New Abstract Painting: Elusive Muse

"Elusive Muse", 9x9" Mixed Media on paper. Available.
This is also the title of a popular art website that I happen to love. I'm using my pile of already started pieces
to get myself  into a suitable frame of mind to do more creative work. The title somehow fits. I have a feeling it's
going to be a long haul...

This past week I've had the unfortunate experience to witness the grieving process from a couple of differing viewpoints. While still dealing with the loss of my father less than two weeks ago, my uncle passed away from colon cancer. Two family members in two weeks. I feel like curling up in a ball in front of the TV and staying there for a while. It's a little bit overwhelming. 

My dad didn't want a funeral. He was adamant. He thought it was too hard on the family, and he didn't want everyone standing around feeling sorry for him. That's how he was. We honoured that. My uncle's family took the traditional approach, with a visitation and a service (which is tomorrow). An opportunity to connect with my extended family and support my cousins who are experiencing very much the same thing I am. It will be sad, but good at the same time.

I have always been the type of person who had a lot of things on the go. Throughout my life it wasn't unusual for me to be working full time and taking classes at night, or volunteering at my kid's school and working nights and weekends, or (like the past couple years) having two careers going at the same time and spending what feels like full time hours on both. I stay connected with my immediate family and have always been there for my husband and child, but my connections with my extended family have suffered. I don't know my cousins as well as I should. I haven't spent a lot of time with my aunts and uncles over the years. I don't know my cousin's kids at all. Until the age of social media, I didn't even realize what I was missing. I think it's time for me to change this. With my son being in University (and let's face it, not wanting me around...), I don't have hockey games or band practices to fill up my weekend afternoons. I could fit in a visit here and there, maybe trek out to Quebec for a couple days to visit family out there. They won't be around forever. This has been made painfully clear.

For now though, I think I'll go paint.