i wonder

I wonder
if I'll ever be able
to visit the far off places
my family members
once called home

words by Courtney Hanes  and Art by Sandra Moreano

i give you

i give you

today, i give you myself in spring
new, like flowers
bright, like sun
fresh, like grass
happy, like wind

I had No Idea

I had no idea

when i removed

my first baby

from my body

before we'd both

had 

a chance to grow

that i'd never ever

be able to put 

another one in again.

Art by Sandra Moreano

Words by Courtney Hanes

The Canvas

The Canvas

I can take colors
and make them change 
like melted butter 
on my skin. 
I’m a dreamer. 
Do not leave me 
and let me pass. 
I have something 
to offer if you stop and ask.
I can take the splatter 
and the mess ups, 
the blended concoctions 
that go all wrong. 
I can look the other way
while you hurry things along. 
I’ll sing to keep myself busy, 
or whisper our private call. 
I’ll wait patiently
while you rearrange me on the wall. 
When you’re satisFied,
I’ll let you look at me,
and when I’m ready, 

I’ll curtsy neatly on the Floor.

By Courtney Hanes

Mr. Balloon Man

Mr. Balloon Man

Well then, 

what happens after 

you’ve gathered ‘round 

the guests, 

and 

twisted the bulging 

pieces 

to create a blue and purple 

mess 

disguised

as a message

in its own disguise?

Does it bother you that you 

scare the people 

when the colors 

pop

and collide,

and burst with specks of 

spit and residue, 

and fragments,

leaving them splattered with 

broken clown hearts 

and elephant arms?

By Courtney Hanes

As a Girl

as a girl 
she 
picked daisies
happily lost 
in magical
landscapes of 
green 
streaked 
with birds 
and 
their worms
    but 
when she 
became a 
woman 
she moved to 
the city 
sprinkled with
skyscrapers and 
mocha dreams
   and
traded in 
her horse for 
an old 
model Porsche 
that
sped her away
    leaving behind 
more than 
dusty corridors 
and 

hay

Poetry by Courtney Hanes

Even when the tide is low

Julian of Norwich

Julian of Norwich

The place which God takes in our soul he will never vacate, for in us is his home of homes, and it is the greatest delight for him to dwell there. . . . The soul who contemplates this is made like the one who is contemplated. --Julian of Norwich, Showings

I sipped my coffee and awaited for something. 

She walked in and I knew

it was her.

I smiled.                     

She smiled back.  

She was a familiar stranger, 

an older version of myself.  

Was that her intention? 

Wise, not beyond her years, 

but because of them,

she wore her stories proudly, deeply. 

We both knew she was there 

to deliver a message, so 

once she settled into her chair, 

I leaned toward her green eyes, 

 smelling skin mixed 

with summer rain. 

“Go ahead,” I said. “I’m ready.”

 She took my right hand

and in a voice 

as clear as Quartz said,

“Do not neglect  the ones you love, 

for if you chase a busy life, you will end up  alone.” 

 I sighed, and  though her words 

 seemed so obvious,   so simple, 

I stood up, whispered “thank you” and went directly home.

Turns and U-turns

I love how beautiful she is
while she survives
wearing her turns and u-turns on her skin;
exposed    for   all    to     see
       rippling in wavy lines
       swirling with translucent strides.
They drip.      from her arms.
They dangle.     in the sun.
They swim.    like peals.
and when she is hungry
she swallows them whole
and is full.

Poetry by Courtney Hans      Art by Sandra Moreano

I want to GROW

Happy 4th of July

Gratitude vs Gratification

When I spend
more time   with   gratitude
I am appreciative for all that I have
like fresh air, a warm bed, and soulful friends.
Honesty thrives where I let it in.
But when I forget
and ask for more of the things
that falsify truth like
time, possessions, and eternal youth,
gratification wins.
Gratitude makes me happier,
and in the end
is a far better listener.

Aiden

Unwed and Shamed

Girl in Wood Cut

Has anyone ever told you, you're prettier when you smile? 

Art by Sandra Moreano and Words by Courtney Hanes

Missing my Bear

A watercolor with a little CGI for clean up. I can't say that I am thrilled with the results but I know I am getting better every time I try one and that is what counts.

Watercolors from the retreat ( with some CGI)

Elaine's retreat at Rim Rock

These are photos from last week's watercolor retreat in Eastern Washington's Rim Rock Inn. I met with 7 great woman and we spend the week steeped in art. I was able to learn quite a bit and while truly enjoying the outdoors. Sleeping in a my very own tepee brought me back to a time that I never actually lived. During the night, I felt cradled in the stars and the dawns were particularly spectacular.   

Here is a link to a youtube at sunrise.

http://youtu.be/EcNZKAfVf_8

Moons like Magic

Moons like magic

with cinnamon and sugar,

Craters from a majestic old lake,

sprinkled

like treasures

finds in the dark,

they wait for you.

Curves like old friends,

familiar, foreign, but not forgotten

flexible

are those who wind up their internal clocks

to repeat,

consistently,

Wanted or not. They show.

Predictable and sweet.

They embrace and surrender to thee,

Full moon in Scorpio times three.

They believe in the depths of the ring

and the light, and the masterful

core and delight,

In cleaning of wounds 

rather than scrubbing them.

The healing stage hurts the most,

Before the edges become smooth

and the angles roast,

Calmly caressing the contents of your

valleys and peaks,

alleyways and caves,

cool waves and heat.

They meet. She greets.

Love is released

Here is the same photo but with a little computer work to make it look moon like. The first one was completed using paints and tape only. Which do you prefer? I love the poem. Courtney paints directly into my brain so that I can see embrace, cinnamon and caves. Like a magic pipeline from god. 

Wedding Photos!

Here are some preliminary photos from Daniella's  wedding. The professional shots are coming soon!

Colette figuring out the whole flower girl thing

My Children Keir and Daniella

Colette, Alex and Cleo

Buster

Colette and Daniella

Daniella, Keir and Sandra

Emily and Keir

Matt and Corey

Buster, Jean and Cleo

Keir and Colette

Sandra, Natalie and Erica

Racheal and Meredith