Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 40

Finishing touches.  She has been unveiled in our living room for quite some time.  Soon time to spend some up close and personal space with Lucia while making final adjustments.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 39

Worked primarily on Lucias hat, adding the "knit" texture.  Not much further to the close.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 38

Still fixing and adjusting.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Alice 13

Got a chance to work on these two last night.  They've been on my mind, just couldn't make time to draw.  Lots of sunshine in this photo, tiny hairs reflecting the sun.  I chose this photo because of the sunshine on their heads.  I imagine it was a beautiful day, the sun warming the hairs on their heads, sharing love and time.  Time is the most precious thing we can give anyone.

I've been thinking a lot about the "list"  I have for drawings.  Yes, I do have one - it's in no particular order on my Dear Departed Drawings page.  Of course I also have a list in my head.  I feel pulled in so many directions.  Recently I held a group reading in  my home, my husbands childhood friend, Joel came through.  He asked me to draw him next, drop my list and Aunt and Uncle for him.  He's right, my Aunt and Uncle were going to be "next" along with Conner.  So I'll meditate again and see what comes up.  He was always a jokester and it was no surprise.   His anniversary of departure from our earth is approaching, May 19th.  He has been on my heart and mind.   I will draw everyone on my list.  Everyone.  I can't wait to spend time with each one of my loved ones and yours too.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 37

Diligently focused on Lucia.  Still making adjustments where ever I see them.  She is almost complete.  Comparing the photo to the drawing, I think I've done very well.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 36

Inching along, hour by hour.  Skipped all around from corner to corner.  Deepening, darkening, lightening, blending and shading.  I defined Lucias brow to my satisfaction and adjusted the blankets and bedding.  Starting to really pop off the paper.  I feel like I can reach in and cradle her.

Yesterday was Mothers Day.  Mothers day is so overrated.  They don't even have Mothers day cards for bereaved mothers (can you believe that?!)  I have so many mother figures that only celebrating my birth mother feels silly.   I called my mother and chatted for a minute and wished her a happy mothers day, but I'd like to recognize all my mother figures today.  The day after.  Because one day isn't enough for me anyway.  My mother taught me first about nature, flowers, bugs, animals and the love of the outdoors.  She lives not too far away, attends our childrens birthdays, events, invites us over for family dinners and supports us in many ways. 

I easily recognize my aunt Cindy as a motherly presence growing up.  Years of sitting in her kitchen talking and sharing experiences while waiting for my cousin to come downstairs, words of wisdom and advice freely offered to me while at play or dinner or getting into trouble (ha!).

I learned most of my domestic skills from my Nan.  I watched her cook chicken pot pie  (Dutch/German with real homemade noodles - not an actual "pie"), ham with potatoes and green beans and make delicious peanut butter eggs.  She taught me how to use a washboard with soap and hand wringer.  I picked up her love for creating - painting, crocheting, making and crafting.

I see my fathers wife as someone who makes him happy and takes care of him.  She is wonderful with our kids, teaching, laughing and playing with them.  She takes them on outings and dotes on them as a Oma does to her grandchildren.  

My mother-in-law who shares a love for art with me, advice on housekeeping and raising children.  She teaches my kids songs,  plays games with them, encourages my spiritual faith and provides expertise on homeschooling.  I've also learned cooking skills as well as recipes for homemade laundry detergent and other cleaning tips.

My sister Pam (from another mother).  She is a bank of unconditional love.  I've learned so many attachment parenting type skills from her.  She constantly goes over and above for people and is a blessing to me in so many ways.  The sister I never had.  Always an ear to listen, food to share, advice to offer when asked and love to give freely.

Lastly but certainly NOT least, my friend Hank.  She has not only accepted me for me the instant we met, but shown me how to be kind and what it looks like.  Always a minute to listen, soup to water down to feed one more, extra sleeping bag or whatever you need - she'd give you the shirt off her back.  She has discussed the growing flowers, shapes of leaves, starting seedlings and even dug up all the dozens of varieties of perennials she owns to split the bulbs with me when we bought our first house.  I've never felt judged, slighted, unloved or unwelcome.  She watches over everyone and is always willing to lend a hand or some love to whoever needs it.

I also can't forget the strong, brave and loving mothers that have accepted my offer to draw their babies.  I admire these women.  They have each touched me in some way and inspired me to create.   Devany (Violet), Twylia (Houd), Hank (Neil), Renee (Kole) and Angie (Lucia).

Happy Mothers Day EVERY day!  I celebrate all of you as much as I can.  Thank you for contributing to me, you've all made an impact on who I am in some way.  Love you all!

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 35

Still working on adjusting Lucias bedding and other small fixes I see here and there.  Really getting close to finishing now.  So close I can hear her little baby sighs.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 34

Shading the bedding and fading it into the background.  Defining the clay birthing mama as well.  This portrait has come such a long way, I was just scrolling back through the posts seeing the transformation from the beginning.  And remembering the first time I met Angie.  I was so curious, felt so drawn to her and here we are - our paths destined to cross.  For the good of both of us.  The light in me sees the light in you. 

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Alice 12

Drawing, drawing, drawing.  Vaydas shirt, neck and little wispy hairs by her ear were the main focus.  Only about 12ish hours into the drawing and it already takes tremendous shape.  Drawing other peoples furry family members reminds me that our own kitty cats won't live forever.  I spent time with one of my own furry family members last night, grooming him and giving him lots of love.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 33

Getting back in a routine today, hope to carry it over into the night.  Still adjusting tones, lightening and darkening as needed.  At this point the grid has blended into the background and that's okay.  I don't need it anymore.  The proportions are pretty spot on.

I was reflecting today how everyone that comes into your life is for a reason.  The timing is always perfect.  Gods timing is always perfect.  I was able to bless another mama in my Mothers of Preschoolers group with little gifts all year long who felt loved all year by someone who she'd never met, maybe she needed to feel that type of love.  My husbands job gave him a co-worker that befriended him and shares many interests and the same type of humor when he needed his faith restored in co-workers.  Lucias mother opened the world of crystals up in front of my eyes and inspired me to not only draw Lucia for her but to learn how to batik so I could make grid cloths.  My neighbor who has lived across the street from us for five years to find out how much we have in common and now confide in each other our most private emotions when we needed to share our most inner selves.  A festival we were asked to vend last May which was NOT profitable at all (we broke even) but it was the last time we talked and hugged our dear friend, my husbands childhood friend, for the last time.  A week later he died in a tragic car accident.  I thought about all my past portraits and how we crossed paths.  Our church, LCBC, is doing a series on Crucial Conversations, while I am currently doing intense inner work on myself involving anger, hurt and fear, timing perfect as usual.   I also think about my past and how it shaped me into who I am today.  I wouldn't be me if I didn't experience, sometimes even suffer my past. I am grateful for every moment.  Lessons and blessings. God always had a plan and I finally feel on board.