Karen Appleton's Beautiful Oil Painting
You can see more of Karen’s work at www.karenappleton.blogspot.com Thanks to Pia at blog.piajanebijkerk.com/WordPress/ for turning me on to her work!
We (my family & I) were given the gift of good news today. The first screening of the lymph nodes from my mom’s lumpectomy showed no signs of cancer! The doctor thought the margins looked adequate, but wants to consult with the radiologist before she says for sure. We still have to wait for one more screening on the lymph nodes before we know for sure, but it looks like this cancer is slow growing and non-agressive so far.
I’ve also been thinking about gifts as I read a column by Kira Higgs called “The Ultimate Gift in a Time of Crisis” in Monday’s Oregonian . See the full article Here. Kira is a board member of the Northwest Business Council for the Arts and she writes about art and the financial meltdown:
“Through millennia, humans have faced crises. Artists of the time responded by painting, composing, dancing, writing and sculpting works of profound wisdom and beauty. They gave form to qualities reserved in the depths of one’s being. Their resulting bodies of work illuminate ageless truths, not the least of which is the unique role we each play in the story of humankind.”
I just got off the phone with an artist friend who is struggling with getting paid for work sold through a Portland gallery. During this time of strained finances for everyone, why must the artists always be the last ones compensated, especially when art can be our most comforting and healing medium?
I was also thinking about gifts after viewing this YouTube video about Advent… It is a sobering thought which really changes your perspective on what’s important. Enjoy! Then go out & make a gift to someone… your time, your company, your talent…
