Painting #1 and Painting#2

Here is the progress on both paintings.

Painitng #1
I've had to redo Danny's face and now his nose is too big. His eyes are not finished still but they are too large and too close together. I've added his gray hair. I've also finished the fine detail with the bee which I am happy with.





Painting #2
Still in the discovery stage but painting away. When I am working on this painting the time just seems to fly. Enjoying it so much. My instructor suggested I turn the painting around and I liked the composition even better.

Away from Home

Its been a busy last week. Busy good, and busy not so good. Busy good included painting and a freelance design project. The not so good included an unexpected trip Danny and I had to make to my mom's last Thursday because she had some medical issues. We returned home Saturday.

She is fine for now, but has further tests and therefore I am back in the 'Burg today. I made the trip up here by myself and am sad to be away from home and my family. I will be here until Saturday possibly Sunday.

I got to meet my friend Beth at the 1/2 way point for lunch and it was just what I needed. Thanks Beth for the great conversation, lunch, laughter and prayer. You were a refreshment for my spirit. Plus your boxer Chester is so handsome!

We are anticipating a season of life for my mom that will be difficult. Please be praying for us. I'm tired right now and miss my husband and I sound like I am whining. I don't mean to. I want to love and serve and bless my mother, but find I am so often incapable.

A Red Painting, the Homeless and French Fries

Painting #2: A Study of Reds
Here is the pic I meant to post of my new painting as discussed in my last post. It looks more like pinks. But no matter, I love pink too. (Did you see my wedding dress??!!)



Homeless and French Fries
Yesterday was my first day for my shift at the Raleigh Rescue Mission. It is a Christian organization that has been around since 1960 and in the heart of Raleigh. They have about 50 residents that live on their campus but they routinely serve the homeless community. There are classes, GED tutoring, health clinic, daycare, etc. Its pretty amazing. Anyway, I have volunteered on the first and third Tuesday of the month to help serve lunch in their cafeteria.

That's right, in addition to being an artist, designer, actress, hair stylist -- I am also the "lunch lady." And we wonder why I'm considered a Renaissance woman.

They have a pretty great set-up. The women come in around 11:30 and one of the residents says grace. The men arrive around 11:45. The staff and volunteers get to eat lunch there too. I passed, but let me tell you there were some serious fresh French fries staring me in the face. I got to serve the baked beans and corn. The menu also included chili dogs, lasagna, garlic bread, ice-cream, salad bar, fresh fruit, cake and pie.

Now I will get fat from donuts at painting class and food from the homeless shelter. Is there humor in this?

I am excited about this volunteering. My heart has wanted to do this for awhile. The volunteer coordinator said she might need me to facilitate a quilting class or teach a drawing/art class. Again, the term Renaissance woman comes to mind.

I'm no one special doing this volunteer stuff. Its so easy to do this kind of work and deceive yourself into feeling good about yourself. That is the thing. When this kind of thing is no longer convenient, or stretches my busy "schedule" or requires me to give up the comfortableness of my life, then I can "brag." But for now, for now I'm just a Renaissance woman eying the French fries at the homeless shelter.