Freedom - Work in Progress

If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each in to learn to laugh at himself.  ~ Peanuts 

Freedom - Work in Progress

4" x 6" watercolour © 2012

Happy Life

Very little is needed to make a happy life. It is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.

-- Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180), Roman emperor and philosopher

A Little Light - From the Sketchbook

Thought I would post a sketch from my sketchbook tonight (tomorrow I'll show an update on the bicycle painting). I bought this radiometer from a local book store (but it is just like the one in the link) and it has amused me for many sunny days on my windowsill. In fact, I watched it so much that I thought I had to sketch it.



A Little Light, watercolour and ink
© 2010


edit: The quote in the painting is: "Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience." ~ Paulo Coelho

Where I Paint

Its been almost a week since my last update, but... I do have a most excellent excuse, though I cannot share until the new year (some details still need to be worked out). Until then, I thought I would share where I paint and what has been distracting me (besides holiday planning/visiting/baking/preparing). The watercolours have been put aside just for a little while as I have a few last minute very large paintings that have a very tight deadline for me to finish. This one is based off a closeup picture I took of a tugboat on the coast up near Gibson's Landing (on the British Columbia coast). It is a surprise... though those who are being surprised by this don't check my blog regularly so I think it is safe to post it here.


Where I Paint
© 2009

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to morn
for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles,
but to live in the present wisely and earnestly. ~ Buddha

Courage

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, "I will try again tomorrow".

- M.M. Radmacher

Art

Art is not a transcript nor a copy. Art is the expression of those beauties and emotions that stir the human soul.

- Howard Pyle

An Artist

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

- Pablo Picasso

Some stories...

Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. delicious ambiguity....

-gilda radner

Strength

Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.

- Author unknown to me

The Opposite of Love

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.

-- Elie Wiesel

Character

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

-- Helen Keller

Be Brave

Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.

-- Paulo Coelho

The greatest pleasure

The greatest... pleasure which men can have in this world is to discover new truths; and the next is to shake off old prejudices.

--Fredrick the Great (1620 - 1688)

Solutions and Answers

As long as anyone believes that his ideal and purpose is outside him, that it is above the clouds, in the past or in the future, he will go outside himself and seek fulfillment where it cannot be found. He will look for solutions and answers at every point except where they can be found--in himself.

-- Erich Fromm

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May God give you...For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.

-- Irish Blessing

To regret one's own experiences is to arrest one's own development. To deny one's own experiences is to put a lie into the lips of one's life. - Oscar Wilde

When you have come to the edge of all the light you have And step into the darkness of the unknown Believe that one of the two will happen to you Either you'll find something solid to stand on Or you'll be taught how to fly!"
-- Richard Bach

Happiness is a journey

for a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin -- real life. but there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be serve, a debt to be paid. at last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. this perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. happiness is the way. so treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. happiness is a journey, not a destination.... --souza

Persistence

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. --Calvin Coolidge

All Beginnings

All beginnings are somewhat strange; but we must have patience, and, little by little, we shall find things, which at first were obscure, becoming clear. -- Vincent De Paul (1580 - 1660), French missionary