Six Word Story Sunday - Our Journey

Our Journey

Our
Journey
of
Faith
Hope
and
Love


Love
is
the
Greatest!







All right,
if you know me,
six words just isn't enough.
I haven't painted for years,
but
I have wanted to take up where I left off,
adding my beads to the mix.
As I painted this,
I had a different vision in mind of the finished product.
Well,
this painting wanted to be something else.
I made a mistake
and had to cover it up.
This mixed media
became the story of our journey as a family.
I think I like it better than my original idea.

Le Ann Gehring-Ryan Mankato Artist Reflecting on her Life

If you live in Mankato, Minnesota,

you will be pleased to know that Le Ann Gehring-Ryan is exhibiting her art work at the
Carnige Art Center of Mankato.
I've known Le Ann for several years.
We used to teach at the same high school, West High School, in Mankato.
Le Ann is an art teacher there.
Two years ago, on February 5th,
Le Ann had a stroke.
As Le Ann came back from her stroke,
she realized how much her life had changed.
I would visit her, and I watched her progress.
Her art became a focal point in her life.
You will see the paintings that she created after her stroke.
They show her feelings about recovery,
and
the journey she had to take.
Now, as I walked through the gallery,
I took photos.
However,
I forgot to write down the names of Le Ann's paintings.
Some I can guess.
Others,
well, all I can say is let them tell you the story.

This is a mixed media self portrait of Le Ann.
She's a lovely woman.
I know the name of this one.
Light at the End of the Tunnel.
I don't remember the name of this painting, but I like it!
Le Ann often portrays herself as a crow.
Note the bandaids.
I love this one.
This depicts Le Ann's special friend, Charley, taking care of her.
I think this one was called
As the Crow Flies.
I remember when Le Ann started this painting.
She was in the early stages of recovery.
Note the damage to her brain.
Pushing up Daisies, I think.
I don't remember the name of this one.
I do remember the name of this one.
Fork in the Road.
I think was called
Learning to Write Again.
Le Ann had to learn to write again.
Self Portrait.
Note the bandaids.
She had a lot to do to recover.
What a vision of your mind.

Thanks, Le Ann, for sharing your art with us!
Isn't she an amazing artist?
What a journey for her.

Freaky Friday on a USA Saturday and a NZ Sunday

Wow! That was a long title. It's time again to reveal our challenge results. As you know, Deb Batten of FireBirdFlameWork on Etsy and her website and I have been challenging each other to make something out of our comfort zone or something that is unique. This week was my turn to choose the challenge. I chose a painting that is in my bedroom as a point of inspiration. Sorry about the poor picture quality, but it was hard to photograph. I have to admit that this challenge was very hard for me. Being a person with a random nature, I thought it might be easier, but, it wasn't. So, without further ado, I will show you my beads.








Of the beads I made, this one is my favorite.
I tried to capture the colors of the painting, but I wasn't very successful. I also wanted to capture the joy I felt in the painting. I hope so. I'm not sure.




















This is the other side of the same bead. Isn't it amazing how different they look!

















Now, I know you are going to laugh at this one. I certainly did. I was trying to capture the figure in the painting. Instead, I think I sculpted a dead roach or a turkey just out of the oven! Oh, well!
Back to the drawing board on that one!














Next week is Deb's challenge! I'm anxious to see what she has chosen. I loved her creative idea of the totem. Her's was fantastic! So, come on, Deb! What are we doing next week? If anyone wants to join us, please feel free to do so. Now, I'm off. I have to go and pick up my laptop! Yippeeeeeeeee! It's finally fixed.