This is a question that I have pondered through out my life.  I am not talking the obvious reasons people change:

Marriage
Having Kids
Medical Issues
Different Job

I am wondering what makes those around us, that we thought we knew, throw us a curve ball?

I was watching Moonlight last night, and the reasons Mick St. John changes are far out of his control. Those reasons I can comprehend, but yet, he stands true to one of his friends, no matter the cost to him.   What happened to good old fashioned friendship?

I don’t have an answer for this question, I can only wonder, if we all communicated what we thought, wouldn’t it be easier to accept a curve ball? What happened to honesty and integrity when it comes to friendships?  Just because we don’t like something one of our friends does, does it mean that we still can’t love the person?

Why are people falling short in the loyalty department? Why does there have to be so much drama around friendships?  When did “high maintenance” become part of the friendship DNA? What happened to just helping a brother out?

Does this boil down to the me generation? See, the questions continue to roll right out.  I am curious on how people just walk out of other people’s lives without ever turning back?

I am turning this post over to the floor for debate?

From my point of view there is nothing better than a peaceful day at the beach, unfortunately living in the Chicago suburbs those are few and far between.   I always told my mom, that something is amiss, I was truly to be born in a warm climate, and it wouldn’t have hurt if I was born into a very wealthy family so I could have just been a beach bum and sat on the shores and painted. 

Well, that’s not the case, so with my painting, I bring those beaches to the midwest. 

This is a window mural that I painted for my god daughter Nicole, who over this weekend, will be celebrating her 28th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Nicole!

Currently Nicole is heading up the Dance Team for the Peoria Pirates! With a passion for dance, never giving up on her dreams.  Moving to Peoria and giving up her dancing with the Chicago Luvabulls was a tough move on her.  It’s awesome to see that she has delved into her desires and dreams and found a destiny.  (sdk-2008)

I especially like this set of paintings because of the greens and the blues that were used to create the waters of the Caribbean.  Delta Ceramcoat Acrylic - Tropic Bay Blue and Caribbean Blue, blending them together to form the crystal waters of the Caribbean.  The canvas of these paintings is actually cardboard, using the cardboard as a painting surface can be tricky, if you over saturate it, you can see the ridges.  These windows came out of an old school house off Lake Cook Road in Barrington, Illinois. 

These are part of my recycled collection, a little less rubbish in the landfill.

“The Coach” as he is known in Chicagoland, had a way about him like no other.  Never at a loss for words, he said it like it was, how often would we like to do that? 

Not giving into political correctness, this famous moment in time was captured as he did what he did so well, let people know, he didn’t care what they thought of him or his tactics. 

I have a list of some folks I would like to do this too, someday, I may just gather up enough courage! So, I guess you could say, this is my silent way of doing so…..

Yet, all that pent up anger and tenacity did not help his health, he was fun on Any Given Sunday.

With the NFL Draft in full force, we Chicago Fan’s can not forget a living legend.  With hopes of a season that will bring us victory.  Over the years our quarterback situation has absolutely gone down the tubes, we don’t have that sassy attitude anymore from the Ditka Day’s.  Our offensive line needs to be re-adjusted to protect the man in the pocket or just protect the man that has the ball. 

In spite of the seasons past, I will forever remain a Bears Fan, blue & orange is in my blood, from the early 1980’s betting a friends father a buck a game, to sitting in the basement with my own father, and screaming for a win. 

I call my office/studio my happy place, 2 of the four walls are painted blue and orange with Bears Curtains flying in the late April wind’s, autographs of some of the greats.  I have a few items that will remain forever close to my heart, thanks Dan Hampton - I remember your kindness each & every day, and it’s been several years.  (A story for another day) Those that know me, know how this famous stranger touched my life and another’s who lost her’s.

I wish we would have found Ditka’s Restaurant on our journey downtown several years past, but Buck had to much to drink!  Ironically enough, the original pencil sketch you see of Mike Ditka was recently auctioned off at the 3rd Bi-Annual Prime Line Seminar and it was won by a Green Bay Fan.. Bruce took the drawing quite graciously, and said it would find a home somewhere in Wisconsin.  I am hoping it’s not a dumpster, but I was assured, he knew who would end up with it.

Bear Down Chicago Bears…..

I recently read a post over at John is Fit that asked what inspires you? On any given day, that question can create hours of conversation. 

This is a sketch that I feel is “Moment in Time with your Idol” what a better way to find inspiration. A pencil sketch from photo’s can capture you and someone who inspires you.  It can be a daily reminder to you to continue to strive and be strong.

Celine Dion has crossed many barriers and is known world wide, being the youngest of 14 children, and rising to the fame she has,  is quite inspirational.

What inspires me is the inner strength that drive’s people’s passions to greatness.  Being able to see what it is you want, reaching out to it, grabbing hold for longer than 8 seconds, and following your dream.

It’s not easy in today’s world to go out and forge your own path, start a new business or just do what makes you happy. We are tied with the constraints of mortgages, taxes, credit card debt and health insurance.  If you can take a moment each day to find something inspirational and think about it for even five minutes, it will help you grow as a person and it will help grow your passions.

Thanks Cecilia for hiring me to draw June and Celine and giving June her ”moment in time” with her idol!

Mark Farner and Grand Funk Friday’s Sketch,  as my son said, “a great guitar player, a great musician, what more can I tell you mom.” 

This is a sketch I did for my son’s 15th birthday, he was only 8 months into playing.  I’d come home from work and I would hear “I’m Your Captain” screaming out of the speakers with the old lp’s and the crackling sound,  what a throw back for us over 40 folks.

Mark Farner has a good heart, good values and fights for his country and personal freedom.  It seems he has a true love of life, with the trials and tribulations of Rock Bands from the 60’s to now, the continued success of Mark Farner has to come from within. 

This drawing of Mark is early in his career, with a Microfret Guitar, of which I never realized how few of them were produced. 

Because of a neck injury, Mark Farner now plays a Parker Fly, due to the weight.  A favorite guitar in our household is the Messenger though, it has a sound like no other.

Mark Farner was a true American Musical Innovator that never got his due.  Inspiring more bands than people know.  From Grand Funk to Grace is a must read for true Farner and Grand Funk fans, giving insight to a guitarist that lives by his passions.

“Everybody, Listen to me…”