Monday, January 25, 2010

look what I found!

No, I didn't find this in an old suitcase or dusty portfolio. The title of the post is the name of the painting - the fourth one I've done since the Christmas weekend and I'm beginning to get the hang of it now. If you think I'm having a good time you'd be right but I believe my decision to keep them small until I'm either feeling very inspired or have more daylight hours was a good one.

Does the picture tell a story? I hope so. One of my favorite things is having people tell me what tales my paintings evoke for them.

There are some who paint one a day. I can't do that but one a week is satisfactory. Now I have to get back to work on a new drawing.

23 comments:

  1. This is lovely - I am very fond of your Lionesses. How big is this in measurements?

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  2. joss - The lionesses are still my favourite subjects to draw. The painting is 5x7" on 8x10" 140lb cold pressed Arches watercolour paper.

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  3. this is wonderfully sweet and so fresh...the little girl is precious as is that lovely lioness...her eyes are wonderful! you are inspiring me to make some small paintings so as not to overwhelm...it is a good idea! (still smiling from your painting!)

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  4. That lioness, protective, is saying have a good time in this paradise, but don't you dare F it up. She gets hungry, chump, and you're lookin' mighty tasty.

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  5. I should be ashamed to admit that around the border I see sperms with heart faces. Should be.

    The painting is delightful.

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  6. today i learned to tie my shoe.
    you see, always before, making a knot was quite confusing.
    the hound chasing the fox into her hole seemed unfair and mean.
    plus bunny ears never fall off, and you never see bunnies tying *their* ears in knots to avoid nasty dogs.
    i was unhappy, so i sat on a log and cried.
    a lioness sat beside me and asked "why are you so unhappy?" i told her about the hound and the bunnies and the fox. and she said she would teach me how to tie my shoes.
    "first," she said, "you must pick two different-colored flowers with long stems."
    so i looked and i found a long yellow flower and a tall red flower.
    "cross the flowers," the lioness said, "then fold one over the other to make them best friends."
    i crossed the flowers.
    "then give them arms by bending their stems into loops, and pull the loops through each other so they are hooking arms-- see? that makes them best friends forever," said the lioness.
    and that's how i tied my very first knot.
    "now try to make your shoelaces into best friends forever too," said the lioness.
    cross, bend, hook. i did it!
    i jumped up from the log and gave the lioness a great big hug.
    she helped me gather some more flowers into a colorful bouquet to take home for mama.
    i ran as fast as i could so i could practice tying my shoes again. and again.

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  7. linda - I'm very pleased you like it so much. To think I'd pretty much given up drawing and painting before I began blogging. You inspire me too :-)

    randal - Yes! a most cool take on the meaning of the image.

    lisa - That's just what they are :-)

    sera - I have to go and get dinner ready now but I will be back :-)

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  8. sera - That is the sweetest story I never could have told. Now I'm extra, extra glad I painted a picture that inspired it. She's learned to tie her laces with the help of her heart mother. I'm very touched.

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  9. Hi Susan- lovely painting about the little girl in the big world who has found some magical flowers to take home. She has no fear of her large lion hearted companion because she thinks we must all live in harmony and that’s fine with the world at large because that’s the way it’ all supposed to be.
    Best wishes

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  10. I am sad to say it reminds me of Narnia, because I am inundated with children's literature and movies.

    It also makes me think that lioness is a protector who is biding her time until the day she will leap up and devour our corporate oppressors.

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  11. Another keeper. Makes me happy just to look at that little girl laughing and skipping around, and, of course, the borders are cool!

    Peace.

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  12. I love that picture. I'm not sure of what the story is but I can't help but wonder if there is a moral to the story about enjoying the small joyful things in life (the flowers she is carrying) and not to let imaginary dangers (the big lioness the little girl is running past) keep you from doing it.

    I didn't notice the heart-faced sperm...does that mean I'm getting old? ;-)

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  13. "Can I keep it, Mom?"

    I love this - and the fact that these keep coming. I'll be showing this to Oldest when he gets in.

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  14. lindsay - Harmony and delight in small treasures, whether children, flowers or any aspect of our better natures is what it's all about. We agree.

    ubermilf - The interesting thing about Narnia was the fact he wrote it during WWII and they learn their train had been bombed. Strange story, that one. I'm pretty sure the corporate oppressors won't find themselves in such a fine version of Purgatory.

    spadoman - She's full of life, isn't she?

    nunly - It's true we can and should be angry about the cruelty and injustice we recognize but we can't allow that stuff to prevent us from enjoying the many good things in life.

    Nah, you're not getting old - just don't have microscopic vision :-)

    jams - Glad you like it.

    steve - I know. Children can get away with the darndest things, can't they? I've promised myself to keep it up for a while but can't guarantee the results will be as nice as this every time.

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  15. your drawings are a delight.
    when i find you've posted another,
    i go yes, quite right.

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  16. What a beautifully evocative painting and title - it brought tears of joy to my eyes! It represents to me the magic and wonder of childhood, before the scars of disappointment and loss constrain our hearts and minds.

    Thanks you for sharing your amazing talent with us!

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  17. sera - I always look forward to reading your thoughts no matter what I post.

    cr - It's a pleasure :-)

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  18. i had never heard of a sky burial. you're right, it does sound a bit gruesome, especially if the deceased is somebody you love.

    but too, it doesn't matter whether vultures, flies, bacteria or worms get you. one way or another, what used to be your body becomes energy. energy and dust.

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  19. sera - I was comforted to learn that friends and family members aren't expected to perform this duty although I believe they do deliver the bodies to a kind of holding area for the charnal grounds.

    A true accomplishment, although very rare, is the attainment of the Rainbow Body.

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  20. I love the lioness as well as that little girl. So far I recall two others of this theme: in one is the girl playing a fife (?) but I think that it's on one of your silk bags. Is there a little painting for that one as well? And then there is the one of the girl floating with her umbrella.

    Love these, Susan. You have been very prolific lately!

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  21. Very lovely painting indeed. It radiates content and warmth.
    I also appreciated Sera's story - she is quite something, that Sera goth lady.

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  22. pagan sphinx - Yes, I've always been very fond of lionesses in particular. Neat to know you've been keeping track :-)

    zee - Thanks. I know we have entirely different styles so it's nice to know you like this one. I agree, Sera is most cool :-)

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