Pumpkin Patch

I like odd shaped pumpkins because, like people, we are all different and special. This picture was done in watercolor and, if you look closely, you will see that it is unfinished; the upper leaf is only a pencil line and has yet to be completed. I see this picture as "a work in progress", as we all are. Fall is quickly approaching and I'm looking forward to decorating the house and preparing for all of the festivities!

Carrot Top!

I painted this picture based on a little sweetheart who was in the class I read to as a part-time "storyteller" at the local elementary school. She liked the story and it showed all over her little round face. The book was "The Secret In The Matchbox", which was very special and enjoyed by the children.

Remembering My Brother Bobby

My brother, Bobby Hart, died tragically in a car accident in the fall many years ago, along with his two best friends. He was only 21 years old. All of them were wonderful young men. He was the light of my father's life, and they were very close. My dad never drove a car again after Bobby died and never completely recovered. This watercolor is my adaptation of him at this age, and although it may not look exactly like he did, just seeing it makes me happy...remembering. Sometimes art, in its many forms, can be very healing.

Mother and Daughter in Watercolor

A mother and child...what could be sweeter. It says a lot without words. Speaking of words, I love this poem my sister Vanessa sent to me and hope you can relate to it too.

You Tell On Yourself

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,

By the very manner in which you speak,

By the way you employ your leisure time,

By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell on yourself with the things you wear,

By the spirit in which your burdens you bear,

By the type of things at which you laugh,

By the records you play on your phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,

By the things of which you delight to talk,

By the manner in which you can bear defeat,

By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the library shelf,

By these things and more, you tell on yourself

- Author Unknown

Christmas Is Coming!

Christmas is coming! I know it's only July, but how quickly the months go by; it will be here before we know it. This is one of my hand-made ornaments from my "Lil Kids" collection. Each one is different and customers have often asked me to make ones that looks like their own children. When she first saw these years ago, my mother commented, "Rina, this does not look like your usual work." Although different than my angels, these have been very popular with my customers and I've loved creating them. I will be making a select number for Christmas. They can be customized to your liking. If you are interested, please contact me.

More Lil Kids

Here are more Lil Kids for you to see...

Granddaughter Victoria

Over the years, granddaughter Toria has spent so much time with us on the farm. I captured a photograph of her in a rare quiet moment and then painted this picture with watercolor paint and chalks for highlighting. This was done long ago. We see her less now that she's 16 and a busy teenager. Oh how fleeting this stage of a child's life is...to be savored and enjoyed while it lasts!

I'm Looking For A Good Home

This is a watercolor picture I painted of Teddy Bear, who is available and looking for a new home (as his "I'm Available" tag shows). I had so much fun doing these and I created different tags for my friends and customers.

Sisters

This is an old family photo of my sister, Vanessa, and I. It was transferred onto silk, and I then painted around the photo adding lace, etc. It is quite large and is in a frame, with other family photos, on a wall in our home. My sister and I travelled to England together years ago. I have many fond memories of that trip, the things we saw and the people we met.

This 76-Year-Old Soul

This angel was made from Super Sculpey and was then painted with acrylic paints. She hangs on our Christmas tree every year.

Just where do I start when it comes to sharing what's inside of this 76-year-old soul? I wonder if anyone will be interested..I hope so. Most of the bloggers are so young and I wonder if, at my age, I have the willingness to focus on a few art forms or am I doomed to be a jack of all trades.....loving almost every and all forms of creating? A little of this I blame on a grandfather I never met who was a gifted sculptor from Italy. In the early 1900's, he carved statues for the then Bank of Italy in San Francisco, which later bacame the Bank of America.

I read somewhere that we should be "open to everything and attached to nothing" but feel I am attached to, and identified with, my love and involvement in painting, sculpting, free form knitting and crochet, gardening, hand-me-down family antiques, quilting, music, reading, etc. One lifetime is simply not enough time to taste it all. What a joy it has been and how thankful I am for all the gifts given me to share with others. I hope that you will enjoy seeing some of the items I have been creating ever since I was a young girl.