I've been absent from the site for awhile...

Right after I blogged my winter painting session, I was thinking, "Wow!" I really need to ramp up my painting while I can.  And then everything stopped.  My father in law had a heart attack while in the Philippines and a month long process to get him back to the States began.  All of our passports had expired and it was a major obstacle to get them renewed.  All the while we began to wonder if it we would reach him too late.  In the end, he managed to get back to the Virginia.  Within that time period, my Grandmother had a heat attack and stroke.  It was devastating and by a miracle, she survived to make it back home in hospice care.  At 96, we know that her long life journey has neared it's end.  Her memory is fractured and at times dementia clouds what little memory she has left.  In April, my close friend discovered he has a life threatening disease.  It is no small statement that he has been an inspiration and key influence to the developing of my work as a painter.  If you have followed me on my social networks, you have noticed the trickle of posts during that time.  This blog came to a full halt.  I just didn't feel like writing much without addressing these events.  My father in law is recovering.  Grandma is hanging in there and was happy to have us as company last week as I painted her.  It's sad to know her loss of sight has robbed her from seeing my latest works.  My friend is preparing for a special treatment that may have a chance to give him a second lease on life.  Since this post, I have been in two plein air events, Olmsted and Easton.  I have been also juried into Bath County this September.  And from there, life goes on and so does painting.  As long as I have time.

Cole reading the book of Genesis to Grandma as I prepare to paint.