Varla Bishop Acrylic, Business Side of Painting, Farm Animals

Traveling Alone

I was commissioned to paint a painting for a traveling nurse that worked with my youngest son. Thank God for people who take these traveling assignments to fill a need. As I write this she has been reassigned and is now working in Rhode Island. That’s along way from here.

I was thinking about her as I painted. I don’t know her and never even meet her. So how does she fare traveling from hospital to hospital during a pandemic. It seems lonely to me. It seems hard. Right now we have fear and anger running through America. Angry that this pandemic is going on so long. Angry we are forced to change our habits that we really have no desire to change but have too. Some are afraid of dying from this virus and some are afraid to even admit to that fear.

It’s my first pandemic too. I watch the news until I can’t. I puzzle over what I can do to work toward solutions. As this young nurse travels what does she see? How do others treat her? Does she see that most people are compassionate? Does she love? Does she truly feel valued for the work she is doing? Actions really do speak louder then words.

I wonder that since she is only working “temporarily” do people reach out to include her this holiday season. Or do they think it isn’t worth the effort she will be gone soon? Does human kindness come with timeframes? Only if you are here in my life 6 months from now will I bother to even know your last name. I like to think that isn’t true. Kindness to others is free.

It’s like the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. None of us knows the impact we have on others. When we do acts of kindness without rewards we are showing our best selves. Our children see this, the neighbors see this and even the person who doesn’t know your name sees this. Kind acts make me smile. It makes my heart burst. I feel like a better human when I reach out to another. Maybe that kindness is part of the solution.

This painting is a gift to her sister. I wish I knew the story that goes with this turkey. I do know one thing; I really know how to paint leaves now!!!

16”x20” acrylic on canvas
Varla Bishop portrait, Watercolor Paintings

Lady in Red

The original photo was taken by Melanie Wainwright who lives in Nepal.  This beautiful woman and her daughter were performing puja for Rato Machhindranath at a temple.  It was the first night of ceremony ushering in monsoon season.

I finally found time to paint this woman. What captured my eye was her smile and her beautiful clothing.  Hope you enjoy.  Lady in Red

Varla Bishop Watercolor Paintings

Cuba

My aunt and uncle visited Cuba about 15 years ago. They went there on a educational visa. They loved it there and took many photos. At a recent visit with them they shared their photo album with us and talked about all the things they did on that trip. A couple of pictures caught my eye. I had to paint them. Here is the Cuban Woman.  She really looks like she liked having here picture taken.