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When\u00a0someone asked my mother who or what was most dear to her, the two-fold answer was given without any hesitation.\u00a0My siblings\u00a0and I came first,\u00a0and art was second.<\/p>\n
Always focused on the positives in her life, \u00a0she\u00a0embraced family, friends, and a variety of\u00a0painting mediums, in much the\u00a0same fashion\u00a0\u2013 with profound appreciation and attention to the qualities that made them unique. Her signature work was all rich\u00a0jewel tones and welcoming flowers, which, over time, offered a visual reflection of her personal journey as both a woman and an artist.<\/p>\n
When she died in 2013, her supplies came home with me. It didn\u2019t matter if, or when they might be used again. What I needed most were her well-worn paintbrushes standing at hopeful attention in a favorite coffee mug, and those boxes of brightly smudged tubes of paint.<\/p>\n
Working through the grief, I threw myself into writing a guide book about caring for both my parents in their final years; giving workshops on the topic; and even creating a writer\u2019s group especially for caregivers. It has been soul work for sure, but at the same time, I\u2019ve yearned for something less end-result and more about finding joy\u00a0in the process.<\/p>\n
Just like the Zen saying, \u201cWhen the student is ready, the teacher arrives,\u201d this month I found my way to a glorious collage and painting class called Big Bold Blooms, given by Lynn Whipple<\/a><\/em>, one of my favorite artists. The irony is not lost on me since I could kill a plastic plant if given enough time.<\/p>\n The\u00a0old paints and brushes are thrilled to be needed again, and my collection of tissue paper and oil pastels are\u00a0calling out, \u201cPick me! Pick me!\u201d \u00a0Feeling\u00a0my mom\u2019s\u00a0presence close at hand,\u00a0the first piece emerges in a mix of\u00a0ripe purples, greens and turquoise,\u00a0with\u00a0a few tiny buttons thrown in for good measure.\u00a0\u00a0Is it perfect? No. Do I care? Not a bit. Discarding judgment and being open to wonder\u00a0are the real goals here.<\/p>\n Thanks to\u00a0Carla Sonheim<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0a private Face Book page has been created for Bloomers, as we\u2019re known, to share our progress. The wildly diverse styles and colors are breathtaking, and so is the generosity of spirit towards sister painters, from newbies to professionals, around the globe.<\/p>\n Starting with the warm and wonderful Lynn, our gifted guide, everyone\u2019s words are kind, the encouragement is enthusiastic, and for those going through\u00a0difficult times, there is comfort and compassion to be found.<\/p>\n Every day, I become more enchanted with\u00a0each creative session,\u00a0and\u00a0with my\u00a0gracious teacher and classmates, as well.\u00a0\u00a0Like my mother, they understand that\u00a0living an artful life is\u00a0not just about learning to paint. It\u2019s about celebrating\u00a0each\u00a0other\u00a0with an open heart.<\/p>\n Carla and Lynn’s websites: You’ll want to check them both out.<\/span><\/p>\n