Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

It Has To Be A Universe Thing...In Just TWO Days.

It started with a delivery of 
Happy Face and flowers
from a dear, dear friend who winters in France


Then on the same day I was given this
amazing and simply beautiful book from a friend
who knows my heart...


The same day another wonderful friend sent me this 
deeply moving poem.

*****
Before you know what kindness really is

you must lose things,

feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,

you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho

lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,

you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.

You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,

only kindness that ties your shoes

and sends you out into the day to mail letters and 
purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.



—Naomi Shihab Nye


****
Then - on the very next day the morning started


 with a
Starbucks delivery from a great guy.


Then in came a Shamrock plant 
from a truly special lady...
PLUS Delicious muffins from

a smiling friend...
followed closely by 
this gem from another good friend. 
Can you guess what it is?


Yep -  a FAB holder for my panels.


The gift below was a total surprise from a a 
dear lady I have known 
for many years, but we do not exchange gifts 
and she waltzed in 
and presented it to me with a 
beautiful coordinating bow.
Four place mats of nests and birds.
Love, love them!

 But wait ...it continues, 
NO it was NOT my birthday. 
I tell you it is a 
Universe thing...

A simply lovely pair of  
silver calla lily earrings. 
(I am wearing the other one!)
This gift is from a close friend 
who is going through
tough times and can still think of 
someone else.

She also brought these beauties 
in from her garden.
Then another neat guy gave me a tall
dog treat can,  and I 
opened it up to find this gem.

A great little bird nest safely resting 
at the bottom. 
Wait..not finished yet...

I arrived back home to find a box 
on my doorstep
from my wonderful 
(honorary)niece in Florida
This was hand made by an artist
with jasper and other wonderful  symbolic
materials.

She also sent me a card made from
a watercolor chart
made by her mother...my closest friend
for 40 years before she passed on.
I held it and had tears seeing her writing
and feeling the love.


So it is rather overpowering to think of the 
bounty of His Grace and Blessings 
in my life and these 
reminders poured all over me.

I have started painting again.






64 comments:

  1. There's nothing more inspiring than knowing others care. Happy painting Julie.

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    1. You are right, Linda. It is inspiring. It was also pretty amazing that it happened collectively from diverse areas.
      Your final winter drawing....looking forward to color!

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  2. You are rich in friends. I am happy to hear that you are painting again. I don't often sign in for comments, but I want you to know that I am one of your many admirers.

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    1. I am indeed! Good to be painting - very good. Next step is to not wipe them off. How nice of you to pass on a lovely personal note. Thank you so much.
      Your lily of the valley painting is simply lovely. One of my mother's favorite flowers.

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  3. What is so lovely is that every giver put considerable thought and love behind the gift. It IS your season of grace, Julie. Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it!

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    1. Exactly - you caught on to what amazed me. Each gift meant something special to me.
      It was neat seeing your garden and plantings. You live in a lovely area and by the time you finish, it will be even more so. Thanks Chris.

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  4. Julie, you are very rich in friends and so well deserving. I too am happy that you are painting again. Just another one of your many admirers.

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    1. Hi Joan, I am indeed. Thanks for this warm comment. I admire your work too...especially your wonderful new landscape.

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  5. You gave me a little lump in my throat! Glad you are painting again :)

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    1. Aw...how sweet. You understand don't you? Thanks Leesa.
      I was pretty fascinated with your "silk" piece and process.

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  6. Replies
    1. Thanks, Carol. Loved seeing your bird photos - especially one in flight.

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  7. Your post made me cry, Julie. So perfectly beautiful and see how much you are loved?! So wonderful! The flowers in the cup are the exact same flowers I brought my daughter when she had Jayson on the 5th of March.

    I too am glad you are painting again!

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    1. Hi Sherry, I am sure your daughter loved the flowers as much as I did. Cant help but feel happy looking at such cheerful colors.
      I was thrilled to see you painting again too!

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  8. Really brings tears, so happy for you Julie! I believe this is plain old you get back what you give.

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    1. Nice thought, Celia, but do we ever think we know what we deserve? That had not occurred to me, but it maybe would for someone else. I do feel blessed.
      I have to tell you your beautiful paintings of african violets inspired me to buy a plant to paint.

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  9. Dear Julie - It seems to me that God knew you needed these gifts and poured out His love in each and everyone. He always gives us beauty for ashes! So glad you are painting again. Have a great week-end.

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    1. His truth keeps marching on!
      My weekend will be perfect...my daughter is arriving for the weekend.
      Enjoy the weekend too, Debbie, and maybe a new painting?

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  10. Julie, You must be a very special and caring person to have so many make an effort to help you during a difficult tome. Somehow, this does not surprise me, as it comes through in your posts and comments to others. I am happy your friends were successful.

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    1. This is a beautiful, caring comment. Thank you Carol. I think it is more that I have really nice friends!
      Your interior painting is a pleasure - with a strong abstract pattern next to the flowers.

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  11. It's this sort of thing that keeps you going and keeps us all connected. Happy painting:)

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    1. Thanks Libby. You are really on a roll with your new work. Love it!

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  12. Also glad you are painting again. It is your gift.

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    1. I agree it is a gift - a blessing and when it goes I am lost.
      Love your work Jean - always a pleasure to visit and see what can be done with the figure.

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  13. Painting is so much a part of you. I am so happy to hear that it is something you allowed back in. It's ok to breathe and it's ok to paint! I await your next creation...

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    1. It is ok to breath...and paint. I have been telling myself that but every effort was a disaster. I did paint all my mind could not grasp the end result. Ever happened to you, Kaethe? It was not a block in the regular way.
      Your new interior delighted my eye with warm/cool vibrations.

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  14. Amazing...a floodgate of blessing was opened for you dear Julie. I can't think of a more deserving person...you yourself are a blessing to many, including me. What a wonderful post and the best part is that you are painting again.

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    1. Lisa - you are a real TREASURE! Thank you.
      I like the direction of your new painting, and cant wait to see all of it.

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  15. Glad you are painting again! I have missed your posts!

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    1. How nice of you Marcela. Thank you.
      I lol at the chickens and your idea of the stacked books is fabulous.

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  16. Thank you for sharing all of this. The poem was so perfect. I have experienced the lows and the kindness that comes after - this really struck a chord with me. And aren't we lucky to have the ability to know how important art and nature are to our well being.

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    1. Pleased you like the poem. It resonated with me. She is an artist with words.
      I appreciate you sharing you understand the importance of our art.

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  17. wow that is a lot of blessings to count. So heartwarming that it has got you in the mood to paint again.

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    1. Thank you, Sally. it was neat to see your beautiful painting all with the palette knife.

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  18. Such a touching blog post Julie. Life can throw us a few curve balls, no one can escape them, so I feel everyone can relate to your 'dry spell', whether they paint or not! You are such a thoughtful and kind person, I'm not surprised that the Universe showers you with kindness and loving friendships. Happy spring:)

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    1. Such a lovely comment - thanks Bruce.
      I will say that your post of the flowers in the red boots made me happy. I got a smile on my face as soon as I saw them.

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  19. Yep! It's a Universe thing! You are loved by many, many, many, people!! Glad you are feeling better!

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    1. You are soooo nice Kim. Bless you. How many "manys" is that!! Big Smile.
      I enjoyed reading about Richard Schmid on your post. Good one!

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  20. It was heartwarming to read your post Julie. How wonderful for you to get such an outpouring of love and support. Your honesty is so refreshing and that's one of the reasons I love following your blog. I look forward to your next painting :)

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    1. Your words touch me. Thank you.
      I love the poem about the roses and your painting
      expresses the love perfectly.

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  21. An amazing bounty can be found when you are cast out to the middle of the desert.
    You're post bought tears to my eyes. --Kathy Johnson

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    1. Kathy - you are a genuine dear. Thank you so very, very much.

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  22. The universe is a wonderful place and it has poured its best karma out on you. We are blessed to have you painting again.

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    1. it sure is...and it sure has!
      thanks so much Sharon.
      I enjoyed seeing the variety of work your students have painted.
      Good teaching shows through!

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  23. All of this because you are that very special person we all admire. You have so many friends....I LOVE your Happy face vase with those beautiful yellow flowers! I have missed your work and SO happy you're back!!

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    1. yes - the happy face floral is a really joyful arrangement to get. Thanks for saying you missed my work. Big hugs, dear Hilda.

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  24. I'm so glad to hear all these beautiful things from you ... The whole universe was set in motion to do ... go back to paint again our dear Julie! Hooray !!!

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    1. Hi dear Rita - Your beautiful mind only ever thinks of the nicest things so it was a shock and the same time understandable to see your new post about violence to women. I applaud you for taking it on.

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  25. You are so much loved, Julie! These beautiful kindnesses coming to you in one fell swoop certainly echo the gentle words and thoughtful prayers we all have sent you over these "missing" days, and it is a huge kindness to US to have you ready to paint once again. Glad you're back!!!

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    1. You are such a beautiful friend, Carol. Thanks for the wonderful comment especially when you have gone through such a hard time with your husband's ordeal. I do hope he is vastly improved and I cant wait to see YOUR paintings back online. Sending a loving hug.

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  26. Your post today actually brought tears to my eyes. What wonderful friends you are Blessed with! But then, the type of person you are shines through in your posts, and in your work, so I guess I am not surprised. :) I thoroughly enjoy your posts and I am so glad you are back to painting...

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  27. Actually I feel it is not that I am so deserving it is that I have remarkable friends. ,
    Thanks for the beautiful comment. I can tell you have a loving heart.
    I enjoyed seeing your fabulous paintings - the crow and Red Sky art my favs - and loved the photo of Roscoe. -

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  28. What a wonderful story of God's overflowing love to you! I'm smiling, reading how you are blessed with all these good gifts from His heart to you.

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    1. You are so nice, Diana. Thanks for smiling...
      I love your drawing...although I would say it is a complete work of art seeing it is so beautifully colored. Staedlter was very smart choosing your work for examples of their products.

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  29. They can't keep a Lancashire Lass down for long .... glad to see you back, and so are lots and lots of us (as you can see).. Can't blog much as I'm between Australia, Qatar, Bahrain and Dubai until mid-April.

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    1. What a great trip you are on. Looking forward to hearing all about it when you return.
      Thanks for taking the time to say HI!

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  30. Dear Julie. Obviously you have great friends with their hearts in the right place, but clearly you deserve all this attention . What you give... you will get back.

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    1. I do have great friends for sure. You might say I pick my friends well...it is not just for me...they are great to all people.
      Your new portrait is strong in both color and design and oh...those amazing eyes!

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  31. Oh this is all so great! Well deserved as you are such a giver yourself. YAY for the support of such good people! :)

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    1. Yes..YEA for all the givers of the world.
      Congratulations, Mary, your ferris wheel painting deserved the recognition.
      I love it.

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  32. geez louise....you are are heckuva popular gal! You deserve all this attention. I have a feeling you epitomize the expression "you get what you give" :)

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  33. You are so well loved, Julie. How heart warming to read of these wonderfully thoughtful gifts to an obviously very special person. I am so happy you are painting again!

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  34. LOL - you are funny, Celeste. Actually, I feel I get more than I ever give.
    That is one great notan you have done on the figure. Simple and powerful.
    I want a hat like that!

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  35. You just saw proof of how well you are loved and how lucky you truly are. It is great to hear that you are painting again.

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie