'Bubble Girl'
8 x 10 Watercolor on Aqua Board
© Laurie Justus Pace Graphics One Design 2009
The Painting: This is my first attempt at using Aqua Board with watercolors. I am by trade and experience a commercial artist and illustrator. BUT, it has been years since I have 'illustrated' anything. So this is a first to try out this product. Before being the "Painter of Horses" I was the "Painter of Pears" and before that and for a very very long time, "Painter of Children and Women". I am going to continue doing my horses as they are what I am known for internationally, but with this pull to go back...I believe it is time to see what I bring back to the table from the abstracted side.
An interesting journey...
The Thought: As I dropped our daughter off at school on Friday morning and I was singing my way through the crowded turn circle lanes in front of the school, I remembered that movie "Mr Mom". Are any of you old enough to recall it? Here is Tom Hanks driving the kids for carpool to school and he goes in the out and out the in. All of the mothers are honking and upset. "You are doing it wrong.." one yells at him.
So the word tripped across my mind... that I am fallible. The day before after I dropped her off, I was driving down the street that crosses through the neighborhood totally entranced by the mega colors on the leaves. We never ever ever have a pretty fall, and somehow all the torrential rains have created color in our leaves. I was intune with nature as I drove looking upward at the colors and contrasts along the sidewalk edge near the car when I suddenly caught in my side vision three cars all stopped from different directions and the STOP sign that has been there since I went to school here in the late sixties. I handily stomped down on my little Passat's brake pedal and neatly came to a quick stop.
All the cars did their thing and then I proceeded forward reprimanding myself to watch the road and not the scenery.
I am almost 57 years old. I have never had a traffic ticket in my life. I do not like to drive, so I probably have not been out on the road as often as you have, but I am a pretty good driver. I had this sudden knowing that struck me. I have entered a new stage in life and finally recognized it. I do not know everything. I cannot do everything. I am fallible. The older I grow, the more I accept there are some limitations and my body and mind cannot be what it was at age 30. Seems like up until recently I demanded the reputation of "knowing" what I needed to know in life and of course I do it all right.
I don't. I don't do it all right. I am fallible. I am doing it wrong... thinking of life as a match to win. Trying to do it and do it all right. Accepting the fact that we cannot possible know all and do it all right is a positive first step of growth and maturity.
Maybe that is why is it easier to let go and let God. He does it all right.
Laurie
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Comments
Love you,
Jan