Painting

Painting and the Art of Staying Home

“Tusk” by Richard and Michele Bledsoe

It’s been a while

since I have shown my work

in public.

Seems I have lost interest

in participating in art shows.

I’d rather stay home and paint.

Steve Gompf, Oreo Cookies and the Art of Constructive Criticism

Portrait of Steve Gompf by Michele Bledsoe

In 2018, the world lost a great artist

and I lost my friend.

A true creative genius..

Steve Gompf was one of the most wildly imaginative

and passionate artists I have ever known..

and he taught me the true meaning

of constructive criticism.

When we shared a gallery years ago

my work had become very gray.

Soft tones and faded colors..

I was struggling with my palette

and I had lost my way.

It was Steve who brought me back.

Wonderfully eccentric,

playful and engaging..

Steve was also as blunt as a sledgehammer.

He marched up to my work

and held an Oreo cookie against a “dark” area

in one of my paintings..

“That’s not dark!” he exclaimed,

“THIS is dark.”

I was floored.

He was absolutely right.

After this artistic epiphany

my work improved dramatically.

When Steve asked me to paint his portrait

I had no words..

but I was thrilled at the opportunity

to pour out my love and gratitude

in a way we would both understand.

Migraines and the Art of Pain

The Jail Tree by Michele Bledsoe

Excruciating headache

since 2:00 am

curled up

hand clamped over my eye

to keep it from

popping out of my skull

beneath the unyielding pressure.

It went on and on

for hours and hours

coming in terrible waves..

When relief came

I was bursting with gratitude..

how wonderful it is

when pain stops.

So I ran to my easel

and painted and painted

with such great joy..

The headache did not return..

banished like a demon

in the light of God’s gift.

Neglected Paintings and the Art of Doing Laundry

A work in progress by Michele Bledsoe

Life got busy.

Really busy.

It happens..

but I let it pull me from my easel

for too long.

That was a mistake.

Suffice it to say

I was no longer myself..

I had become

an unbalanced load of laundry.

So, I ran to my neglected painting

to set things right

and threw myself into it

with wild abandon

falling fearlessly

and gratefully

into the glorious embrace

of God’s gift.

Painting and the Art of Not Having a Clue

When I first started painting

I had no idea what I was doing..

but that didn’t matter.

All I needed

was the unshakable

unrelenting desire

to create.

Secret Galleries and the Art of Home Repairs

We had an art show a few weeks ago

with a single attendee..

the handyman who came to repair our wall.

He examined the paintings that surrounded him

while he worked..

and as the plaster dried

he walked around

staring at all the art.

He spoke to us about our paintings

and shared stories of his own collection of art..

his father’s landscape paintings

which he treasured.

As he was leaving

he thanked us for the experience

and his unexpected trip

into an art exhibit.

This is art the way it is meant to be

not cloistered away in a sterile, white-walled gallery

but as a part of everyday life..

living in our homes

like family.

Lost Dolls and the Art of Perserverance

“Lost and Found Again” by Michele Bledsoe

The floppy yellow doll in the lower left corner of this painting is Beth..

my sister’s beloved childhood doll.

Many years ago,

in a moment of carelessness

Beth was lost

and my sister was filled with regret.

It broke my heart.

For over 20 years, I have relentlessly searched for Beth.

Antique stores, yard sales

and endless, insomnia-fueled internet searches.

A noble quest

to reunite my sister with her beloved doll.

Recently, my doll-hunting obsession

came up in conversation.

My sister remembered me telling her about it

10 years ago.

She was touched that after all this time

I had not given up.

I told her I would look for Beth

for the rest of my life

if that’s what it took to find her…

The next day, Beth was found.

As my husband held me in his arms..

I wept tears of joy.

My quest is over.

I am at peace.