Horses

"Horses"
2- 4" x 4"
Oil on canvas

I love horses and for some reason I've been dreaming about them lately. I woke up this morning and wanted to get this painting out of my brain and onto a canvas.

The Pickle Painting.

This week Ryan and I were invited to an event dedicated to raising money for the Art Institute of Minnesota. Of course I couldn't say no- Support the ARTS!!! Well, this particular event was standing proudly on the foundation of Fine Arts and Antiques. There were two floors of framed artwork, woodwork, sculpture and cases of antique trinkets. It was actually pretty cool, there were original works by Gustav Klimt- and beautiful hand drawn maps from all over the world! The first piece that caught my eye however was an oil painted pickle from "A 19th century painter". Now, I heart pickles as much as the next guy, but why would you want a dramatically lit rendering of a pickle in your home? (With a horrid gold frame) Also, what was it that moved the artist to spend his time and energy on painting (with rather fine quality might I add) a pickle? I don't know but what surprised me even MORE was the price tag. This particular 8 x 10 pickle painted by a 19th century unnamed painter, was priced at $4,800. Let that sink in.

I bet that guy didn't make enough to buy bread when he was alive. But how great is it that he finally made it after all these years?

Curious little guy

I love it when people ask me about my paintings. I like to tell the stories behind each piece. I want people to understand why this image, this memory, this emotion was important enough for me to pour my time and energy into.

This image was captured by my husband. Wonderful things wander into his viewfinder when ever he holds his camera. I love it. This little boy was a curious little guy who wanted to know what we were all doing on his school grounds and in his church in Kibera. He spent his free time running back and forth past the windows and doors to the church. He wore the same tasseled fleece sweatshirt both days we were there in 78 degree weather. Too short to see, he pulled himself up and peeked into the cut out window of the church. When he saw Ryan with a camera his eyes started to beam. I wanted to relive that smile in his eyes, experience again the way it feels to have a child respond to you with both joy and laughter. That's why this painting is important. And I wanted to share it.