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With Each Breath - A Journey Through Loss and Grief

October 9th, 2020

With Each Breath - A Journey Through Loss and Grief

"At 28, I was suddenly widowed and childless. Devastated with grief at the tragic deaths of my husband and 8-year-old son in an automobile accident, my life was truly in chaos. I was lost, alone and completely unaware of how to live in a world without them. That same year, I survived not only their sudden passing, but the loss of both my maternal grandparents, two beloved pets, my home, as well as major life-altering surgery. Not knowing which way to go or what to do, I found myself on an endless journey of survival...and exploration."

The above is a portion of the 'Introduction' to a collection of my poetry and photography, titled "With Each Breath", one of two books I wrote some time ago, available in stores locally and on line. Now, all these years later, I am in the midst of re-editing and updating this collection.

Writing 'With Each Breath' initially was a healing process: sometimes difficult, sometimes releasing, always worth the time it took for me to come to terms with this terrible event. Even now, all these years later, it is hard. There is always a hole that will never be filled when you lose a child. Some of the poems are heart-wrenching, some are inspiring, others simply tell the story of how I coped, what I went though, how I felt then...and for years afterward.

My path has not been easy, but along the way I found some answers and learned to accept my life with all its beauty, tragedy and flaws. In time, I also found new love and purpose in my life. Sharing our stories and experiences brings us together, lifting us out of ourselves and allowing a bond of greater empathy, compassion and respect.

The following is one of the 30+ poems gracing the pages of this collection ~


Pears & Roses

In my lovely garden
grows a tree and a rose bush
planted in your memory.
One bears the fruit of three
varieties of pears, the other,
delicately-scented crimson flowers.

Pictures of you
sit nestled among the others
decorating the shelves and walls
of our beautiful home.

On Mother’s Day
my sweet husband gives me a card
he signs with your name.

Every January 9th
I make a wish and softly sing
“Happy birthday, dear Jassen.”

Now and then
you come to life in my dreams
and I wake up smiling…
most of the time.



Are you somewhere
wandering about a garden
full of roses blooming wildly
surrounded by pear trees
laden with fruit?

Do you happily hum a song
I taught you as a child…
and think of me?



It’s a beautiful vision.



That’s what I’m left with,
these dreams and visions,
these memories
of you.

~Brooks Garten Hauschild


Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and share your comments. Shown here, the back cover. To read more of my FAA blogs, click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below.

A Rose for Annie

October 3rd, 2020

A Rose for Annie

In Honor of My Sister ~

My older sister [by 5 years] Ann, or 'Annie', was an Iron Man Triathlete! She was a favorite dental hygienist during her many years residing in San Diego, CA. She was a true friend, loving sister, aunt & birth mom, nature & animal lover and world traveler. Sadly, neither Ann or our family got to celebrate her birthday this year on September 20th. She passed away unexpectedly in late July. I created a beautiful photo collage as a memorial to pass around to family & friends, as a service was not warranted, both by Ann wishes & the pandemic situation. My youngest sister Jo was able to tend her at the very end, and made preparations for her cremains to be delivered in 3 beautiful angel figurines, which arrived recently, one for each of the remaining sisters, the now 3 Leath girls, P.K.'s as they used to call us, meaning 'preacher's kids'. Our father was a well-known Baptist preacher from the South, then in CA, and then TX. Our mother passed away when she was 43 and I was 10. My dad remarried, and after a spell, they moved from SoCal closer to 'home' [Houston], so he could accept a teaching position as Professor of Theology at HBU. That's where he lived until his death some years ago.

Ann is the first of the sisters to enter her Heavenly home. Like I said, it was unexpected, but not entirely, as she was dealing with symptoms of a milder form of Parkinson's disease, which was progressing. The fact that the diagnosis came so soon after her early retirement was hugely disappointing, for her and us, for so many reasons. One being that she had prepared so richly to enjoy her retirement, working non-stop for years. And, two, she has always been an athlete & traveler, used to being independent & active. So, it was a shock that she dealt with, still spending time with friends & creating a life, albeit a much more limited one than she was used to. She stayed closer & closer to her home, stopped cycling & running, and finally driving. Friends would come pick her up for outings ~ a 'Sit & Be Fit' class, dinner & a movie or a trip to the local library, helping her all the way.

Unfortunately, last summer Ann had a terrible reaction to one of the drugs she was prescribed used to treat Parkinson's symptoms, and after some hospitalization, needed to be admitted to a nearby care facility for an amount of time. Jo found one that looked & sounded good just a couple of blocks from her home, peaceful & clean w-a lot of staff & activities. For a care facility, it would work for the time being. I must mention that neither Ann nor her family was told of the side effects of the drug she was given, which made her condition much more dire, and meant that she could no longer that something to relieve her symptoms. She would have to make do.

Before the PD, but right after retirement, Ann had packed up & moved from San Diego, her home of 45 years, to VA. That did not work out as planned, so she returned to CA to be neighbors w-Jo near Palm Springs, buying & remodeling her home, purchasing a new car. This was to be her forever home.

During the Covid scare onslaught, while Ann was still living at the facility [after her home was sold & she could no longer care for herself], she was virtually on her own. The staff became overwhelmed, some quit, and because she was dependent and not one to speak out, she was neglected. Jo was frantic to care for Ann, as she had been doing on a daily basis before the virus hit & a little while afterward, but the facility was put on lock down. Jo could not get to her, so she made numerous calls & wrote numerous letters telling those in charge what our sister needed, and that she could not take care of herself. She also could not care for her two beloved elderly cats, and no one came to help. In fact, they were both put to sleep, her old rescue cats, Sunshine & Anita. So sad.

Ann was getting only minimum care at this point, and had become frail & bedridden. She could not even text or talk on the phone, so it was difficult to know what was happening behind closed doors. Ann, we heard, was also in terrible pain and, we found out later, had been taken to the ER several times. During the last visit, the doctor notified Jo, as her next of kin & POA, that he had [finally!] given Ann a Cat scan that showed some malignant growths, and that he subsequently was able to diagnose that she indeed was also suffering from cancer! Another shock. That was when Jo made a plan to 'free' Ann from the facility, which she did, miraculously, without their permission and despite their opposition. 'Operation rescue' was put into action with all our consent. Jo gave the facility legal notice, organized the movers and, via a small window of opportunity, was somehow allowed to enter the premises, pack & clean the apartment, get Ann safely into her van, and leave! She told us that during the move she felt like she was having a heart attack because of being in such a hurry, sure they would try to stop her! Luckily, she had found a small home for Ann in the 55+ gated community near her own, gathered several care givers for support & created a comfortable peaceful space where Ann could rest and hopefully regain her strength to the degree that she could enjoy her remaining time in a loving caring environment. At least that was the plan, one that was not meant to be.

Within weeks it was apparent that Ann would not make it much longer, certainly nowhere near the time first thought. The rescue mission turned into a mission to make her last days happy & comfortable, as much as possible. My husband & I drove non-stop [no flying!] to SoCal to be at her side. It was a shock to see how much she had changed since we had seen her in October during a mini family reunion held there at the facility when it was still a 'happy' place to be. Ann never lost her sense of humor! Even when we were making conversation, thinking she was sleeping or not listening, out of the blue she would make a comment that made everyone laugh. A week after we returned home, bless her heart, Ann passed away, quietly.

We are just now coming to terms with Ann's loss; we are missing an important sister link in our lives. It's especially hard-hitting when you lose a sibling, a swift reminder that life is short and that our own time draws ever nearer. I've had a lot of loss in my life, the most difficult being my first husband of 10 years & only child, who was just 8 years old, who both died tragically in a semi-auto accident. I've had to learn to live with deep loneliness, sadness & grief, and still make a life that's worth living. Remarrying, many years later, has given me love & happiness. Loss never 'goes away', the grief; time just passes, and you continue to mourn in different ways. You continue on as you know your loved ones would wish.

One of the gifts I received in honor of my sister, was a lovely bouquet of flowers from my step sons & their families, which contained several beautiful roses. The one I chose to photograph, which you see here, is now called 'A Rose for Annie' in her memory. Click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below to see & read more about this special rose.

~Brooks

Autumn in the Garden

September 4th, 2020

Autumn in the Garden

Every season has its own special beauty, but with my favorite beckoning, it will soon be the time of year when all gardens are pretty much equal! Until last week when I took this photo of my still-blossoming 'Blanket Flowers', I could claim bragging rights as one of the showiest in the neighborhood...and my neighbors would approve this message, lol! Although we are having an unexpected late-summer heat wave here in the PNW, most plants & trees are on the wane and leaves are turning their usual autumn colors. As the temps cool [next week] and the falling leaves begin covering everyone's formerly manicured, sculpted & beloved garden-yards, we are all one, it seems. Even the worst yard, the one or two in the hood no one tends or cares about, is the same as the best, especially when the winter doldrums arrive & the first snow sheds it's 'blanket' of white. C'est la vie, speaking strictly for gardens in my neck of the woods, of course. Some of you have the luxury of year-round gardening!

Late fall & winter give us a bit of a rest, so we can get excited for spring's arrival with renewed energy to tend our gardens once more. Not that we aren't busy working a winter garden, not to mention all the pruning, etc., but it's a lot less work. And, when spring does finally come, there will be less complaining from me as we had to take down a large redwood last summer that shed a ton of needles each fall-winter for the past 21 years. I used to dread that part of the annual cleanup, as no matter what we came up with to collect the needles, it never quite worked! I don't allow blowers or vacuums either; too loud, obnoxious & disruptive for both plants & bugs, so we, I, would get out there & remove them by hand. Tedious! The layers of leaves our lovely oaks, madrona, pines, fruit trees, etc., contribute generously just add to the mix. Sometimes we just rake them up in piles & let them sit, which allows for a rich mulch. Yep, it's a labor of love, our garden, and we do it without outside help...except, of course, the occasional tree removal guys! They are really something, btw.

As the weather cools more drastically & the rain-snow descends, most of us begin to switch it up from time spent outdoors to spending more & more time indoors, unless you are a winter sports enthusiast, of course, and even then you will need to come in from the cold to warm your bones! Most of us, like I said, begin to embrace the special comforts of homey activities, like Scrabble, puzzles, fireside chats, sipping a hot cup of tea or spiced cider, reading, watching old movies & getting cozy in a soft cuddly blanket. That reminds me, my 'Blanket Flowers' on a BLANKET, in this case 'fleece', would make the perfect pop of color for your own warm & fuzzy collection...or a comforting gift for family or friends! Check out the other options, too, like fine art prints [matted & framed], totes, greeting cards & more.

Click on the 'Click Here for More Information' tab just below to see this image & print options! Check out ALL my 'Images' & 'Collections' while there, as well. Please note ~ our Pixels.com sites offer more of a selection for purchase, but remember to return here to Fine Art America in order to leave a comment on our blogs! It's just set up that way for some odd reason. Questions are always welcome!

Enjoy the change of seasons! And cross fingers re the November election...may the BEST man [and woman] win to restore sanity!

~Brooks

Unbelievable

August 25th, 2020

Unbelievable

It's unbelievable [to me] that I have not sold ONE print of 'Dancing for Joy'!? It's astonishing, actually, since it's one of my most beloved & popular paintings over the years. I've sold many prints on my own & elsewhere, but none here on FAA-Pixels. So, what gives, you ask? I have no Earthly idea!

'Dancing for Joy', one of my 1st uploads when joining some years ago, has been featured in over 30 groups [with one super feature & two special features], won & placed in 11 contests, shows 228 comments and has 3,654 views! When I promote it on social media, it always receives a wonderful outpouring of love &support. So, I'll say it again, it's unbelievable that not one person has been moved to purchase a print of this beautiful painting! My prices are very reasonable & fair, and there are many print options available. Plus, it reproduces beautifully, true to color. Yep, I'm perplexed.

This amazing 36 x 48 acrylic is beautifully rendered, colorful, flowing & looks amazing on the wall! I know, because the original hangs in my living room over the fireplace...and I get to enjoy it everyday. Here's hoping that this unfortunate stalemate changes very soon. I'm trusting that it will!

On that note, click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below to see & learn more about this painting, shown here as a fine art print w-simple black frame! Share it with your friends, help me promote it and, hopefully, a $ale will follow in the next few days. I'll let you know!!

Thanks, everyone. Stay safe...and always creative!

Unfinished Business

July 19th, 2020

Unfinished Business

If you're anything like me, and an artist, you probably have a few unfinished canvases hanging around needing some creative TLC! I spent many years painting & drawing, but in the last 5 years or more, I just have not been motivated to paint!! I've tried, but the feeling only lasts a day, then I'm back to my beloved photography! It may have something to do with my ability to sit or stand for hours upon end. I'm not as young as I used to be!

With so many tools available at the click of a mouse, and the option of digital art, I just can't seem to make myself stay focused long enough to paint on canvas. That's most likely because I put my heart, body & Soul into each painting, which requires patience & long hours. I get consumed by a painting! So, when I have a chance to sit & create these days, it's usually straight to the computer rather than the easel! Maybe one day that will change...for longer than a day? Is there such a thing as painter's block, I wonder!

I'm very happy I was able to finish SO many paintings before 'the drought' hit, and even happier to be able to offer some of them as fine art prints. I have quite a lot of paintings & drawings, but sadly not every one is available as a print.

The logo image shown to the left is one I'm 'working' on, or rather it's sitting right here next to me 'begging' for attention. I threw caution to the wind the other day and painted for a few hours, but nothing noteworthy. I will try again when the spirit is willing. I'd love to finish this green-turquoise piece all about renewal & hope. Wish me well!

Click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below to visit my Artist Website! Be sure to scroll down to view my 'Collections' and 'Images' portfolio!

A Woman's Touch - NEW Group for WOMEN Artists and Photogrpahers

July 5th, 2020

A Woman

WOMEN ~ you are invited to join this exciting NEW group created especially for us! We are growing rapidly ~ nearing 500 members, and ranking in the 'Very High' group activity rating since our first week!

In this group, you can expect an eclectic array of creative works celebrating the Feminine: Body, Mind & Spirit! This very special forum presents ~ Original Artwork, Photography, Digital Art, Mixed Media & more ~ by WOMEN members of Fine Art America - Pixels.com around the globe. From tasteful She-shed Art to beautiful Landscapes, from provocative Floral Macros to alluring Fractals, from pensive Portraiture to exotic Wildlife, from sumptuous Paintings to the mysterious Imaginative ~ EVERY space NEEDS 'a woman's touch'!

Our HOMEPAGE is unique among the many groups, not just in the sense that we showcase amazing, beautiful, tasteful art & photography, BUT that it is assembled in an artful eye-catching way twice a week to benefit our members' work.

VISITORS can view our 'Featured' works, as well as the pages of 'Images', which can be accessed by clicking on the 'Images' tab. PLEASE feel free to contact the artists about their work!!

MEMBERS are invited to share their wonderful works and join any 'Discussion' thread they prefer! I will host myriad contests to help promote our work & the group! Every Sunday, a NEW member will be chosen in our 'Up Close & Personal' SPECIAL homepage feature. Together, we will make this a super creative, supportive, inspiring, successful group!

Click on the link here to learn more...and join if you'd like!

Logo image: Japanese Magnolia by Brooks Garten Hauschild.

Thankful for Fine Art America

June 27th, 2020

Thankful for Fine Art America

I first wrote & shared this in the 'Community Discussions' forum 5 years ago, before Pixels! We had 19,210 views & 302 comments! I think it's time to share it again, as a BLOG!

ME [initial post] ~
"I don't say 'thank you' nearly enough, especially when I'm feeling overworked & under-appreciated. I know a lot of you feel the same way, so here's a chance for us to voice our gratitude for Fine Art America! Let me begin by 'simply' saying...I'm very grateful for all that FAA provides:
[1] a fabulous site that's easy to navigate & relatively pain-free; [2] a community discussion forum that 'gives as good as it gets'; easy access for marketing & sharing our work; [3] the opportunity to find others of similar persuasion & become 'friends'; [4] generally reliable customer service & prompt replies to our questions/concerns; a member's blog; [5] contests to enter and/or host for those of us with a competitive streak; [6] numerous groups to join; an amazing fine art website...and; [7] finally, a great product, our works of art!
In the spirit of 'THANKS' giving, I'd love to hear your positive thoughts & experiences re Fine Art America!"

Following are a few of the many comments that members posted in the original thread:

FLOYD ~ WOW! What a great thread! So nice to see the upside celebrated instead of the minor problems beat to death! The positives here out weigh those negative like a great white wale out weigh a the tiny flea. I applaud you, Brooks, for giving us all an opportunity to show how grateful we are for the opportunity that Sean and the entire staff at FAA has given us.
And I give special thanks to Abbie for how well she does a difficult job. And of course all the people like JC that although he occasionally goes flying off into the great, blue, sky (I mean he actually does fly off into the great, blue, sky! lol) he helps to keep the rest of us grounded! Great big way to go to everyone at FAA including those who's names we are not that familiar with but do a great job for us. THANK YOU ALL!

MICHAEL ~ I'm grateful as well. FAA has become indispensable to me and I'm learning more about it's potential all the time. My most recent lights on moment concerning FAA is as follows: I started my Wordpress Blog a few years back and it's definitely taken on a life of its own. At that time I discovered that maintaining my own gallery page was cumbersome and that is when I discovered Fine Art America. It was such an easy solution to just re-direct my gallery page to FAA. Now, several years later I am discovering a dynamic and interactive community at FAA and I'm thinking why not re-direct my FAA blog page to Wordpress, in other words use the FAA blog tab to re-direct to Wordpress.

COLLEEN ~ have to agree! Love FAA, I'm so happy I stumbled upon this site years ago. I love how my work can now be seen all over the world, and for that I'm grateful, that would never had happened without FAA. My work has now been sold across the USA and Internationally, is hanging in Hospital lobbies, has been licensed as RM work, and has brought me several interior design inquiries. So thanks again FAA for creating a platform for my work!!I also love the inspiration I get from all the other fantastic artists--

CASCADES COLORS [Lynn] ~ FAA has already been of great value to me, and I've only been on for about 7 months. I made a sale (yay! And a nice one), and hopefully I have some more in my future. But more than the sale, it has opened up opportunities for me. I was found on FAA, and contacted, to participate in an expo early last month, so I had my first ever booth due to FAA. Now the expo was a huge flop, in terms of attendance, but I met a few other artists there, one who gave me input and thoughts on my facebook page, which was much appreciated, and I've kept in touch with the other, and through the other, learned of another holiday show, which I will also be participating in. Meeting people through that.... and I can envision more opportunities arising as a result. Slowly over time. Also, I've really enjoyed viewing other artists' work, and I think it's good for me to be more exposed to the varying styles and techniques, I enjoy learning and also just reflecting on the myriad of ways people express themselves. So, yeah. That's my story, FAA's been great for me. When I look beyond the POD sales aspect, which has been lackluster, but I'm not complaining about my one sale :), the indirect benefits have been pretty great.

GINETTE ~ FAA is THE BEST site right now for people with images they want to showcase or sell; it'll do just that. The images look great, I like the look of the site, the fact there are no constant changes, no 50% off where I eat the cost, and setting my own markup. On FAA I don't feel like I am working for someone else. In all these years, I never really needed tech support, until now where I have problem with the watermarks. So I hope that will be fixed for me soon. Abbie is great. She's handling it. There is always room for improvement and I wish there were some flexibility and imagination at work, on coming up with way, to improve upon how art is found to get some exposure from time to time. But that involves hiring people and people cost money. But hey, I won't let that keep me down! I always got something in the works, irons in the fire as they say."FAA is in the house!"

PATRICIA ~ I like everything about FAA -- going on four years now, for me. Easy to navigate and keep up with what other artists are doing. The artwork here is phenomenal. I was even lucky enough to make a few sales, without marketing. A bonus are the discussions. I can go days at a time without actually speaking to a soul, yet I know I can come here and "talk." For that I am ever so grateful. And who better to talk with than artists!

ME ~ Thanks for ALL the wonderful comments, everyone! I can't tell you how much better it feels to be coming from a grateful space than the opposite. Encouraged & uplifted, to say the least.
Floyd, Lisa, Nicole & Roy, good to hear from each of you.
Mel, you are one of those we can learn from...and, yes, here's to a very successful holiday $ales period! Good to hear from you.
Hi Kelley, always room for learning...and you are right, FAA is a great place to 'mingle', meet friends and gain new insight.
Joseph, congratulations on your sale! Good to 'see' you. Thanks for your feedback, as well, Cascade Colors! And, Richard, too...appreciate your concurring.
Jai, wonderful words from you, as always. Good to connect with you on FAA...and Tamara, as well. Thanks for your comments.
Hi Bob! Enjoy your work, posts & positive energy. Thanks! And, yes, those 'unexpected bonuses' are always a welcomed surprise!
Frank! You are so right; FAA is like NO other...and I speak from experience, as do most of you. Some truly great artists & art on FAA. Always good to get your input/advice.
Nava, what can I say! I'm blessed to have found you on FAA! Thank you for your kind words, humor, talent and support. I am going to check-out your newest inspired-garden upload, my namesake. Congratulations on your sale, btw!
Yes, Anita, so true. It IS the little things. Thanks for noticing...and reminding us.
Patricia, I appreciate your posts/comments in the discussions. Always good to hear from you.
You're welcome, Michael, my pleasure. Thank YOU for your upbeat positive attitude about life...and FAA!
Thanks, Floyd! You are so right, the positive outweighs any negative, by far. And, applause, applause to the staff here at FAA, yes. A note re Jeffrey...I once asked him for advice, to which he promptly replied in amazing detail, about how I might take my gallery/artist's website to the next level. Forever grateful.
BIG "thank you's" all around! Looking forward to hearing more!

To end ~ This was one of the BEST threads ever in the forum...positive, popular, encouraging. Things have changed a bit since then with Pixels now sharing space with FAA and, because of that, we have a lot more products available, as well as issues arising re on site. Most of the same people are still here, though, and still connecting in the 'Community Discussions' arena, which says a lot about the longevity & popularity of this site!

FYI ~ If you click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below, it will take you to the original thread. Time flies!!

Logo image : 'I Second That Emotion', secondary colors rose silhouette triptych, rose taken in the garden w-colorful backgrounds. See my 'Images' for this image & more!

The Long and Winding Road - My Path to Full-time Artist

June 22nd, 2020

The Long and Winding Road - My Path to Full-time Artist

Since I was a small child, I've been drawn to the creative side of life! I began playing piano by ear as a toddler, and actually remember sitting at our upright piano in the sun-room in that large parsonage where we lived in a little central TX town. I would plunk away while the sun streaked through & the breeze gently stirred the sheer white floor-length curtains. My mother said I'd come home from church [Daddy was a preacher] and play hymns that I'd heard...with 2 hands! I still compose & play by ear today. I also read music, although I was never one for proper lessons. My mother did not want to ruin my innate ability, for which I'm grateful. My father was an accomplished pianist, as well.

Drawing came next; I was always drawing ~ people, places & things. Charcoal, graphite, colored pencils, pastel pencils & ink were my tools. I also began to write prose & poetry to accompany the drawings, like storybooks. For some reason, I've always loved gathering & compiling a bunch of information and whittling it down to a comprehensive entertaining summary. I've created two poetry books ~ one on grief & loss, and the other about love, both of which were for sale on Amazon. This winter, I plan to re-edit & offer them anew. I'm already in the process of. Plus, there's a 3rd in the initial stages of being about the joys of gardening. Where will I find the time!?

Painting began with watercolors. I enjoyed it so much, that several of my very first attempts are available as fine art prints here on site! Pastel paintings & drawings were next in line, mostly soft pastel, many of which are also here for purchase, In fact, some are my most popular on site & elsewhere, including 'Shedding a Little Light on the Situation', 'In Beauty I Walk' & 'Noteworthy', the latter being my most popular image here as far as sales. I 'graduated' into acrylics and really went WILD creating large colorful canvases, both figurative & abstract, many of which are also here for your viewing pleasure & purchase, including, 'Imagine', 'Dancing for Joy' & 'Aria! All of the pieces I have mentioned can be seen on page ONE of my 'Images'. Several have been featured in magazines & on covers.

My current & longtime favorite art form is photography. I always wanted to be a travel photographer, but, as it has turned out, I don't really travel all that much! I'm quite satisfied [for the most part!] being a resident nature photographer here in southern OR, and mainly via my beautiful garden. All I have to do is step out the door, and voila, beauty & wildlife all around! The floral & nature photography available in my gallery is fresh from the garden, including the framed & matted logo image you see here, 'Last Yellow Rose of Summer'. Several of my photographs recently made the loop on our public broadcasting channel, which was a nice surprise & honor to see during a break in one of our favorite programs!

I love creating garden spaces & interior sanctuaries, as well. Though I am not 'trained' in either, I am blessed with an artistic vision & drive, and have happily helped others with interior decorating ideas, transforming their gardens spaces, as well as themselves! Color, flow & organization are key.

Along the way, I also did a few 'crafty' things ~ macrame, decorative mirrored pieces, designer throw pillows & more. I'm a seamstress, too, making most of my own clothes as a teen & mother back in the day. I loved creating my own patterns, veering from the norm, and really wish I would have kept more of those wonderfully unique & detailed outfits!

In the 80's, I went to Hollywood and did the acting-singing-dancing thing. That was quite the adventure! I met a lot of folks in show biz, which was a hoot. I was lucky to find a cool voice teacher who was vocal coach to 'the stars'. His mansion in the hills, the former home of Clark Gable, was a happy place where we students would perform showcases, practicing our skills, songs & shtick, and then take them to venues all over Hollywood & the valley, including the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Playboy Club & Improv Club on Melrose Blvd.! So much fun. Did a little modeling, too.

I moved up to my beautiful little southern OR hamlet after that, and used my education & experience to be a spokesperson in TV commercials & radio voice-over. I was lucky to nab some acting roles in plays, educational films & musicals. Also auditioned for movies and got close to getting a big break, but never did. Still had a ball!

I finally got that formal' education, graduating Southern Oregon University [summa cum laude] with a degree in Communication, emphasis on broadcasting w-minors in drama & art. My on-air partner & I received an A-P Honorable Mention Award in Radio News for presenting features & news on the Jefferson Daily ~ the very first news show on-air at our local university FM station...and the very first award received! That station now reaches millions in a number of states! I did enjoy collecting, writing & reading the news, as well as hosting several music shows, including a classical music hour, a jazz program & more. It was nice to work behind the scenes for a change!

Like many artists, I go through ups & downs re the creative process. For a while, I was able to go back 'n forth rather freely between any or all of my passions, but now, it seems that one takes precedence over the others...and I try to follow through to the end. Maybe it's an age thing?! Currently, photography is numero uno. I do have a number of paintings near completion staring at me right here in the studio, but, though I've tried, I have little desire or energy to finish them right now. I've got to FEEL 'it'. Same with music, my piano is just a few feet from where I'm sitting and I hardly notice it some days. When the time is right, I figure! I need to finish up recording some original piano compositions, as well as redo a few vocals on several songs I've written. There are not enough hours in the day!

If I'm not actually hands-on creating something, I'm thinking about it, which is all part of the process. I'm hoping it doesn't take until I'm Grandma Moses' age to 'come into my own', lol, but, if that's the way things are meant to be, so be it. I've stayed true to my calling [did I have a choice], honed my talents and have always done my best. All the time, energy, promotion, marketing & money spent for various related needs can make the creative process more tedious, but I try to remain focused. It may not have, yet, yielded me a great income, but what a grand profession, to be an 'artiste'!

For over 20 years, my husband John & I operated an Oriental carpet & art gallery downtown. What a great place, two-stories worth, to hang my paintings & welcome customers! I was spoiled. We closed up shop some years ago, but we still miss our customers & being more a part of the community festivities. Fortunately, we are still a part of the annual 'Taste of Ashland', a gallery-sponsored food, wine-tasting & art event.

Currently, I've chosen to concentrate only on Fine Art America-Pixels.com as my POD shop and exhibit my work in a small local gallery. I've nixed all other POD shops & eliminated my personal website, using instead our artist websites that FAA-Pixels offers us with our premium membership. This Covid-19 pandemic, the social distancing & sheltering in place, has given me extra time to cleanup my gallery, upload new pieces, support others...and create a NEW group for women artists & photographers called 'A Woman's Touch"! We've zoomed from 1 to 414 members in just two months of conception and have been ranked in the 'Very High' group activity rating since week one, which is amazing. If you're a woman & a member, come join us!

Click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link below to check out 'A Woman's Touch'!!


[Logo image: 'Last Yellow Rose of Summer' taken in the garden. For your viewing pleasure, I have matted & framed this image to show you just one of the many choices available when choosing the 'Framed Prints' option. You can also purchase it as a fine art print, mug, tote, pouch & more.]

Our Bios and Avatars...What Do They Say About Us?

June 3rd, 2020

Our Bios and Avatars...What Do They Say About Us?

Our bios & avatars can turn people on...or turn them off. What we choose to say about ourselves & the profile picture we pick to share are SO important when letting others know who we are as artists & people! I enjoy taking a few minutes to read what members write after putting a face to the art.

Sometimes, I will contact a member to let them know I liked what they said, especially when they have a way with words. I think most of us are naturally curious about our fellow artists, so if I'm able to find out what makes them 'tick' on a personal level, and learn a little about their creative process, I, along w-potential buyers & patrons, will appreciate the 'effort'. More importantly, I might even make a new friend in the process! For a fun break, I will also, from time to time, assist members w-editing their bios [when asked], something I do in the 'real world', as well.

Initially, my bio, which is now seen via the 'About' tab, contained a lot of info that I thought visitors might find interesting, like my published poetry collections, honors-awards received along the way & more details re my artistic experience. But, after some reflection & on the advice of a couple of well-respected members I asked who [wisely] said "make it about the art & photography, get to the point and don't be too flowery", I refined & downsized.

Our avatars are super important, too, since they are the first thing people see when they visit our profiles-galleries! I prefer mine to be a recent photo, warm, inviting, friendly. But, an artsy version would work, too! I also like showcasing my 'Images', instead of 'Collections', to offer an immediate eclectic sampling of things-to-come. Patrons are directed to view the latter via my bio, which, unfortunately, can now ONLY be read by clicking on the 'About', instead of seeing it automatically under our avatars like before, which I preferred! C'est la vie.

Anyway, here's my revised bio:

"Welcome to my world of art and photography! Please enjoy my 'Images', 'Blog', 'Favorites' & more. Click on the 'Collections' tab to see specific categories. Always drawn to the creative side of life, I'm a visual artist, photographer, musician-singer-songwriter, poet, designer, gardener...wife, mother, sister, grandmother, survivor!

Primarily acrylic on canvas & pastel, my artwork ranges from figurative-representational pieces to flowing organic creations to things 'purely' abstract. Described as '[e]motion expressed with the language of color' and 'Soul made visible', my work is a 'combination of intuition & intention'. Nature, music, love and life itself are my inspiration[s] in both my art and photography. All the floral photography seen in my gallery is from my own garden. I am passionate about both ~ photography & gardening!

I've published a couple of my own poetry-photography collections and also created illustrations for several other authors. Honored to have my work featured in & on a variety of magazines, travel the globe and exhibited in numerous galleries & elsewhere for over 30 years. I'm thrilled to offer YOU a wide selection of fine art prints via FAA-Pixels.com! Some are displayed in a series of 3 or 4 to give you more variety, visual impact & hanging options. I've also included 'Art 4 Kids', prints that will inspire our 'little ones' and help them learn to spell, as well!

Born In New Orleans, I've lived & worked in southern OR since 1985. Visit often! I'm always adding new pieces and 'fine-tuning' my gallery.

CONTACT INFO ~ Send me a private message any time. You can also friend me on Facebook! For more print options, click 'Contact' [me], 'Visit Website', then 'Shop ~ All Products'. I'm the administrator of an on-site group, A Woman's Touch, which features women artists & photographers. Check us out!

Note: ALL images here & elsewhere are copyright protected and not to be reproduced, manipulated or used in any manner whatsoever without my written permission. Click on any image to see larger version, description & print options."

P.S. I miss those super cool 'Revolver Maps' visuals many of us had installed showing our visitors from all over the world! They were ousted during some recent updating by the site. I get it that they need to change things up at will and some options go by the wayside, but, still, it would have been nice to be asked what we thought. You can still enjoy the slideshow widget though, which remains via my Artist Website. Please take a moment & visit.

~ Brooks

PLEASE feel free to add your two cents re!

The Winningest Image in My Gallery

May 16th, 2020

The Winningest Image in My Gallery

Welcome to 'Imagine', an original acrylic painting, and the most POPULAR image in my entire gallery!! Here's the dilemma ~ this amazing piece has not been selling! I'm [almost!] at a loss for words as to WHY this is, since fellow members have voted for it; visitors viewed it; and myriad friends & strangers commented on, faved & liked it. In fact, 'Imagine' has 27 contest WINS to its credit ~ placing 1st in 13, 2nd in 8, and 3rd in 6...and received 4,287+ views! Go figure, because I can't!

I have certainly done MY part ~ actually creating 'Imagine' in the first place, promoting it, sharing on social media, talking about it & using the image as a logo in some of the myriad contests I have hosted. When people near & far tell me daily how MUCH they love it, it's hard to believe the lack of sales. Interestingly, I have sold many prints off-site, but hardly any to speak of here! I can't 'imagine' why buyers are not moved to purchase prints of such a soulful, heartfelt piece w-a message of peace when it is SO loved? I certainly hope part of the reason isn't too-high shipping costs? I've heard some say costs are higher in certain areas of the country and-or abroad? I don't know; could be. I'm sort of grasping at straws here. But, if true, then that's just sad for so many reasons.

FYI ~ a print of 'Imagine' looks amazing in real life ~ very clear imagery, colorful, uplifting. Maybe the NEW YEAR will bring about the change I'm looking for! That would be a blessing, since this painting was created as & meant to be a blessing to others! Click on the 'Click Here for More Information' LINK below to learn more about 'Imagine' & view all print options! 'Imagine' is also available as art-only [without the added border & title]. See PAGE ONE of my 'Images' to view 3 different versions ~ one art only and two w-added border & title.

Peace, and good health, to all.

~Brooks

Click on the 'Click Here For More Information' link just below to see & learn about more about this work of art!

 

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