by Barbara Smith | Aug 26, 2023 | Painting & Writing, Understanding the Times
An Outline of a Painting Doug discovered a line drawing of a cat waiting to pounce on mouse who lurked behind him . . . or her. Two grandkids made suggestions for adding details. Then, I channeled my inner Matisse, adding adventuresome goldfish, and added a falling... 
by Barbara Smith | May 26, 2023 | Painting & Writing, Personal Pigeonholes, Understanding the Times
A Weather Bank I wish we had a weather bank in which I could deposit the all the lovely hours May has generated. When Maryland’s summer arrives, I could withdraw enough cool dry air to keep my charm from depleting. On our evening walks I smell honeysuckle and... by Barbara Smith | Aug 30, 2022 | Painting & Writing, Personal Pigeonholes, Understanding the Times
A remembrance, a memoir and a collection of eulogies have kept me company on the porch while I paint, reminding me to stay teachable. A Remembrance In a remembrance, David Brooks wrote on Frederick Buechner’s life: Buechner’s books tell stories, let you experience... 
by Barbara Smith | Feb 10, 2022 | Painting & Writing, Understanding the Times
Finally, I finished The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History, learning dimensions of WWI history that Upstairs Downstairs and Downton Abbey left out. Given, what J.M. Barrie reported about what led up to the Great Influenza, and all that... 
by Barbara Smith | Aug 22, 2021 | Painting & Writing, Understanding the Times
Through a post on Facebook from Painters from the North I discovered a still life by a Swedish artist, Olle Hjortzberg who lived from 1872-1959. Studying it, I discovered a message, a familiar one in my autumn’s garden; it keeps me steady in a time that packs...