Walking Through Wildflowers

Are you old enough to remember the opening scene of the Little House on the Prairie television series?  You know, the one where Laura and her sisters are running happily through the waving prairie grass and swaying wildflowers?

melaniestokesart.com
Walking Through Wildflowers
10×20 Oil
$150

Well, that’s the flashback I had when I was recently walking through wildflowers on a prairie near Waco, Texas.  Two grandsons ran ahead, following the curving path their father had mowed. (I know Laura had to blaze the trail herself.  It looks real picturesque on tv, but those grasses can cut and who knows what danger lies deep beneath them?)  With the help of the pathway, we could enjoy the aesthetic, sensory experience in safety!

White flowers bloom for acres in August on the prairie.  “Snow on the Prairie” is a fitting name.  This day the storm clouds were beginning to bank themselves in the distance, providing a violet colored backdrop for the greens and white.  The rain would be welcomed to give enough moisture for the next variety of flowers, waiting to spring forth from the cracked earth.

As we walked through the wildflowers, the boys ran ahead, delighting in finding trails that forked in two directions.  The dog zig-zagged around in the tall grass, looking for whatever dogs look for.   Our son and daughter-in-law  walked and talked with us, as we explored and dreamed about the future.  Eventually the boys came back around, the dog was called from his wanderings off the path, and all of us went back to the house to rest.

Walking through Wildflowers … if you lose your way, you simply follow the path toward home.

 

Thinking About Geraniums

9×12 Oil

If my Mama could come back as a flower, I think it would be a geranium!   (Now before you think I’ve finally gone off the deep end, hear me out.)

This morning, after seeing the inevitable Mothers’ Day posts on Facebook, I went out to the studio to work.  I meant to finish up some things and clean up some things and pack some things for an upcoming trip.  But the geraniums were beckoning me – calling out to me – luring me into the yard to paint them!  So I did.

As I painted, I began to think about how like a geranium my own mother was:  bright and cheerful, even in rain or hot sun; strong enough to stand, yet flexible enough to bend when necessary;  commanding my attention when it needed to be focused; growing best in groups, she brought joy to those around! (Being from a really large family may have added to her gregarious nature.)

The shape, or non-shape, of a geranium bloom reminds me of Sarah Miller’s creative, spur of the moment, non-conformist spirit.  The organic, curved lines are almost musical as they show up “here, there and yonder” like the songs that would erupt from Mama throughout the day.  Just like a geranium, ready to burst with blooms, Mama was always ready to share a song!

Yes, I can see my Mama in the bright colors and fun shapes of a geranium.  Oh, and the red is obvious to anyone who knew her – the red hair of the Fallin Family!

Happy Mothers’ Day!

 

Building Castles

melaniestokesart.com
Building Castles
9×12
Oil

Have I mentioned that I’m a grandmother?  I have four grandchildren – two in my home state of Georgia, and two in Texas.  Recently, my Texan son and his family visited for a week.  What a joy to be able to spend time with them!  And part of that time was spent at the beach!

As I looked back through photos of the days, this one seemed like a good one to paint – father, mother, and both brothers, making memories as they built a MEGA sand castle.  No doubt, Luke was remembering the many sand castles his father and brother helped him build. (I could identify with my daughter-in-law’s stance as the one who was content to observe.)

As I painted, I thought about how they are not only building a castle, but building a family, building a home, building men, building memories, building life.  They are building a castle that lasts longer and is worth so much more than any castle they could ever build with sand — or bricks and mortar for that matter.  Parents are builders – it takes hard work and lots of time,  but so worth it!