Dixie

I've known Dixie. Of course growing up in Birmingham, Alabama (said with a sassy, southern accent), I would have known some Dixies. Their names may not have all been Dixie, but...

Dixie is a true Southern Belle. She adores Dolly Parton, rhinestones and her boyfriend of seven years. She absolutely loves roller blading.

My studio is going to be open for Artwalk on Thursday, February 11th at Cockerell Galleries in downtown Abilene. I hope you'll stop by to see me and meet Dixie and the other girls.

Nothing would make me happier,
Lila

Painted Chest

I love getting great things at a garage sale for a song. This was a chest with great bones. It was painted white. I jazzed it up with some colorful drawers that I white washed and then added metallic gold paint to the legs. Some new hardware and voila! A fun chest that holds all sorts of needful things. tee hee...

I have this chest right inside my art studio as you go in. It's a fun little piece.

Feeling jazzy,
Lila

Meet Liz

I have had the most restorative time at my studio lately. I've been painting ladies' faces and have quite a wall of them now. I'm not sure why I've chosen to paint women's faces, other than you can tell so much about a woman by her eyes.

This is Liz. She is aging quicker than she'd like but wants to be authentic. Liz is letting her hair gray naturally. Her adoring husband assures he she's more beautiful than the day he married her. Liz is a blessed woman.

Some new friends came into my studio tonight and commented on the ladies I had been painting. I heard, "Oh, Ellie is like me!" Or, "I can relate to Audra." They each have a story. That affirmation was just what I needed. Thank you, Lord.

That's the beautiful thing about people. There is common ground with everyone when we take the time to explore it.

Authentically blessed,
Lila

Carter Blue

My friend, Roxanne has the most "preciousest" granddaughter, Carter. I enjoyed an evening of painting with Roxanne and Carter last month. Carter saw the picture I had painted of this lady and asked me why I had painted her before I had even met her.

Carter told me that my painting was like her because of the blond hair but she didn't understand why she had blue on her face.

Hence, the name Carter Blue.

I'd Like to Introduce You to Channing

Channing was birthed a couple of months ago on canvas. She was in my mind so I hurried up to my Blue Heaven to allow her to be born. She is strong, passionate-yet quiet, insightful and goes to sleep listening to Norah Jones.

She prefers jeans and t-shirts but looks gorgeous in a simple black dress. She has a tattoo of a Chinese symbol on her shoulder. She likes being mysterious.

Channing, meet everyone,
Lila

Going Gray

I finished the book, Going Gray by Anne Kreamer. It was full of insights and practical "research."

In it she quotes, "Andrew Weil's take in his recent book Healthy Aging is similar: "If aging is written into the laws of the universe, then acceptance of it must be a prerequisite for doing it in a graceful way. Yet nonacceptance of aging seems to be the rule in our society, not the exception. A great many people try to deny its reality and progress. " His ultimate conclusion is that to deny aging is to deny ourselves access to a deeply nourishing experience. "Because aging reminds us of our own mortality, it can be a primary stimulus to spiritual awakening and growth."

In response to Andrew Weil's writing, Anne Kreamer writes, "Bingo! My whole experience hasn't been just about letting my hair grow in it's natural gray. It's been about growing up and pardon the touchy-feely cliche - - continuing to evolve as a person. By insisting on having hair that looked like it did when I was thirty and thirty-five, I think I really had been forfeiting one of the most important tools for optimal aging - - that is facing it squarely, accepting it incrementally I think that each year, as my hair becomes whiter, I will be a little more ready to celebrate the good things about my "here and now." I have every intention of avoiding the frail, frightened, old-lady stereotype - - to remain as fit and curious as possible - - but I am no longer afraid to show my true age. It's simple. I'm proud of what I've done, the years I've lived, how far I've come. I'm happier going through each day on the sidewalk, in sotres and restaurants, at parties - - being as honest as I can be about who I really am.

She's letting herself go. I'm trying, anyhow. Letting go of false fronts and mass-market expectations. Letting go for me is all about - - self-help alert - - finding myself."

Well said, Anne. After reading this book, I'm no longer just begrudgingly letting my hair go to it's natural color, I'm actually looking forward to it.

Gray today,
Lila