7 1/4 X 7 1/4"  CIGAR BOX MIXED MEDIA  250.

My recent trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming left impressions embedded in my mind.  The vastness, raw beauty, wildness... it evoked similar feelings that I have of the ocean. Wondering if other's felt this way, I "googled" around for a bit and found a kindred spirit (although she doesn't know it yet). Is it that we are both battling diseases that makes our souls want and appreciate the visual stimulating glory or was that just who we were in the first place?  I think the latter, but we're more open about it now.


Angela writes here http://mindmargins.wordpress.com/, I love her byline, "Thoughts on being human"  She has also visited Jackson Hole, Yellowstone (often) and says "Even though it’s one of the most visited national parks in the nation, once you leave the main road you truly are in a wild, untamed place."  That is what I couldn't get over.  I felt like I was in a western movie filmed 50 years ago... absolute wide open space! She then goes on to say the following, and I couldn't write anything better today. 
 
"We need the wild for renewal.
We need the wild to keep us humble.
We need the wild as a guide, showing us we don’t need anything more than we already have.
We need the wild to remind us that life goes on without us."

STUDIO NAP - ZOE AND TEEKA   GUACHE ON PAPER  8X11

"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than humans."  J Herriot

The night before we said goodbye to Zoe, she was galloping in the snow with me.  Her back legs had become so arthritic that they remained stiff and straight when she ran, but she ran anyway. I even think she was smiling as she plowed through the fresh powder. They say dogs will hide their pain and I believe this is true. She would overcome it to be with us and do whatever it was we were doing, with gusto!  

James Herriot wondered about dogs "Why were they so devoted to the human race? Why should they delight in our company and welcome us home in transports of joy?" I am convinced dogs hearts are big, they are sensitive and can love. A moment when this seemed especially true was during Cemmi's life (Parker's golden before we were married). I was a beginning sailor and a complete novice at rowing, but loved being on the water and so, would attempt anything.  On a sail to Bustins' Island for the night to visit with friends, Parker asked me to row ashore with Cemmi and the gear then come back for him. As I made it to shore, suddenly the wind velocity increased dramatically!  As I attempted to row against the wind to Parker, it became evident that I could NOT row-- the oars kept coming out of the oarlocks and I was losing ground...fast! Completely frustrated, I began to cry and yell out "I cannot do it!"  Cemmi, who was pacing back and forth along the shore, suddenly started whining, jumped in the water, and swam to my side with this worried, but encouraging expression on her face.  I knew then I had to persevere.  

Herriot always advised people to get another dog as soon as possible.  A dog can break your heart and leave a terrible void.  We added Teeka to our lives before Zoe died and, though she could never replace her, it is wonderful to have her tail wagging, jubilant self about now more than ever.  If you have never read James Herriot's books, I highly recommend you do.  I took them out of the library and read them aloud to Ilka and Finn many years ago and think I'll reread them soon.  All Creatures Great and Small is a good place to begin.

Zoe, sweet dog, you are missed.

3 CROWS FOR DON cigar box series (sold)
Went back to the crow series on cigar boxes prior to Christmas and the layering, the black and white, they mystery of the creature seemed to fit with the winter--it's layers of snow, the black shapes that come to life against a white backdrop.  And I love the mystery, the unpredictability of the weather patterns, but love knowing winter will come... and there will be spring to follow. And I love that man cannot change this.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

This week I learned that Veronica Benning had died on December 24, 2013 while in a hospital recovering from surgery.  For those of you who didn't know her, she was "art".  While at The Portland School of Art (now MECA) she was my drawing and painting professor and someone I regarded as a magnificent artist.  It wasn't just the way she painted, it was how she walked through life, how she responded to the world around her, and how she conveyed it to students, friends, fellow artists.  

I remember a night similar to earlier this week.  Walking home from the Calderwood building where we had just had painting class in the late afternoon light.  The snow was coming down and drifting across the sidewalks and streets.  I stood in front of my apartment on Pine Street and stared up at the streetlight across the street.  It was a soft light, aglow in the midst of swirling snow and darkness. I had to paint it. I painted exactly what I "saw" and shared it with "Ronnie" the next day.  In her inimitable way, she stood with that perfect posture and sincere expression and said to me, "but I wonder what it 'felt' like to be standing there in the cold, wind, snow, darkness, and light?"

She said the singularly most important thing any teacher said to me during my 4 years of art school.  That question is with me always. It is my guiding light.

Veronica Benning, you will be missed.