Freedom

Independence Day

/ Jodi / 25 Comments

Abstract American Flag Watercolor by Jodi McKinney 11×14

Independence Day.

“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”

– Peter Marshall

Independence Day* (the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain and were now united, free, and independent states.  The Congress had voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2, but it was not declared until July 4.

In honor of this special day, I painted a very abstract version of the American Flag in watercolor for #WorldWatercolorMonth.

Have a fun, free, righteous, independent day!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

*Wikipedia

Where are you going, leaves?

/ Jodi / 54 Comments

In autumn the leaves come blowing, yellow and brown.
They rustle in the ditches, they tug and hang on the hedge.
Where are you going, leaves?  Far, far away.
Into the earth we go, with the rain and the berries.
Take me, leaves, O take me on your dark journey.
I will go with you, I will be rabbit-of-the-leaves.
In the deep places of the earth, the earth and the rabbit.

Silverweed, Watership Down

Currently reading “Watership Down” by Richard Adams.

Have you read this classic?

We are reading it in preparation for our upcoming book club.

Would love to hear thoughts from those who have read.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

I Failed!

/ Jodi / 111 Comments

I failed…

I let people down.
I let myself get upset.
I got in over my head.
I took on more than I could handle – bit off more than I could chew.

And now…
I have to eat crow,
because I told everyone about it before I really carefully considered it,
before I really tried it,
before I realized the time and commitment involved.

You may recall I got all excited about some paintings I did for a sweet blogging friend, Carolyn, who is co-authoring a book with Colin.  Carolyn had challenged me to paint some characters in the book they are writing.  I did, with the full intention of gifting them to her, but when she fell in love with them (and Colin liked them too), they asked if I would be interested in illustrating their book.

In my enthusiasm, I eagerly accepted.

Then they sent me the first chapter to illustrate…

After three evenings’ attempts, my “illustration” didn’t even look good enough to turn in for a First Grade art project!

I grew frustrated and began to get nervous at how much time would be involved in creating 30 illustrations – likely through multiple iterations – and the time I had to do it in -considering I work full time (and then some), the time I love spending with my family, the time I enjoy on this blog, and the real creativity I enjoy.

What was I thinking??  I have no education or professional experience in this.  I am NOT an illustrator.  I love loose, expressive watercolor painting – painting flowers and birds and any ole’ thing that strikes my fancy.  I love turning them into cards and prints and sharing and selling them on my Daughter-in-Law’s and my little Etsy Shop.

But drawing and painting pictures and scenes….   Well – not only do I not (currently) have the talent  (I say that because I believe anyone can learn to do almost anything they want to do with enough time, practice, effort, and passion for it), but I honestly don’t have the time or the passion for it.

So I quickly told Carolyn and Colin this just wasn’t going to work for me.

It was HARD!

I do not like to fail…
I do not like to give up…
I do not like to break commitments…
I do not like to let people down.

But they were so understanding, and my four paintings were carefully packaged and mailed to Carolyn for her to always have as a small gift and remembrance from me.

And I have to admit a weight has been lifted from my shoulders,
and my heart is light and carefree again.
I failed, but I failed fast and am not beating myself up about.
I uncommitted quickly and decisively and before I got in too deep.

I painted this big red letter F.
I loosely painted a big red circle around it.

and I feel Free,
and I am Forgiving myself.
I am Focusing on what I love to do,
and I am having Fun…

at Life In Between.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  Thank you Carolyn and Colin for your faith in me, for giving me this experience, for helping me realize where my heart is, and for forgiving me for letting you down.  I wish you the greatest success on your Moonbeam Farm books!  I know I’ll be purchasing and reading them – and admiring someone else’s illustrations! 🙂

 

Freedom

/ Jodi / 55 Comments

swing-freedom

Freedom

Remember when
freedom was
being able to pump your legs
on your own
instead of being pushed
so that you could swing so high
you felt you could kick the sky?

You felt the wind
in your face
and butterflies
in your stomach
and you felt
like you were flying.
It was freedom.

And then you would choose
just the right moment
when you would leap
and let go
and truly fly
if only for a moment.
It was freedom.

My hope…
my prayer…
my wish…
my longing…
my yearning…
to the world
and to the universe

is that everyone…
no matter your
gender,
race,
religion,
sexual orientation,
or ethnicity

is afforded the right
and the privilege
to recall that feeling
and to achieve
the reality
of that freedom
we all deserve.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Woke up Thinking Tulips

/ Jodi / 57 Comments
tulips impressionistic 9 x 12 original watercolor

Tulips on Arches 140 lb hot press 9 x 12

I woke up yesterday thinking tulips….
thinking Spring….
so wanting to paint tulips.

I awoke to a rainy Monday…
feeling earlier than it was with the time change…
going to the gym and getting to work.

But as the day progressed….
the afternoon brought sunshine and warmth…
and by dinnertime, the temperatures were above 70 degrees F.

After dinner, I grabbed a sheet of watercolor paper…
A full sheet – 9 x 12 inches…
and I sat on the deck with flips flops and sun still shining.

And I painted tulips…
loose and free and Springy….
and this is how they turned out.

Happy Spring!
Happy Tulips!
Happy HeArt!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Abstract Thoughts in a Concrete World

/ Jodi / 58 Comments

Prussian Blue Permanent Rose Watercolor Abstract

Another shooting…

this time at Inland Regional Center, a conference center in a community facility in San Bernandino, California that serves people with developmental disabilities.

Senseless.

Innocent lives lost to craziness and confusion and ugliness.

As I watched the non-stop coverage on the news –  trying to understand – not allowing myself to become “desensitized” to the madness,  I felt compelled to paint.

I wanted to just express my abstract thoughts and feelings in this concrete world.

Before I ever tried to paint, to watercolor, to create art,

I would look at abstract art and laugh, or dismiss, or discredit.

I thought to myself, and even said out loud, that anyone could “do THAT!”

It’s just paint splattered on paper.

But I’m drawn to abstract art now – like never before.

And I dare you to try it!

It is not as easy as it looks to the inexperienced critic.

It is actually much easier to paint and draw literally and concrete and exact.

But to paint abstract is to let the art speak your feelings, to let the paint “do it’s thing.”

So I brushed my paper with Prussian Blue and Permanent Rose and then a delicate mix of the two of them.

Then I splashed water on it all, expressing my confusion, my angst, my inability to understand our world’s inability for peace, for tolerance, for understanding, for love.

These two colors create such a beautiful tone when mixed together – like all of us.

But we can’t, won’t, don’t let it happen.

We fight it, we try to control it, we try to keep it separate, we try to make the rules, define the lines, keep it simple.

But life is not meant to be separated, defined by lines or be simple.

Life is about freedom… about being connected…

Life is complex.

But it is also loose and expressive and beautiful.

And so I created this abstract watercolor painting

that I have to admit I love,

and I am nervous to share for fear you will not – like – understand – feel – care – accept.

But I am being brave, and I am sharing.

It is my little expression of abstract thoughts in a concrete world.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi

PS  Thanks to Deb Riley, an amazing artist I adore and follow and would love to emulate.   You have encouraged, enthused, and inspired me!

The Fragility of Life

/ Jodi / 35 Comments

bird silhouette on window

Oh beautiful bird
please be careful.
The reflection you see is deceiving.
The imprint you leave so haunting.

This photo is of a window in our breakfast nook where a bird recently hit, but survived (as far as we know).

I often look at it – –  and see
what looks like
angel wings…
or a spirit…
a symbol of flight…
a symbol of freedom….
a reminder of
the fragility of life.

Hugs,
Jodi

Don’t fence me in

/ Jodi / 12 Comments

broken rope wire on fence post

Don’t fence me in…
Don’t make me stay inside “the lines.”

I must break free
to really be me.

True love… true freedom…  true creativity… true thoughts… true peace
can only be achieved when they are chosen.

Let me choose.
Don’t fence me in.

On my way home yesterday afternoon, I took a different route.  I was looking at the sights of the tall grass along side the road and stopped to take a photo.  When I was done, I caught sight of this fence post with its broken wire rope on the other side of the road, and it kind of took my breath away.  All I could think was, “Don’t fence me in,” and I took this shot.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi