He's the one that gave me the nickname of Top Cat.

I actually thought I was done with my cast of characters until I woke up this morning with this knowing that I had to talk about Uncle Travis.  

He was one of my mother's younger brothers and my favorite uncle.

When he would come to visit my world would light up. 

Even tho I had a speech impediment he always seemed to know exactly what I was trying to say.  He's the one that gave me the nickname of Top Cat.

He made me feel special!

Unfortunately his life was cut short from a car accident at the young age of 32.  I was devastated! 

 For the longest time I believed it was my fault.

Here's why...

Because we had no inside plumbing, at night instead of going to the outhouse  we used "the pot" inside the house.   

Uncle Travis accidentally walked in on me while I was using "the pot".

I felt really embarrassed and I wished he would go away.

So when he died I thought I was responsible.

In retrospect, I see that I carried that guilt with me for a very, very long time.

Thank You, Uncle Travis.

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life. 

The Cash Kids

We are family...my brothers, my sisters, and me.

As a group, my parents often referred to us as "the 2 older girls and the 4 little ones".

As I was searching thru my memory bank for someone who had an impact on my life, these guys came to the forefront.

We each have totally different personalities which collectively made us a force to be reckoned with.

There's not enough time and it's difficult to share the impact that each of them have had on my life. 

Just know that it is big! 

The journey thru this course of reflection  has made me even more aware of that.

It was pleasing to my heart to spend the special quiet time with each person as I drew them.

I am grateful.

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life. 

Mary Kay Cosmetics

In my mid-twenties I was offered an opportunity to join Mary Kay Cosmetics.

I was shy and very insecure of myself

Yet the person who spoke to me about Mary Kay saw something in me that I did not see in myself, so I trusted her.

I went to a meeting to learn more.  

I was surrounded by positive, optimistic, encouraging women.  It was contagious.  I wanted more.

It didn't take me long to know this where I was suppose to be.

I thrived.

I was a wife, mother, full-time employee, and a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant all rolled into one.

Did I mention, one very busy lady?

I overcame many obstacles to make this work.  Most of them were in my mind.  Yet I did it.

Being in the company for almost 7 yrs. and surrounded by incredible women I did things I never would have thought were possible.

I kicked fear in the a** many times.

Beyond the cosmetics, Mary Kay is all about empowering women to be the best they can be.  

I am filled with tremendous gratitude for this woman and the empire she grew based upon her strong beliefs...

It's Not Where You Start, It's Where You Finish!

(P.S. I still listen to this song often!)

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life. 

When they knew better, they did better

As I grew older is when I began to appreciate, I mean really appreciate, my parents and ALL they have done for me.  

I may not have seen it in my younger years but I certainly do now.

When I began to see them as regular people and to put their lives in perspective is when I felt a shift.

 The blame and the shame washed away.  

In reality, they did the best they could with what they knew and when they knew better, they did better. ― (Maya Angelou)

I have acquired many positive attributes directly related back to them and the way I was raised.

I am choosing to celebrate the good things and learn from the not-so good things.

Both reside as a learning experiences.

The reference photo I use for this drawing was from a little photo taken of them in the spring after I was born.

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life. 

you are so very special

Granny King

She was the mother of the pastor of the small baptist church we went to when I was little. 
I think everyone called her Granny King.
She was a short stout woman, looking very grandmotherly, with the sweetest look about her face.
I recall many times Granny King would sit me on her lap, nestle me close to her, and whisper in my ear. 
"You are so very special!  One day you will see."
If I close my eyes and get really still I can hear her words.
Words do have power.
I believe she was a messenger sent to me from God. 
I am forever grateful to Granny King and the role she played in my life.

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification.  

This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . 

Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life.

she was my guardian angel

Ms. Linke played a pivotal role in my life.

She proved to be more than my kindergarten teacher, she was my guardian angel.

Back in the day...when it was time for a child to be enrolled into school for the first time it was customary for the public health nurse to make a home visit. This may have only applied to poor people, which is the category my family fell into. She came to our house for the evaluation and was concerned to find a child (me) who was extremely introverted and who couldn't speak. I only made grunting noises. It's my understanding, that her recommendation was for me to be placed in a home for "retarded" children. (remember this was in the 1950s-very common) Ms. Linke intervened and persuaded my Mom to allow her one year to work with me before she followed thru. My Mom agreed. This is where the long road of speech therapy began and lasted all the way until high school

I am currently enrolled in several on-line classes that are offering the opportunity and tools to dig deep into our past for clarification. This prompt is from Jeanne Oliver's class Reflections : Paint Your Story . Creating a cast of characters who have played a role, good or bad, in your life.

Stand in your light

Often I (we) realize I am holding myself back from things I am truly capable of.  I (we) can conjure up many pliable reasons why I (we) can't do something yet when I (you)  dissect all those reasons it seems to always  boil down to fear.  Fear of failure...fear of being judged...fear of this or fear of that....it can even be fear of success!

I saw a video clip, on FaceBook  today, of this man who was in a wheel chair apparently he was a paraplegic.  He drove a big dump truck for a living.  He pulled himself up into the truck using only his arms.  From the seat of the truck he reached way down and disassembled his wheel chair, putting the pieces in the passenger seat of the truck. 

 Watching this video reinforced the meaning and depth behind my piece I created in my art journal yesterday.

I want so much for be able to make this art business successful, to be able to support myself financially, that I loose track of my true purpose.   Thus opening the door for a sorts of fears to come creeping in.  Some of them I don't even realize are there until I look deep.  At this juncture of my creative journey I want to "Stand In My Light".  What does that mean?  Well I  haven't totally been able to formulate into words yet, other than to just be me and do what I love.    I know what it means in my heart, tho.  That's the most important place.

My art comes from my heart.

Here are a few photos I took during the creation of this piece.  The middle one is the ugly stage.  This one used to stop me dead in the tracks until I learned the secret to "just keep going".

the sketch

beginning of shadows & highlights

the ugly stage

Thank You for all of your support and encouragement.

I couldn't do this without YOU!

Freedom to be

On my mind, today, was the "limitations" we put on ourselves.  

Conning ourselves that we can only do this or only do that.  

These are un-truths that we tell ourselves.  

We can do whatever we choose to believe we can do.

Thus...FREEDOM TO BE was created.

Reflection

You are invited

Take a few moments, literally 32, to watch my slideshow of the progression of a charcoal and pastel piece of art I just finished. This documents my largest piece of art I have created. (26" x 36")

Enjoy!