Away and Back Again...

Gloomy and foggy, that's how my days have gone

this past month.

My beloved, 90 year old father passed mid September.

It was sudden, he was healthy, happy and still living on 

his own right up to that dreadful emergency visit

to the hospital.  We were all taken

by surprise.  In the days since, there has

been lots of deal with.  He lived 270 miles from 

where I live.  Many a trip I have made on Kansas

byways.  That journey is forever changed.

Frozen, and uninspired is how I feel.

Hopefully as time moves on, 

I will rekindle my 'artist's' fire.

I will miss you Dad - but know you have rejoined Mom -

in another place, and somehow we will move on without you.

My dad and his granddaughter, Jessica, 

at the motocross races

in 1976.  

Away, Away..but Back Again

I have been away from home for the last 2 plus weeks.  My 89 year old dad needed some help, so I have been staying with him at his house during this time. Had us pretty concerned for a bit, but he is better now.  Just got back home today.

Being Grateful..Where I Stand Today...

Boot off...ankle brace taking it's place, one crutch - replacing two.

Outside of some soreness and aching, everything is moving along.

Now all I need is some intensified PT to get it back strong again.

What I am thankful for today...

Happy Father's Day to My Dad

This is my dad and me a couple of years ago.  Through the years, my dad has been the strength of my family.  He is always a giver. If ever I benefited from a role model, it was him - someone who I have been able to look up to, admire and emulate in honesty, truthfulness and fairness.  A farm boy who moved to the city to be something other than his roots...which weren't bad roots...he and mom just wanted a different life and he found a successful and happy life therein. Through the years, I have been so supported with his love and understanding.  I am so proud of him.   

Thanks Dad - Love you and Happy Father's Day!

Happy 85th Birthday to my DAD!!

My Dad...85 years and still goin strong.  Healthy and happy!  Son of a farmer who left the farm and never went back.  Usually has a little notepad with 'projects' listed on it to keep him busy, along with taking care of my mom who is fighting cancer - and putting up one hell of a fight, I might add.  Loves watching baseball and football, mowing the lawn.  A super organized guy. 

Cheers Dad - have a great day!! 

A Portrait in Pastel

“The High Life”

16” x 20'” pastel on Strathmore paper

I have many portfolios, filled with attempts at portraits in particular.  Got this one out the other day, as I happened across it’s source photo while preparing for the class I taught a few weeks ago.  I remember I had at one time, really “messed it up” and put it away, chalking (tongue in cheek)it up to helpless…but one grows and thinks differently about these things as time goes by.  Got going on it again these last few days and voila – it may need just a little more…but right now it is FULL of pastel pigment so I need to stop, or use fixative, which I really don’t like to use.  This is my dad and such a likeness.  The photo I used was taken at our Gray Family Reunion many years ago.
P.S. - Where I Stand Sunday will be here in the studio - if "harvest" continues tomorrow, otherwise, working on the house in town...getting it ready for ????   So no 'Where I Stand' post...sorry.

The Thrilla in Manila

"Dad in the Phillipines" - WIP (work in progress)

on Canson paper

Near the end of WWII, my dad was stationed in the Phillipines.

He was in the Army.

Mom and Dad have these great sepia colored photos of him in their albums. I borrowed this one...and had to give it a try today. I have lots more to do, but I like the way it's going.

I think, although I am using black and white charcoal pencil, I will fill in the sky with a grey blue and the treeline with a shadow green - we'll see.
Caution - don't eat a handful of Frito's and then work on your pastel. My left hand left grease marks at the bottom. Argh! It will be covered.

Where I Stand Sunday

Around these parts, everyone is talking 'harvest'. With eminent cold and wet weather coming later this week, harvest has become a priority. Today, hubster will help harvest the corn...and that decision was made earlier today, however, since he is kinda 'on call', we just found out. You just never know. It's all about the moisture content of certain crops. There is worry that if there's ice next week, it will take down the milo crop. We hope not.

BTW - I took this photo this morning as I stood next to the combine, as it reminds me of my dad and my grandfather. I would spend a few weeks a summer when I was little at Grandma and Grandpa's and experience 'harvest' and learn what my dad grew up with -

the stuff that goes on around where I now live.

Full circle? Just about. It's kinda 'my roots' that are showing their impressive head today.

Today is Dad's 83rd birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad, with love, your daughter.

P.S. I am on my way to our quarterly NCKAA (North Central Kansas Artists Association) meeting this afternoon.

Where I Stand Sunday is an ongoing photo essay examining the different places I spend my life standing. Too often we take for granted the everyday places we spend our lives walking on. The ground we tread on has its own stories to tell.