"Thanks For the Music!" - oil on canvas 16x12 inchesThe title of this post might indeed seem a tad strange... be viewed perhaps as a "typo" at first glance. But I will put that to rest by offering this suggestion... that holding membership in our blogging family, or community... is akin to being a member of a crew... on "The Friend Ship"!
In my "conversation" early this morning with fellow Scottish blogging friend Carolyn Simmill, I responded that I would try to maintain at least a once-weekly post through the duration of time until we have moved to our new life in Rockport. My "to-do" list grows by the day... even though I tick off a couple here and there.
I must finish the last painting to send off my two works to Nova Scotia. That project came to a rather sudden and abrupt halt... with the very tragic and sad news of friend Suzanne Berry's loss of her husband and soul mate Tim. I was ready to commence the project today... but in my "quik check" of favs... I noticed a post at marianfortunationpaintingdaily@blogspot.com from Marian Fortunati in California announcing the passing of her beloved Dad and mentor on Leap Day.
Marian and I share so very much in common in both our personal and painting lives... in fact the parallels are uncanny really! And for that reason alone... I deeply feel and share her sense of loss at this moment. "Palette talk"... takes a sudden rear seat... and is replaced by the other connections which make us kindred spirits at least... and in our specific case.. extended family.
I have "visited" her lovely... upbeat site to pay my condolences. What attracted me there was a painting she had done of a grandchild and her Dad at the piano... a painting that "She" offered as her tribute to her Dad and mentor.I have such a photo of my Dad with my children Allison and Andrew. I wish to offer a still life tribute "portrait of my own Mom and Dad"... now in the hands of their biggest fan Andrew... as a gift of condolence and respect to Marian . Paintings are merely essays... "written using colour and brushstrokes"...
Another piece of "synchronicity"???? My Dad and Mom's 78th Wedding Anniversary is March 1st... Leap Day! How strange the Universe... How the same we all are!!!
Much Peace and love Marian at this difficult time... "You" are never alone!
Warmest regards and sympathy,
Bruce
Ah Bruce...you are so empathetic, I think, as am I. It hurts when our friends hurt, doesn't it? I love your thoughts and your heart. Hoping you and your wife can find some down time to just sit and snuggle together and let the moving chaos ponder upon itself for a bit of time.
ReplyDeleteHi there Sherry!... Thanks for you visit and comforting and supportive words!
ReplyDeleteWe are alike... "You" and "I" in many ways... yet very different in others... as it should be!
I do live "with my heart on my sleeve"... as they say... and there certainly is a personal emotional price one pays for possessing that quality.
Make no mistake ...we DO snuggle every morning and through the night. When in Rockport... there will be work to be done... paintings to be painted... BUT... there will be more Peace in our lives simply because.. we will be Home!
Good Painting and Writing!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about another piece of bad news in the blogging community. I'm sure your words of sympathy have helped in a difficult time.
All the best,
Keith
Hi Bruce I visited Mariane's site and saw her sensitive painting of her father with grandchild. There is indeed a sense of a family community here in blogging land very much encouraged by your wise words and your sharing of artist's work. It would be nice to see some of your past work here posted when you are able to do so. A bit like revisiting the old places. I don't have much time these days to do my own art mostly tutorials for my students which is work I would not normally do for myself yet is important in that it helps others to explore techniques in painting at a simple level. I am catching up on the blogs I follow this morning and now I am getting ready to go out for a walk with my husband. The sun isn't shining but hopefully it may appear later on today. You take care laddie and look to your new life that lies only around the corner for you both.
ReplyDeleteHi there Keith!... Thanks for your visit... and the supportive words!
ReplyDelete"Beware the ides of March"... lately has more significance for many around us.
Sometimes... one can only offer their "presence"... especially from afar. But it gives comfort to both sides I think... just to feel the connection in thought and words.
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi there Caroline... Thank you for visiting and for your wise words and encouragement!
ReplyDeleteI will indeed come up with a post that draws together some of my past canvases that I favour... perhaps projects that I had fun with... because they were .."outside the box".
Hope the sun rises during the day and that your walk with your hubbie is enjoyable... always uplifting and I must admit that I have been lax in regard to my own daily walk ritual. Thanks for the reminder... Must get back to it!
Have a great day!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, I will visit Marianne's site...looking forward to that...but wanted to say that I don't think you should be overly concerned about trying to keep up here with the blogging regularly while you are in the throes of such a big move! Moving is stressful enough all by itself. Do what you can and get back to us when you're up for it, but we all understand when other things take priority, believe me.
ReplyDeleteLove this piano piece; makes me reconsider the old one we have in our living room as a subject:-) It isn't pretty but my husband tells me the sound from it is fabulous - he's a musician so he should know.
I just sold both of those florals! Can't believe it. I'll have the airfare now to get back to Rochester, NY to see my son get married in August!!
Hi there Karen!... Thanks for dropping by and for your supportive words and ideas! I'll take them to heart!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you sold both florals! Surprise!... Surprise!... NOT!!! They were simply... Magnifique!... Belissimo!... Cool Mon!... Outa sight!! Spectacular in any words...any language!
The Universe rewards those who reach out to meet Her... and those who work hard!... or as my dear Mom always offered:
"The Lord truly works... in mysterious ways!"
Enjoy your trip... knowing that your talent made the trip possible!
Good painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
I'm grateful I learned of Marian's loss. Thank you, Bruce. I have left my condolences on her blog.
ReplyDeleteOnce again your thoughtful writing has been right on.
The piano painting is beautiful.
Blessings
Hi there Dean!... Thanks for dropping by with your usual enthusiasm and supportive comments!
ReplyDeleteI am grateful as well for the very real sense of connection that our blogging community affords me... and others in the circle!
Love your latest lion portrait... great texture as usual!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Oh Bruce how said. I am truly sorry for Marian's loss. We are all so connected. As artist we feel the pain of others, you are a very kind man Bruce. God Bless You.
ReplyDeleteHi there Joan!... Thanks for dropping by and for sharing your own feelings about Marian's loss!
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult when loses a parent. There is a part of you missing forever. Simple things... like a smile... a hug or a kiss... things that we take for granted which can never be present again... They can remain forever... only as memories!
I share Marian's loss of a Dad and a mentor.
Good painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Your painting of the piano is beautiful, Bruce...and again, a very moving post on Marian's loss of her Dad. I visited her blog and her tribute to her Dad was very moving as her painting of him with her grandson. My Dad is gone a year already! and now I can finally smile when I see his picture without anymore tears.... just wonderful memories...
ReplyDeleteHi there Hilda!... Thanks for visiting... for your kind comments and for sharing your own feelings about your own personal loss.
ReplyDeleteI very much admired the common courage that Suzanne and Marian showed us in their time of extreeme sadness and loss. Strong... and talented ladies... both!
Though we live slightly different lives... in diverse locations... we neverthelss share the very same human journeys which contain the same chapters.
It is wonderful for us all to be fortunate to have that wonderful blessing... the capability to remember. Oh... that we are all fortunate enough to leave with that blessing intact!
Good Pastelling!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
I love the elegance of your lines and your softness of your brushstrokes.
ReplyDeleteThe daisy completes your composition nicely.
Thanks for the nice comments you left on my blog.
Hi there!... Thank you for visiting and for leaving the encouraging comments!
ReplyDeleteI feel that we share a great deal of our passion for both making and sharing Art. Children are a common factor in the equation that enjoins us in spirit and purpose as well!
Do drop by again soon! Glad to have you visit and share!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce