Half Alive
by Leslie Gustafson

I know I can’t take one more step towards you
Cause all that’s waiting is regret
And don’t you know I’m not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most*

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time*

And who do you think you are
Running ‘round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You’re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don’t come back for me
Who do you think you are

This is currently my favorite portrait in my gallery, inspired by the song Jar of Hearts. I love when a portrait flows easily and seems to have a life of its own – such was the case here. I never know how a piece will unfold, each a journey in and of itself. That is so much of the joy of creating for me lately. I have embraced a more intuitive approach to my work in recent months after I did my portrait series called Questions and it has enlivened the creative process for me.

If You Just Smile
by Leslie Gustafson

Smile tho’ your heart is aching,
Smile even tho’ it’s breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by,

If you smile
thro’ your fear and sorrow,
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You’ll see the sun come shin-ing thro’ for you

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide ev-’ry trace of sadness,
Al -‘tho a tear may be ever so near,

That’s the time,
You must keep on trying,
Smile, what’s the use of crying,
You’ll find that life is still worth-while,

If you just smile.
Charlie Chaplin

I heard this song playing recently while watching ice skating. I was moved by it – the bittersweet words and the encouragement to “smile through the pain”, which I think is sage advice. I knew immediately I wanted to paint a woman expressing the words. I really like how she came out. All my works are very color – driven; intense, rich color seems to convey emotion to me, and putting deep pigment onto wet paper is a high! She has a lot of color that had it’s own way on the paper and gave her a bit of frivolity I think.

How Could You?
by Leslie Gustafson

Haven’t we all felt like this one time or another? This was a quick, cathartic piece and I still get a kick out of it when I look at her. Some see the victim in this piece, others see the rage and strength not to take ill- treatment anymore. I painted her with the latter in mind. In my therapy work, there is not much greater satisfaction and joy to me than seeing a woman move from hurt and oppressed to strong, centered and empowered!

Awe
by Leslie Gustafson

You take the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so. You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. You crown the year with bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.

The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain.
They all shout and sing for joy!

Psalms 65:9 -13

Beyond
by Leslie Gustafson

And he journeyed forward in pursuit of the light…

Big Blue Clematis
by Leslie Gustafson

This blue clematis has garnered a lot of attention in my Bubble, with the most views of any piece I have done. It won a photo painting challenge some time ago, and I was/am grateful Janis Zroback allowed her photo to be painted!! I love painting in watercolor and have a rather methodical approach when I do flowers like these. I like “geeking-out” on the details!

Berries and Cream
by Leslie Gustafson

My first attempt at a watercolor painting many moons ago.

wonderful showing leslie I love your women series and zen landscaoes .you use colour so well . a beauty of a display !LIz

Fiery Sunset
by Leslie Gustafson

A sunset from imagination painted in watercolor and pastels, my two favorite mediums.

Wow, thanks so much Cathy and Liz!!!! I am delighted you came by to check it out!:-)

I can’t even believe I pulled this off from a techy stand point! Frannie made it so easy:-) Thank you Frannie!!Weeeeee!!

Just gorgeous. love the blending of colors:)

Thank you Webbie!! I appreciate you stopping by!:-)