I’ve been painting a lot. When Gary cleaned out the garage I even found some of my old sketchbooks in there. They are full of so many things that I want to paint. I love that. Apparently, at the time I didn’t like them enough to make them but now they seem fresh and new to me. Anyway, here’s a few things that I’ve done like recently.

I realized after posting a few of these that I needed to put some into a collage. It’s just too many to post individually.

I know they’re fairly simple, but I’m not someone who likes to work on one thing for a long period of time. Once I start something, I want to finish it. I don’t usually enjoy painting for more than an hour at a time anyway because my back starts hurting.

One of these days, I’m going to surprise myself and start some kind of project that takes real time and patience. I’m going to prove to myself that I can do a really intricate piece. But the thing about art is, I think you should do what feels natural to you. I like quick pieces that feel loose and expressive.

I move quickly through most things in life. It’s just the way I’m wired. In some ways, I think my art represents my personality and who I am.

Finding all those old sketchbooks really helped get my brain working again.

I think the shoes are my favorite. One of my favorite paintings I ever did was a pair of ballet shoes. Her feet were turned in that same awkward position, and you could only see the outer hem of her tutu at the top of the canvas. It was acrylic, but strangely, I feel like the watercolor version has more shine and depth.

I also painted a tiny pair of shoes that were Norah Harper’s first baby shoes. They’re tucked away in one of my watercolor books. Maybe I should do an entire collection of shoes.

Who knows?

Right now, I’m just enjoying getting back into it and experimenting with different styles and subjects. When I land on something that feels good, I tend to do a lot of it. My characters have been so much fun, and I can’t see myself stopping those, but I want to explore other things too.

More than anything, it’s just good to be physically able to sit at my desk and do something I’ve loved since I was a child.

I grew up watching my Pawpaw paint beautiful oil paintings, and my mother and brother were both very artistic too. Art has always been part of my life, from painting murals on my bedroom walls as a teenager to filling scrapbooks with doodles when I was younger than Norah Harper is now.

That was one thing my mother would never say no to. If I wanted art supplies, we headed off to Fads and Frames and found something for me to create with.

I’m the same way with my kids now. They don’t have to become great artists or make art a priority in their lives, but creativity is something everyone should be able to enjoy, even if it’s only at their leisure.

It’s good for all of us to create something and quiet our minds for a little while. 👏🏼🤍