I may be the worst blogger ever.
I have thoughts. I have paintings. I have drawings. I have stories. I’ve just kept them tucked away I suppose.
Well, today I feel like catching up a bit.
Ever since California, Stephen and I have been in a bit of a funk. Drifting a bit in creativity and thinking, thinking, thinking. Sitting on rocks watching whales and walking along the foggy Pacific ocean shore altered reality in another small shift, the outcome of all our travels. Experiences change you.
Feeling dreamy, it’s way past time to share my one and only large oil painting “Seashore” here on my website. Working from a photo taken on our family beach trip last fall, this picture captures a dreamworld. The sky was gorgeous, a tidal pool perfectly still, turned into a perfect mirror. The sand smooth and white, the kids euphoric as they skip and dash down the shore upon arrival.
You can miss so much, if you don’t look. If you just follow the kids, trying to keep them in order; if you just trudge along, day in, day out. I wasn’t particularly focused on anything that day, coming off a long car trip with 3 little kids. Luckily, I saw it. Thankfully, the scene enveloped me and smacked me out of a fuzzy world of busy adulthood.
“You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” -Dr. Seuss
From the other side of the tidal pool, the reflection was hidden. You couldn’t see the mirror. So I, running up and down the beach snapping pictures, looked like a weirdo. (Which, I believe, is not out of character….)
I was so excited to be in this magical world, where sky and land and sea were confused in a glorious vision. It is currently my favorite photo of all time. I look at the painting from across the dinner table, a reminder to keep my eyes open to the wonders of our beautiful life, our magical world.
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” -W.B. Yeats
Gorgeous post – thanks for sharing.
thank you so much! It is nice to be back 🙂
Awesome!! As always!!
Not to worry, Mary Liz! One day, the kids will be grown and you and your husband can walk hand in hand on the beaches, exploring the great places at your leisure. I lived in Crescent City, California for awhile and LOVED the way you painted the ocean. If you just stand and look for awhile, it’ll feel like it goes on forever. I always felt like my problems and issues were so small when I could stand beside the ocean.
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences! Have been in a bit of a creative funk myself. Good to know that even the best artists go through the same thing!
Betty Smith, Columbus, MS