Full Moon, Mars, PA, August, 2016
Full moon musing
illumination of the night
Casting your glow
amidst the ambiguity
searching for clarity
through the unseen
providing a glimpse to
unravel the mystery
transforming darkness
to reveal the light
full moon musing
magic of the night.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Mushroom in the Yard – Mars, PA – August 2016
Sometimes
we need to look
at things
from a
different
perspective.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Are you ready for this adventure called “Today?”
Make it magical…
Make it creative…
Be imaginative…
Be silly…
Gain inspiration from whatever comes your way.
Have Fun!
Cherish the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I could have been bummed about that blurry leaf in the bottom left of this photo I took the other day on a walk getting in the way of allowing this to be a “perfect” pear photo, but instead, I had to laugh. What I somehow crazily saw was silly – a pear rocket ship firing up for take off with a big puff of steam behind it. Now isn’t that a more FUN way to look at it?!
Queen Anne’s Lace – August, 2016 – Mars, PA
I wandered
and I wondered
surrounded by the intricate
delicate
complex
beauty of nature.
Did “the queen”
strive to achieve her beauty…
or did she just
allow it to happen?
Did she recognize her beauty
in the complexity…
Or did it
even matter?
Was she
a weed…
Or was she
a beautiful flower?
Is it a
beautiful question…
Or is it
a beautiful answer?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Geneva on the Lake, OH – Rocks at Sunset – Summer 2016
Reflecting on the day
And contemplating life
A kaleidoscope of color
Evoking variegated memories
Discovering along the way
Acquiescent acceptance
Sometimes distancing ourselves
to ultimately save ourselves
Healing comes in waves
Crashing, splashing, breaking
Sometimes hitting the rocks
Other times reflecting the light
Remembering to pause
Remembering to cherish
Time spent reflecting
Time spent sharing
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Brown Eyed Susan Impressionistic Watercolor 5 x 7
Work and life have been very busy and exciting around here.
And even though it is all good, sometimes the busyness can be stressful.
When I need or want to unwind, I have truly found peace and joy in watercolor painting.
A year ago, I would have told you I enjoyed it, but I sometimes found it stressful as I wanted to be so good and realized what a truly challenging medium watercolor is.
About a year and a half into this new artistic love and hobby, I can truly say I now enjoy it for what it brings to me… The way it relaxes me watching the water and paint flow and mix and mingle… The joy in creating something completely unique and original…
And I no longer stress over perfection (well – most of the time!). I am an artist (finally calling myself that!) who finds more joy in painting than sketching, so drawing before painting is tedious to me. I can’t wait to get to the paint, so I would so much rather just skip the sketching stage. Don’t get me wrong, though… I GREATLY admire those that can sketch and draw creating almost exact likenesses to objects! I marvel and appreciate it so much!
I now realize I want to create things for my own joy… my own impression…. my own interpretation… and if someone else likes it – good. If not, that is okay too. I have developed my own little style, and though I will never be Vincent Van Gogh, I enjoy my painting.
So here’s one of my latest – a simple study of a single brown-eyed susan – Jodi’d up with a purple center, loose strokes and a few splatters!
Here was the photo I took of the flower from our front yard garden. As you can see, I didn’t try to replicate it exactly as is, but used it as a reference to create my impression or interpretation from.
I rather like this one, and I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like framed.
I think I’ll add this one to our McKinneyX2Designs Etsy shop. I love it as a print and think it will make lovely greeting/note cards too. It still amazes me that people have bought my original artwork, prints and cards. Every time the “ding” of the cash register alerts me that someone has bought something from our Etsy shop, I get so excited to see what they liked. Whether it was a beautiful rustic sign or piece of home decor made by my daughter-in-law and partner in artistic fun, Colleen, or a piece of artwork or set of cards that I created, it is such an honor, and I feel such joy.
Tomorrow I am going to be sharing what I think might be my very favorite painting I have done to date. I am excited to share it. You may or may not like it, but that’s okay. Thanks for traveling along this journey with me…. cherishing the moments… at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sunset – Geneva on the Lake, Ohio – #GFCGeneva2016 – Girlfriend Camp
How many sunsets will it take….
until I grow tired of watching sunsets?
until I stop gasping and gazing in wonderment?
until I realize the power and size and magnitude of this beautiful star?
until I appreciate each and every moment given to me in the day that preceded it?
How many sunsets will it take?
How many sunsets will I be given?
Cherish the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks – Mars, PA – August, 2016
When the fog is so thick
you can’t see round the bend,
do you take a chance
or allow a dead end?
Our minds can get foggy too,
and we don’t see as clearly as we usually do.
The intriguing thing, though,
is if we take a slow go
with thoughtful steps in confident faith,
we might be surprised at what awaits.
Go forward my friend
around the bend.
The further you go,
the clearer you’ll grow.
Cherish all the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Come fly away with me
to a place we want to be
up high in the cottony clouds
where anything is allowed
where soft winds blow
and spirits glow
where life is free
for he and she and me
we’ll take flight
toward the light
and smile and laugh and sing
in a basket tied with string
we will float
in our air-filled boat
with the utmost ease
in the gentle breeze
and leave behind
the ties that bind.
A couple of weeks ago, Hubby and I spent a Saturday evening watching a multitude of hot air balloons lift off and fly away at the Western Pennsylvania Balloon Quest in New Castle, PA. The weather was a bit “iffy,” and take-offs were delayed, but Mother Nature cooperated, to our great fortune, and we were able to experience this beauty.
I’m a bit of a ninny poo poo when it comes to daring adventures of height like this, but oh how I wish I were brave enough. Maybe some day. For now, it was lovely to experience from the ground and dream of far away places that can only be reached by going where the gentle wind blows us.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Tomato watercolor 5×7 arches 140lb rough DS Pyrrol Scarlett Hanssa Yello Green Gold Sap Green
Oh fresh, sweet, vine-ripened ruby red tomato…
How I love you from my head to-ma-toes!
It is tomato time of year around here, and there is nothing finer than a fresh-picked tomato right from the vine to the dinner table.
For today’s #WorldWatercolorMonth painting, I give you …. the Tomato…. in Daniel Smith Pyrrol Scarlett, Hansa Yellow, Green Gold, and Sap Green.
And to celebrate, here is a recipe for what we had for dinner the other evening – Brushetta Chicken. A plump grilled chicken breast smothered with fresh mozzarella cheese and topped with sweet, juicy tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
Oh the yumminess!
And even better – oh the easiness!
Hope you’ll give this winner winner chicken dinner a try. We had it with some brown rice and quinoa and a fresh spinach salad. How will you serve yours?
Bruschetta Chicken
Ingredients:
Directions:
Prepare Bruschetta by chopping tomatoes and combining with chopped basil, minced garlic, salt, olive oil and vinegar. Let sit and flavors mingle while you grill chicken breasts.
Top grilled chicken breasts with slices of mozzarella cheese, if desired, for last few minutes on grill and let melt.
To serve, top grilled chicken breast with large spoonful of fresh bruschetta and enjoy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 