30 Days of Gratitude - November 5th

I am grateful for the friends that haven't let me forget that deep down my artistic talent is still there.  "It will come back in time" Well the time has come my friends.  I making time for art again. I'm planning again and coming up with ideas for new projects again.  There's no doubt it will take time, I'm not going to like everything I create right now, but I am trusting in the process.  I love you for believing in me.

A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails. Donna Roberts

30 Days of Gratitude - November 3rd

Day 3 - Thankful for Family & Friends & the courage to Create

Have you been following my Cindy Rippe - Artist page on Facebook?  I have challenged myself to sketch and post something I'm thankful for each day in November. It's kind of a big deal for me.  2 years ago I passed out here at home (Dr over-prescribed a medication) and sustained a concussion near my brain stem.  Post Concussion syndrome (as well a few Auto Immune issues) has been interesting to say the least. Things are SO much better.  I wasn't prepared for the loss of my Creativity though.  There's this "fear of failure" thing that I've been fighting for the last year.  So, again, sharing my sketches with my facebook fans is a huge step for me.  My family and friends have been so encouraging and keep telling me that I just need to get started and it will all come back! So this blog post is dedicated to Lee, Jon, Jason, Sarah, & Bella, Bev, Alice, Lauri, Jeanette, Kelly Hoernig & Madeline Faiella.   Thanks everyone!   LYM

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.”  Desmond Tutu

Face Painting Fun

Face painting fun at Bella's birthday party ©CindyRippe2013

Our "MUSE Monday" challenge this week in the facebook Art Amusement group is - a FACE - it can be an animal, a person, a part of one - stamp, paint, stitch, it does not matter....

Well, with the way things have been going for me the last few weeks I thought, I haven't painted much of anything, never mind having time to paint a face!"  Then I remembered.... I painted lots of little faces this weekend at Bella's Carnival Birthday.  So sweet!

Little girls, like butterflies, need no excuse. Lazarus Long, from Robert A. Heinlein's "Time Enough For Love"

The Red Rose of Encouragement

A Single Rose to represent the support of friends - ©CindyRippe2013

During the installation ceremony at TOPS last month I was presented with this single rose.  It was part of a bouquet that represented the members of the group.  Even though it is strong, and is beautiful on it's own, it looked even more lovely that night as part of the bouquet. I look at it as a symbol of my promise to encourage and support the other members of the group. Tonight is the first time I will lead the members through the meeting since our chapter Leader is unable to attend.   The rose my reminder of the promise I made and will do my best to support the chapter.  I know that I've enjoyed the encouragement they've given me in the past.

I think this quote, by Deborah Day, "Encourage, lift and strengthen one another. For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all. For we are connected, one and all"

A phone call this afternoon reminded me again of the rose.  My friend, Kelly, called to check in on my progress with my design project.  It's a great feeling to have a friend with the same interests as you that is there to support and encourage you along the way.  We both enjoy a creative energy that seems to connect us in a way that no one else understands.  (And I really mean that.  There are times when no one else would understand what we are thinking and the energy our ideas create could probably light a fire.) I can only hope that I've been there to support her as well when she's needed it.

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31

Sweet Pansies and Memories

Sweet Pansies - ©CindyRippe2013

My cousin, Jeri, gave me this tiny little bottle filled with pansies today.  I was so taken with the sweet beauty of the flowers that I didn't notice the beading that she added around the neck of the bottle at first.  It was an unexpected and precious gift.

According to the Victorian Language of Flowers a mixed bunch of pansy flowers like this means "Forget Me Not".  Well, it was the perfect gift to represent the day.  Our Church celebrated it's 150th Anniversary this morning. Actually, it was the 150th Anniversary of the day they laid the cornerstone when building the church.  We were able to celebrate and visit with friends from long ago (and eat birthday cake too).   We then spent the rest of the day with family and friends at our annual Memorial Day picnic.  Lots of memories and fun here as well.  (along with many more sweet desserts)

One of the most important memories of the day for me was when I thought about my family members that served in the Military and defended our country.  They are the reason that we are able to have days and memories like those of today.  To them and to all the other men and women who served to keep our country free; I remember you, I thank you, and appreciate the sweetness of freedom.

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.  Joseph Campbell

Passion Flower for Good Friday

Passion-Flower-Vine-with-John-3:16-for-Good-Friday-photo ©CindyRippe2013

I took this photo in August of 2011 on my friends farm.  Paul and Lauri have a beautiful (and huge) property surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest. We hike through the woods and fields, whenever I get the chance to visit, and Lauri shows me the treasures she's found.  I had never heard of the story of the Passion Flower until she pointed out the vine one year.  I think it's one of her favorite plants.  I figured that today, Good Friday, would be a good day to share this image as it's a good day for reflection and the gift we were given. 

I found a kinship, of sorts, through time, with Jacomo Bosio, a Roman scholar in 1609.  He's the originator of the story and found the symbolism between the parts of the plant and the events surrounding Christ's Crucifixion. I also like to make connections between flowers and plants and share my thoughts or life lessons about them.

The Passion Flower has long been associated in Christian symbolism with the passion of Jesus; the three stigmas representing the three nails used to nail Jesus to the cross, the ovary and its stalk represent the chalice of the Last Supper, the five anthers represent the five wounds, the corona represents the crown of thorns, the ten 'petals' (actually five petals and five sepals) the apostles (except for Judas and Peter, distanced themselves); the old leaves also represent the hands of those who persecuted Him, the young leaves are the point of the lance used to stab Him, and the tendrils the whips of those who beat Him. Note: information resources gathered from  Wikipedia, h2g2 and brighthub

I've filled this post with links to more information about the flower and Good Friday if you would like to take time for your own research and reflection today.

God Bless!

Traveling and the Search for information from the Past

Breakfast and Lunch Menu from the SS Conte Biancamano on March 22, 1956 ©CindyRippe2013

My friend, Lauri, gave me this vintage cruise menu.  It belonged to her very close family friends, who I also met over 35 years ago.  Mike and Lottie.  She thought I would appreciate the artwork.  I do.  She also knows I collect vintage ephemera. I do. The painting is of tulips which are a favorite of mine. Thank you Lauri!

What she didn't think about is that the "research queen" in me would take over.  I really enjoyed finding out about the ship and it's journeys over the years.  I also learned a little bit about the artist that painted the tulips, found translations for the foods on the menu and the fact that the voyage on this date was from Genova, Italy to New York.  I can only imagine the differences between this cruise and the cruises of today!

I've been saving this collage that I created from pictures of the menu to post today...57 years from the date that these adventurers sailed the seas and dined in such elegant surroundings.  I hope they had a wonderful trip!  I wonder if it was a trip for pleasure or if they were searching for a better life?

If you'd like to learn a little more SS Conte Biancamano and the Italian Cruise Line click on the links below.
SS Conte Biancamano
Italian Cruise Line

The Italian Artist, Alberto Salietti, was a Figure painter; Painter; Portrait painter; Landscape painter; Still life painter; Lithographer; and Etcher. 

I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.  Rosalia de Castro

Grateful Abundance - A Gathering of Friends, Family and Orchids

Grateful Abundance - A Gathering of Friends, Family and Orchids ©CindyRippe2013

I had the most wonderful visit yesterday with friends and family!  Lauri and Paul came in from Southern Illinois and our mutual friends, Jeanette and Larry, invited everyone (including the kids and grandkids) to gather at their house for the day.  I met Lauri and Jeanette while working in a preschool 30 years ago.  We've been like sisters for all of these years and have become family.

For me, the opportunity to have everyone together was made even more special because our children were all able to be there, which if you know me at all is the best thing ever!  I can't explain it.  It's just so good to be with them.

After all the kids left there was a knock at the door.  What a surprise!  Jeanette had invited Mrs. Carver to stop by for dinner.  She was the sweetest and funniest Nursery School teacher that we worked with all those years ago.  It was such a special treat.  So many memories, catching up on our lives apart and rekindling a special bond. She's still very sweet and funny by the way :)

As we left to go home Larry gave us each a bouquet of orchids.  As I photographed them for you today the only word that came to mind was "abundance".  My heart is full of love, beauty and the little sparkles of joy that carry special memories with you long after a special gathering like this.  The abundance of the orchids (I don't think I've ever had so many at one time) and their beautiful flowers give me a visual representation of that joy and gratitude for an abundance of special moments in my life.

... when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present--love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us pleasure--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.  Sarah Ban Brethnach