Dearly Departed Drawings ~ Neil {day 281}

Working on background, then small details left to clean up over the whole portrait.  Almost finished.

Today is Poppas 65th birthday.  I am not able to start his portrait on his birthday but I hope to start soon.  I've been thinking a lot about him lately.  Not just because he is next on my list, but because he is the oldest head I know.  Tie dye wearing, comedic relief, set list keeper, camping fool, drumming circle, party loving, drama-free zone, one liner genius, beautiful soul.  And I miss him. 

Dearly Departed Drawings ~ Neil {day 279}

More background!!

Dearly Departed Drawings ~ Neil {day 278}

Filling in the background!

Dearly Departed Drawings ~ Neil {day 277}

Working on tones and getting into the background.  Last night was my substitute art teacher, Mr. Kromer, celebration of his life and artwork at Mulberry Studios.  My husband and I went from piece to piece, in complete awe of such talent.  The layers upon layers of mixed media pulled from the depths of his soul, now on paper.  He is a talented artist, mentor, father, son, beautiful soul - gone too soon.  He will be greatly missed.  So blessed to know a piece of his art was set aside for me, so thankful, so grateful to have known him.   

On the way home as I was driving, a HUGE brown owl was hopping in front of my car in an instant.  Massive outstretched wings and giant eyes, I swerved around him in the road.  My husband and I have been hoping ever since that he managed to get out of the path of other oncoming cars.  We feared him already hit by a car when we came across him.  So many animals swooping into our path.  Repeated visits by praying mantis at our home - slow down, choose the path carefully.  Hawks (yes, plural - there were TWO!!) swooping in front of our car on our way to and from a pow-wow last month - pay attention to underlying messages, be observant, see the bigger picture.  Black snake in the road on the way home from the pow-wow right in our path (again swerving around) - transformation, life changes, spiritual guidance.  And lastly the owl seen on the way home from Mr. Kromers life celebration, artwork - life changes, transition, many will come for knowledge and wisdom, quiet observation. 

Never in my life or my husbands have either of us had so many close encounters with hawks (two in one day???!!! both swooping in front of us!), black snakes in the path of our car, owls (not sure I've ever seen one so close up in nature) and the abundance of praying mantis in our backyard.  All of these sightings have only been in the last two months.  My husband and I definitely are paying attention, we were together for all these sightings.  We know big changes are in store for our family, a new job for my husband that is a dream job for him (brewer at Samuel Adams Brewery), eventually moving north (closer to dear friends)and my drawings (I've already been approached for commission by several persons).  We are ready to embrace everything God and our Universe have to offer us.

Dearly Departed Drawings ~ Neil {day 276}

The boys are almost finished, minor changes and adjustments.  Started working on the background.  Today I put the Aegirine crystal in my hand and held it for a few moments, meditating with it.  Then I laid it on my drawing paper as I worked.

When I attended the MUM Expo last week I was looking at crystals and minerals at the Odds and Ends Corner and one of the owners happened across me and we started discussing crystals and minerals.  He asked me what I do, I told him I was an artist.  He asked me if I'd ever seen Aegirine, no - I haven't.  He went over plucked a piece and put it in my hand, told me it would eliminate negative thoughts, replace them with positive and help me to follow my heart.  So I got home, researched it further and found all this information about a mineral I never knew existed!

Crystal Vaults provided this definition of Aegirine:
The beautiful, black blades of Aegirine rise from its host rock like the legendary Sword in the Stone waiting for someone to draw upon its power to make all things right. A Stone of Integrity and Self, Aegirine is a most noble crystal, aligning with one's truest convictions in life and providing the courage and confidence to follow those convictions. It encourages acceptance of self and others, and to follow the heart.

With its connection to the earth and the natural world, Aegirine activates a strong, protective energy, guarding the aura and physical body, as well as fortifying the Spirit in times of difficulty. It eliminates negative thoughts, energies and attachments, and replaces them with the Light of the positive. It promotes wholeness and healing.

Aegirine is a member of the Pyroxene group, a sodium iron silicate that forms as long, prismatic crystals often terminated by a steep asymmetrical pyramid. It may also form as compact and fibrous disseminated grains. Opaque to translucent, it is dark in color, most often black, though sometimes greenish-black or brownish-black, and is commonly found in alkali-rich volcanic rock. Discovered in Norway, Aegirine is named for the Norse god of the sea, Aegir, and is also known as Acmite, from the Greek word meaning "point."

Interesting stuff.

Dearly Departed Drawings ~ Neil {day 275}

Shirts, pants, arms and hands are currently under construction.  Starting to really feel good about this portrait.  Was reflecting with my husband about all the loss of beautiful souls lately.  Just this year we lost two good friends.  It will seem like eternity till we meet again. 

Dearly Departed Drawings ~ Neil {day 274}

 

Still working on clothing.  Slowly darkening so to not muss the paper.  

Today was a rough day.  Really rough.  In the last few months I reconnected with my high school substitute art teacher,  Mr. Kromer, through my high school art teacher Mr. Huck.  I will never forget my art teachers.  They impressed upon me so many things.  Everything I know about art comes from them.  Their critiques, their suggestions, their undying love of art.  I would not be who I am today without Mr. Kromer and Mr. Huck.  Before Mr. Kromers passing, I was able to purchase a print of his art that I very much admired.  Savage Bliss.  The most breathtaking piece of art I've come across in a long while.  I long awaited the message that the print was signed, numbered and ready for pickup.  The day came and went and today I was able to pick up the print.  I excitedly headed over but when the door opened and Mr. Kromer was not standing, ready to greet me....."he passed on this morning" were the quiet words spoken by his mother and hand motions made to enter the home.  I was overcome with overwhelming grief at the loss of a mentor, gifted artist and wonderful man.  So very thankful to have known him.  He helped shape who I am as an artist.  

Another stark reminder that life is so very precious.  So stop wasting time.