winter perk

'Night Vision' 12x12", mixed media;  Kathleen Faulkner

On these cold, clear nights

one doesn't have to travel far

to get a glimpse 

of our vast

Universe

Near here

'Sanctuary' 16x40" oil on canvas;  Kathleen Faulkner

 I was born and raised in the city.

noise, people, traffic...

Now I live where I can walk to quiet,

or listen to the geese

where it is empty of crowds 

and roadless.

in defense of color

'A Grey Day' 24x36" oil on canvas;  Kathleen Faulkner

On the greyest of days,

a little color can ease the doldrums.

life cycle

'Minders' 24x30" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

 

The nurse logs

feed new growth

and life goes on.

Lucky Day

'Lucky Day' 18x24" graphite on paper;  Kathleen Faulkner

Sometimes, 

when I wish I had done things differently,

I think of the Chinese tale of the father and son: 

The son had many misfortunes

that turned out to be 

A blessing in disguise 

 

If trees could talk

'Family Tree" (I & II) 24x24 / 24x20" oil pastel;  

Kathleen Faulkner

 

I don't have to go far

to see the natural history

around here.

a remedy

'A Quiet Afternoon' 20x24" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Those lulls in the weather

respite in uncertain times.

The Innocents

'My Kingdom for a Home' 29x24" graphite on paper;  

Kathleen Faulkner

It's been a time

of political turmoil 

and a pandemic that is ongoing

add a mix of

fear, unrest, and uncertainty.. 

I'm concentrating on my

non human friends.

 

Sharing the Bounty

'Urban Landscape, (my favorite neighbors)' 20x24" graphite; Kathleen Faulkner

I leave the apples on the ground

because, each morning, momma and baby

show up looking for their breakfast.

Later, the squirrels and other critters

clean up the leftovers. 

a journey

'Could be Anywhere" 24x20" oil on canvas

Kathleen Faulkner

 It has all the necessary ingredients:

water, land, sky.

Time sink

'Tidal Current' 24x24" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

Tidal current is the movement of water associated with the rise and fall of the tides.

Watching this event can be mesmerizing.

some memories

'In the Deep' 10x10" oil on panel;  Kathleen Faulkner

I used to work on boats.

I like my yard

'Yard Work' 23x37" graphite on paper;  Kathleen Faulkner

 

We have been hoping for change.

We hoped the COVID would alter our way of seeing/being.

I don't know if if is permanent, but,

I find a new sense of appreciation for small things.

You choose

'Heavyweight' 10x10" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

 Some events are more dangerous than others.

I got my shots.

a rare encounter

'Middle of Nowhere 21x29" oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner 

That place 

no humans

no garbage

only nature sounds

An ongoing project

'Helpful Friends II' 22x30" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

'Art Pals II' 22x30" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

I'm still drawing masked portraits.

These exceptional humans have been there for me in one way or another

throughout this pandemic.

I am grateful.

first-aid-for-worried-soul

Variants

'Variant' 22x15" graphite;  Kathleen Faulkner

I have a new appreciation for my own small spot in the world.

I see things now that, before, were invisible

only because I didn't look. 

Please don't litter

'Wiley Slough' 24x12'
oil pastel;  Kathleen Faulkner

A friend is doing a project documenting discarded masks.

I am helping her. I have documented eight.

One was in Wiley Slough.