A bird in the forest perches on only one branch at a time. This is the wise persons’ practice.
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One at a Time
All posts by Chán
When is a Painting Done?
When is a Painting Done?
After thinking “Gracy’s Lagoon” was completed a few weeks ago, the birds have flown back to the easel for some touching up, along with the rocks…etc.
Seems like hanging it on the wall was an invitation to enjoy and examine, only to see things that might still be “improved.” And…back to the painting studio.
So, when is a painting really done? Some famous artists have carried their work around for years, like Leonardo and his “Mona Lisa” which he loved so much he carried it with him wherever he traveled. It could be that a friendship develops with some works and their creators. It could also be that the relationship is heightened when others show interest in a particular piece…making the artist more aware that others are looking at this work, so it better be as good as they can make it.
Perhaps, it is not until the work finally leaves the artist’s possession that the work is really completed.
Learning from, and Living in…History
Learning from History
A few months ago, Mary asked Frank for a new painting in the living room. They decided to recreate a meaningful as well as decorative art work. They wanted to hang a piece that would influence future art production through a better understanding of the earliest art produced thousands of years ago. They decided on recreating a cave painting from the photos and information about the first art created by early artists. After building a custom wood panel, Frank applied heavy impasto coats of acrylic paint with a sponge to simulate a cave wall surface for this 30″ x 60″ painting.
Living in History
Now as Mary and Frank sit and discuss the day and future directions, they are blessed with a sense of the earliest art, and bring a bit of history forward in time.
WIP Update…Calm or Peace or ?
As seen in the last post I was working on a new ocean painting.
Now almost done…I’m looking for a title. Calm and Peace have been suggested. Any other ideas?
I think everyone can use a bit of calm these days.
Frank
Studio WIP (Work In Progress)
Studio WIP (Work In Progress)
Thank you very much to all who support my art production in many ways over many years. As you can see, new works are on their way into the collection from my painting studio. Of course, this wonderful studio competes with my far removed high-tech digital studio, 29 steps away. But, fortunately they are very compatible, bringing new energy daily to each other.
I’m very blessed, and wish the same for you.
Frank
Gracy’s Lagoon
Frank thinks back, “Decades ago, I hiked down into the Feather River Canyon with my daughter Gracy to explore a hidden treasure I had discovered off the beaten path. You could hear it before you saw it…a thirty foot waterfall, flowing into a beautiful lagoon. Not too long after that visit, I began to do a painting of this magical place. Over the years, I’ve found opportunities to do a bit more work on the picture, including a couple of parrots known to travel the canyon…escapees from pet owners.
Today, it looks like I’ve got the finishing touches in place. And in honor of Gracy’s birthday today, here is the 48″W x 36″H acrylic on canvas…
“Gracy’s Lagoon”:
Oh…yes, Happy Birthday Gracy!
From Dad, Mary and Ziggy
The Evening Grosbeaks Return (1:19)
The Evening Grosbeaks returned earlier this year than last, which was in March. It is great to see the gregarious flock come flying in. They are usually in a group of 6 or 8, playing with and feeding each other. During this visit they descended onto the maple trees to enjoy the whirligig seeds.
Life Paintings
Gallery Two – Life Paintings
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- Terry’s Zen Garden
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- Master of the Air
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These paintings are part of a gallery series ( click here ).
Copyright for the work on this site: 
The work by Frank Kliewer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at ArtAndZen.com
If you are going to copy it, copy it right!
Thank you very much.
Sandcastles
We are like children building a sandcastle. We embellish it with beautiful shells, bits of driftwood, and pieces of coloured glass. The castle is ours, off-limits to others. Yet despite all our attachment, we know that the tide will inevitably come in and sweep the sandcastle away. The trick is to enjoy it fully but without clinging, and when the time comes, let it dissolve back into the sea.
Pema Chödrön
Recognizing all those who give selflessly, and remembering guidance from Mother Teresa
We were blessed a few days ago with a message from a special contributor to arrive at a time we are all moving forward with our work for this year. We want to share the words she attached to her message…the words of Mother Teresa.
Frank’s brother Bill visited with Mother Teresa at her Home for the Dying in Calcutta and was blessed by her dedicated compassionate work. Here is the writing of Mother Teresa, in memory of her work of caring for those most in need:
ANYWAY
People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway!
If you do good, people will accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway!
If you are successful, you will win
false friends and enemies.
Succeed anyway!
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway!
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway!
What you spend years building may be
destroyed overnight.
Build anyway!
People really need help
but may attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway!
Give the world the best you have
and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway!
Written by: Mother Teresa
(Picture of Mother Teresa by © 1986 Túrelio (Wikimedia-Commons) / Lizenz: Creative Commons CC-BY-SA-2.0 de)