Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Happy Birthday To YOU!

My blogger friend named Dana over at Amid Life's Crises has a birthday coming up or maybe it has already happened. I don't know when it is...just that she's a Cancer. I'm surrounded by Cancers. My girlfriend, my coach, my best friend. All Cancers.

I wanted to do a little something for her, so I perused her blog one day and found out a few things. I realized that I started reading her blog almost as soon as she started posting. I know that she likes vodka gimlets, but I don't know if she likes them as well as I do. And, I found out that she'd like to go to Greece, as do I. After seeing the pic on her blog, I searched high and low for a larger picture.

A couple of weeks ago, I started on her painting. Now, you really have to make an impression upon me to get one of my 10 paintings! I rarely paint and even more rarely do I do anything for anyone. Don't ask, they're like my children. But she's really done a lot for me and I owe her...big time.

I sketched the basics getting black chalk all over my hands.


I laid out my colors. Mostly blues, but that's too boring. I needed purples of all sorts, black, green, reds, yellows and lots of white.

Then I remembered that I was painting with intention.
I wanted to really have this painting know what it was about. I wanted there to be meaning for her as it's hanging on her little alcove wall. I wanted her to see something inside of it that no one else would know was there.

It's about knowing that someday your dreams will come true. Believing that good things will happen to you. You will be happy, content, loved, cherished, adored, and safe. Here's a close up of the very bottom. Where I made my intentions quite clear.


Here's where I am today. I have the basics down and the background is solid. I never have exact plans of when I will finish. I'm an artist. I paint when and what I want.
Just in case this day is close to her birthday, I wanted to wish her a Very Happy Birthday!

And Dana, may all your dreams come true!

24 comments:

Lu' said...

I think she totally deserves it. Happy Birthday Dana, when ever it is. Way cool for you to gift her something so special.

Dana said...

Damn you! You made this "burly broad" get all teary eyed. Seldom do people come into your life who have such a subtle, yet strong and lasting, impact. You have been one of those people in my life.

You didn't miss my birthday - I'm almost a Leo (July 18th) - but what a wonderful gift. I don't even have any words ...

Melissa said...

Beautiful! Happy birthday, Dana!

Jay said...

That painting is beautiful!

g-man said...

Wow, that is such a nice thing to do. :) Dana is a total babe. (as are you)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is beautiful! What a thoughtful gesture! You sure have some talent, girl!

Akelamalu said...

Love the painting - it looks like Mykonos! You're gonna be really jealous when I tell you I'm going to Kefalonia (Greece) on the 17th July for two weeks! :)

Spiky Zora Jones said...

RLL, oh...you my dear are wonderful. You had me in tears. It's okay...I got a hanky before i was a mess.
I think it's a beautiful painting...your writing looks like mine...I had o take a second look.

DANA...happy birthday soon to be sweetie. I will go to your blog when it's closer to... say it again.

Ciao babes...I love your art work.

Certain Magician said...

Looks like the beginning of somehting wonderful. I hope you'll post the finished piece for us to see.
I don't know Dana, but happy birthday to you!

Ken said...

Wowie Zowie for you and Dana.

You, that you have her and she means that much to you that you'll give her one of your [paintings] babies.
Dana, because she has you, who would do such a thing for her.

Love the painting!

comfortandjoy said...

RLL: "I wanted to really have this painting know what it was about."

This is a profound thought.

Happy Birthday, Dana! Whoever you are!

CJ

Jeff B said...

What a cool thing to do for Dana. And they say this thing called blogging isn't about making friendships. Riiiight.

It's fun to see how the painting unfolds on the canvas, thanks for sharing it with us.

Acrimony said...

Wow, you're so talented. I'm jealous.

namaste said...

wow! beautiful painting! breathtaking. happy birthday to you dana. this was such a thoughtful, loving gift.

~m

Angel said...

Happy Birthday Dana! and girl...you are an ARTIST!!!!!!! Fantatic painting!!!

KellyKline said...

Wow ... very nice. I know Dana will love it.

So when are WE gonna get together for drinks? Maybe you and your girl can meet me and my girl for dinner sometime?

Rick Rockhill said...

now how the hell did you do that? you have so much talent!

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

Really, I wish you could be here when I realize you're doing a painting blog. I scrolled down to see the first pic of the canvas, and started screaming "oh! oh!" in anticipation and excitement.

You make me green with envy and mad at myself because I'm not painting. Doh!

I've never used oil paints, only acrylics, and I am SO going to take some oil painting classes, when my life settles down.

I mean, NOW!

gary rith said...

I love watching the painting come together.

Karen said...

That is amazing. You are a talented artist. And Dana is a very lucky birthday girl!

Kimmie said...

What a wonderful gift you have. Your painting is beautiful and Dana is blessed to get such a heartfelt birthday present. :-)
Blessings,
Kimmie

Christo Gonzales said...

WOW that is a cool gift.....

Anndi said...

How very sweet of you!

tt said...

wow!!! You know that picture on Dana's blog. It's from Santorini, Greece. It's looking out to the volcano that used to be there a cazillion years ago. I was there! Almost in that exact spot. ETK got married there. Your painting is going to be eceptionally beautiful. I admire your heart and your talent.
Sweet!