Jenny Mendes

I enjoyed exploring the theme of love this February.  I learned so much by looking at it from different perspectives, both personal and universal.  I hope my ability to open my own heart is growing.... getting older has it's benefits, insights, patience, and hopefully I will have a greater capacity for understanding and kindness... and if I'm lucky, I will learn what lessons life is trying to teach me, about love, and everything else.  Spring is just around the corner, yea!  I can't wait to start growing things!!!!!!

so bad.....and then so good.....

British Library, Stowe MS 955, f. 13r (‘Two women attempting to catch flying hearts’). ‘Pierre Sala, Petit Livre d’Amour (also known as Emblesmes et Devises d’Amour), a collection of love poems and ‘énigmes’, preceded by a dedication in prose from the lover/author to his mistress Marguerite’. c.1500

I love this too, it makes more sense.

Mary Oliver it did for me too, but in the end it was all good...

Two Swimmers at Waters Edge Collection of Francesco Clemente

It takes courage to push yourself to places you have never been before... to test your limits... to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to stay tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”  ―  Anaïs Nin

Jana Brike

Today, the friend who made this heart will come to visit for a few days.   She of the generous and compassionate heart, and it will be so nice to spend time with her.  When I think about the things I really care about in life, connection and friendship mean the most to me.  Thank you sweet friends wherever you are, I love you! 

“And now you ask in your heart, ‘How shall we distinguish that which is good in pleasure from that which is not good?’ Go to your fields and your gardens, and you shall learn that it is the pleasure of the bee to gather  honey of the flower, But it is also the pleasure of the flower to yield its honey to the bee. For to the bee a flower is a fountain of life, And to the flower a bee is a messenger of love, And to both, bee and flower, the giving and the receiving of pleasure is a need and an ecstasy. *People of Orphalese, be in your pleasures like the flowers and the bees.”  Khalil Gibran

 the minute I wake up even more!! Happy Valentine's Day, happy open hearted day, today and every day!!

Kristina Sostarko

Akio Takamori

Always, forever, my heart holds you here, wherever I am....     :)

Louis Stettner: Conversation, Paris 1950

He is one of those artists I can listen to over and over to, like a tape loop, I don't tire of it ever, but that's just me!  I hope you will enjoy this.   http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_bird_s_one_man_orchestra_of_the_imagination.html

I'm in Florida painting for the month.  It's like I'm in a vortex, just doing what I like to do, and not freezing up north anymore.   Such a good feeling.  No specific plans, only to work, and see what comes of it.  I've started off with plates.  I think there are 18 small ones, and then some large ones.  I'm slow, but, it's ok. Every day is a surprise.  I have no idea what I'm going to start with, until I begin.... and no idea when it will end.  So far so good. I have a few favorites. and still excited to see what tomorrow will bring.  

Marc Chagall Egon Schiele Catrin Welz-Stein

Claude Frederick Eugene Bennet by Joseph Goodhue Chandle A dog and his dog Buster Keaton Elliot Erwitt