Happy

There is Always Something to Smile About

/ Jodi / 52 Comments

There is Always Something to Smile About.

It was REALLY hard getting up for work on Monday!

In our part of the world, we started Daylight Savings Time and lost an hour of sleep Sunday morning when we had to turn the clocks forward.

Since I didn’t have to wake up at any certain time on Sunday, it was not a problem.

But when the alarm went off at 5 am on Monday, I said, “What the whaaaat?!?!”

I skipped my morning treadmill routine and went back to sleep until 6 am.

Still didn’t want to get up…. but I did.

The upside to this crazy ritual is that it now stays light later, and Charlie and I were able to walk outside after work.

When Charlie and I go for a walk, we almost always take the same route, so I make it a point to always try to see something new.

It was on our way back that I spied a smiley face painted on this old tree stump that has obviously been there a while.

This was the first time I saw it.

And I smiled.

There is always something to smile about!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Mixing it Up with Mixed Media

/ Jodi / 53 Comments
Mixed Media Holiday Poinsettia - 12x12

Mixed Media Holiday Poinsettia – 12×12

Mixing it Up with Mixed Media.

Feeling a little crazy…
Feeling a little creative…
Feeling a little loose…

I painted a bright, bold, red poinsettia
on some newsprint,
and then I went crazy.

I glued,
and I taped,
and I splashed,
and I sprinkled.

I tore,
and I tied,
and I buttoned,
and I pearled.

And when I was done…
I framed,
and I smiled,
and I sighed in contentment.

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Smile

/ Jodi / 38 Comments

smile-perylene-green-watercolor

Smile…

I know that this may sound cliche,
but won’t you give it a try today?

When you see someone whose eyes are dim,
greet them with a wide, happy grin?

Show those dimples and pearly whites,
it may just be their day’s highlight.

A smile is contagious and fun to spread.
Just do it, you’ll see – full speed ahead!

It could be the cure that heals the blues,
maybe even the common cold and flu.

It’s easy, and it is free to give.
it can even be a kind forgive.

A simple smile can spread some light,
and be the way to make a day bright.

It’s a gesture, it’s a gift,
it can be a huge lift.

If everyone tried this once per day,
imagine how lovely… imagine how gay.

You can turn the world on with your smile
You can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

RIP Mary Tyler Moore – Your smile will be remembered

 

Loose Happy Yellow Flowers in Watercolor

/ Jodi / 61 Comments
loos-yellow-sunflowers-in-vase-watercolor-11x14-300-lb-arches

Loose Yellow Sunflowers in Vase-watercolor-11×14-300-lb-arches

Our January weather has been so unseasonable.

PRO:  Above normal temperatures – one day this week was one degree away from the warmest day on record with temperatures in the 60s!

CON:  Instead of bright, white snow, we are having rain and grey cloudy days.

SOLUTION:  Paint loose happy yellow sunflowers!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS:  This original painting, prints, and greeting cards of this are all available at our McKinneyX2Designs ETSY shop!

The Happy Flower

/ Jodi / 54 Comments
sunny-sunflower-watercolor-11x14-artistico-ex-wh-300lb-soft

sunny-sunflower-watercolor-11×14-artistico-ex-wh-300lb-soft

“As an artist, I’d choose the thing that’s beautiful more than the one that’s true.”

–Laurie Anderson, Composer, Singer, and Performance Artist

Sunflowers are happy flowers – aren’t they?
They are sunny and bright and cheerful.

I painted this version of a sunflower – that may not really look like a sunflower to you – but I fell in love with.  And I rarely say that about my own art, so it is super exciting for me.

It is 11×14 and painted on the most glorious Fabriano Artistico 300lb “Soft” paper that is so cottony soft and buttery, I love to just feel it!

When I came upon this quote by Laurie Anderson, it so resonated with my feelings about art.  I would choose beautiful over true too.

I choose to paint what I love and feel is beautiful over an exact likeness.  I can take a photo if I want an exact likeness. (And I do so admire artists who can create exact likeness with paint and brushes – don’t get me wrong – it’s just not where I find my joy – at least right now.)  But to create a feeling of beauty, that is what I choose to love about painting.

Happy Day!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi