Happy Mother's, Friend's, Father's Day - Celebrate the Nurturers!

​Here’s to hoping your Mother’s Day and family connections are blessed! Art depicting mothers certainly began long ago with images of  Mary, a sacred subject….
 
Even if you are not a mom or your mother has left this planet,
nurturing is what keeps us young, teaches us kindness and continues to courage. Nurturing is a special kind of teaching.
 
Self – nurture is crucial to your creative side and a healthy existence.
Teach yourself small tasks
Practice sketching.
Perhaps add small simple figures to your landscapes.
Experiment with a new medium
          Move from acrylic to oil paint.
Or oil to acrylic.
Pastels.
I have not yet tried encaustic painting and it’s on my horizon.
 
My mother was often excited about a new medium. She was a sculptor, ceramicist, and painter. When acrylics hit the scene, she used them with a gusto - not only for art but shoes, house repair, wherever it would adhere! During my middle school years, she taught me how to use acrylic modeling paste for school projects
…a round Aztec gilded calendar with carved patterns.
the head of a model of Louisa May Alcott. We used wire for her curls!
I now “borrow” my husband’s hand and belt sanders.
 
What did your mother or another nurturing person teach you that awakens your creative habit?

Hover on images above to see artists' names

Our world may be going through a metamorphosis, but nourishing skills and habits modeled by a nurturing individual is something to cherish and pass on.
 
Happy Mother’s Day, Family Day, Friend Day, Father’s Day, wedding season, vacation season!
 
May these celebrations evoke treasured memories of simple days and more restful lives.
 
To friendship and family!
 
I sincerely hope you will be able to meet up safely with family and friends this year. We are planning a small Christmas together and it will be like…Christmas!
 
I have painted my daughter often—but will perhaps dare to include myself in a mother/child work!

Thank you for allowing me to indulge in a bit of sentimentality.

Janis Commentz "Bikini Mom" oil on linen 2010              Janis Commentz - Baby Announcement 1985 - ink