an update, a blossom and bookpages 29

Mona Pendleton | Saturday, July 30, 2016 @ 10:13 AM | , , , ,

Hi there! First things first...Thank you all so very much for keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers. I feel so blessed to have an extended family here in blogosphere :)  My sister is the bravest women I know and has the most positive outlook on life at the moment. To bring you up to date, she is terminally ill with advanced stage metastatic breast cancer which has traveled to her brain. She has had brain surgery a few weeks ago to debulk one large tumor and the other is inoperable. To weeks post op, the MRI revealed that the cancer is continuing to grow. She has opted for 14 days of full brain radiation. I can't even put into words how heart wrenching it was to have a conversation with her regarding hospice and end of life decisions. She is quite the trooper and my shero :) My other sweet sister has been spending the last week with her, taking her to her daily radiation treatments. 
Today I have a mixed media painting to share! I was inspired to join along with the July  Creative Cart Blanche challenge where the theme is to combine blossoms and bookpages. This is my first time combining mixed media with oil paint and I am lovin' the results! I carefully tore out several pages from an old oversized dictionary that my sister gifted me that she purchased from a thrift store and proceeded to collage them on a 12" x 12" MDF board. After collaging them in place, I washed with gesso to create a surface for oil paints.
I only painted one LARGE poppy blossom as I followed along with one of my favorite artists - Gary Jenkins. I'm hoping the sweet ladies at Creative Cart Blanche won't mind that I bent the requirements... 
 You can still see the print from the bookpages peeking through the transparent layers:
I have to play around with the mixed media and oil paint technique. I'm not sure but I don't think the turpenoid likes the matte medium that I used to adhere the bookpages unless it's paper towel pillings that remained on the surface after wiping off the thin layer of linseed oil that was applied prior to painting the blossom. Trial and lots of errors will surely help me find what works and what doesn't ;) It's all a learning process and I'm loving the journey ;)


As I mentioned at the beginning of my post, I'm joining along with the July Creative Carte Blanche challenge, Blossoms and Bookpages
as well as linking up to the current Paint Party Friday post:
Thanks so much for visiting and don't forget to get your mammogram!
Be Sweet ;)
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 Comments

29 Sweet Comments So Far:

Greta said...

You & your family have been so much on my mind, Mona. I hope the radiation will give your sister an extended time to enjoy her family. The print behind your beautiful poppy is so lovely! Thanks for letting us join you in your painting journey!

Cheryl W. said...

Thank you for sharing your loving thoughts about your sister. She is truly a brave and beautiful human being! But so are you, Mona. Your flower is big, bold and awesome. I love it so much. I'll continue to keep you and your entire family in my prayers.

genie said...

My heart is breaking for your sister, you, and the entire family. I never knew what my sister went through with the radiation so seeing your sister all covered up and that huge machine over heart brought me to tears. I am also a Hospice volunteer caregiver and a vigil sitter so I have seen this awful disease up close and personal. I pray for her to have comfort from her pain and that her fears of the unknown will lessen. That God and her Guardian Angel will stay at her side to give her strength and love. Your picture is beautiful just like your sister. You did a wonderful piece of artwork. I hope that while you were working your mind and your worries were able to leave your body and enter the realm of your artwork. I find that when I am worried the most and my fretting is out of control, my artwork saves me by taking my hands and leading me into a beautiful place where there is no fretting or worry...if only for a short time. I pray you are able to do that too. I will be thinking of your sister, you, and all the family. May God be with all of you. genie

Sue Lelli said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS and I love the book pages peeking through. You know how I feel about your sister.

Lisa Elton said...

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your sister. May God bless her soul as she bravely endures this ordeal. Your painting is beautiful Mona, I like the subtle text peeking through!

Margie Higuchi said...

Mona, just reading this about your sister. I am praying very hard for her and to you as well for strength. SO hard to see a loved one going through something like this. I have been lurking of late...lots of (good) things have been happening and I miss commenting here. Hope to see you at CHA since it's in your neighborhood in 2017! Much love & hugs to you xo

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

This is so beautiful. I love the colors and the lighting in the flower. It is so hard to be a nurse during these times, I am so praying for you and your sister and family.

Ros Crawford said...

I am so very sorry to hear about your sister ... This is a dreadful thing for you all to go through... She is indeed very brave and for those of you who have to watch her go through this it is also a brave thing...

Your painting is stunning! I absolutely adore it and I'm glad you have your work to focus on .... Thinking of you

Suzanne C said...

Mona I am praying for you and your family. Sending you hugs. Beautiful painting and love how you continue to explore and grow as an artist.

Samra said...

Dear Mona, It is heartbreaking to hear what your sister is going through. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Your painting looks wonderful with dictionary pages still visible in fading background. That is such a perfect touch!
Hugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra

DVArtist said...

I have been away and just read about your dear sister. My sister went through the same, so I know your heart. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I am amazed at the depth of your art. Beautiful.

Lisa said...

Mona, your sister and your family are in my daily prayers. She truly is a shero. I can't even imagine what you are going through but my thoughts and prayers are with you. Big hugs sweet friend.

Your painting is absolutely breathtaking!! I love how you can see the dictionary pages through the layers!! Wow!! The colors are incredible!! I love looking at your paintings!! You are so talented!!

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Kathy Bradley said...

Mona - it is so hard each day to keep the pain at bay - and where my sister was concerned - I just learned to embrace the pain and keep going. Your sister is a hero and is facing each day so bravely - and I will keep her, you and your family in my daily prayers. I am continuing to light candles after Mass each week and sending up more prayers. Your painting is gorgeous - and your talent shines through each one. Sending warm hugs, kathy

Patty O'Malley said...

My heart breaks for your sister and your family. What a terrible thing to have to deal with. I am glad she has a good attitude and hope and pray that she continues to have strength to deal with her diagnosis. Will keep you all in my prayers. I absolutely love this painting, Mona! It is so beautiful!

Jennifer Rose said...

gorgeous flower and I am sorry to read about your sister :( She does sound like a strong women, so hoping for the best that can be

stampingbowd said...

Oh, Mona! I am so very sorry to hear about your sister. That is devestating news. You are in my thoughts.

Your painting is beautiful! I love the vibrant colors. You are so talented.

Thoughts and prayers.

Stella said...

Your sister is indeed a (s)hero; it must be a rough path to walk on in this last stage of life. And heartbreaking for you AND her family. That means you too. I hope there is a chance to spend time together. And cherish these moments of being together. If not I wish you all strength; thiing of you!

Your painting is ogrgeous; maybe for you a chance to set off your mind. And keep you on your feet. Take care! X

Cheryl Grigsby said...

Mona, thank you so much for sharing your always beautiful art with us all at Creative Carte Blanche. This poppy is absolutely stunning. I'm a great admirer of the artistically brave and it would take a lot of courage to attempt painting like this, at least for me. I'm sorry to hear of your sister's illness, but glad to know so I can add my prayers to yours. All the best. <3

SewPaperPaint said...

I am so very sorry about your sister, Mona. I have a coworker going through the same thing and yes, it is heart wrenching. Big hugs. What a gorgeous painting this is, I do hope creating continues to be a great source of stress relief in your life. This one is my new fav.

Giggles said...

Sending love and prayers for your sister and your families! There are no words of comfort, only love! That is all there is. I hope she finds moments of joy on her journey. Your art work is beyond beautiful. Wishing your families moments of peace and loads of love to carry you through!

Big hugs Giggles

Davi said...

Mona you and your sis have been on my mind and in my prayers! I know that this is such a difficult time for you all. Your sis is brave and Im praying that the radiation helps to shrink the tumor. Good that your other sister can be there to help her. Your new painting is Awesome~ I love the way you did the dictionary background and how it shows thru in spots. The poppy is beautiful :) Im glad you are trying all the different techniques, its fun to see all you fantastic results! Hugs to you~~

Christine L said...

Your painting is beautiful Mona... you are so very talented and your art is fabulous!

I am so very sorry to learn your sad news... I lost my sister to brain and lung cancer in 2009 - and I still miss her today. I am sending positive thoughts to you and your family.. and big hugs too.

Christine x

Val-Belle said...

Ah Mona I am so sorry to hear about your sweet sister. My heart breaks for all of you and I will keep you in my prayers. Sending much strength, love and light to you and all of your family <3
Your canvas is beautiful and full of hope. Lovely colours and a stunning background <3

Paper Profusion said...

Beautiful work Mona. Sending loving thoughts to you and your very brave Sister. Nicola x

Anonymous said...

Oh My gosh Mona I work at an Imaging facility and I see scared people all the time....people waiting to be diagnosed , or people who already know they have cancer and I can see that your sister is very strong, and a fighter! I will keep her and you in my prayers. A big hug!

Susan Lankford said...

Mona...thanks for the update on your very courageous sister. that is so cool that the print actually shows through your blossom...very interesting!

Ellie Knol said...

Look UP Mona, difficult for you all! Take care..

Adventures in Paperland said...

Thanks for the update Mona, prayers for all of you going up daily. Your oil paintings are stunning and I've enjoyed seeing your recent work. Personally I feel your learning curve is amazing. xx

Denise van Deventer said...

Blessings and love to your sister, your family and you! ;-)
This is just gorgeous and love that printed paper behind! ;-)


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