One contest entry, one figure painting workshop ,one Holiday window display and one Child arriving!!

Things are always changing...blowing freshness into the stale air...stirring things up and waking me up! I must admit, I don't always go willingly. This week in one two day period all the leaves were blown off our trees making them naked for their winters slumber...exposing new lines to me. Each one graceful in it's simplicity and uniqueness...I am held captive by their new wind dance. They seem to be looking forward to the coming winter while I have a much harder time adjusting to that thought. Perhaps I too need to shed some dead leaves...shake them loose...I cannot seem to do this alone...Holy Spirit blow through me and fill me with an inner knowingness of joy and hope for spring...No frozen sap...only a deep, quiet running of life in my veins.

I am readying also for a four year old to live with me for an ,as yet undetermined length of time. The next two days will be the last of the quiet mornings for me for quite awhile. We are praying that he will feel welcomed, safe and loved while he is here.As I didn't start painting untill my kids were grown, I could use some advice from some young Mom's out there...How to do this?

Peace to you all!

Three entries in the The First Annual Autumn Arts Painting Challenge and Competition on Facebook!!

OK...so I like a challenge! Tomorrow is the deadline and so far there are over 600 pieces of some really incredible art in this competition!! So here is what I put in the hat...two plein air pieces done at The Elegant Farmer on a cold, damp moody October morning and one studio piece that I have been thinking about painting forever! It is the view across the street from my house. One morning I awoke and ran for my camera to capture the sun as it lit up the first morning frost of the season sparkling on the grass as the mist began to rise. I was unsure if I could do the experience justice...I hope I have! Who could look at that without knowing there is a God!??

Naked Faces:an interactive art form

Research shows that we read and judge one another's facial expressions with breathtaking speed. In a split second we decide if the other is safe or not. Think about it...what makes you decide to get to know someone? Daniel Goleman in his book "Social Intelligence:The New Science of Human Relationship" tells us "We are wired to connect. Neuroscience has discovered that our brains very design makes it sociable, inexorably drawn into an intimate brain-to-brain linkup whenever we engage another person.That neural bridge lets us effect the brain-and so the body- of everyone we interact with, just as they do us." Also " That link is a double edged sword: nourishing relationships have a beneficial impact on our health, while toxic ones can act like slow poison in our bodies."

I am fascinated by the face and it's myriad expressions that change in the blink of an eye. Glad, sad, mad, afraid, hurt and ashamed and everything in between. Have you every wanted to change someone else's expression? I have...and so in all fun I have begun a new series of interactive art. Naked Faces gives you the opportunity to do just that! What's your "first impression"?

More peeks!!!

"The Naked Face"

I have always been amazed with faces. And how one little tightening of a muscle can convey with an incredable speed...love, hate, sorrow, anger, joy, embarrasment and so on. I read, with apt attention, the book "Social Intelligence" where the actual science of two people interacting is discussed. It gave me a renewed interest in how quickly we read anothers intentions. We get that message way before the other person speaks. And so I have started a new project. I am sharing a little peek right now. I am thinking of calling this series "The Naked Face" Tell me what you think!

Oh, for the love of family!

My son and my grandson at my nieces wedding...what a sight. I am trying something new for me. Using a toned under-painting...this is the first step. I will keep you posted with the next although this must dry thoroughly first!

golden grasses

golden grasses
the wind your weaver
the dew an inner light
sparkle and sweep
we see the rhythm spirit
move in you
move around you
move in us

Wendie Thompson