Dappled Duds
Dining in our public squares, fluttering over statuary and store fronts, are our feathered companions , the lowly pigeons. Each one is dressed in different feathers, some with a color of soft luminescence. Not every one wants to get too close to a pigeon, but I myself really do not mind. They have learned to look to us for a toss of crumbs or seeds.
Irises Unfurled
Years ago, another Sister of Notre Dame generously gave me some photos she took of various flowers. For me, every photo can be a potential painting, so I found these full white iris heads irresistable. I usually use a photo in part, as a springboard, as I did here. The irises were partially hidden by stems, so I pushed the stems to the back, and chose a few main characters out of many for center stage. I never attempt photo realism in paint; I so much enjoy brushstrokes and fuzzy edges, and letting the paint be paint.
Impatiens
Even though signed, this little painting is still on the easel and may get some more attention. Impatiens is a buoyant, happy little flowering plant of rich foliage and various colors. This plant always tells you immediately with a sad droop, that it is very thirsty, and once drenched, it perks right up again.
Tapestry III: Sunflowers
As part of the “Tapestry” series, I include the Sunflowers above; it is one of the four in the set, and the only one I had not yet posted. I delayed in posting it, because no matter what the lighting was, a bluish hue insisted on engulfing the image. It is still there in this post, but it is as close to the original as I could get it. No matter, the sunflowers always have a degree of smile power, especially in the cold winds of winter.
Jesus, Cousin of John
This coming Sunday, the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. It is moving to picture Jesus in line with the crowds coming down to the Jordon River to be Baptized by John. The most surprised by this was John who knew that his cousin ought to have been baptizing him. And yet, for the years of their youth, John saw Jesus only as a revered family member, so ordinary in his human condition. As much as John must have loved Jesus, he said about their past together: “…and I myself did not know him…” Such was the complete entrance into our daily living that God made in Jesus.
