Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Full Cheeks - SOLD

"Full Cheeks" SOLD
6" x 6" acrylic on masonite

Last week I took my youngest son to the park when the older two boys were in school. That doesn't sound like a very big deal does it? And really it wasn't. But at the same time it really was.

We played on the playground, raced down the slides, ran across the giant grassy field and pretended to be trapped in the soccer net. We rolled down the hill and got the dried grass leftover from last fall all over us. He held my hand when we climbed the stairs to the playground and he told me I was his best friend.

That night I wrote in my journal about that small and simple thing, calling it one of the very best days of my life. And it was.

I look down at this little boy that I love more than anything and I can't feel anything other than an immense gratitude that he's my son and I get to spend this time with him every day. That I don't have to leave him with someone else and go to work.

He's my last, my baby, and soon he'll be going to school with his brothers and I'll look back on these days and wish there had been just a few more.




25 comments:

  1. Hi, Crystal,
    So beautiful work. But also, your joy and conplicated feelings toward a growing son...that is touchy!
    Thank you for sharing them all.
    Cheers, Sadami

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  2. I absolutely love your work and love the story you told. My sons are now in their 30's and I am enjoying my first grandchild. Such a blessing! I am so glad you are able to treasure every moment!

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  3. Wonderful portrait, Crystal. And I love the story of your best friend!!! How beautiful! You're a great mom.

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  4. Such a beautiful post and painting! The glow is amazing and your skin tones, never can get over your skin tones--Oh how I wish we lived closer so you could teach me portraiture. I love this post and I've had a few moments like this with my youngest. He can be so insightful and observant. Of course I've been told "You're not my friend anymore, also" but we'll dwell on the sweet moments:)

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  5. Such a beautifully written post -- very touching and a lovely painting. REALLY good stuff, Crystal. :)

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  6. I love the way you write. In such a small post you ended up saying so much. Just like your paintings this post too touched me.

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  7. Great painting! But I guess ther real achievement for you lay in something else ..... in him calling you his best friend! Congratulations!

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  8. The only thing as beautiful as your painting is your special words for a splendid day with your child.

    This is the kind of special things I list in my 1000 gifts journal.

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  9. A beautiful painting and a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing both with us, Crystal! You put a huge smile on my face that surely will last the rest of the day.

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  10. Oh Crystal...I can identify <3 Just soak it up and treasure it all (which I know you do : )This painting is just beautiful. I can't get over your gorgeous skin tones! LUSH and GLOWING!

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  11. Take heart, Crystal. My three sons grew up, and left home, but all wasn't lost, my granddaughters
    moved in! Now they are aged 28 (University lecturer), 24(Lawyer) and 21 (Writer) and are thinking going on their travels. I anticipate an invasion of great grand kids!!

    Love the picture, it glows with pure baby love.

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  12. Oh my, such a beautiful painting and heart-warming story. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Blessings!

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  13. I love how much you appreciate your life and how generous you are to bring us along with you.

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  14. Oh Crystal!!! What a sweet story! It's wonderful that you can have the "bonding" time with your youngest...a time that he will never forget!! You're a good Mommy and thank God you are able to stay home with him! I was lucky to have been able to stay home with my girls until they went to school full time...I worked after that but was home by 3p to pick them up from school. Unfortunately, nowadays, its not that easy! This is a gorgeous painting...love the skin tones...perfectly painted !

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  15. Love your acrylic Crystal! I know just how you feel, and it is exactly why I stopped working, sold my vet practice, to be home with my kids. Have you read the book "Mitten Strings for God, Reflections for Moms in a Hurry" ? http://www.amazon.com/Mitten-Strings-God-Reflections-Mothers/dp/0446676934, so wonderful and the theme is to be present, slow down and enjoy your family, be present in the simple things, which are the most important....oh you would love this book!

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  16. Beautiful painting and a love story :) sooner than you think there may be grandkids -- Our son and daughter in law just gave us a beautiful grand daughter and its love all over again but its like I had never known before -- and I really thought I loved my kids more than anything in the world :) Enjoy and cherish these moments and paint away more memories !

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  17. Oh Crystal, how touching. And the most beautiful painting to go with it!
    I remember those days and I remember being so upset when my youngest started school. But do you know what? He will be sixteen this year and still we are so close and we are each others best friend. You think it will all disappear, but it doesn't. You may not roll around in the grass, but actually I reckon Charlie still would - as long as nobody was watching! He still lays across mine and Paul's laps on the sofa in the evenings - all 6 foot of him! And he will still randomly plonk himself on my poor lap at any given moment! I suppose once girls come along it will change so like you I am embracing it while I still can. I know we will always be close - and so will you to your boys :0)

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  18. Wonderful, precious times. It wasn't so long ago that my grand-daughter told me repeatedly that I was her very best friend :-) See, something to look forward to way down the years :-)

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  19. Nice little painting. I love how I can still see your style shine through acrylics. It's glowing :)

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  20. As always, an outstanding painting ... and an outstanding post. Loved it.

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  21. Wonderful portrait, wonderful post xx

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  22. When I read your post like this one it warns my heart... Years later when he grows up he will look back to days like this and remember the first feelings of being loved... Children growing up with kind, loving parents often hold kindness and love in their own heart. You are a great mom Crystal!

    On another note -- it's such a beautiful painting -- and again how do you manage to finish two pieces with your busy schedule every week?..,, You make me feel I'm so lazy in comparison...

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  23. So beautiful your work reminds me so much of mary cassatt

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment they really do mean so much to me! Because not all bloggers have their email enabled so I can reply directly through email I will try to reply here in the comments. If I don't please forgive me, life must have been hectic that day! :)) Huzzah!!

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