Beth, this is stunning! May I ask where the landscape is? What mountain range? My husband grew up in the Rockies and then we briefly lived in the Sangre de Cristo range about 18 years ago, and how I miss the mountains.
Thank you for your kind words about my painting;; I really appreciate it! My nephew lived in Utah for a few years and sent me a photo of this mountain. I don't know the mountain range, but I thought it would make a good painting.
Wow, I didn't know you lived in the mountains. I'm sure the views were spectacular. I also love mountains. I was fortunate enough to visit the Smoky Mountains out east. Amazing.
Thank you for such kind words about my painting. Yes, art and self-care, for me, are linked. And like you say, finding inner peace is so very important. I wish more people would take the time to tap into their inner artists. We all are creative spirits.
Hi Nancy, good for you for not indulging in the shopping manía. Yes, not giving in to the shopping madness is, indeed, a form of self care.
I also love the idea of purchasing fewer gifts. I think there is so much more peace and meaning to be had making memories rather than making exorbitant purchases. I do think it's fine to give gifts, especially to kids, but people get so carried away by materialism, they don't always know they're going broke.
Thank you for your kind words about my painting. I'm so glad it gave you a sense of calm. That's exactly how I felt when I was creating it.
I appreciate this reminder about self-care. I'm not sure why we so often tend to put ourselves at the bottom of our to-do list. I still struggle with this, though I'm doing better.
"We need to pamper ourselves now, not wait for things to get less busy in order to do so." I love that.
Your painting looks terrific. Just looking at it has a relaxing effect on me, too.
Oh, I did no shopping on Black Friday. I was going to pick out a few things on Cyber Monday, but I didn't do that either. I have cut way down on the gift giving, and it feels so good. That, too, is self-care in my book.
Thanks for sharing your words and art. Lots of love to you, my friend.
Hi Beth, I am also behind on reading posts, but I wanted to comment. I love the colors in your painting and the way you have arranged the foreground grass with the brush. I love Phthalo green and blue and the way they blend with other colors I’m so glad we have art for self-care.
I wish it had not taken me so long to realize that self-care is OK and it’s a good thing to do and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. It would’ve saved me so much mental anguish over so many decades but now that my life is mostly self-care I am happier than I’ve ever been . It’s a lesson that really should be top from when you are a young child. There would be so much less trauma in the world.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I also love these colors.
Regarding self-care, I totally relate to you. My entire life was about self-sacrifice and whatever was the opposite of self-care. I endured torture and torment for so many years, and always put myself and my needs last.
That changed when I got cancer. Not saying that getting the disease was a good thing, but when I got cancer, it dawned on me that I had to take care of myself first and foremost, and separate myself from abusers, one of which was my husband. So we eventually got divorced, which was one of the best things to happen to me. I started caring for myself. I also wish I had come to value -- or even understand -- self-care a long, long time ago.
I think you and I are lucky that we are practicing self-care now and are finally happy! We deserve it.
You really did finish the painting and I love how unexpected this was. Your strokes have so much movement to them. I love the grass, the mountains and the sky. It’s all wonderfully spectacular!
Thank you, Susan, for your kind comment. One thing I love about art is how it surprises the artist and the viewer. Finishing the painting was rewarding, and all the elements seemed to come together. I so appreciate your readership and viewership -- and of course your comments.
It was fairly quiet in my grocery store today. I went with my daughter and we also stopped in Kohls which was also quiet. The woman at the check out said it had been quiet all day.
This is a gorgeous painting! Using yellow ochre and white or titanium white to add highlights to a painting really helps it to stand out. I love putting on those finishing touches. I enjoyed your blog, too. I like seeing your sense of humor come through...shopping "for loved ones and not-so-loved ones..." LOL!
I so appreciate your input. Yes, yellow ochre and white always work so beautifully together. And I LOVE that you got my sense of humor. At least I didn't say "for loved ones and not-so-loved ones, ACTUALLY...." LOL Anyway, I love your artwork, and I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful paintings!
There's a natural kind of quiet that happens in the winter months. I'm giving myself to the quiet this year. My husband and I decided not to put up Christmas lights on the house. Instead we made a donation to a food bank that we think does really good work in our community. I'm going for for simple and kind this holiday season -- and those things feel like self-care. There's such a more, more, more -- buy, buy, buy attitude in a lot of our country, as if we all have large gaping holes that we're trying to fill with stuff, thinking it will make us feel better. It's really stressful.
The best honoring that I can do for the season, is to take quiet walks on the trails and in my neighborhood, counting all of the blessings around me; journal and write in the early morning hours; and connect with friends and family. Your post and your mountain painting reflect a kind of quiet contemplative that soothes the soul as we head into the end of 2024. Thanks for an essential reminder, that this is a time to tune in, and give kindness to ourselves.
Sending love, goodwill and admiration.Your forever friend and fan, Stephanie
I agree that winter has a unique sense of quiet. As much as I don't enjoy driving in snow, I love when fresh snow falls and muffles the sounds of the world. Snow is quiet and beautiful. I love that you and your husband are giving in to the quiet. Giving to a food bank is so worthwhile, and you both are helping people in need.
You nailed it when you say, "There's such a more, more, more -- buy, buy, buy attitude in a lot of our country, as if we all have large gaping holes that we're trying to fill with stuff, thinking it will make us feel better." I couldn't agree more. I think many people are deluded that the more stuff they accumulate, the happier/more content they will be. They are deceiving themselves.
This year, our family has decided to give gifts to a family in need instead of buying gifts for each other. Frankly, I feel I don't need more things. And it feels good to give to others rather than ourselves.
There is something so deeply nourishing about giving to others, I agree. Like you, I don't need more "things." Now if only I could convince the people who have inundated my inbox this week with "Black Friday Deals!" Big hugs, my friend.
We all need self-care. The only shopping I will be doing this Black Friday is for a gallon of milk. It is snowing here in Michigan and I'll be hunkering down the rest of the day and possibly doing a little sewing. I make butcher-like aprons. Your painting is lovely and the way you did the clouds is amazing and so realistic looking. I like what you did with the grass -- the way it spikes up here and there. Great job!
Thank you so much, Nancy, for your comment. Your shopping goal sounds good. I find it amazing that you sew aprons. I've tried to sew several times in my life and, gulp, it was always an epic fail.
Thanks for your compliment on my painting. I loved every moment spent on creating it.
Beth what a beautiful posting for Black Friday. Absolutely—self-care is critical! All I’m seeing these days is monstrous consumption! How many shiny new techie toys do we need? And of course, everyone is scrambling for a deal. As time passes, I realize how little I need in terms of things. I’m grateful that friendship, writing, time in nature—all elements of self-care, are things that bring me equilibrium and a sense of purpose and belonging. Your mountain painting is just exquisite and centers me in tranquility. Thank you Beth for this powerful reaffirmation of just how critical self care is! Especially this time of year.
Thank you for your insightful comment. You are so right: self-care is always important, but especially during this time of year, when so many people are teeming in the stores desperately looking for the latest items to gift others.
Thank you for your compliment on my latest painting. I'm glad it fosters tranquility for you. Truth be told, I felt tranquil when working on the piece.
Beth, this is stunning! May I ask where the landscape is? What mountain range? My husband grew up in the Rockies and then we briefly lived in the Sangre de Cristo range about 18 years ago, and how I miss the mountains.
Hi Jeannie,
Thank you for your kind words about my painting;; I really appreciate it! My nephew lived in Utah for a few years and sent me a photo of this mountain. I don't know the mountain range, but I thought it would make a good painting.
Wow, I didn't know you lived in the mountains. I'm sure the views were spectacular. I also love mountains. I was fortunate enough to visit the Smoky Mountains out east. Amazing.
Well, we live in northern Indiana now, but yes, my husband is from out West. I am a native Hoosier.
What a beautiful painting Beth!
The serenity of the landscape with the mountain in the background conveys a deep calm, and the soft colors really invite you to relax.
I love how this work perfectly reflects the essence of your blog about self-care. The connection between art and well-being is so powerful.
Thank you for sharing it, it really inspires us to take a moment to take care of ourselves and find inner peace.
Hi Javier,
Thank you for such kind words about my painting. Yes, art and self-care, for me, are linked. And like you say, finding inner peace is so very important. I wish more people would take the time to tap into their inner artists. We all are creative spirits.
Hi Nancy, good for you for not indulging in the shopping manía. Yes, not giving in to the shopping madness is, indeed, a form of self care.
I also love the idea of purchasing fewer gifts. I think there is so much more peace and meaning to be had making memories rather than making exorbitant purchases. I do think it's fine to give gifts, especially to kids, but people get so carried away by materialism, they don't always know they're going broke.
Thank you for your kind words about my painting. I'm so glad it gave you a sense of calm. That's exactly how I felt when I was creating it.
Sending hugs and more calm your way....
Hi Beth,
I appreciate this reminder about self-care. I'm not sure why we so often tend to put ourselves at the bottom of our to-do list. I still struggle with this, though I'm doing better.
"We need to pamper ourselves now, not wait for things to get less busy in order to do so." I love that.
Your painting looks terrific. Just looking at it has a relaxing effect on me, too.
Oh, I did no shopping on Black Friday. I was going to pick out a few things on Cyber Monday, but I didn't do that either. I have cut way down on the gift giving, and it feels so good. That, too, is self-care in my book.
Thanks for sharing your words and art. Lots of love to you, my friend.
Hi Beth, I am also behind on reading posts, but I wanted to comment. I love the colors in your painting and the way you have arranged the foreground grass with the brush. I love Phthalo green and blue and the way they blend with other colors I’m so glad we have art for self-care.
I wish it had not taken me so long to realize that self-care is OK and it’s a good thing to do and you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. It would’ve saved me so much mental anguish over so many decades but now that my life is mostly self-care I am happier than I’ve ever been . It’s a lesson that really should be top from when you are a young child. There would be so much less trauma in the world.
Thank you for your post .
Hi Alene,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I also love these colors.
Regarding self-care, I totally relate to you. My entire life was about self-sacrifice and whatever was the opposite of self-care. I endured torture and torment for so many years, and always put myself and my needs last.
That changed when I got cancer. Not saying that getting the disease was a good thing, but when I got cancer, it dawned on me that I had to take care of myself first and foremost, and separate myself from abusers, one of which was my husband. So we eventually got divorced, which was one of the best things to happen to me. I started caring for myself. I also wish I had come to value -- or even understand -- self-care a long, long time ago.
I think you and I are lucky that we are practicing self-care now and are finally happy! We deserve it.
You really did finish the painting and I love how unexpected this was. Your strokes have so much movement to them. I love the grass, the mountains and the sky. It’s all wonderfully spectacular!
Thank you, Susan, for your kind comment. One thing I love about art is how it surprises the artist and the viewer. Finishing the painting was rewarding, and all the elements seemed to come together. I so appreciate your readership and viewership -- and of course your comments.
Beth, I really like what you did with the bottom of the canvas. The grasses and the movement are really wonderful.
No Black Friday shopping for me save for a possible to trip to the grocery store as I didn't cook yesterday and might need something for dinner.
Thank you, Pamela, for your insights. I think the painting is all about movement.
I also went to the grocery store today. While there were ample people there, I can only imagine how busy electronics shops were!
It was fairly quiet in my grocery store today. I went with my daughter and we also stopped in Kohls which was also quiet. The woman at the check out said it had been quiet all day.
That is amazing!
This is a gorgeous painting! Using yellow ochre and white or titanium white to add highlights to a painting really helps it to stand out. I love putting on those finishing touches. I enjoyed your blog, too. I like seeing your sense of humor come through...shopping "for loved ones and not-so-loved ones..." LOL!
Hi Pam,
I so appreciate your input. Yes, yellow ochre and white always work so beautifully together. And I LOVE that you got my sense of humor. At least I didn't say "for loved ones and not-so-loved ones, ACTUALLY...." LOL Anyway, I love your artwork, and I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful paintings!
There's a natural kind of quiet that happens in the winter months. I'm giving myself to the quiet this year. My husband and I decided not to put up Christmas lights on the house. Instead we made a donation to a food bank that we think does really good work in our community. I'm going for for simple and kind this holiday season -- and those things feel like self-care. There's such a more, more, more -- buy, buy, buy attitude in a lot of our country, as if we all have large gaping holes that we're trying to fill with stuff, thinking it will make us feel better. It's really stressful.
The best honoring that I can do for the season, is to take quiet walks on the trails and in my neighborhood, counting all of the blessings around me; journal and write in the early morning hours; and connect with friends and family. Your post and your mountain painting reflect a kind of quiet contemplative that soothes the soul as we head into the end of 2024. Thanks for an essential reminder, that this is a time to tune in, and give kindness to ourselves.
Sending love, goodwill and admiration.Your forever friend and fan, Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
I agree that winter has a unique sense of quiet. As much as I don't enjoy driving in snow, I love when fresh snow falls and muffles the sounds of the world. Snow is quiet and beautiful. I love that you and your husband are giving in to the quiet. Giving to a food bank is so worthwhile, and you both are helping people in need.
You nailed it when you say, "There's such a more, more, more -- buy, buy, buy attitude in a lot of our country, as if we all have large gaping holes that we're trying to fill with stuff, thinking it will make us feel better." I couldn't agree more. I think many people are deluded that the more stuff they accumulate, the happier/more content they will be. They are deceiving themselves.
This year, our family has decided to give gifts to a family in need instead of buying gifts for each other. Frankly, I feel I don't need more things. And it feels good to give to others rather than ourselves.
Sending you much love and hugs.
There is something so deeply nourishing about giving to others, I agree. Like you, I don't need more "things." Now if only I could convince the people who have inundated my inbox this week with "Black Friday Deals!" Big hugs, my friend.
We all need self-care. The only shopping I will be doing this Black Friday is for a gallon of milk. It is snowing here in Michigan and I'll be hunkering down the rest of the day and possibly doing a little sewing. I make butcher-like aprons. Your painting is lovely and the way you did the clouds is amazing and so realistic looking. I like what you did with the grass -- the way it spikes up here and there. Great job!
Thank you so much, Nancy, for your comment. Your shopping goal sounds good. I find it amazing that you sew aprons. I've tried to sew several times in my life and, gulp, it was always an epic fail.
Thanks for your compliment on my painting. I loved every moment spent on creating it.
Beth what a beautiful posting for Black Friday. Absolutely—self-care is critical! All I’m seeing these days is monstrous consumption! How many shiny new techie toys do we need? And of course, everyone is scrambling for a deal. As time passes, I realize how little I need in terms of things. I’m grateful that friendship, writing, time in nature—all elements of self-care, are things that bring me equilibrium and a sense of purpose and belonging. Your mountain painting is just exquisite and centers me in tranquility. Thank you Beth for this powerful reaffirmation of just how critical self care is! Especially this time of year.
Hi Gerry,
Thank you for your insightful comment. You are so right: self-care is always important, but especially during this time of year, when so many people are teeming in the stores desperately looking for the latest items to gift others.
Thank you for your compliment on my latest painting. I'm glad it fosters tranquility for you. Truth be told, I felt tranquil when working on the piece.