Honoring Mom: Mother's Day 2013

In my search for photos to use with a different project, I found one of my mom that I had forgotten about. It was taken at our last Thanksgiving together in 2011. We were having a  makeover directed by Kim, who was practicing for her MaryKay business.

Although, we suspected that mom was quite ill, she tried to keep it hidden, because she was afraid that everyone would stop her from going out and doing what she loved best. What she loved best was working with children as a teacher.  There was nothing she loved more or found more rewarding than teaching. She didn’t ever want to retire and she surely didn’t want to be old.

When my mother met a child she didn’t look at gender, race, culture, social or economic background, religion or disability. What my mom saw was the "God" given potential that every child has to succeed in life.

My mom used every creative way she could find to give every child a chance, for no matter how long she was their teacher. And if she saw that the parents were in need she found a way to help any who were willing to finish high-school and make a better life for their family.  A lot of what my mom did cost our family financially and it was a sacrifice we gladly supported on many levels. There were many things mom did without; however, for her, finding a creative solution was just as much an achievement and an adventure as anything.

She did everything she did out of a love for children and a life-time of service to the God she loved. She didn’t always succeed and sometimes people were not supportive, but one thing mom never did was, she never stopped doing what she felt God called her to.

She believed this verse from the book of Jeremiah: “ As for me and my house We will serve The Lord!”

The Orchard: A Painting for Teens Opposing Poverty

The Orchard is a unique modern day interpretation of the story of Jesus and the Children in Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." The painting is set is an apple orchard, very similar to those found in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, especially around Warren, Fredrick and Clark Counties who are famous for their apple orchards. Currently a work in progress, The Orchard is a 24" by 30" painted with acrylic polymer on canvas by artist Linda L. Martin. This painting is destined for Teens Opposing Poverty. (more info to come on this very worthy organization) The artist is known primarily for her horse and companion animal portraits and her paintings of Virginia Country Life.

Photo by Mary Tayne
stage 1: The background is nearly complete

Follow the development of the painting here, with updates on http://www.llmartin.com/ ,
Linda L.Martin Affordable Animal Portraits and Art on Facebook and follow LindaLMartin on Twitter. Pass the word along to all your friends!!

What I did for my summer Vacation: Painting a Mural

This is the view from the kitchen/den of the finished project. The Mural was about 8 ft wide and at the tallest section it was about 6 feet tall. There was a chair rail about 3 ft above the floor.

Wall Mural is of a fantasy Fox Hunt with the Client and her children. The family dogs were also included. And even the father was in the picture in the background.

For more about Artist Linda L.Martin see her website at www.llmartin.com