Red Bird

6" by 6" on wrap around canvas with sides painted making framing optional.

"I have been in love with painting ever since I became conscious of it at the age of six.  I drew some pictures which I thought fairly good when I was fifty, but really nothing I did before the age of 70 was of any value at all.  At seventy-three, I have at last caught every aspect of nature -- birds, fish, animals, insects, trees, grasses, all.  When I am eighty I shall have developed still further, and will really master the secrets of art at ninety.  When I reach one hundred my art will be truly sublime, and my final goal will be attained around the age of onehundred and ten, when every line and dot I draw will be imbued with life."     Hokusai (1760-1849)

My friend and fellow artist, Gina Buzby shared this quote with me. It really spoke to me about having goals but then enjoying the journey.  We are students of life as long as we have breath left in us!  Yesterday I had fun with the ladies I teach at Harbor's Edge and we were brainstorming about things to learn and try in the New Year with our painting.  One of the things I have always wanted to do is paint small portraits of women who are seniors as they have lived and loved and seen so much!  If you have any pictures to share with me of someone who would be willing to have me paint them or even from an old picture of someone no longer living, please send it to me at normasart@cox.net.  I can't promise to paint all of them but I will give them a try.  This is one of the goals that is formulating in my mind for the New Year.  Thank you!  Have a wonderful weekend.  p.s. the picture can be close up of the face or a candid shot doing an activity :-)  I have one of my Mom on my screened porch that I started to do as a painting years ago and not I can't find it!!  I will keep searching though as it was a perfect moment of relaxation with her reading and enjoying her time here visiting.