Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Sunday, January 31, 2021

My Violets



My Violets 
6"X6" oil on raymar panel  $125.
Purchase SOLD

Artist Note
Thank heavens for the  
beautiful African Violet
which will bloom all year long,
providing a lovely touch of color.
I remember when I first 
started owning violets being told,
  they were just like children-
 the same care didn’t mean 
they would behave the same way.
So true!
 
I have had a bad cold...a regular winter cold.
Remember the days when you had a cold 
and you could just hunker down with
drinks and cosy blankets?...not anymore. 

I was scared out of my mind it was covid
so I was masked 24 hours a day...
and lugged my studio air purifier in my arms
everywhere in this small apartment 
so hubby would be protected. 

Major anxiety ruled the day.  

The first covid test
took two days 
before I was told it was
"damaged in transit" 
...and as my oxygen 
was in the 80's, and I felt major fatigue,
I hauled myself 
(and my hubby this time) off for another test, 
waiting another two days to find out 
the glorious news- both of us were negative.
It was a load lifted. Happy dance!

I had reasons for concern due to living where 
our next door neighbors 
had just been in quarantine for having covid
and quite a few living here having had it.
We get the first vaccine on Friday
and the anxiety will 
disappear a week after the second one.

Maybe my painting time will pick back up?
One can only hope.

Stay safe, my good friends!


25 comments:

  1. I like flowers a lot, all flowers, I already prepare my plants for spring, it is very inspiring and colorful.
    I'm glad it's all gone negative and it's just a scare, the blissful pandemic has us very worried.
    Best regards.

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    1. I liked hearing you have prepared spring plants already. A man who appreciates their beauty. What would we do without all the beauty there is around us? As artists it feeds our souls. The beautiful eyes on the portrait you did made me envious. Wish I had them!

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  2. Hi Julie: It's easy to understand that a cold would create fears of COVID. Glad that everything turned out well. One of the interesting side effects of the pandemic here has been the virtual absence of flu this year. No doubt everyone wearing masks has contributed to that. Stay well!

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    1. Yes, the masked stopped the flu here too, but I have not had a cold for many, many years so only one thing I could think of. I enjoyed reading about the trip to Australia and seeing the birds. I took a mini mental vacation!!

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  3. OH MY! Yes! I remember the days when you didn't' obsess over every little symptom. So glad you both were negative. Good luck with the shots. Love the violets. I used to own a florist shop and had a decent size violet clientele. They were beautiful and yes you cannot treat them all the same. This brings back many fun memories.

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    1. Neat to know you had a florist shop? I remember when you had your gallery. Never a dull moment following you Sharon. I enjoyed seeing the fun group you have for wine and painting.

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  4. Lovely little piece and you managed to capture the softness of the flower petals and leaves so well!

    Nobody needs a scare like that right now, so pleased you tested negative.

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    Replies
    1. Happy you like it Lauren. I was impressed with your post on the copies you made for "learning to paint the tricky bits!" A great title by the way.
      I think all over the country people are scared - not just me and it's because of the terrible toll it has taken. Thanks for the nice words.

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  5. I am sooo glad that you and Jim are negative and that you will be receiving the shots soon. Worry is counter productive for painting and just living. Holding you and Jim in my thoughts.

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    1. So true - counter productive to painting as well as living! Hope you are continuing to do well and are maybe painting?.

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  6. Your violets are so sweet and give me a calm feeling to view them. I am so sorry you were so scared you had the virus, and very happy your test was negative! I hope you are able to get a vaccination soon. We have been so lucky here in AK to get ours, and second dose soon. Take good care Julie. Hugs.

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    1. I find them relaxing Teri, so calming and relaxing are the same - right?
      I really enjoyed seeing the nice long post on your work in progress using the cold wax. It inspired me. thank you. Second vaccine soon eh? good for you!

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  7. First, the painting of violets is beautiful, Julie; I love them for the same reasons you do. Second, what a dreadful time you've had! Worried for hubby, of course, and...good grief, to hear "damaged in transit"...how devastating! Awfully pleased it all turned out alright, but these are frightening times. Keep on taking care.🥰❤

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    1. Hi Helen, you truly are a thoughtful person. YOu understand! You have not posted on your blog for so many months now. Will you be going back to it? It ended with a good plug for hubby's book!
      I am glad we still meet on Instagram.

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  8. This is really lovely with the purples and the greens and your textures! I smiled when I saw them!! Covid has made all of us so paranoid about the slightest illness and our exposure to other people. We haven't been able to schedule the vaccine yet here so we will continue to be careful. Stay well and safe!!

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    1. Nice complement...thanks Joan! and for the good wishes.
      I marvelled at your new post regarding the NYC Urban Sketchers zooming with Beirut group. Very encouraging and I enjoyed seeing the results.

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  9. I love the touch of pink with the blue and violet. Of course-that's how they are in life. I have always managed to kill them-they seem to not like me. I wish I could say I was painting, but I'm making things, so maybe I'm thinking about painting while my hands are busy! I'm relieved for you and your husband. I'm so glad you can relax and just have a plain old cold!

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    1. They live for the light so it may have not been you but where you placed it. I love your people and the animal/bird sculptures Debra - you are so talented!

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  10. Oh my what a scare , really glad it all came down to a plain cold . Love your violets that seem to spring out from the foliage .

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  11. Love these flowers Julie. I remember my mom putting it by the window and giving them sunshine and love. I am so happy you tested negative.... I’m still waiting patiently until my cardiologist calls to send me “somewhere” for the vaccine. It’s funny because I have mixed feelings on getting the shot... I just want this nightmare to be over so yes... I will get it!!
    I always have problems getting through so hopefully this will post... take care my friend!!!!

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    1. My mother always had one going too. I find them comforting due to happy memories.
      Hope you will have had your vaccine by now or pretty soon. I get mine today! A relief from anxiety is only a month away.
      Your new portrait is totally gorgeous...oh those amazing eyes!

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  12. Julie your African Violet painting is beautiful. I have had so many of these lovely plants over the years but I am unfortunately not good at growing them. My grandmother though had the touch...she always said they needed to rest for a few months and then she would feed them and they would bloom beautifully.
    So thankful to read that you didn't have the Covid...I can certainly see why you would have thought you might. Take care and so glad to read you are getting the vaccine. Thank you too for your prayers. Hugs!

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    1. You are so sweet to comment, dear Debbie. Such a hard time you have been through and my heart is with you..

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  13. Poor you. Such a bad time you've been through. I had my vaccination a few weeks ago and should get a second in a couple of weeks. Let's look to the future made brighter with your gorgeous African Violets they are almost 3 dimensional leaping out of the screen. I'm at an art standstill at the moment as we are in total lockdown with Pat totally immobile, and the domestic cleaner isn't allowed in. However, I have taught myself to do her hair (to her satisfaction). Chemical free and I use the best shampoo. At 83 Pat's hair has, in 12 months, come back to a rich auburn with white highlights. :) We do have fun!! Stay well dear friend and keep on painting.

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie