...

"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." ~ Vincent Van Gogh