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Launching my website was a dream come true. Immediately after doing this my husband had a near fatal accident. This event, life events, even world events have impacted why I paint and how I paint. Doing “the right thing” for so many years flew right out the window. I hated the rules, they aren’t the same for everyone. 

His accident prompted me to write a blog “I am a sunrise girl now” in May 2018 which ended with -

“The road to physical and emotional recovery is paved with hills and valleys, but any progress no matter how small is still progress and that's all that matters. At this point I have to wonder...am I referring to him or me? I'd like to think both.”

These words remind me that life is not fair, or maybe sometimes it is. These words remind me that our words, our actions and our inaction have an impact. 

Sometimes I wonder what or how I might have painted without certain life events. It was important that I continue to paint. Several artworks went sideways in attempts to squeeze in one more brush stroke. Caregiving for someone I love became my life with little creative time, and led to my journey into alla prima painting, painting with a palette knife and pushing back against realism which I equated to time I didn’t have. I experimented with website templates and colors. Life took a different path and offered different challenges. I cried through paintings, wanted to put a palette knife through a couple and almost quit painting … almost.

There is a quote I discovered -

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” - John Wooden

Because I didn’t quit painting I have gained new strength, clarity and direction. I am so fortunate to still have my husband by my side, my biggest fan and cheering me on every step of the way. In the wake of this past year - gratitude, graciousness and humanity exist. My super power might only be wielding a paint brush and a palette, but it’s the power to share all of these things and more. It’s the power to put into a painting treasures that someone else will find when they need it.

I like to say - “Art is like a vessel forever at sea. When we lay our eyes upon it we give it a port to come home to. It will bring us on board, and unload its treasures on us for as long as we need."

Yet there is something in design and realism that I still find fascinating. It is where I started and can't shake it. Armed with years of a better understanding and education from so many generous artists, I will be exploring design and composition for 2024, hoping to join the forces of realism and painterly into fresh, unique pieces. It feels like launching my website all over again, a fresh start for the new year.

My final painting for 2023 - “between the branches”

Cheers to graciousness and humanity for the new year.

May you find a piece of fine art to brighten your day!

Rachelle Lima