Simply Sunday "loss of a pet"

Who ever knew a bird could be so sweet~
He loved to whistle and dance to music~
Mr. Big Stuff loved being held and petted by everyone~

Today our lovely Cockatiel bird passed away~ This was a big shock as yesterday everything was fine & no signs of sickness or problems. It is a sad day for us, but I was thankful to be there in his last few moments. Hubby found him in the morning at the bottom of his cage and he died in hubby's hands while being held. Mr. Big Stuff was with us thirteen years (* they can live up words of 15-20yr.) and he had a close encounter with being lost over 9 years ago when his cage door dropped open by accident and the dog scared him and he flew off, but he was found and returned. He had been given to me by my son as a gift one Mother's Day. Who knew you could love such a little creature so much. His feathers were the most beautiful white and he would make you laugh with his cat calls, songs and dance~ I may have to create a journal page just for his memory.
Did you ever lose a pet who meant something to you? Did you get a pet for your child not thinking you would get attached and somehow it just grew on you? And when it passed you grieved as much as your child did?
For this weeks journal prompt dedicated to Mr. Big Stuff write about a time you or your child lost a pet or create a page dedicated to your pet~
I am sure I will be in better spirits soon. Until next time I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy all it holds for you.

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." Martin Buber

"Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief. " Swedish Proverb

Vintage Circus Clowns & Circus Wagons

Here is a painting I did that is second to the one I haven't shown you yet~ I was inspired by the vintage clown but changed it to have a futuristic styled hair and air about it~
It is quite different from the other one I have been doing lately but I needed to paint with a more free styled brush stroke~ I would love to hear what you think.
Here's a little Vintage Circus History/Entertainment for you~







Circus Wagons

I came across these Vintage Videos of the Circus and a little history and had to share. I just found them interesting and am hoping you might too~
Happy Weekend to you all, Theresa

Vintage Circus Cabaret Trio

Here is my Vintage Circus Cabaret Trio~ All done is in Acrylics with pastel type hues. For my own purposes I looked up the true definition of Cabaret:

1. A restaurant or nightclub providing short programs of live entertainment.
2. The floor show presented by such a restaurant or nightclub.

So for me whether you call it Circus, Cabaret, Performing Arts it is all subjective as I have created my own Vintage Circus Cabaret Trio~

The Cabaret is said to have originated in France around 1880~ If you want to know more you can visit the link above. Below is a Vintage poster reproduction that is for sale by following the link~

Le Frou-Frou

Seeing the image above may put a new spin on my direction of Vintage Circus to Cabaret~ But not just yet, you see before I go there I have my two new paintings done to show you very soon! In a bolder and I think more futuristic or modern style~
What have you been painting lately? Has there been a theme or series you are or have worked on? I would love to know what you are working on, do tell~
Oh, and I found some cool old circus videos that I am going to share too!

"They are creating a circus atmosphere." ~ David Scheffer

Simply Sunday Free Journal Prompt

In this shot I had the focus on the heart of the flower, her petals that were about to open and reach out to our world~

I was visiting a friend Jackie's blog yesterday. She had asked the question when is an artist an "artist"? It is quite a lovely post. I had many thoughts swirling around my head as I read this article, but I had to think of when do I really feel like an artist!? What makes an artist an "artist"?

For me I think an artist is when an "artist" or for myself I am totally immersed in my work. It is almost like the "artist" or I am getting ideas, energy and guidance to help me in the act of

creating. Being right in that moment, feeling the paint, creating with the flow.
Just being in the moment~ For me that is when I think an artist is an "artist" or when I am an "artist".

I try not to compare myself to "real" artists if I did I would never grow into the artist I am~ Theresa Huse

So today's journal prompt is for you to "focus on things that matter."

You could just sit down, create and be in the moment. Or you could make a list of things that matter to you that you want to focus on. You might even just focus on sharing time with a loved one. Or spending more focused time with your child. What ever you decide to do today think about it for a moment and focus on things that matter to you~
I hope you can keep your Sunday simple and enjoy all it holds for you!

Ps Congrats Jackie on focusing on you and things that matter to you by taking a new art class! Spread your wings ~

Floral Photography

Just popping in to say hello. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I took these photographs of roses from my garden prior to the heat wave that sent them away~ I thought I would share them with you today~ I also had to let you know that I started some new painting with a twist to my circus series. Totally different style, freer and back to some bold colors. I am stretching myself, experimenting today. I even took some video on my new phone of my painting in progress. When I figure out the details I hope I can post it for you to see! Oh how I love that today's weather is cooling down so I actually can move around, paint, stretch and breathe!

If you never struggle with confidence, you obviously are not stretching yourself far enough. You are not pressing to the edge of your abilities. In other words, the only way to never struggle with confidence is to play it safe. Play it known. Play it in a way that you achieve stability, but lose opportunity.

TIMOTHY URSINY, The Confidence Plan

Vintage Cabaret

Click on the pictures to see larger~
This image isn't the best but it has most of the whole painting in the capture~ I'll have to retake some photos outside when its not so hot!

Vintage Cabaret Performing Arts Circus~ I love viewing vintage photography and how it can inspire you. As artist's we are very visual and that can be a good thing. On occasion I think we can get over whelmed with visual stimulation and you know it is times to step back a bit~
Today I am going to try and organize a few things so I can get to creating again, but wanted to share another Acrylic on paper of my Vintage Circus Series~

"These images in vivid and violent tones have resulted from crystallization of memories of the circus, popular tales or travel." Henri Matisse

Today sharing art inspiration from ~Henri Matisse
Have a creative and wonderful day~

Circus Girl

Sketch
Close up
Full view
The left three images are not color corrected the right three are. I think I can even play around some more and get some interesting changes to the original images.

Hi, I hope this finds you well~ I must admit I haven't been creating or blogging regularly since my blogging break for the wedding and then to get Sammie ready for back to school. So I decided to share with you one of the paintings I was working on prior to my distractions. It is a Circus Girl from my Circus Series that I am working on. Once I photographed it I decided to see if I could alter the colors and exposure a bit and see the differences in the images. *Shown above, click on the image and you can see it larger. I may even try to play with the color a bit more, but for now this is where I left it. School starts tomorrow so with that being said I hope to get a schedule for myself and stir my creative juices to get things flowing again~
Did you find yourself staying creative this summer? Or did you travel or have other distractions? What kind of goals have you set for yourself this fall? I would love to hear~