When a painting doesn't turn out the way I want it to, I shelve it until I learn something new -- some way to improve it. This was one of those cases. I took my original portrait into Photoshop and turned it into a fiery goddess. Jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis enhances her power.
Here it is the tail end of autumn and we've had a day-long snow storm. All the annuals are gone, but this little pot of alyssum and a brave geranium are hanging in there. This pot caught my eye, and when I look at the snowy patio, these summer soldiers are retaining their color and bunching up to stay warm.
When merchants put out their Halloween stuff, have you ever noticed how quickly the panicy Christmas season arrives? If you mix Halloween with Christmas you get "Hallomass, which makes no sense at all.
I don't ever plan to slip-slide into that trick. As a pledge I have created a greeting card -- pumpkins covered with snow. And who should feel all sentimental about this? George Winston and I. Here's something to sooth our minds as we celebrate Thanksgiving. (You can purchase this magical card at http://moxyfoxdesigns.etsy.com/ )
Somehow I can't imagine packing a suitcase and heading for Brazil. However, our technorati entrepreneurial son is doing just that. He and his young family are planning a new life on the Brazilian island of Florianopolis. (Apparenly it is not only a great place to live but also a cool place to surf.)
It's funny, but I have this persisting notion. When I invest emotional energy and time in a place, it seems that eventually I am physically connected with that location. I have had this happen multiple times in my life.
Last summer I came across a Brasilian jazz pianist on YouTube and watched it over and over; I spent hours listening, dancing and painting to her music. Her name: Eliane Elias. I love jazz piano and love the way she plays it. So now, here is another unexplainable connection. The people I love most are going to be in Brazil.
My mother was blonde with lovely long legs, a beautiful figure and a sweet face. She and dad dated from the time they were in their very early teens during the mid 30s. Dad said that during lunch at East High in Denver, they would go across the street to a little soda shop and plan their life together. They were married in 1939 and loved one another for 59 years.
They made a striking couple. She looked so feminine against his slim, tall physique and black hair. I think she must have been on my mind when I drew this portrait.
My dad’s devotion for my mother was matched only by his love for piano jazz. He had a huge collection of 78 records and I grew up hearing jazz performed by all the best. Erroll Garner was one of his favorites. Ours was a very romantic house.
