New paintings and regular art updates.
Who is the most confident person you know?
My friend was the most confident
Always full of go
Tackled problems
Always in the know…
I wish she was still around
But she left a while ago
To pastures new
With confidence
But no big ego!
I wished her luck
And said go with the flow!
A local author and friend, called Fred Hughes, wrote an article on Facebook and in our local paper talking about how, as he has grown older, he has found himself crying more. One example he gives is when the Leopard Hotel in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, burnt down two years ago. He lives nearby and found himself bought to rears because of all his memories of what had happened in that place, meeting people, enjoying good company and hospitality. He said that apparently hormonal changes can affect men because they are bought up to be stoic and strong. It must be a real shock to the system to allow grief and sadness out.
I think crying is good for you. Women do seem to be able to cry more often? I have wailed and cried and felt deep grief recently, not least because of the Leopard fire. The last two years have affected me a lot with various events. I’m not a stoic person although I try, when you have worked with people you have to try and stay professional. But without crying I would have exploded!
Here’s the portrait I painted of my friends dog and a photo of him with it x.
I think I posted it a couple of weeks ago but it’s only just winged it’s way over to America. His owner is really pleased with it. It’s a watercolour painting. Quite small. I enjoyed doing it although it took me a few months because of everything going on in my life. Happy it’s arrived.
My friend went for a walk today and stopped off at the ice-cream van where I lost my purse last week. And guess what? It was there! I spoke to the van driver over the phone and he was happy to give it my friend (she was with me last week). Even better, the money is still in it! She’s going to drop it off later. For once I feel things might be on the turn with my luck!
My friend just sent these photos, they are his model VW van next to a couple of my paintings. They made me laugh! I haven’t seen them for a few years so it came as a nice surprise to receive his message. I’m chuffed aswell that the scale works. I want to go somewhere for a trip now.
What makes a good neighbor?
I don’t care who they are as long as they are friendly.
Respectfully, I think the best neighbours need to be friendly, but not always friends. We all have different ways of doing things. Some people have noisy pets or play loud music, but as long as you can speak to them and work things out you have a chance of living in harmony. I always try and be polite and considerate. I’ve only ever fallen out with neighbours once in 30 years. They were students and we’re playing loud music day and night for a week.
They were disturbing my next door but one neighbour who was due to have a baby. They would not answer the front door. So I stuck my hand through the letterbox with my panic alarm beeping very loudly. Eventually someone came to the door. I asked them if they were at college? Yes. So I said, you understand you are creating a nuisance as you are intelligent? The student told me they never had problems in their halls of residence. I then explained the street was full of normal people. She apologised and the noise stopped! Not my friendliest action but it sorted out the problem!
Old paintings I gave a friends daughter when she went to university. I have no idea where they are now. Small square canvases about 6 x 6 inches. Acrylic on canvas, Depicting the Sun and Moon. I may do some similar ones and add a star one. They were fun to do
I’m pleased to say one of my necklaces, made of dichroic fused glass has gone to a good home. Fused glass is a way of heating and melting various colours of glass together to make a unique pendant.
I made these a few years ago, I haven’t really pushed the sale of them as I’m concentrating on my paintings, but every so often I get them out and today I gifted one to a friend who kindly helped me out.
I will try and sell the rest of them this year. It’s about time they all found new homes!
How do you express your gratitude?
You have to say thank you when you receive a gift, or service, or just someone’s kindness. Why wouldn’t you?
Sometimes just the words will do, but when the person has done more for you, or worked harder than expected then perhaps a gratuity (tip) is required. That might be when you are getting work done on your car. Or the waiting service at a restaurant is good (and in some cases people only make enough money because of tips).
When you say thank you for something to a friend, that may mean that you want to give them a gift. Maybe something small? Some flowers or some chocolates. The recipient may not expect or want a gift, but that shouldn’t stop you from making the offer. Even a thank you note is considered a pleasant gesture.
So don’t forget to pass on your thanks when it’s deserved. Or even sometimes when it’s not?
A friend just sent me this photo. It’s one of my little paintings in someone’s kitchen. Just a simple design. I was rather pleased to get this. Knowing my art is appreciated cheers me up!
Mallaband-Brown