The Sun peering through the thick, wet atmosphere by my home. 

Beautiful misty sunrise 

Roman Souvenir Coin ~ 

Wild Finches...

I woke up this morning to see 2 little yellow finches outside my window. I put
out a tube of black thistle for them about 4 days ago, wondering they would ever find
it. They are so cute ! I'm hoping to snap a few pic's of them if they'll let me.

This old coin I posted is so cool, I found it on auction recently online and bid on it. The history of it was that it is one of the old trinkets from greece that was sold to
tourists. It feels like copper, fairly heavy though. I'm thinking of using it in a
future painting. He sorta looks to me like he has his tonque sticking out, have to exclude that. :-P

Joyful wishes ~ C

Charcoal approx. 18 x 24 this was a quickie and so much fun, kneaded erasers- I curse those things when they turn black and hard but they are so great for the highlights.  

Sleeps with Butterflies ~

Just made a wonderful discovery this evening, Tori Amos has released her new album
"The Beekeeper". I love her song " Sleeps with Butterflies" I'm previewing it tonight online, very nice indeed. It always
makes me happy when I have some new music to paint by. It reminds me of a Dear Friend that I miss so much...

I've been working on a few simple sketches, just letting the mind wander a bit, it's
funny what comes out when you do that. I've been thinking about painting some of those things I see on the big screen behind those two eyelids of mine, but not quite ready, plus I'm still trying to find out what it all means. Lots of faces, eyes, geometric symbols lately. They always come in much more vivid if I just quit trying so hard to see them.

Playing around with my new Picasa 2 photo shop ! 

Time to get loose.....

I was down in my studio this afternoon, trying to finish a painting I've been
working on. It pisses me off that after this long I still fall into those old
patterns that stunt my growth as an artist- paintings become tight and more paint comes off than is going on. I've worked hard to try and avoid those nasty habits,
you know the ones, like staying in the lines- the worst ! I suppose it's like anything thing else that plagues you, you've gotta keep fighting it. The mind finds
that comfortable spot and easily returns to it. I figure it's happening more so now
because my mind is on auto pilot, thinking about my friend Sandy who passed recently.
It does feel good to back down there painting again in my own little space. I think I just need to start something new and totally different.... We'll see what comes out, lol. I try blaming my failures on dried up paint tubes or my bent brushes I forgot to store properly, but no it's just my state of mind. Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day !

The Sweetest of Nights And the Finest of Days

I wish you, I wish you,
I wish you these wishes:
Cool drinks in your glasses.
Warm food in your dishes.
People to nourish and cherish
and Love you.
A lamp in the window to light
your way home in the haze.
I wish you the sweetest of nights
and the finest of days.

I wish you, I wish you
a talent for living.
Delight in the getting.
A song in your soul, and
someone to hear it.
The wisdom to find the right path
when your're lost in a maze.
I wish you the sweetest of nights
and the finest of days.

-Author unknown

Varigated Cutie.... Flowers are so precious from a bee's eye view. It's a whole world in and of itself that gets missed by many that never stop and take a peek. 

I picked up this batch of violets today, I'm dying for some color in my yard !!!  

Pretty young leaf 

I had to post this funny little leaf, it folds down at night and lifts back up when the sun shines... I'm not certain what it's name is, my grandmother progated it recently and gave me a slip. It has shot up about 6 little stalks now and one other with buds of tiny pink flowers. I have another pic up above this that are younger leaves, but same plant. 

Don Henley... 

Happy Valentine's Day (-: This little guy I met at a carnival in Susanville, Ca. He was on the carousel ride with his father and I asked if I could take his picture. He was so adorable all decked out in his cowboy outfit. He was having so much fun with his father...... 

Geraniums 

Piggy Back Plant 

I was up visiting my 92 year old Grandmother recently and took a few pic's of her blooming orchid. It is such a pretty flower, I also love her Piggy Back plant & the Geraniums. 

Looking out from Whaleshead, it was so cool to see this old Lighthouse WAAAAAY off in the distance (on the upper left side of the pic). I read up a little on it, and it's located about a mile off the coast. Built around the turn of the century and is now used as a memorial resting place, housing ashes of the deceased..... I'll have to see if I can find the link on it again, very interesting story behind it. 

Rock of Seagulls :-) 

Loved this old boat in the Brookings Harbor, I bet it's got a few good stories to tell.... 

On our recent trip to Brookings Or. I found this scene, Iaughing as I took the pic, it reminded me of a miniature Stonehenge. I know that's a stretch of the imagination but still couldn't resist the shot... 

The sun peered through the smoke filled sky this morning, over the distant mountains, I wonder why the smoke has been so unrelenting, it's lingers through
out the afternoon... makes for a pretty sunset though. :-)

I've been downstairs rearranging my studio again, it's funny viewing some of my old
work I thought of as bombs, now I think they may still hold potential. I remember reading long ago, never to throw away any you do, even if you hate it. There is still a good learning experience there no matter how painful it is to look at, lol.
I'd like to go back and finish a few of those lonesome attempts. Maybe breathe a
little life into them.

My beloved fish "Zula" died yesterday, he always greeted me every morning as I poured
my first cup of coffee, he was special because I named him before I truly knew what his name meant. I buried him under my favorite tree, hoping to continue to enjoy him by nourshing it and watching it grow

Always choose Joy,
Cindy Lee

He's Been Through Alot....

This poor guy has really had a rough ride since he's come into being.
I drew him on a velvet type paper and that was the first mistake, it fails to allow the pastel adhere properly, so any jiggle sets the pastel dust into motion. I've sprayed the hell out of it with fixative but it doesn't stay. It has been retouched on at least 4 separate occasions. It's fell off the wall twice & tipped over shattering the glass on the front creating a diagonal line across the paper that looks like a distance third leg, Lol. At any rate it's still one of my favorite studies. I'm hoping to get the new glass on it this weekend.

To Believe is to know that each new day is a new beginning
It is to trust that miracles happen, and dreams really do come
true.
To Believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
to know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To Believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
the innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an aging hand....
To Believe is to find the strength and courage that
lies within us,when is is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To Believe is to know that we are not alone,
that lefe is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To Believe is to know that wonderful suprises are just waiting
to happen, and all our hopes and dreams are within reach,
If we only, "Believe"
 

Our trip out to Whiskeytown Lake Jan. 29,2005 What a beautiful day it was, the air was so clean... A cool breeze blew against our cheeks as we opened a bottle of Chardonnay and thought about dear friends passing and how fragile life really is.