I've been putting off this post for a few days because it simply hurt too much. Last Saturday morning we found out from our vet that Jersey was in kidney failure and it was so bad that we had to do the humane thing.
Jersey was my constant companion who was always by my side. She sat beside me everyday in my paint room, following me every time I got up or went downstairs. At the end, we were packing her up and down the stairs. She suffered with an enlarged heart for several years and took several medications twice a day to keep her heart going and the fluid off. Her will to live was amazing. Several times through the last couple years we thought we were at the end when she would quit eating and then she would always amaze us like the energizer bunny.
She was always very camera shy and would generally run when she saw someone aiming a camera or a cell phone her way.
Jersey has been depicted in my artwork over the years. In this painting she's being walked by a lady in a red polka dot dress.
Our other dog, Lady, stands at the bottom of the steps barking for her to come down and it breaks our hearts. Lady can no longer climb the stairs. They were very close companions and are the same age. Lady is a little too big to pack up and down the stairs, but Rick still does it occasionally.
I can't believe she let me put this hat on her, but she knew her momma loved buffalo plaid.
Jersey is also the dog I'm walking in my blog header and at the end of each blog post.
Missing her so much!
I started this painting well before Christmas and it came to a halt for several weeks.
In February I forced myself to sit down at my art table and hoped that it would start to flow. I've been in a state of creative block and finally after I painted this stone house, it started to come together. It felt really great to be back painting and visualizing this Christmas village.
After Christmas, I slowly began to pick up my brushes and push myself. Please excuse these two photos from my phone. I didn't take the time to get out my camera to take pictures while I was working. As the weeks went by, I found myself slowly getting back to enjoying myself and just letting it happen.
"Village of Winterset"
In the rolling hills of Winterset family, friends, and neighbors are busy getting ready for Christmas. The welcomed snow blanketed the earth putting everyone in the spirit of the holiday. Snowmen appeared out of the glistening snow, evergreen boughs and trees decked the village houses, and snowball fights erupted cheerfully. Smoke flows from chimneys and snowflakes gently fall reminding us that: "Snowflakes fall from heaven above, sprinkling us with our Father's Love".
I hope everyone is surviving this freezing weather! I'm a little weird, but if it's not windy, I love the feel of cold crisp air. I'm not going out when it's below 0 though! We got down to -8 but by Saturday it's supposed to be in the 50's. Welcome to Missouri winters.
Recently, I started working with a company to produce some of my artwork on mugs. I'm so excited about their white camp mugs! Valentine's Day is coming soon and these mugs would be a great gift filled with some sweet treats.
These are available in my Etsy store
here.
It takes 3-5 business days from the time you place your order until they are shipped, so get your orders in now to assure delivery in time for Valaentine's Day!
They come direct from the company that makes them and they package them beautifully.
They are dishwasher safe too!
Stay warm!!
Just an update to add that if you would prefer ceramic, over this metal camp mug, I can make that happen too! I just listed one for the
"Be My Valentine" design and would be happy to do the others if anyone is interested.
This past weekend we went to the Roots N Blues N BBQ in Columbia, Missouri. We've gone the last three years and it's become a family tradition. The weather was wonderful and we felt like autumn had finally arrived! I love spending time doing the things we love with family and friends.
This morning I finally got my act together and listed this brand new painting in my Etsy store. Just click on the title at the top of this post to go directly to the listing. I can't believe how long it's been since I've actually finished a painting. Life takes on all kinds of changes and challenges, but I was finally able to slip in a few days of painting and have to admit how wonderful it felt to actually pick up a paint brush again!
Pumpkin and Maple love resting in the brisk cool air on the porch every day as brightly colored leaves seem to magically fall from the sky. They roll and toss themselves into these irresistible crunchy piles scattering them in all directions. What a heavenly time of year to play outside!
I've been busy this week working on a 12" x 12" painting that I started last year. It was the middle of winter at the time and I decided to paint a summer scene. Now that I've gotten back to it and the temperatures are still in the 90's in September, I'm trying to figure out if I can change this to a fall scene? Summer or fall, what do you think?
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