Each white rose represents 1 year of Cami's too short life. Every brush stroke was a remembrance of her. I'm not willing to sell this painting but I have already sold several prints. Cami's D day was yesterday, April 8th. I was wondering what the day would be like being Easter and all. We had a big Easter egg hunt for all my grand-kids, and had a lot of fun. We placed daffodils on her grave and wished her a Happy Easter. All in all we did OK. Not nearly as traumatic a day as it was a year ago. Time may never heal all wounds, but life does go on, and we are so thankful for all those that are still here with us! I cherish my family so much! Happy Easter!

Hmmm so Bored

June 19th, 2011 - 10:44 PM

If only...famous unnecessary words and feelings. If only I'd paid more attention to her silent cries of desperation. If only. What's done is done. Do you think she is beautiful?

June 17th, 2011 - 08:14 PM

I've told stories to my students about Vincent van Gogh for several years. When I get to the part that he shot himself, and refused medical help I always get a bit teary eyed, but when I tell them that his sister in law marketed his work after he died I really get choked up. It wasn't until my daughter took her own life with a gun that I understood where the depth of conviction to market his work and share it with the world came from. Cami did a series of self portraits that spanned her brief lifetime. I wish to share them with the world. She was a very sweet, quiet girl, a bit tormented similar to van Gogh. She took life too seriously but had a very silly side that always made everyone around her giggle. Those who gave Cami a chance loved her deeply, but she never believed them. She was always amazed and incredulous when people expressed their love and admiration for her. Depression was ever present in her life. I hope to do for Cami what Van Gogh's sister-in-law did for him.

Lonliness isn't one of my challenges...and judging from my other artist friends, finding time to do art is a constant struggle, especially when life keeps bringing new surprises and new committments, like new grandchildren, and weddings, and 30 year class reunions. This has been an incredibly busy summer for me, and many art works are still just in my head, and not on canvas yet. I'm also trying to commit myself to finish what I start, before starting a whole new series, that's why there haven't been many new posts this summer. I started a painting 36×48 as a wedding present for my beautiful daughter Rachel, who got married on July 18. The wedding is over now, but the painting needs finished so I am disciplining myself...I won't quit until it's done. My doll series is going to be sooooo awesome, but it must wait while I do all these other things!

Dear artist friends, if anyone has some extra time on your hands, can I borrow it? JK.

The calm before the storm, that's where I am at today, so I have a few minutes to blog. Between midterms, Yearbook deadlines, hanging Student art shows and getting ready for Christmas it's been a while since I've had a chance to blog...or paint. My daughter asked me the other day what I would be giving up if I died young, (she asked me this a few years ago when I was diagnosed with Lupus) my response was emphatic and immediate..."Oh, I've got way too many paintings to paint. I can't die yet!" She gave me a really weird look. I guess artist's think differently than others. My work was accepted in The Local Colors Gallery on 7th East in Salt Lake City, Utah. I'm way excited about finally getting brave enough to get my work out there. The web isn't as scary, but asking Gallery owners to show my work is. The only thing I would like to do professionally besides being a teacher, is to be a full time working artist. I'm learning more about that opportunity daily.

Just want to celebrate with you the finished work. This one has been in progress for 3 years. Of course, I've done lots of other work in the interim, but today is this one's birthday! Eat some cake and ice cream!

I mowed my lawn, and broke the lawnmower. I caught up on all my grades, (I teach High School art, photography and Yearbook)and now I have time to paint...Saturdays are wonderful!

Have a great day!

Not sure what to say, but this sounds like fun. I don't know what tags are, or where this Blog will go. I was painting on location at the Great Salt Lake, by Saltaire, and was committed to taking my time to get the drawing absolutely correct. Then, since time ran out I took some digital photos so I could go home and finish the painting in my studio.

I was disappointed with the differences I saw between the digital image and being there. I am more and more convinced as I continue my art career, that eyes are much better than cameras, and I need to recommit myself to working from life.

Finishing this view from a photo was nigh impossible.

Not only was the digital image so different than the real image (especially the colors) but the mood, the ambiance of painting on location was completely gone in my studio.

So, my first blog is a commitment to work from life!

Jane Autry