"Sanctuary" - Where does your mind go when it wanders...or where does it go to escape?  Mine I guess goes off to the flowered rolling hills, to chase the cloud shadows or find an unspoiled pool of water on such a beautiful day!  Completed February 2012

That's the official description, and here is the "behind the scenes" one, just for you who take the time.  This one was painted at a rather sad time of my life, and in fits and starts- literally 15 minutes at a time - instead of my usual marathon sessions.  I do not like painting this way at all, but this painting is one that I am unlikely to forget in any way.   My father passed away on January 31st, and he and my mother had been married for 57 years - together for 65.   She's no spring chicken either, and I suspect, in the beginning stages of dementia of one sort or another.   Let's just shorten this story up by saying these last few weeks have been "something".    I don't know how I "escaped" before I started painting, I really don't.  But I am oh-so-thankful that I had this escape - truly my "Sanctuary".  

*I feel that possibly a quick note regarding my photography skills - or lack thereof - is in order here.  Those bright blue splotches in the sky and by the pond are not actually in the picture (no, sorry, not aliens landing), but are actually shadows produced by a bush outside of the window.   And here I was, feeling all proud of myself that the random white spots produced by the flash seemed to have been kept to a minimum...Ah well.  All I can say is apologies - hopefully I'll hone my photography skills doing this someday.  I'll keep after it!