Sunday, October 3, 2010

this peony


This peony is the very first one I ever painted....
way back when I decided that I had to start painting.

I remember painting it from a photograph,
while we were on vacation at the shore....
sitting at a little kitchen table very early each morning, 
before my family woke up.  
Isn't it funny how strong some memories can be?
I can distinctly remember the morning light, the quiet of the house,
and...most of all...
the feeling that I had finally painted a painting.

I signed up for my very first workshop with Arleta Pech.
I had her book and admired her work so much.
We needed to bring a painting for the critique on the last day of the workshop.
I was so nervous!  I can still remember that feeling.
I brought my little peony.
I was so intimidated that I almost didn't put my painting in the critique.
When it was my turn, Arleta said
"This peony.  This peony is soft, delicate and beautiful."
She told me to trust myself and trust my style.

I remember driving home that day, practically floating on air.
..and in my journal I wrote
"I am an artist".


Thanks for visiting today.
Please visit Mary's Little Red House
for more Mosaic Monday!




26 comments:

  1. Oh my!! How truly lovely you mosaic is!!! Wonderful! Cathy

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  2. I am an artist. That is such a magnificent thing to know and claim. I am so happy we have Etsy so all of us can enjoy your talent.

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  3. This is truly beautiful.. and yes you are an artist!

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  4. Yes! You are an artist and your little peony is as beautiful today as it was the day you painted it!

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  5. Your post is so moving. It's funny how at certain times of our lives that have great meaning we remember the details. The peony is gorgeous. You are, indeed, an artist.

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  6. This is just beautiful..yes you are an artist.. don't stop!!! Diana

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  7. Yes, a wonderful artist.

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  8. Yes, you are a very talented painter. What a fabulous painting.

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  9. Such talent! You are so creative, too, with that gorgeous mosaic! Love it!

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  10. It is still fresh and pretty and captures the spirit of the peony. Well done!

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  11. It is amazing what memories stick with us when it comes to our feelings~ Beautiful peony!

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  12. Oh yes, you are a wonderful artist! thanks for sharing that sweet story at MM. :)

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  13. I love what you have done with your mosaic. I found it harder to do than it looks to be honest.

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  14. Lovely story! and it's a very beautiful peony you painted. ::Jill

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  15. I love your painting, and the story is lovely. Your mosaic is so pretty.
    Karen

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  16. Absolutely beautiful watercolor!! and great idea for the mosaic.

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  17. Your art is exquisite. I love the peony and the way you made the mosaic. Thank you for sharing your story.

    Carol

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  18. Absolutely Amazing. Their is no way that you are anything but an Artist with a Capital A. Beautiful peony.

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  19. Sometimes when I come upon a beauty like yours I really am stupified to give any word credance to your lovely work.

    Amazing is all i can say and what a talent you are.

    Hugs

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  20. Very cool the way you created this mosaic!

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  21. I love Peonies, and I ESPECIALLY love this one! You truly are an Artist! :) Great post! And the Peony as a Mosaic is awesome! Have a great week! ~CC Catherine

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  22. You are a beautiful artist!
    dee Dee

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  23. That is a wonderful painting for a first. Thank goodness you had the courage to try. Look what you would have missed. A lesson for us all.

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  24. Very nice,very beautiful..thanks..

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  25. Oh, I so enjoyed reading this sweet post about your lovely peony painting. Yes, YOU are an artist, and a very gifted one! Visiting your pretty blog is like walking through a gallery. So many pretty paintings! I loved reading your kind comment on my blog, thanks for the visit, it was a special treat!

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