Sorry to hear about your mom, Jennifer. I went through that for several years with my mother--she was in Florida (alone, in nursing care, since my dad passed away), I live near Chicago, and it was tough getting down there. I was with her for her 100th birthday last October, for which I was grateful--we had cupcakes, balloons, and presents, and lots of cards from many friends. She passed away a few weeks after I left. There's no easy way to say goodbye to your mother--praying that your mom will be at peace, whatever her condition, and that you will be given strength to handle whatever comes. Your picture of her is lovely, and very teen-ager-ish! :-)
I'm so sorry Libby, I'm glad she lived a nice long life! The party sounds great. My situation is similar, she is alone down there, she has friends but none of us. And coming from NY is a pain, Last week I was delayed 7 hours on the flight. awful!! Thanks so much for your comment!
This is such a great idea! I was just at my mom’s and I took a lot of pictures of old pictures of her as a teenager and youngster. Thank you for the inspiration. Love your mom and her dress and your painting. A lot of feelings too.
You’re a good daughter. I’ve been where you are and it is tough. Your people paintings are always inspiring. I’ve started a memoir journal from old photos and always get new ideas from you. Take care of yourself.
I just started one to keep memories of my son and his partner, He is so happy about it. I've done family paintings for so long, I think I'll put them together in a book. Great idea.
I have a huge collection of photos of my parents childhood, my childhood, and my life with my family. I did one page of my father’s story and the next of my mother’s until they met and started their journey together and then as kids were born, they are added. We were a military family so there are lots of photos of all the places we lived. (We moved just about every year) I’m still working on my childhood and have a long way to go. I either paint from photos like Jennifer does or sometimes I copy the photos and cut out people and then use collage or gouache to do pictures that tell a story. I also pull history in and paint things that were relevant then. I’ve even painted the books I read as a kid or food we liked, tv shows…if I have a random memory, I’ll paint something from it and then add it to the box to put it in later.
Thanks so much for expanding on this. It’s interesting because I’ve made special birthday or appreciation books for several family members, where I’ve done drawings of memories one for each year they’ve lived and usually it’s for like a 50th or 60th or big birthday. And then I feel sad to give them away but I like this just doing it for yourself and I love the ideas and ways you are remembering and creating. 💗💗💗.
What a difficult time. I can feel your heavy heart, if that is what it is. It's nearly impossible to describe what we are going through when we are faced with the reality of slowly having to let go of our moms. Drawing clearly allows you to reflect quietly. This drawing honors your mom's vibrancy. It's so lovely. I hope to join your May zoom workshop!!! xox
I love the painting of your mother, Jennifer, and empathize totally with these hard times in our lives. You captured her teenage years beautifully and I bet she loves seeing it. That's such a gift to you and to her. Thank you for sharing it with us. Take good care~
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing the painting of your Mom! I loved watching the video. Looking forward to your new zoom class. For fun I like to watch your Creative Bug classes. Your work really inspires me to paint. Good luck with your Mom. Thank you!
You are so talented and generous with your artistic gift. I enjoy your news e-letter as well and, of course, your Zoom classes with Gayle.
I have real compassion for the temporary life changes you are dealing with regarding your mom. Please take all the time you need — we’ll understand. Wishing you and your mom special moments in the coming months.
I'm sorry to hear about your Mom...and I love this idea for a painting session. It is especially special to me since I've just gone through something similar with my Mom. She was in Florida as well and I'm in Texas. It was a challenging experience yet I was grateful to have been there with her until she passed. Thanks for this opportunity, Jennifer, to process more of the relationship through your work as your paintings are very inspirational to me.
The painting of your mother is beautiful. Your use of color is magical as conveyed by the video. Wishing you all the strength and energy you need at this challenging time. ❤️
Jennifer, your painting of your mom is beautiful; what a wonderful way to honor her. I’m sure the time spent painting gave you a little time to relax and meditate upon all the issues that you are presently dealing with. I’m sending good wishes that everything goes well for you. Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this difficult time. ❤️🫂
Love this. Reminds me of the class you taught about painting from old photos. I think I’ll retake that and paint my parents. Please know your “Mom posts” bring joy and inspiration to me.
I love your art so much! I want to take your art class in May but I have barely any art experience because I just don’t have an innate artistic bone in my body. Do you think this class is basic enough for someone like me? I dream about painting everyday but don’t because i hated all my past work. But i thought maybe trying an art class w/some techniques I’ve never tried or learned could help break this curse!
Hi Rita, We have many beginners taking the class, if you go in with no fear and just plan to have fun it will be ok. We don't instruct from a beginner's point of view but we show our process and you can learn from that. Just donate a small amount and see!
Sending you love and strength, Jennifer. I love this idea of connecting by painting a loved one. I painted my youngest brother with his new born son many years ago and it made me feel more a part of this special chapter of his life. Last week, my older brother passed away suddenly, aged only 61, the funeral is Friday, and I will take this special idea and try my hand at making one or two little paintings of him from some of the photos that we have gathered of him.
Sorry to hear about your mom, Jennifer. I went through that for several years with my mother--she was in Florida (alone, in nursing care, since my dad passed away), I live near Chicago, and it was tough getting down there. I was with her for her 100th birthday last October, for which I was grateful--we had cupcakes, balloons, and presents, and lots of cards from many friends. She passed away a few weeks after I left. There's no easy way to say goodbye to your mother--praying that your mom will be at peace, whatever her condition, and that you will be given strength to handle whatever comes. Your picture of her is lovely, and very teen-ager-ish! :-)
I'm so sorry Libby, I'm glad she lived a nice long life! The party sounds great. My situation is similar, she is alone down there, she has friends but none of us. And coming from NY is a pain, Last week I was delayed 7 hours on the flight. awful!! Thanks so much for your comment!
This is such a great idea! I was just at my mom’s and I took a lot of pictures of old pictures of her as a teenager and youngster. Thank you for the inspiration. Love your mom and her dress and your painting. A lot of feelings too.
I love painting from old photos, and when it's family it's extra special. Definitely do it!
💗🫶🏼
You’re a good daughter. I’ve been where you are and it is tough. Your people paintings are always inspiring. I’ve started a memoir journal from old photos and always get new ideas from you. Take care of yourself.
I just started one to keep memories of my son and his partner, He is so happy about it. I've done family paintings for so long, I think I'll put them together in a book. Great idea.
Hi Christine. Can you tell me more about what your memoir journal is? It sounds intriguing.
I have a huge collection of photos of my parents childhood, my childhood, and my life with my family. I did one page of my father’s story and the next of my mother’s until they met and started their journey together and then as kids were born, they are added. We were a military family so there are lots of photos of all the places we lived. (We moved just about every year) I’m still working on my childhood and have a long way to go. I either paint from photos like Jennifer does or sometimes I copy the photos and cut out people and then use collage or gouache to do pictures that tell a story. I also pull history in and paint things that were relevant then. I’ve even painted the books I read as a kid or food we liked, tv shows…if I have a random memory, I’ll paint something from it and then add it to the box to put it in later.
Love this idea, beautiful!
Thanks Wendy and what loving and wonderful gifts you are giving to your family!
Thanks so much for expanding on this. It’s interesting because I’ve made special birthday or appreciation books for several family members, where I’ve done drawings of memories one for each year they’ve lived and usually it’s for like a 50th or 60th or big birthday. And then I feel sad to give them away but I like this just doing it for yourself and I love the ideas and ways you are remembering and creating. 💗💗💗.
Hi Jennifer,
What a difficult time. I can feel your heavy heart, if that is what it is. It's nearly impossible to describe what we are going through when we are faced with the reality of slowly having to let go of our moms. Drawing clearly allows you to reflect quietly. This drawing honors your mom's vibrancy. It's so lovely. I hope to join your May zoom workshop!!! xox
Thanks so much, Barb. It is all consuming really, mentally and physically exhausting. I hope to see you there and also IRL!
I love the painting of your mother, Jennifer, and empathize totally with these hard times in our lives. You captured her teenage years beautifully and I bet she loves seeing it. That's such a gift to you and to her. Thank you for sharing it with us. Take good care~
My son is going to visit her tomorrow and I'm going to have him show it to her. It will be interesting to know if she has a memory of it. Thank you!
Love to you, Jennifer. I am so glad you spent the time painting your mom. It’s a beautiful piece and tribute. Sending you a big hug.
Thanks, Sam, I always love a good hug!
Hi Jennifer, thanks for sharing the painting of your Mom! I loved watching the video. Looking forward to your new zoom class. For fun I like to watch your Creative Bug classes. Your work really inspires me to paint. Good luck with your Mom. Thank you!
Thank you so much Lori, I'm really glad. Have a great weekend!
Dear Jennifer,
You are so talented and generous with your artistic gift. I enjoy your news e-letter as well and, of course, your Zoom classes with Gayle.
I have real compassion for the temporary life changes you are dealing with regarding your mom. Please take all the time you need — we’ll understand. Wishing you and your mom special moments in the coming months.
All the best,
A big fan
—Lorraine
A transplanted New Yorker —
Fremont, California
Thank you Lorraine, I try to compartmentalize so I can work but the rest of the time it takes a lot of energy. Best to you too.
I'm sorry to hear about your Mom...and I love this idea for a painting session. It is especially special to me since I've just gone through something similar with my Mom. She was in Florida as well and I'm in Texas. It was a challenging experience yet I was grateful to have been there with her until she passed. Thanks for this opportunity, Jennifer, to process more of the relationship through your work as your paintings are very inspirational to me.
It's so hard with the distance, But she is in a good place with help so there is that for comfort. I'm sorry about your loss.
The painting of your mother is beautiful. Your use of color is magical as conveyed by the video. Wishing you all the strength and energy you need at this challenging time. ❤️
Thanks, Maryann, Color is so inspiring and really can get me motivated.
Jennifer, your painting of your mom is beautiful; what a wonderful way to honor her. I’m sure the time spent painting gave you a little time to relax and meditate upon all the issues that you are presently dealing with. I’m sending good wishes that everything goes well for you. Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this difficult time. ❤️🫂
I was in the flow painting this and it definitely gives me space to relax. Thank you so much Shirley.
Such a beautiful painting of your Mum. I’m sorry about her health. Thinking of you.❤️🩹
Thanks Char, I'm heading back down there for a few days tomorrow. I like painting her!
Love this. Reminds me of the class you taught about painting from old photos. I think I’ll retake that and paint my parents. Please know your “Mom posts” bring joy and inspiration to me.
That was a fun class, Are you able to retake it, I was under the impression they didn't repeat classes, I wasn't happy about that..
Thanks for letting me know you like these posts, Its hard to know the right balance. See you soon!
I love your art so much! I want to take your art class in May but I have barely any art experience because I just don’t have an innate artistic bone in my body. Do you think this class is basic enough for someone like me? I dream about painting everyday but don’t because i hated all my past work. But i thought maybe trying an art class w/some techniques I’ve never tried or learned could help break this curse!
Hi Rita, We have many beginners taking the class, if you go in with no fear and just plan to have fun it will be ok. We don't instruct from a beginner's point of view but we show our process and you can learn from that. Just donate a small amount and see!
Sending you love and strength, Jennifer. I love this idea of connecting by painting a loved one. I painted my youngest brother with his new born son many years ago and it made me feel more a part of this special chapter of his life. Last week, my older brother passed away suddenly, aged only 61, the funeral is Friday, and I will take this special idea and try my hand at making one or two little paintings of him from some of the photos that we have gathered of him.
Oh my goodness, I'm so so sorry to hear, That is so hard. It is special to have the art to remember them by. Wishing you the best.
What a lovely painting of your mom! Such a way to connect. I love that :)
Thanks Juliette! Did I see you are coming to NY or is that my imagination?!
Perhaps that was a premonition and I need to go to NY ❤️ I’ve been considering locals for in-person painting retreats ✨🎨 But no plans for NY (yet).
Ahh, Maybe that was it, Maybe soon!