Blog

 

My mother would have been 100 on Mother's Day.  She was 92 when she passed away - having lived a long and mostly-lovely life with my Dad.  They were a great couple and enjoyed life and one another.  During the last several years Mom suffered from Alzheimer's disease, so we lost her slowly over the years rather than all at once.  Dad was a constant and caring caregiver.  He passed 5 years after Mom when he was 93. (She was a cradle robber, I guess.)

 

Just before Mother's Day I received news that the last of their large and fun-loving group of friends had passed at 97.  Somehow -- even though this friend had lived a great and long life, I found that her passing brought back all of the sadness of losing my parents.

 

I usually avoid going to the cemetery.  I prefer to remember my parents as they lived, but since it was both Mother's Day and Mom's birthday, I decided to visit them both.  I'm glad I went, really, but WOW... I had no idea how many people visit graves on days like Mother's Day.  The place was absolutely packed.  I had to wait in line just to enter the cemetery.  Happily it was a pretty day.  People were all around, picnicking and visiting.  The "neighbors" helped me dig out the little vase at the head of the plot so I could leave my sunflowers for Mom.  When I bought the flowers before going to visit, I decided to buy some for myself to paint also -- thus this little painting you see above.

 

I don't usually paint still lifes.  I enjoy landscapes.  But I wanted to practice and flowers were calling.  Of course I tried to create a good design - not worry too much about my drawing -- be free with my paint -- vary my edges and to use lots of secondary playful color in the shadow areas.  It was kind of fun!  I should paint like that more often.