The Simple Scent.
You stop me
in my tracks,
and I realize the sight of you
is only a small part of your beauty.
I close my eyes,
and I inhale slowly… deeply.
I let your scent
completely fill me.
It is full of hope
and new beginnings.
It is fresh
and brimming with life.
Happy memories
fill my soul.
Appreciation of the present
warms my heart.
All from the simple scent…
the sweet sniff
of the Lilac.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#mbpreset
An Art Exhibition.
I was asked to share 20 -30 pieces of my art
at a local theater,
The Iron Horse Theater.
The Iron Horse Theater Company’s mission is to provide thought-provoking and entertaining theater that will enrich the cultural life in what is now known as the “rust belt” area of southwestern Pennsylvania. The symbolic name, “Iron Horse” represents the hard-working and “iron-willed” people in this part of the world. It is in this spirit that they create theatrical experiences that celebrate the grit, determination, and strength of the human character.
I was asked to display (and/or sell) my art during their upcoming Mother’s Day Cabaret
and their Harps and Harmonicas show during the month of June after a patron of Berry Vine Gifts saw my art.
I’m quite humbled and excited to be given this honor, and I can’t wait to see the show!
If you are anywhere near the Pittsburgh area, I hope you will consider visiting and supporting this wonderful community and theater.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Bee Happy!
Did you know that honey bees — wild and domestic — perform about 80 percent of all pollination worldwide. A single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers each day. Grains are primarily pollinated by the wind, but fruits, nuts and vegetables are pollinated by bees. Seventy out of the top 100 human food crops — which supply about 90 percent of the world’s nutrition — are pollinated by bees.
According to Greenpeace USA, bees are dying from a variety of factors—pesticides, drought, habitat destruction, nutrition deficit, air pollution, global warming and more. Many of these causes are interrelated. The bottom line is that we know humans are largely responsible for the two most prominent causes: pesticides and habitat loss.
So what can we do? Greenpeace says these three things can give us a strong start:
Just a few thoughts buzzing through my head about saving the bees as I share this recent watercolor painting.
Bee Happy and have a great day!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
April Showers Part II.
After painting April Showers, I wanted to expand on the idea with a mom and two daughters walking in the rain for this watercolor.
Those that know me may recognize the inspiration. ❤
The Easter bunny brought a yellow umbrella with pink flamingos on it to Grandma’s house for Grandie Girl 1, and she is such a good big sister to Grandie Girl 2. They both (and I) adore their Mommy!
So this one is in honor of them as well as all mothers of daughters and grandmas of granddaughters. It makes my heart smile.
Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Blue Irises Watercolor 11×14
Watercolor Blues.
I had the watercolor “blues” this past weekend.
Not the sad blues, but the HAPPY French Ultramarine and Cerulean and Cobalt Teal blues with a punch of Crimson and Quinacridone Gold for more fun!
The flowers and trees are just bursting right now during the Spring rains and sunshine creating such inspiration.
It was so wonderful to spend a few hours painting and printing and framing and organizing supplies in my art room. Treasured, cherished, creative time…. at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Hoppy Easter!
May your day be filled with
joy, love, peace, and hope,
happy surprises,
and at least a little bit of chocolate!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
After the Rain.
After the rain,
we walked at the park.
The grass was greener,
the air was fresh and clean.
The sun warmed,
and the blossoming trees popped
almost as if they were
smiling with the joy they knew I felt.
My heart swelled a wee bit more
like it so often does
in moments spent
with my grandie girls.
Mommy told Grandie Girl 1
about the time she spent playing ball on this field,
and asked her if she thought she
would want to do the same some day.
The sweet, high-pitched voice
in the miniature, but too-fast growing body,
responded so excitedly
and affirmatively
like she most always does,
wanting to be just like mommy.
And I smile at both of them with their muddy shoes
from the stop we made along the walk to float dandelions in the creek.
I steal a glance at Grandie Girl 2,
who is grinning and squealing with delight
as if to affirm her agreement
and wanting to be just like her big sister.
These are the moments…
the sweet precious moments.
After the rain.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
April Showers Red Umbrella Watercolor 11×14
April Showers.
We are expecting April showers today.
That’s okay, because they will be bringing May flowers.
The daffodils and hyacinths and forsythia are already painting a bright and beautiful Spring.
I woke up early yesterday and felt like painting, but didn’t know what to paint. Scrolling through Pinterest, I found some lovely art done by Antigoni Tziora of Greece. This artist uses oil, acrylic, and watercolor mediums to create romantic figurative work. I tried recreating one in just watercolor, and this is what resulted. I’d like to try more experimenting with this. It was a fun practice to do.
Wishing you showers of joy, love, peace, and happiness!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Top of the World.
Wishing you a “top of the world” kind of day!
Cheers & Hugs and Woofs & Wags,
Jodi & Charlie
Seeing Silly Faces.
Sometimes I feel like just splashing paint and seeing what happens.
I recently played with my Brusho Crystal Paint Powders, and this is what happened.
As I looked at the painting, faces just popped out at me, so I took a black micro pen and drew them in.
Sometimes we just need to be silly and have fun while creating.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 