RUSHING

RUSHING

Rushing to get my last drawing of the month done. This Ivy plant has been thriving in this little bird pot in my kitchen. I'm leaving in 5 minutes with my son and friends for a drawing workshop in the Berkshires hosted by my mentor, Danny Gregory. I will hopefully have alot to post when I get back.

SHOES

PET'S POINT OF VIEW

Day # 29:

DRAW SOMETHING FROM YOUR PET'S POINT OF VIEW.

Two more days to go in May. This everyday matters in may challenge to draw something has been really fun.

PITCHER

THIS IS A WONDERFUL OLD SPONGEWARE PITCHER MY MOM GAVE TO ME YEARS AGO. I HAD SO MUCH FUN SITTING OUT BACK IN THE SUN PAINTING THIS. I WASN'T VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS DRAWING/PAINTING WOULD AMOUNT TO MUCH IN THE END, HENCE I DIDN'T REALLY SPEND ALOT OF TIME FUSSING OVER IT. AS A RESULT I ACTUALLY LIKE ITS ABSTRACT QUALITIES.

SPIDERWEB

Just finished this drawing outback in the sunshine. How wonderful the warmth is.

This is a small pewter acorn knob and its screw that I found in our hardware drawer.

All caught up with my Everday Matters in May drawings!

Off to do a food shop before my mom and brother arrive.

Nothing is more important than our relationships with the people we love. I just returned from Germany, and feeling so full after my stay with the Falkes, and my long overdue visit back to the beautiful area where we lived tewnty years ago. It was incredibly satisfying to take myself outside of my comfort zone by traveling on my own, however the most valuable part of my trip was the reconnection with old friends after 17 years. I am so much richer for realizing the strength and importance of old friendships and how they survive over time, if you make the effort. Certain people deeply touch you to your core, and it's a wonderful feeling to be aware of, and to reflect on why. I believe many more people could have that connection if we allowed ourselves the time to go there. My German friend, Irmela, has given me two pieces of advise in my past that I have never forgotten. They each give an example of one of the many wonderful ingredients that make up her personality. The first was that I needed to slow down and allow time for myself. We were on vacation on Marthas Vineyard together and she was specifically referring to the morning hour and sitting down to a peaceful breakfast. It's an outlook on life that carries way beyond breakfast, a quality of life that one may or may not choose to control and practice. Her second was in reference to teenage daughters and their emotions. She said to me, "Barbara, I have found that most often all they need is a hug." I know that this also carries far beyond teenage daughters to so many of us and our needs. We get ourselves into trouble when we don't listen and empathize, and when we make assumptions about ourselves and others. Too often the critical task becomes our obsession with fixing something, that may not be our job to repair, but our opinions, judgements, and fears constrict our understanding...I try to remind myself not to control things, but to be open-minded and engaged and to listen and have faith.

EVERYDAY MATTERS IN MAY DAY # 20 DRAW YOUR FAVORITE DRINK

I am having the most wonderful time in Alsbach, Germany, visiting our dear old friends, Irmela and Reinhard Falke. This is their sweet little Jack Russell, Elisha, who loves to curl up on the pillow on my bed. I feel so at home here.

It is very difficult to do a somewhat respectable drawing everyday. I was totally desperate here with this bandaide, being confined to an overseas flight and having no access to a first aid kit. I should have relied on my imagination, but I was feeling completely cramped in and totally unimaginative.