What Matters ♥ Gone In Days - Collection Review #9

I feel things shifting in my life, my eager businesswoman side is stepping back a bit as my urges to take care of ‘life’ things comes more into focus. This is just normal 47 year old woman stuff, I assume? But I also have a very special catalyst:

This was taken after I'd been frantically cleaning her kitchen for 3 hours. Yes, she's holding cookies AND wearing the cutest cookie shirt. I got my cookie desires from her, I think :)

 

Over the last couple months I have intensified the care that I give to my grandma Neva, who is 102. She is the beautiful inspiration behind my Painting On Purpose project. 

 

She needs me more now as those around her are less capable of providing care. She’s always been ‘my’ girl – we’ve been bound at the heart for as long as I can remember and that love is just intensifying as she ages (and as I age and realize how much we can really do for one another). 

 

She lives 4 hours away, which means lots of driving, and planning for richer trips spaced apart instead of daily visits (which I would so dearly love).

 

This has meant HOURS on the road alone, with time to think. And HOURS on the phone lining up state assistance and care givers, and realizing what a BIG system it is that supports our community members in need. I threw myself into a maze several weeks ago, determined to improve the quality of grandma’s life. I started with a google search and quickly realized that you find the leg-ups when you just reach out to PEOPLE.

 

I reached out to an assisted living home that I was pretty sure my grandma could in no way afford (she could not), and the woman took me in emotionally and set me on a track. She had no vacancy but spent the time helping me understand the twists and turns and who to contact.

 

Then, 2 weeks later she called me JUST TO CHECK IN (still with no vacancy) and answered some more questions. I have been blessed with some truly kind connections on this journey. All of them women, which makes me love having women as the focus of my art, even more ♥
 

"Find the Helpers...", Mr. Rogers said. 

And I have experienced this.

 

Grandma's kitchen after 3 hours of cleaning

 

There is a path through the maze, and my grandma’s quality of life is markedly better in just a matter of weeks. Much due to bringing food and HOURS of cleaning and laundry, attention and love. My mom has been SUCH a blessing, as well. Being with grandma a couple days ago felt like a different experience from the visit a couple months ago when I realized things had gotten bad.

 

THIS IS WHAT MATTERS

 

I’ve been calling myself a ‘helper’ for years because I have uncovered that in my nature. I help people find things in grocery stores that I DO NOT work at! It’s a calling in my soul that I can’t ignore but must rein in so that I am not annoying.

 

I truly believe that the art I have created over the last 22 years has HELPED. I've heard the stories and seen the photos of artwork touching lives.

 

Simplifying is another big part of my nature, 

and I AM simplifying my business. 

 

It feels right, right now, to follow what really matters. I’m letting things go, to simplify back to just painting what comes from my heart and not having the additional inventory and doodad supplies.

 

I have discontinued my 5x7 greeting cards, my 1.5 inch glass art pendants and coasters. These items will all be claimed and out of my shop within a few days.

 

 

NOTE: all purchases contribute to providing my grandma with healthy snacks and cookies, new towels, and other treats to make her feel joy, cleanliness, comfort and love! THANK YOU!

 

 

 Available pendants are below - plus I can make TWO custom pendants with images of your choice. Email me with the name or number, to claim one below, or one of your choice.

 

 

Onto the Art Collection Review! 

 

 

 

 

Looking through my notes in regard to this collection, I find that I wrote:

 

These paintings were 

an absolute delight to make!

 

Remember those photos from when we were young that featured two views of our faces? I’ll show you mine if you show me yours!

 

 

The Memories Collection reminds me of these. 2 moments captured in one piece, fading together. I see them as 2 scenes from different eras in a family, or a mother or father with portions of the kids. The whole family but clustered in two lovely gatherings. Included in this collection is the black and white series (they don't follow the 2-scene rule!):