art; varlabishop – Varla's Blue Sheep Art

Joseph is my granddaughter’s turtle. I think Joseph was purchased a few years back at a fair or carnival. I think he cost $1.50. They said Joseph would grow. At the time he was about the size of a silver dollar.

Joseph home has evolved from living in a small dish to a huge aquarium. He also shares his space with a few fish. Some of the fish have the job of keeping the aquarium clean. I’m not sure what the other fish were suppose to do. They are growing too.

Joseph lives in a tank that has a filter to help keep water clean. He has a basking area equipped with a sun lamp in case he doesn’t feel like staying in the water but doesn’t want to catch a chill.

This $1.50 pet has turned into an expensive endeavor. Since Joseph is now living a good like I had to take some pictures of him. His job as a model is the least he could do. I tried to capture Joseph in all his beauty reaching for the sprinkles of food that is floating in the tank. He knows it is all for him.

Meet Joseph…

Recently a friend’s husband died. She has waited a while for family to get organized before having his memorial service. His service will be this Friday. So what do you say when someone loses their spouse? I feel at a loss sometimes of finding the right words said in the right way that gives comfort.

My friend is nearly completely blind. She has macular degenerative eye disease. I thought maybe I could paint her husband’s portrait using texture so she could feel him on the canvas. I did some research and it turned out to be beyond my artist abilities. But I didn’t give up.

My friend has a very large projector that she can use to help her see just a little better. She can see some things from her side better then directly in front of her. So I painted her husband’s portrait thinking of colors that would help her see him better.

I surprised her yesterday with my gift. She had tears. She told us how hard this past week has been. She told us how lonely she felt. She has many friends around her but none of us can fill the void of the loss of her husband.

I sometimes get discouraged with my painting. I think I’m not that good and then I get a rush of joy when I see I’ve made someone truly happy. Art did that. Art can make a difference. Art has power to heal. I love that about art.