Mommy’s New Love – Watercolor 11×14
Mommy’s New Love.
The only thing
that can even possibly compare
to the indescribable feeling
of Mommy’s New Love….
might just be
Grandma’s new love.
This is another illustrative watercolor
meant to express the joy
that can only come
from watching your children
experience the joy
of having children…
and getting to be a part of it.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#WorldWatercolorMonth
A Daddy’s Love is as Big as the Moon – Watercolor Illustration – 11×14
A Daddy’s Love is as Big as the Moon.
I was playing around with illustrative art one day as I continue to practice drawing techniques and watercolor.
I love painting loose, but I also admire those that can create bigger-than-life illustrative characters with their art.
Inspired by the birth of a new grandbaby, my heart feels as big as the moon. I know my son feels the same way.
Today is also a special “anniversary” day for my Dad and me. It is our 8-year reunion anniversary. On July 17, 2010, my Dad and I were reunited after many years apart. I now know his love is, and always has been, as big as the moon.
So this watercolor painting is meant to express that bigger-than-life feeling through illustrating the BIGness of that love.
Can you feel it?
I could picture this as a Daddy character in a children’s book, and it melts my heart.
A Daddy’s love…
my son’s – my husband’s – my dad’s……
is as big as the moon!
Just like my love is for them.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#WorldWatercolorMonth
Father and Daughter and Red Balloon Watercolor 11×14
Happy Father’s Day.
Happy Father’s Day to my Dad.
So glad we have the opportunity to make up for lost time.
Happy Father’s Day to my Hubby.
Sharing parenthood with you has been one of my life’s greatest joys.
Happy Father’s Day to my Son.
Watching you be a dad melts my heart.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I painted this watercolor to create a card for my Dad for Father’s Day. I wanted to create a feeling with art that represents a bond that can’t be broken. The bond between a father and daughter. A representation of the feeling of being Daddy’s little girl – no matter age or time. Love you Dad. xoxox
Young Fern in Spring, Mars, PA – May 2018
Unfurl.
Spread out your arms
and show your true beauty.
Open up your heart
and show your true love.
Unwind your mind
and show your creativity.
Unpack your burdens
and feel the lightness of hope.
Uncover your inhibitations
and welcome the unknown.
Reach beyond the tightness
and ease into peace.
Unfurl.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Grandma’s Bleeding Heart – A Mother’s Day Flower
The Best Mother’s Day Gift.
When I was a young, extremely naive, stay-at-home mom
to two energetic and spirited little boys,
the perfect Mother’s Day “gift” would have been
an hour or two of peace and quiet all to myself to do whatever I pleased.
But now that I am an older, experienced, working-outside-the-home mom
to two amazing and independent young men,
and have gained two “daughters”
and a granddaughter too…
the perfect Mother’s Day “gift” has become
an hour or two of time together
to love and laugh and appreciate
the greatest gift of all…
The gift of
being a Mom!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Projecting Beauty – 18×24 Acrylic Abstract on stretched canvas
Every baby is born beautiful.
It is what we project on them
that makes them ugly.
-Ruth in Small Great Things
Sharing this quote today from the book I’m reading that I mentioned yesterday –Small Great Things By Jodi Picoult.
The quote is spoken by a labor and delivery nurse, Ruth, talking about the most beautiful baby she has ever seen born. The baby was born with severe birth defects that led to him not having a face. A small mouth with one tooth was in the place of where an ear should have been and the face was just a mass of skin. A student nurse screamed upon seeing him. Ruth shared how she would never forget the transformation that occurred as a result of the love the mother, and eventually the father, projected onto this sweet baby for the short time they were blessed with his presence on earth. The love in their eyes saw his beauty. The love they projected on this baby made him beautiful.
This really spoke to me. Of course there is the old adage that beauty is only skin deep, but isn’t it so true? I have known people who were absolutely flawlessly attractive in physical appearance, but had such ugly hearts and souls that it blinded the beauty. I also know people that aren’t necessarily physically attractive, but beauty just shines from them. The beauty that is deep within their being. It just consumes the space that surrounds them. And when you look at them, all you see is that beauty.
As parents (and grandparents), we have the power to project this beauty on our children. We have the responsibility to teach them they are beautiful – not because of the color of their hair or skin or the shape of their bodies or the unique intricacies of their personal appearances… They are beautiful because they are loved for just exactly who they are.
Let us love our children by projecting beauty on them. Let us teach our children to project beauty.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This painting is quite a diversion from my usual watercolor art. I worked on it for a few days as a special housewarming gift for my oldest son and daughter-in-law, who just moved into their new home. This abstract acrylic was inspired by the beautiful work of Osnad Tzadok. I did it using a palette knife, paper towels, a spray bottle of water, and a brush for a few strokes. All paint by Golden. I may just want to stretch and try some more of this type of work.
I’m calling this painting “Projecting Beauty.”
But…
Give
but don’t allow yourself to be used.
Love
but don’t allow your heart to be abused.
Trust
but don’t be naive.
Listen
but don’t lose your own voice.
-Author Unknown
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I Need to at Least do Something.
Like so many
of you
my heart
has been heavy.
Heavy with grief
for the families
who have
lost a child.
A child whose life
was stolen
from the devastating act of violence
that has so sadly become commonplace.
A life
taken away
in the blink of a moment…
in the shot of a gun.
An innocent young life
with a future stolen
in an event that has become
too commonplace.
A young person
robbed
of the privilege
of growing old.
A mother’s heart shattered,
A fathers’ soul shook,
A grandparent
left horrified.
What can we do?
We all ask the question.
So let’s make it our goal –
our contribution
to life…
our demonstration of love.
Let’s do
at least
one
small thing.
Maybe a hug
or maybe
a shared
story
of how
it felt
to be
that one.
I once was
that one –
alone
without a friend.
But I
made
it
through.
And there
is so much
more
to life
Once we
get through
those difficult
years
When
we think
it is all
that matters.
Let’s tell
our stories.
Let’s share
our anguish.
And then
let’s share our joy.
Let’s share
our happiness.
Life is
so much more
than a
teenager believes.
They just
don’t know it
at the
moment.
But we can tell them
there is hope
and there
is a future
Where
more matters
than what
a friend thinks.
Let’s teach
our children
the value
of life.
Let’s teach
our children
they are worthy
of love.
Is it enough?
I really don’t know.
But it is something
I can do.
And I need
to do something.
I need to at least
do something.
Hugs,
Jodi
The Misty Morning Fog.
Arising to the misty morning fog
that beautifully softened what could have been a bleak view
caused me pause and made me think.
It made me think how a bit of fog
might help the way we critically look
at different people and different situations.
Ones we think are clear,
and we think are bitter,
but we really don’t understand.
Maybe a little spritz of magic mist
is what we need
to spray on our hearts
to prevent us from
so harshly judging
the things we believe.
A magic mist
of understanding
to soften our views,
to soothe our souls,
to unlock the love
that lives
in the
misty
morning
fog.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
May your day be filled with peace and love.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Dear Dictionary –
We’ve
talked about this
before…
Your book is lacking
a few words
I so desperately need.
I’ve already told you
there needs to be
a word created
to describe the
the overflowing feeling
of love
I feel
when I think
of my granddaughter.
Other grandparents
understand
this conundrum…
But now
I need
another word…
I watched
the movie
“Mudbound.”
An Academy Award
nominated
film
for best supporting actress,
best cinematography,
and best writing of an adapted screenplay.
And at the end,
I sat
speechless.
The anger…
The hatred…
The sorrow…
The heartache…
The hope…
The compassion…
The conviction…
The love…
Dear Dictionary,
can you give me the word
that describes all of this wrapped up in one?
And then I listened
to the closing song,
Mighty River.
and
I
cried.
I so want to talk
about this
powerful film.
But I don’t
want to
spoil it
for those
who haven’t
seen it.
Please
watch
it.
And let me share the opening verse to Mary J. Blige’s Song, Mighty River:
Life is a teacher, time is a healer
And I’m a believer like a river wild
Ego’s a killer, greed is a monster
But love is stronger, stronger than them all.
Can we
please
let Love Be Stronger than them All?
Please.
Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 