I went for my simple walk with abbey as I do every morning.  We walk one time around my" Leave it to Beaver"  neighbor since Abbey now 13,  has typical yellow lab arthritis and bad hips.  We thought for sure she would be gone by now after her difficult winter.   A visit from the mobile vet and some pain meds and she is doing ok.   Today on our walk  I couldn't help noticing different nauseating  fragrances of "Bounce"  as  passed  different houses on our block.  No offensive to Bounce users but I am very chemically sensitive and the less chemicals the better.  Although the day is quite gray,  I feel spring in the air.  I am working on a really interesting piece.  I went to bed dreaming about working on it today.  I am hoping to finish it by the end of the day but that might be impossible- We'll see

Rocky and Max~New Painting

In case you are wondering, Max is the Great Dane in the painting.  Max is also the name of  my 22 year old son who is home visiting for two weeks.  I decided to finally add a guitar since my husband has become somewhat of a "Rock Star' as 52.  He told me he was tired of living in house with so many "creative artist types".  He decided to find his own passion for something.  I must say,  he is pretty serious and committed to learning the guitar and getting better and better.  Anyway, this playful painting is 11x14 painted with acrylics on cradled birchwood panel.  The sizes have been painted to match and it's wired and ready for a "Rocker" or Great Dane lover.  

Thanks for looking!

for sale click the link~     https://www.etsy.com/listing/183943266/still-life-painting-rocky-and-max

Art is to console those who are broken by life. Vincent van Gogh

           
This painting has sold.  To view painting that are still available click this link:
                                                                                                             www.catherine47.etsy.com

Art and Quote for today~

Seeking

I've been rather distracted this week. Living inside my head is exhausting.   My youngest son Sam, who was 14 when I started this art blog is now 20.  It's hard to believe those years have gone by in what seems like an instant.  His story is long and quite complicated and although this blog is primarily for posting my artwork -Sam has been my biggest piece still in progress.  Every once and  awhile I come here to express a bit about having a son with profound autism and other medical issues.  Lately I've been having spiraling negative  thoughts-concerned about his day to day wellbeing. He visits every Sunday and things usually go pretty well but there is always a sadness when he leaves that I can't seem to shake until Monday morning but this past Monday I just couldn't shake it.  I started researching as I am known to do,  looking for ways to help someone who seems to be in such distress who cannot speak.  I become so overwhelmed about  his health issues along with the fact that he is autistic.  It can be so discouraging.  It's one thing to have ulcerative colitis, or dental issues or arthritis when you can express yourself and get the proper help you need.  With Sam it's always a guessing game of trial and error that is so heartbreaking and stressful.  Sometimes each day can be rollercoaster.   His care is so complicated and I fear for the future and what his adult services will look like once he turns 22. I've gotten a lot better at realizing that I can't help Sam if I am so stressed and discouraged .  I have to try and look at all the positives because there are many.  He lives at wonderful loving school with staff who really care about him  and do the best they can.  They are up with him at 2 am sometimes for the day if need be. I have a large supportive family with many resources and excellent health insurance. 

 I keep searching for ways to help Sam and I'll never give up on trying to make his life the best it can be whatever that might look like. When I step inside my studio I leave all the stress, sorrow and regret behind me.  When  I am working, time seems to stand still and I am most grateful for that.

Time to get back to work. 

Part Of The Arrangement-New Painting

My newest painting just completed today.  As I was painting this piece I started thinking about all the possible stories I could come up with about it.  I suppose  I will leave it up to the viewer!  Today it feels like spring. Part Of The Arrangement is 16x12 painted on a birch wood cradled panel.  Sides are painted to match and it's wired and ready to hang.  Thanks for stopping by. 

  For Sale at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/182759474/still-life-painting-part-of-the?ref=shop_home_feat_1

Villa Buggea- New Painting

I'm very excited about having just completed Villa Buggea.  My mother's maiden name is Buggea and her family is from Trecastagni Sicily.  My family took her there three years ago to see the village her parents came from.  I spent many hours on this piece and enjoyed creating all the special details.  The villa we stayed at in Sicily looked very similar to this one minus the dachshund pup.    This painting is 16x12 painted on birchwood.  The sides are painted and it's wired and ready to hang.  

Thanks for looking. 

This painting is available through etsy and my website.