Get Your Vitamin C

Get Your Vitamin C

12x18, soft pastel

Sometimes I just have to remind myself to get my vitamin C...and D, and all the other things I need to do to stay heathy and strong. Fortunately I have a dog that needs a walk every day...so vitamin D is readily available from the sunshine we enjoy while walking each day. I like the dramatic backlighting In this piece and chose to include the spotlight I used in the still life setup (just for fun). 

Be safe out there!

 

No Social Distancing Necessary

No Social Distancing Necessary

12x18, soft pastel

So, now it’s July...summer is in full swing, American cities have slowly reopened and sadly all Americans are now faced with an overwhelming spread of the virus.  To say that this year has been difficult is a gross understatement. It has been heartbreaking, devastating, and depressing as I hear of Facebook friends and their families across the globe who have lost dear ones to this virus. 

In America, the virus rages on and on and it has further divided people within an already divided country. The political turmoil and protests in recent years within the States has broken my heart...this virus has trampled it to pieces. Too dramatic a statement? I guess so...but that’s how it feels sometimes. As though all of humanity on earth is being tested...and as they say, “ only the strong will survive”. I firmly believe it’s not just those strong of body...but the strong minded...those who are strong on compassion and love, those who have the strength to simply persevere.

So, to those of you that may eventually read this, may you persevere through this most challenging of times. Draw on the strength within you. Embrace the love, the compassion, the inner strength you know you have. Focus on how you can help yourself and your community. We will all be stronger and hopefully a more compassionate human race going forward. Persevere! 

All Tucked In

All Tucked In

6x6, soft pastel

This little guy was isolating with his family in Italy back in March/April when COVID was blazing through their country. While I’ve stayed quite busy isolating with my husband and dog in America since the first week of March, my blogging habit fell quickly away. I decided to take up guitar while isolating and have painted minimally for the past couple months.

Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone

6x6, soft pastel

In these crazy times we all need to find our "comfort zone" while being as careful as we can regarding the pandemic that is COVID-19.  

Today I'm honoring all the pets around the world who are in isolation with us, providing more comfort than ever before. Jack, the Jack Russell terrier is currently hunkering down in Verona, Italy with his family. You can find Jack on his Instagram page: Beautiful Jack Alfonso. That's where I recently found his photo which inspired this painting.  I reached out to his "mom" and have instantly found a new virtual friend. Someone who is by now well versed in what it's like being in isolation in a country besieged by this virus.

We have been messaging each other during the past few days and she has provided me a glimpse into her world...the world we are beginning to experience here in the United States, an uncertain world indeed! 

So, my message would be: find your comfort zone, take care of yourself and your loved ones, reach out to a stranger and connect...social media can provide some scary information but it also can provide us hope and a way to connect with others around the world.  We can pray, connect, protect ourselves and continue to have hope that one day, we WILL dance again!

God Bless you, 

Cindy G.

Sailboat 8 - Sail, Don’t Drift

Sail, Don’t Drift

6x6, oil

A good motto to live by...sail, don’t just drift through life...the ride for us all is fleeting!

Sailboat 7 - Catch The Wind

Catch The Wind

6x6, oil

Catch The Wind was a bit of a bugger.  I’m going to do a lot of exercises in mixing paint colors after this. I just didn’t get the proper gradation of blues/purples I had in mind for the sail...oh well...always the student!

Sailboat 6 - At Sea, One Needs Little

At Sea, One Needs Little

6x6, oil

At Sea, One Needs Little ...a light breeze and a loved one nearby.