Girl and Bluebird in the Rain

She is so sad, did you know? She's standing in the rain, all cold and wet. She's shivering as the happy bluebird passes by. He's nice and dry carrying his pretty red umbrella. Sad girl has an umbrella too...why doesn't she just pick it up so she can be happy too? I'm not sure. I know sometimes I don't pick it up either.



Sometimes in life we have problems that we can fix ourselves. The answer, tool, or umbrella is right there within our reach. All we have to do is pick up the umbrella and just allow ourselves to be happy. We are in charge of the actions we take and responsible for the ones we don't.

In my house, this painting has inspired the cheerful phrase, "Just pick up the stupid umbrella!" We say this with a laugh, but the point is coming across. My nephew got his cell phone taken away because his grades were falling...all because he didn't do the in class assignments.He was sad and I asked him, "Why didn't you just pick up the stupid umbrella?!" It was up to him whether he did the assignment or chatted in class. He laughed, but understood. I'm sure he was imagining himself standing in the rain just like my sad girl.

This painting just sort of happened and I'm glad it did. :) I wanted to do a red umbrella and work on my girls showing more expression in their faces. There was a good discussion going on over at Gritty Jane's and by the end of it, I was determined to find a new way to do an eye. I got to the point that I would add the pupil and decided not to. I wasn't sure if it was cool or a little bit creepy, but in the end, I think it makes her look more soulful.

She has joined my Dorothy and another painting on ebay.

Have a great day...and don't forget to pick up your umbrella! :)

Happiness is CUTE! :)

Imagine my surprise this morning when I saw that my "Happiness Is Where He Is" is featured on Cuteable ! I read the site everyday, but never dreamed they would ever find me! I am tickled pink! Or should I say blue? Here she is again...she is on ebay. :)

Happiness Is Where He Is

There are a lot of things this bluebird has yet to do and places she has yet to see. She spends most of her time taking care of the little ones in her humble nest. She loves her role and adores her family. Those things? Those places? They can wait. Right now, in this moment, she IS happy. It's the end of the day, the sun is setting, and her love returns to the nest. This is the life they are building together. And she knows, that no matter what she does or where she goes, true happiness is where he is.



This was SO much fun to do. I drew this on the wood on Mother's Day evening, overwhelmed by how sweet awesome guy was to me with all that he planned. He was SO tired by the end of the day. The card he gave me had a one bluebird on it and when you opened it, it played "Life Would Be a Dream." I think it is my favorite card from him by far. I wood burned the drawing with my soldering tip lol and then painted it so there was a sunset in the background. I LOVE doing gradients like that! The bottom is an altered raspberry and goes up to the flesh color by Delta. It is more orange than flesh to me, but I love using it for sunsets...it almost has a glow to it.

She's on ebay and I have a new item in my etsy too with another coming tomorrow...a silver frame that I painted and of course, crackled!

A big thank you to Adri for showing me how to do a light box. You like? I am loving it...even redid my singing church photo!

It's my Mom's birthday, so I am off to get the girls ready! Have a great day all!