HAS IT BEEN THAAAAT LONG?

Such a very long time since this journal has gone without any updates. Seems a shame considering once upon a time I regularly wrote in it. It was a diary of sorts, and I have neglected it.

 

I sold this painting I recently completed. I was happy, but it was difficult for me to let go of, because it is one I truly liked. I do not say that often about any of my paintings. However, I felt a wee bit proud that someone liked it enough to purchase it. ::smile::

"MEDITATION"~oil

 

After that one was finished, I did this very small 5" x 7" painting of flowers. I think I have an addiction to florals.

"LA FLEUR ORANGE"~oil

At the request of my niece, I am currently working on an oil portrait of her and her dog. She wants me to give it to her as a Christmas gift, and I am nearly done with it. It has been challenging, to say the least.

 

I have found some of the most spectacular poets online. In my spare time, I read their poetry, and I am totally in awe of their gift with words. I even bought two poets' books. They are THAT good.

 

I piddle around writing some of my own poems. But, none compare to the brilliant poems that are online. I will close this entry with two of my own meager attempts to express my thoughts via poetry.

 

One day soon I hope to catch up on my reading of blogs here on AOL. And I will!

 

 

Tags: poetry, art, blogs, poets, journal

2nd YIKES! Paintings

VOYEUR~acrylic~1st in Mask Series

I decided to do a series of mask paintings. Masks have always fascinated me. I envision days of the past when masquerade balls were held, and each guest absolutely had to have a mask. I am currently working on the fourth in the series. I do not know how many I will eventually paint, but I am thoroughly loving trying new techniques and coming up with various compositions. I am also in the process of painting a watercolor portrait of the two-year-old son of a dear friend of mine.

HAUGHTY DECADENCE~acrylic~2nd in Mask Series

FACE THE MUSIC~acrylic/mixed media~3rd in Mask Series

ROSE~my first oil paint attempt

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_6

YIKES! (Poetry)

I am shocked that I have not written here for three months. Guess our parents were telling the truth when they said that time flies as we get older. ::proud knowing my parents always told us girls the truth::

 

Well, I have been busy with all sorts of activities and happy about them. AND March Madness is here, to boot! I do love my college basketball.

 

Aside from the family and social functions and obligations, I have continued to pursue art and writing. These are some of the poems/prose I have completed since my last post.

I am selfish

Sometimes

Not very often

I know when to be

 

Demands, disappointments

Chaos reigns in my mind

 

Quelled shouts

Noiseless dark fury

Optimism spirals downward

Fatigue the constant companion

 

Crying from the inside

Tears begging for release

 

The time arrives

An internal alarm clock

Shrill, nonstop beeping

Bellowing to be silenced

 

Enough, enough, enough

Withdrawing begins

 

It becomes about me

Me

Alone

Solo

 

A sojourn to renewal

Ultimately benefiting all

 

 

*~Nikki/Bedazzled~*

 

 

 

 

 

Memory Lane

is that long road

curving and winding

the scenery ever changing

for a time

sheltering trees line it

offering protection

gladdening my heart

before giving way to

vast expanses of desert sand

the emptiness wearisome

joyless

bleak

dead

anxious to escape

to yonder fields

dotted with life

crimson poppies calling

amidst the vibrant green

refreshing my senses

bringing me hope

journeying on

along chilling cliffs

paralyzed lungs

futilely clutching breath

at dizzying heights

reeling

staggering forward

on this path

desperate to reach

the distant rainbow

 

 

*~Nikki/Bedazzled~*

 

 

 

 

The bitter cold increases

permeating my bones

 

Feeble limbs shiver in vain

fighting the invisible dead

 

Numbness overwhelms me

warmth a distant memory

 

Icy fingers surround my heart

crushing it with indifference

 

The beat ominously slowing

a casualty of your idea of love

 

 

 

*~Nikki/Bedazzled~*

 

 

 

 

 

Look at me

Notice how I carry myself

Shoulders back

Chin held high

 

My step is sure and steady

Rounded hips swaying gently

Easily conversing with others

Laughter tumbling past my lips

 

The picture of confidence

 

Do not touch me

For I am made of ice

The warmth of your hands

Might melt my barrier

 

Too many wounds frozen over

Arctic bitterness holds me

My embrace of choice

Safety for my soul

 

The enigmatic ice princess

 

 

 

*~Nikki/Bedazzled~*

 

She could see the colors

of the glorious wind

Revealed only to her

for she herself was a whirlwind

 

Two distinctly different entities

Unified as one

 

During soft moments in time

the gentle breeze was azure

A smile played on her face

while the wind whispered

 

They were knowing friends

She and the wind

 

Mysteriously gray and purple currents

traced her body when she despaired

The calming touches soothed her mind

and knotted muscles loosened

 

Together

Helping and healing

 

Tempests were a crimson hue

matching her fury and wrath

She wildly twirled in the madness

until her energy was spent

 

No judgment

Only a release

 

Invisible to all others

she was privilege to its many shades

Matching her own complexities

sharing countless passions

 

Honored

The wind colored her world

 

 

*~Nikki/Bedazzled~*

2008

The calendar is new.

Devoid of handwriting.

Fresh, clean pages.

None marked by ink.

Unsullied days and numbers.

 

But is it really spotless?

 

The what was exists.

It cannot just disappear.

Dates sparking memories.

A part of me claimed.

Life's events entwined within.

 

Would I want them to vanish?

 

Amidst the angst lives joy.

Laughter dwells with tears.

Hope struggles with despair.

Love defies aversion.

Illness tries to pierce wellness.

 

Do they not help define me?

 

I am the why.

The how.

The because.

The who.

The what is.

 

The will be to come from the newness.

 

*~Nikki/Bedazzled~*

 

 

 

Tags: 2008, poetry

JOY

 

This is my just-finished pastel painting. When I became overwhelmed by all sorts of emotions and activities during this especially busy time of year, I had to turn to something to restore the calm within me. Creating art~good or bad~is magic for my soul.

 

And I titled this painting "JOY"...which is what I wish for each and every one of you.

 

Merry Christmas and much love~

 

Nikki

 

"The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others' burdens, easing others' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas." ~W. C. Jones

 

Run your fingers through my soul~

A NEEDED NUDGE

Alas, a gentle nudge from Mary prompted me to post an entry in my journal. While I probably have nothing that is of particular interest to anyone, I did begin this blog for the purpose of documenting my days, thoughts, activities, and memories. Abandoning it was never my intention.

 

I am still reeling and deeply saddened from the passing of my friend Patrick. 39 years of age and succumbing to cancer, leaving behind a wife and an 11-month old, a three-year-old, and an eight-year-old, just does not fit into the way I think life should be.

 

As always, I continue to paint. I keep telling myself that one of these days I will create a painting that is of significance. It has yet to happen, but the joy I get from the effort and experimentation is worth it to me. These are the latest paintings I have done.

 

The two canvases on easels are quite tiny. They measure five inches from the bottom of the easel to the very top. The canvases are only 2" x 2"! I made them as Christmas tree ornaments for my children, as I do each year. The roses painting is for my son who loves roses, and the floral landscape is for my daughter~

 

 

Seahorses enchant me. They always have. They mate for life. AND the male carries the offspring. This is called "Sea Grace"~

 

 

Mermaids also intrigue me. What must they be thinking? Titled "Land's Allure"~

 

This one was a very different technique for me. I attended a one-day workshop to learn the basics of painting watercolors on gesso-prepared paper. The sky actually has purples in it, too, but the camera refused to capture them. I am eager to try this technique again after the holidays. Named "Forgotten"~

 

 

I painted the following for my niece who requested it as her Christmas gift. I practically went blind painting it! Too many details and windows. It is of the Don CeSar Beach Resort in Florida (also known as The Pink Palace)...her favorite place to vacation. Aptly titled "Don CeSar Beach Resort, Florida"~

 

 

This was a birthday gift for a beloved artist friend of mine. I painted it from a photograph of him working on a painting. So, the painting within the painting is one of his (although his is magnificent). Named "The Master's Touch"~

 

 

There have been a few more paintings, but I think I have made you yawn enough already!

 

Life has been kind to me and mine. I am grateful for each day.

 

"If the essence of my being has caused a smile to have appeared upon your face or a touch of joy within your heart, then in living I have made my mark." ~Thomas L. Odem, Jr.

 

Run your fingers through my soul~

PATRICK~ThisItalianGuy

 

You were loved well and by many, my friend. And you will be deeply missed. But I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that you are no longer here.

 

"Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
and things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art; to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow