Day 38, Small Pause, "Wall Play"

Welcoming Spring, 4x4in. Oil on linen/board. Sold

Today's Small Pause...


 I  was chatting with my son in our kitchen late in the afternoon. During our conversation the light suddenly changed and wall shadows appeared. I gasped and said "Wow!" in the middle of our conversation. We both stopped to observe and comment on how neat they looked on the wall. Both wall shadows were from fresh flowers in bouquets I had in our kitchen. 

Quickly, I decided to sketch one of the wall shadows. Since I have been trying to fit in as much drawing and quick sketches as I can, this moment worked out perfectly. Sketching the wall shadow was fun and meditative. I loved observing the negative and positive spaces the shadow created. I am totally obsessed with shadows! They are so fascinating from an artistic point of view. They remind me of x-rays. 

Just as I finished my sketch the light changed position in the sky and the shadow disappeared completely. Accentuating the importance of taking "Small Pauses" in life, where you enjoy a small segment of time in your day that you might normally overlook. It's all about seizing the moment and paying attention! 

Hoping you get a chance to seize small enjoyable moments in your day as well!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. Please feel free to add your own small pause or comments below.

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Day 24, Small Pause, "Feels Like Home"

Return to the Park, 16x20in. Oil on canvas, Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia.
Available

“I think what you notice most when you haven’t been home in a while is how much the trees have grown around your memories.” 

― Mitch Albom, For One More Day

Today's Small Pause...

It was a joy to finally return to the park to paint on location again. I felt like I had arrived home once more. The sights, smells and memories of being totally immersed in the vitality of the park embraced me. There was a familiarity, like the presence of home, that made me feel joyful and relaxed. 

Painting En Plein Air in Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia.

I believe everyone needs a space where they feel "at home". A place where they can just be at one with themselves. A quiet refuge where the noise stops and truths can be heard. This is where we catch our breath. It is where the noise of the world subsides and rejuvenation takes place.

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. I would love to hear where you find the feeling of "Home". Feel free to share your small pause or thoughts in the comment section below!

Day 23, Small Pause, "Smell the Roses"

A Harmonic Existence, 6x6in. Oil on canvas, Painted En Plein Air in Powell's Pt. Park, Nova Scotia.
Available Here.

Today's Small Pause...

Today I literally had a chance to "smell the roses".  After a marathon week of gardening, it was wonderful to take a break and enjoy nature. This is one of my favorite times of year when wild rose bushes present their glory! 

On my walk this morning I was greeted by their sweet scent and refreshing hue. They danced within strong gusts of wind; like a sea of pink bobbling on waves of breezes. Oh the joy! My heart always sings when they arrive. 

Their presence is joyful and I can almost hear them laughing! I love their light hearted nature. Like children, they dance about without care.  As adults we could take a lesson from nature's free spirit by taking short moments of time in our day to "smell the roses"! 

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. Please feel free to leave a comment or add your own Small Pause in the comment section below!

Day 21, Small Pause, "The Small Things"

Today's Small Pause...

32nd Anniversary, July 3rd, 2014

As my husband and I celebrate our 32nd Wedding Anniversary today, I reflect on the truth that small gestures help build relationships. A knowing smile, a touch, support by just being present; those are the building blocks that culminate over time. It is not the big moments, for they are infrequent. It is the small everyday happenings that weave together to build lasting ties. Whether in a partnership, friendship etc. the small things are what count over time. They are subtle and grow unknowingly, until one day you realize you have supported each other during your long journey together. 

On this special day my peonies decided to bloom. They bobbled within gusts of wind, just like our journey through life. I smiled, feeling grateful for love, beauty and for being awake to the "small things"!

Warmly,

Debbie

P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts or small pause today! Please feel free to share in the comment section below. 

Day 15, Small Pause, "Light Dance"

Welcoming Spring, 4x4in. Oil on linen/panel.

Today's Small Pause...

I love late afternoon light as it enters my kitchen. It transforms objects into statements of beauty as it strikes their many shapes. Today the light transformed fresh tulips into a spectacular vision as it danced between crevices and folds of petals. It illuminated sections of petals until they appeared translucent. Interesting shadow patterns added to the drama as they contrasted with brightly lit areas. 

I have always found the striking of light fascinating. Today tulip greens became a brilliant lime green, while light pink petals shimmered and glowed. My eyes roamed up and down long stems and over petals as I observed the affects of  the late afternoon light. It was a moment to relish as it would be short lived. Soon the sun would shift and the light dance before my eyes would fade.  Being open to these brief moments adds depth to one's day allowing joy to step in.

Warmly,

Debbie

I would love to hear your thoughts or small pause today! Please feel free to share in the comment section below. 

Day 13, Small Pause, "Popsicle Sky"

Today's Small Pause...

Before my day began, I witnessed the beauty of an early morning horizon. Soft layers of muted color fused upwards into a clear blue sky. 

A layer of turquoise floated along the horizon; while a band of soft pink settled gently upon the bottom layer. Pinkness drifted into a colorless space, before it advanced into the blue above. 

The layers reminded me of rainbow popsicles we bought as kids. They processed the same charm as the peaceful sky I paused to observe this morning. 

Warmly,

Debbie


I would be delighted to have you share your "Small Pause" today! Please feel free to share your thoughts or recent small pause in the comment section below.

Day 11, Small Pause, "Connection"

A  Burst of Cheer, 4x4in. Oil on linen/panel.

Today's "Small Pause"...

Have you ever had a conversation with an individual, however brief and felt like you had just made a special connection? Such an incident happened to me today early in the morning before my school day began. A student from the previous year had poked his head in my door before the busyness of the day began. Now this student is a bit of a character and one I find amusing. We proceeded to have a delightful conversation with a knowingness that only people experience from an understanding of each other. We shared a few chuckles and familiar stories and then both proceeded to enter our busy days.

It was an exchange that made me smile. The warmth of connection and understanding between individuals leaves a joy in one's heart. I love one to one connections! They create a special feeling of acceptance and understanding for others. Today was a special connection between a teacher and student. It created a pleasant feeling I carried with me for the rest of the day. 

"Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection.

Yakov Smirnoff

Warmly,

Debbie


I would be delighted to have you share your "Small Pause" today. Please feel free to share your thoughts or recent small pause in the comment section below.