Keeps Hands And Arms Inside At All Times

I had unexpected plans come up on Mother's Day. I'd already arranged to see my mom this coming Sunday, so when some friends from church offered us a couple free tickets to Six Flags we took them up on it. Mr. T. isn't a huge fan of roller coasters, so he stayed home with our recovering kitty. Instead, I transported my favorite teenager. I had a really good time, despite wishing Todd were there. I remedied that by texting photo updates to include him. Wanna see?

Jacob (goes to church with me) and Jake (Jacob's friend from school)

Jake (I heart this kid. He wore a storm trooper shirt, was very calm and covered in freckles.)

Kayla (favorite teenager/pseudo little sister) and I

And Jacobi (Jacob's little brother, and one exhausted 3 year old)

Did you catch the name of the boys? Jacob, Jake and Jacobi (Juh-co-bee). Yeah. Try keeping up with that. And Jake's name is Jacob, too.

What'd you do on Mother's Day?

O Frabjous Day!

I've heard a lot of people claim that Tim Burton's "Alice In Wonderland" was humdrum. While I was surprised to hear such a thing from these people, it made me think. I thought, and thought and thought some more. Humdrum? Not so, I say!

I've read the book, and I've seen a myriad of versions/performances of it. While it wasn't Burton's normal claymation creeptastical genius, it still rocked. It stayed in tune with Carroll's work, with an emphasis on "The Jabberwocky"*, the acting was splendid and it was rich and gorgeous. I went in with incredibly high expectations, and I left happy.

That's not to say there weren't some things that bugged me about it, but those things were very few. Overall, I'd say it was refreshing, imaginative and I want to own it. Just don't see it in 3D. It seemed kind of pointless to me.

P.S. Depp's Mad Hatter is both unsettling and endearing, and I need one of Tim Burton's Bandersnatches a.s.a.p. ^_^

*The Jabberwocky poem and...

Thanks Youtube & Awesome parents/teachers.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Let me introduce you to Julien. Well, a watercolor of him anyway. He's is one of my best friend's munchkins, and a favorite little person of mine. I like to hang out with him, talk to him and paint him. His little sister's not too shabby, either.

Anyhow, this has always been my favorite painting-of all the paintings I've done. It's called "Any Face You Want", and I just love it. I paint kids and animals a lot, but for some reason this one just stands out.

Wait. Have I mentioned why I paint what I paint in another post? I don't remember, so maybe you don't either.

I usually paint portraits of Respect, Resilience and Strength. So, it's not necessarily a painting of a kid, or critter. It's more an abstracted documentation of the respect that life has for life, and the resilience and strength that I believe all creatures possess to overcome the various forms of disrespect that they have or will most likely be subjected to. Just so happens I see these things in young children and animals.

Okay. Back to Ju-Ju. He has the most interesting ideas, and a very different way of thinking than most little guys. He's been through a lot of change that, like most children, was beyond his control, but he just keeps on truckin'. Quirky and awesome as usual. Personally, I think he's a genius. Though, maybe I'm partial because I've known him since he was born.

Normally, I don't know the kids or animals I paint quite as well as I know him. Maybe that's why it's my favorite?

Tricycle Motors

Daily I am reminded of the fact that I really like little people. Not like adults of small stature or leprechauns, but little people. As in munchkins. Miniature adults.

Tonight it was Miss Eva. My friend's daughter. She's almost three and so freakin' cool. Smart and funny. Not to mention adorable.


So, why do I have trouble typing, let alone saying, what they really are? Ch- ch- children. Seriously. That hurt.

For as long as I can remember I've been a little uncomfortable with the idea of mother and child. The whole parasitic pregnancy deal. The entire concept has mortified me since I was about eight. I was full of questions.

Really?! It grows inside of you, mooching nutrients, until it's so big it has to bust out! From where?!

Oh no no no. Not okay. I just kept seeing that scene from Spaceballs where that alien pops out of that guy's chest, and does a little number right there on the counter.

Then there's nursing and changing and all that jazz. It pretty much all scares me stupid. Not to mention when they get older.

The thought of not being able to protect them from everything is probably the one that will stop me from being a mother. I just can't stand the thought of the things that happened to me happening to any little kid. Let alone one that I bring into this world.

This is why I'm amazed at the fact that I love the little tricycle motors so much. Seriously adore them! They're amazing little sponges, full of resilience and strength. I love to be around them.

They scare me half to death. Yet, I'm crazy amazed and inspired by them.