Varla Bishop Acrylic, Dogs and Cats, portrait

Thoughtful Gift

I got an email a while back from a man who wanted a painting done of his wife’s dog. He wanted a big painting. Hmm, how big is big I asked. He didn’t know. I asked if he had a big wall to put it on. No not really, he said. We came up with a size and he sent me some photos. It was a beautiful German Shepard. I asked him when he wanted it. He said half laughing, next week. I laughed too. He said that isn’t enough time is it? No, but Christmas is around the corner. That will work he said.

What I thought of when painting this portrait was the young man’s desire to surprise his wife. I didn’t know he was young until he picked up the painting. The older I’m getting the younger everyone else seems to be. He wanted something unique as a gift. He put thought into what would make her happy. I’m a romantic. I love to watch people in love. I loved that he didn’t give her a gift card or perfume. I bet she will love the fact he came up with this idea more then the painting itself. I do hope she loves the painting too. ❤️

I don’t know if he will be able to wait until Christmas to give her this gift. I know I have a very hard time keeping gift secrets from my loves. At least the painting is small enough to hide.

“Lexus” 11×14” acrylic on canvas
Varla Bishop Acrylic, portrait

Farewells

Saying goodbye to someone you love is one of the hardest things we have to do. “Death is part of life” or “God doesn’t give us more then we can handle”. It’s what people say. It may not be very comforting but we struggle with finding the right words.

Sometimes we show we care with a unique piece of art. Art created from a photo. The photo taken on one of the best days of their life. A photo that brings the gift recipient to tears. This painted box will be given to Pete’s wife. Pete died this year and has created a huge void.

I read once that we all die twice. The first death is when we leave our physical bodies. The next death is when there is no one left who remembers your name. I guess that’s why people want roads and buildings named after them. We are afraid to be forgotten.

I don’t need to be remembered forever. I’m guessing Pete didn’t want that either. Pete’s wife and family loved him deeply and his loss will be forever felt. It is who we love and how we treat those we care about that really matters.

I hope that I make a positive difference in at least one person’s life. I can think of a whole lot of people that have made me a stronger and better person. If you want to know how you’ve made my life better? I will gladly tell you.

“Houston“ acrylic wooden box
Varla Bishop Acrylic, portrait, Wildlife

Winter’s Beauty

I think one of the prettiest birds that really pop against the white snow is the cardinal. I am often commissioned to paint the cardinal the most. I love the many shades of red and orange that goes into their feathers. It is not just solid red but many vibrant shades blended together.

This painting is at the request of a friend who wanted the bird painted against a green background instead of the typical snowy white. I like this choice. With so much snow surrounding me when I go outside this brings me a little bit of early spring.

Spring will be here before you know it. I hope when this year draws to an end that everyone who wants a vaccine has gotten a vaccine. I hope that we are once again able to come together.

It has been a challenging year where I’ve learned about Zoom, what restaurants delivers and the value of a phone call instead of a text.

Think spring but remember the beauty still visible in all the snow that surrounds us these days.