Varla Bishop Fun with Grand Kids, life, music, portrait, Watercolor Paintings

New Beginnings

I do not know why it has been so hard to paint since the death of my husband. Usually painting gives me such peace but I’ve found little peace in these last 3-1/2 months. I have friends who are supportive and don’t push too hard. Everyone tells me painting will help.

Maybe it’s finding the right picture to paint is the key. This past May my mother-in-law celebrated her 100th birthday. A big family birthday celebration was had. It was a roaring 20’s themed event. Very fun for everyone. I’m thinking we had around 100 people in attendance. This photo was taken that day. Two brothers pretending to be musicians.

What I saw was the love between them. That love I tried to capture. There is a big age difference between them but it doesn’t seem to matter one bit. I love this family I married into. I love them for sharing their son, brother, uncle and cousin with me. The man I call my husband; my best friend; my everything.

I hope to enter this picture in a show to hopefully win and move to the next level of competition. We will see. It’s nice to win. It’s great to have someone admire what you did. But it really doesn’t matter. What mattered is that I enjoyed myself. That was a very good feeling for me.

“Celebrating Life“. 11×14 watercolor

Varla Bishop Fun with Grand Kids, life, life lessons, portrait, Watercolor Paintings

Grandma’s Heart

Being a grandma is one of my very favorite titles. I never realized the pure joy I would feel when I’m with the younger generation. They make me laugh snd I never know what they will say next. I’m always looking at photos of them that inspire me. I found two.

What I love about the Leena painting is that she looks so at peace. Life is good, no worries and anything is possible. I wish for her that she always feels this way.

With Ava and Reed I chuckle at their antics. They play hard, argue hard and love each other just as hard. Even though Ava is taunting her brother he really does take it all in stride. He is also a patient boy who will wait to take his moment of teasing and throw it right back at her. Their bond is tight and are often mistaken as twins, but they are 3 years apart.

I have done many paintings of children in the family. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

Miss Leena
Sibling Love
Varla Bishop portrait, Watercolor Paintings

Meet Max

I was told that this is one smart parrot. Twenty years old and deeply loved and very spoiled. I was asked to commission this watercolor for a dear friend. It’s actually for her brother who lives in New York. I love New York and I love parrots. I had parakeets as a kid. I was never successful in teaching my birds anything but loved them all the same.

A fun bird to paint and I got to use all of my bright colors on my palette. The best gifts are the ones homemade or carefully selected. My friend’s brother called me to thank me for the portrait. He told me how he found Max. The trouble Max could get into and how much he was looking forward to taking this painting back home. He made me laugh with his stories and jokes about parrots. He had quite a few. ❤️

So I hope you enjoy meeting Max. I was told parrots live a very long time. So this bird will be with us for years to come sharing love and squawks to others.

“Max” 16×20 watercolor