I was commissioned to do this painting of the view from La Mesa park which is just around the corner from me, by a sweet woman named Merrie, who recently bought a condo in the neighborhood and is moving here from cold, gloomy, rainy Oregon. Much like I did 6 years ago, she followed a dream of creating a new life in Paradise (what we rightfully call Santa Barbara).
Her condo was a blank slate, all in neutrals and my painting of her view which includes flowers from her walk through the neighborhood and the native monarchs who nest in the local eucalyptus trees, was to be the centerpiece of her new home and a symbol for a new life, a new state of mind, a new way of being. Oh, how I could relate since I’d gone through the same transformation in moving here.
When Casey and i brought it over to hang, Merrie literally burst into tears saying “thank you for making my dream come true”. This brought me to tears, tears of joy in the knowing that Merrie is coming out of the cocoon of life in the north, to open and flutter freely in the sweet, gentle, balmy climes of this nurturing spot on the earth. Here I am, proud momma of the dream manifested, still coming into my own butterfly self, but getting there….
She gifted me with this sweet bird vase filled with yellow spray roses (symbolizing friendship). The best part for me in all this experience was the empowerment I felt in truly welcoming Merrie to the neighborhood and gracing her with an image that symbolizes her highest ideals. It warms my heart to know that another house in the neighborhood houses one of my children:)
In other news I’ve been accepted into Gallery Los Olivos, which is in the gentle feminine Santa Ynez Vally on the other side of the mountain. Since it is a co-op, once a space opens up for me and I’m actually showing there, I will be driving over there to this very quaint town, to work a shift once a month. I LOVE this drive. The painting above is from the drive back up over the mountain coming back into Santa Barbara.
I see lots of landcsapes of the valley coming in the near future- inspiring.
I feel so blessed in my life and the way I am able to make new connections with people, creating beauty for them and feeling love along the way.
