This painting began as a drawing in my journal while I participated in my friend Macy’s annual cyber “Love Camp.” Macy Harjot Matarazzo is an inspirational teacher of all things LOVE. Check her out at theloveadvantage.com

The theme of Day Three of Love Camp was “Letting Go”. Macy started us out in the virtual Arts & Crafts Room with a guided meditation. She asked us to create a symbol of our distraction from Self-love.

I drew a picture of myself in bed with a cold. It was one of my six-eyed self-portraits and only my top two eyes were open (the eyes of inner wisdom).

The spiral at the base of the bed surprised me.

For some reason, I’d expected it to reverse itself. When it didn’t, it felt “wrong.” So I went in and forced a reversal.

WOW! I wasn’t expecting to see the heart that the new symbol provided!

This new spiral felt friendlier, like two strong-willed people facing one another.

When we face one another, we can communicate more clearly (doesn’t mean we do, it means we can).

When we face one another, it’s easier to move into the future together.

This is “The Heart of Partnership.”

Every once in awhile a painting wants to be painted. This is one such painting. It began as a poured painting, which leaves a lot to chance (or opportunity). I poured the paint through tissue paper onto my watercolor paper, intending to create a heart painting, perhaps for Valentine’s Day.

This is the tissue paper with the poured paint on it. I often use these leftover papers for wrapping gifts.

When I later removed the tissue paper, the colors were quite light and I realized it didn’t have to be a heart, although it could have been.

I turned the painting upside down and immediately saw two wings at the top of the page.

I’ve found three angels at this point.

At first, I thought the top angel was the only angel, but then I saw more wings at the bottom of the page. In the end, five angels appeared to be painted.

My secondary title for this painting is “Accidental Angels”. It makes me smile. I believe in magic and angels and a life beyond the physical life we all experience.

May these angels bring comfort and joy and magic into your life.

This is the final image of the heart (turned upside down) with the “Accidental Angels) visible.

The things that attract our attention have information for us that can help us make choices and decisions in our lives.

When we take the time to notice our surroundings or notice what captures our attention, we’re sure to learn something subtle about ourselves.

My latest palm frond painting (a work in progress) began when I noticed some dead palm fronds cut up and awaiting removal near my parked car. I took photos from different angles to capture their essence.

Later, while staffing the Hawaii Watercolor Society exhibit, I was drawn to two paintings showing a strong contrast of warm and cool colors. The colors, not the subject matter, captivated me.

When I began this palm frond painting, I did so in a rush. I was too impatient to sketch it all out before I starting to paint.

This painting wanted to be painted!

I didn’t know what the painting was about until I awoke around 3:30 AM with thoughts of being transported someplace that I really wanted to go. I wish I could remember where I went, alas, it’s vanished. Such is the nature of sleep and dreams.

That’s when I realized I’m painting the feeling of movement.

Palm fronds that fall to the Earth carry with them a remembrance of the wind in their tangled leaflets and the striations on their “hilt.” They wear their history in their beauty.

I'm facing a new move in my life, in a year already filled with inner and outer movement.

No wonder these fronds captured my attention. They’re reminding me that movement is essential to a healthy, vibrant, evolving life.

Almost, but not quite finished, this piece is titled, “Remembering the Wind”.

Move on!

Lisa and I met at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Art Kiosk a few months ago. She was drawn to my colorful pet prints and commissioned an original watercolor painting of her two pups — and shared their story.

Lisa adopted Bingley, a 4-year-old chihuahua-miniature pinscher with heartworm was from the “Dumb Friends League” in 2017. She and her family nursed him back to health and in return, they received all his love. His tail wagged non-stop. He loved to walk and was friendly to everyone he met.

each painting begins when I turn your photos Into a drawing

Unfortunately, on one of their walks, Bingley met an unfriendly dog that attacked and killed him.

They’d only had Bingley for 11 months. His loss was devastating, yet Lisa still feels his presence in her life.

While grieving for Bingley, friends suggested she get another dog — not to replace Bingley, but to help her heal.

You decide whether you want your pet in rainbow colors or in more traditional colors

When the head of the “Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue” heard her story, she brought Simon from New Mexico to Colorado to meet Lisa.

Simon is Lisa’s new best friend — he sticks close, as though he’s pasted to her side.

Simon adjusted to the family quickly, however, he barked at and shied away from other people and dogs. After 10 months, he’s more friendly with people, but not with other dogs.

Simon is probably a Tibetan Spaniel/Pomeranian mix. Tibetan Spaniels have a history of being companions to Tibetan monks as well as alert dogs, so some of his behavior might be genetic.

Simon prefers being with people. When Lisa gets home from work or an outing, he greets her at the door with barking and his very own welcome home dance. Lisa feels badly leaving him alone and quietly asks Bingley to be Simon's angel, to keep him company.

Your original pet portrait comes to you in a mat, ready for a frame. A forever reminder of the love you share.

When Lisa’s son was young, he had a stuffed dog called Barker. Barker looks a lot like Bingley. Barker is one of Simon's favorite toys. Perhaps Bingley is heeding Lisa’s request.

In honor of Bingley and Simon, now through the month of November, order a pet portrait with the faces of two pets, for the price of one (email Patrice@artofaloha.com with your questions):

https://www.artofaloha.com/hawaiian-style-pets/custom-pet-portrait