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This morning I had to call a fallen soldier's mother to let her know I was picking up her son's portrait from the framer and shipping it to her this week.  In and of itself, that was just routine.  What wasn't routine is the fact that I found a sponsor to pay the shipping costs just yesterday and today when I called to tell Becky I was going to be shipping it this week, she informed me that today would have been Justin's 25th birthday and they are releasing balloons this afternoon as they have done every year since his death.  She could not believe that I called her today and that this is the week they will get the portrait.  I just had to share this with you as I so believe in the magical power of faith and destiny.

Yesterday, I delivered a portrait of Jeremy to his family in Topeka, Ks. and as usual, came away with more than I gave.  All these families are amazing and I am very blessed to have them as new friends and a part of our extended family.  Jeremy's mother had made me an Angel Soldier tote bag.  It has a appliqué of a kneeling soldier with bowed head on it with Jeremy's name and date of death written around it.  There are other soldiers in the bag that I can add for all the fallen soldiers that have touched my life.  I cannot express how profoundly these families touch not only myself but all the artists who have joined with me to participate in this project.

Little did I know when I founded this project that it would bring me such peace and sereneness.  Every time that I paint another portrait it reminds me how precious life is and that all of us need to embrace each day we are given with joy, peace and the calmness that comes with knowing we are living our best life.  So my wish for all who read this is that they too are Living their best life!

Peace and Joy,
Jennylynne

WOW!! Just got back from a painting trip to Heber Springs, Arkansas with Albert Handell and Anita West.  It was a great time.  We all painted together from 9am to noon and 2pm to 5pm everyday for five days.  We painted at some beautiful locations.  My favorites of course involved rushing water in the form of waterfalls, rocks and streams.  There is a peaceful and spiritual place there called Collins Creek which is just magical.  We also painted along the Little Red River downstream from the Greers Ferry Dam.  It was getting late in the afternoon when the fog came down river enveloping everything in a luscious haze. 

Back at the creek, the waterfalls tumbled down the entire creek providing different painting venues and opportunities along the path.  The roar of the water was all you could hear and it drowned out communication and made us focus on the beauty that surrounded us and the sereneness of the place.

It was really draining physically but emotionally and spiritually it renewed for all of us why we paint en plein air!  If you have never painted outside you really need to get outdoors and try it.  You will find that it renews your spirit and clears your mind and uplifts your soul!

So what's stopping you?  GET OUT THERE AND PAINT!

Talk to you soon,
Jennylynne