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Therapy: A treatment that helps someone feel better, grow stronger, etc. (Cambridge English Dictionary)

                    Any act, hobby, task, program, etc., that relieves tension (Dictionary.com).

Watercolor painting for me started out as something to fill a void in my life during a time of loss and change. During the ten years I have been painting, I've lost some very dear people in my life, as well as a beloved pet. Painting my loved ones is a form of therapy for me. A way to remember them, think about them, spend time with them. 

My dear friend Karen, who was pretty much housebound for the last year of her life, has been gone for over a year now.  Another artist friend and I used to visit Karen at her home every couple of weeks, spread out tarps, set up our easels and painting supplies, and paint Karen from life as we chatted and enjoyed each others' company. A photograph taken at one of our live studio dates resulted in my painting, "Homebound" (above). I also painted a more traditional portrait of Karen which I gifted to her husband, Wally (below).

"Portrait of Karen"

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (Proverbs  11:25)

 
My idea for this blog came to me as I was reading another artist's blog (oh, I know Andrea wouldn't call herself an artist but she certainly has the persistence, patience and passion of a good one...and it sounds like she's been putting in the practice time to develop her latent watercolor skills). I hope you'll take the time to read it too. Go ahead and read it now, but be sure to come back when you are finished! Here's the link: Therapy on Wry “Pushing Through Panic to Find Passion.”

I'm not intending to rehash my losses here, but to encourage others to find some good in the difficulties of life, like Andrea has by pursuing writing, and now painting, despite—or maybe because of—her circumstances. Do something positive in the midst of your trials. Paint for the joy of it, and for the joy of others! Painting can turn panic into passion!   

My son's white rabbit, Ms. Fluffakins, has been gone for several months now. She (Ms. Fluffakins) was well-loved and spoiled during the latter part of her short life, so my goal here was to create a happy painting! (This painting is now framed and on it's way to Las Vegas, but I liked it so well, I painted a larger version. You can click here to view In Memory of a White Rabbit.

"In Memory of a White Rabbit (8x10 study)"

Chris recently adopted two more rabbits, brothers he named Ekko and Zed, that were rescued from becoming snake bait. I've no doubt there will be more rabbit paintings in my future....

By the way, back to Andrea's blog, did you notice that all of the dog portraits she has painted this summer were painted as gifts to others? You can be sure that the blessings bestowed on the recipients have overflowed onto the artist who cared enough to create and to give. Life happens to all of us.

Paint. Love. Heal. Repeat.