Growing Hearts

Watching

2008-09-17T15:32:00.001-07:00

Watching is an acrylic painting on canvas with on overlaid image. Although I felt content with my painting, I knew that I could push it a little further with some imagination. The image of a window in an ally way was taken in Seattle and again, I was happy with that image, but felt that it needed more. Together they just seemed to fit. The addition of a bird on a wire brought it all together. I image a recluse, someone who is afraid to come out in the light of day. As she looks out her ally window, she feels like everyone, even the birds are WATCHING!!
You can find more of my work at Redbubble.com

Road to Solitude

2008-06-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

An Acrylic on canvas. Road to Solitude started out with very dark foreboding skies. Although it did turn out as a bit of storm in the distance, the fore ground seemed to become quiet and peaceful as I brought in the grass. This was the first that I have done, just landscape. It felt good in the end, something to ponder, what you might find if you took that road to solitude.
You can find this and more of my work on Redbubble.com

Beach Adventures

2008-06-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places in the world is Monterey and Carmel. I took this photo a year ago of some girls playing in the surf. I felt lucky to have gotten the shot. I have wanted to do the painting for a while and I intend to do another, maybe with acrylic. But for now the watercolor seemed to work just fine. It came out soft and misty just like I remember that day. I have added this and other new painting to my Yessy gallery. If you would like to take a look the link is on the side bar. As always, thank you for visiting.

Spirit Guide

2008-05-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on canvas. Sometimes my best work seems to be a collaboration between me and a higher power. I had that feeling with this painting. The title spirit guide came to me as several figures seemed to appear as I worked, they stand in the background shrouded in loose clothing. My process started as I drizzled the paint and let things drip, I didn't worry where it would take me. Before long the painting started to emerge and it seemed to take on a life of it's own. It felt great to let the painting lead me rather than fighting to figure it out.
You can find this and more of my works at Redbubble.com

Stella

2008-05-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

I would like you to meet Stella. She is our sweet and clumsy cat who has captured our hearts and makes us laugh daily. I was working on something in the back room and she was laying there looking up at me with her paw tucked under. How could I resist doing her portrait. When she is trying to sleep in the day light she puts her paw over her eyes. I will have to do that one next. How can you not fall in love with a cat like that. I would like to say that I got this right the first time, but no, it took about 4 tries and a lot of layers.
I am fairly sure it will stay this way, but the thing I love most about acrylics is that you can always decide to change it. Whats one more layer.

The Red Roof

2008-05-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

I loved this photo, so I had to paint it. It was taken on a train trip my husband and I took from Sacramento to Seattle. What fun. The scenery was beautiful. The mountains seemed to melt into the sky and the grassy fields went on forever. My husband isn't fond of the tree in the for ground, but I love it. The only thing that is missing is the train tracks. I tried but they didn't work out. Maybe next time.

Lake Leaves

2008-05-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

I am starting to dig deep into my old paintings. This one was inspired by the same lake that I talked about in my blog with a Moment of sun. I am fascinated by the leaves that tangle on the top of the water. They are not like any lake weeds that I have ever seen. They really look like leaves from a tree. I have tried many ways to capture what I feel, they all come out very different.
This is an image of what I think it would feel like to be under water with them. Dancing and twirling and putting on a show.

Chicago Sky line, 1930's

2008-05-05T11:58:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine let me borrow some old photos that he had. His dad took this photo in black and white in the 1930's. I enjoy trying to relate what I think the color story would be. My first attempt was not so good. But this one seems to be hanging on. I still need work in the sky. But it has a feeling of a storm that has just passed through. I love the feel of the painting. It seems old, and that's what I was going for.

Down the Rabbit hole

2008-05-05T11:45:00.001-07:00

Left over paint, spread thick and a spray bottle of cleaner was the start of a fun new venture. I intend to do many more like this. It took a long time for me to decide how to treat it. But in the end I loved it.
Some of you may have heard of a movie called What the bleep do we know, and Down the Rabbit hole.
Yes, many would say that it is new age. I don't agree. It has been around for thousands of years. It is just a new understanding. For me it is about energy, movement and the meaning of time. Does time exist? So many questions, to little time. Just something to think about.

Moment of Sun

2008-05-02T09:03:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have been blessed with great friends. Every summer we are invited to our friends cabin. Although we haven't been able to go every year, I always tell them how much we appreciate being invited, but I don't think they will ever really know the depth of gratitude that I have for being able to go and enjoy such a wonderful place. This painting is the first of many that I know I will do. It isn't really a perfect vision of what I see there, but it has the feeling of peace. I hope you agree. Many of my paintings are still in progress. So don't be surprised if you see it differently the next time you visit. This painting is for sale. Size: 30"x 40" 2"canvas. $750.00 For more information contact me at 916-705-2140.

Misty Morning

2008-04-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

I am still working on this painting. It just isn't telling me what it needs. So I will let it sit for a while and see what comes to me in the next few weeks.

Under her wings

2008-04-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

Angels play an important part in my life. I recently talked with a coworker about my belief in them and she made me think about why I feel the way that I do. We had different vantage points, but still we felt the same about what we believed in the end.
Painting Size: 36"x 24"
Price: $650.00
For more information
call: 916-966-8784

The Other Woman At The Well

2008-04-07T16:46:00.001-07:00

To the right, on my side bar, you will find a link to a web site for Judith Ann Hillard. Judith and I met almost a year ago on a flight from Spokane to Phoenix. The story is long and filled with twists of fate so to speak, but the result was a wonderful friendship with a complex woman who has a compelling story to tell. Judith's story is about overcoming the addiction to cocaine. It's truly amazing that she lives to tell about it. Several chapters are posted on her web site for anyone to get a feel for her work. Please take the time, it's worth a visit. If I had not done so, this painting would not exist.
The painting was a beginning of our work together. She wanted to offer something along with her book to get the message out. But the process is a slow one. Funds need to be raised and we are still working on that among other things. So for now, I would like to offer my support with this original painting. The purchase price is $600.00, $400.00 of which will go to Judith's non-profit organization. The $200.00 dollars will help me to continue to do what I love the most. Paint.
Original Acrylic Painting: 18"x 24" on deep canvas
Price: $600.00
For information call: 916-705-2140

Morning Paper

2008-04-07T16:41:00.001-07:00

This is the second painting that I did of my step dad. I took the photo about 10 years ago while he posed as if he were reading his morning paper. For me, it was a time of discovery. I was learning about black and whites and I loved the light in our breakfast room.
My husband suggested that I try to do a painting of it in color. What would I do with out my husband, he's the love of my life, my best friend and my muse.
Completing the painting was so much fun. Although there are things that I might have done differently, I am very happy with the final piece.
Original Acrylic Painting: 30"x 24" half inch canvas
Price: $875.00
For more information call: 916-705-2140

A Ride in the park

2008-04-07T16:37:00.001-07:00

Painting is like yoga for the mind. If I could quit everything else and just paint, I would be in complete harmony. But then life would be boring. This is a painting that I completed about 3 weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. It turned out better than I had hoped. I always tell people that for me painting takes months, sometimes years for me to decide in my head that I am ready. Then the actual painting is very quick. I am able to do the painting in about 4-6 hours, but then I have to study it. The nose really didn't work to start. I don't know that I really fixed it enough for the person that was viewing her own portrait, but she told her mom that she loved it. Her mom is a flight attendant with US Airways. She and I flew together a year ago. I never forget a photo that I think will really be great as a portrait. I was so glad that this one came back to me. I am hoping to post more of my work on this site. So I hope you will continue to visit. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in having a portrait done. I will gladly post it on my site so you can share it with your friends. Thank-you Rosellen for coming back to me with this photo..it was so much fun to do.
To contact me, write to elizabethbravo@comcast.net or call 916-705-2140

2008-04-07T16:25:00.001-07:00

I feel so lucky that I was able to grow up on a lake in the summer time. We really didn't have much, but being there was the greatest gift. This is a view of Nickel Island on Big Cedar Lake. Off to the right was where we had our cottage. We fished and swam and hunted turtles until it was dark. The we slept as quickly as we could, so we could start all over again in the morning.
This original water color painting is for sale.
The price details will be posted at a later date.

Gonrings On Big Cedar Lake

2008-04-07T16:07:00.001-07:00

This original water color was done from a black and white photo. Anyone who lives in the West Bend, Hartford, or Slinger area of Wisconsin would remember Gonrings on Big Cedar Lake. The big bands used to play in the building that stood for over 80 years. It finally was taken down by some people who thought that a marsh was more important than the history of a beautiful building.
For me it will never be forgotten.
Price will be posted at a later date.

Soon

2008-04-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

What would growing hearts be with out more hearts. This original water color is for sale, however I will need more time to post the price. Please check back at a later date. I also have cards and prints available. If you are interested in knowing more about this piece please contact me at 916-705-2140.

More than a god father

2008-04-07T15:38:00.001-07:00

This is my step dad, Larry. One of the sweetest men I have ever known.
He is strong and kind and filled with integrity. He has always been there for us.
Later in life he became my 2nd Dad and now my sister Sarah is there to help him through the latest phase of his life. It is difficult, no doubt, but together they seem to make it through. Sarah's blog site is listed on the side bar. Be sure to visit. It is filled with funny stories and great insight on things that can help if you are faced with the need to care for an aging parent.
This was only my second portrait. I loved how it turned out. I am honored that they love it too and it hangs proudly in our family home.

Kayla

2008-04-07T15:35:00.001-07:00

This painting was done from a photo a friend took of her grand daughter. I couldn't resist doing the painting as a gift. It turned out great and hangs proudly in their home.
If you are looking to have a portrait done, focus on the subject. So many photos have a great subject but the shot wasn't right and the back ground is to distracting. All that goes away in a painting.
It's great.

The relaxed life in Finland

2008-02-05T15:14:00.001-08:00

When I look at this painting, I always wish That I could go to Finland. I didn't get to go. We have two wonderful friends, Rolle and Anita and they were going back to their home land. Rolle is from Finland and Anita is from Sweden, very close to Bastad. We had agreed that my husband Ray would get to go to Finland and I would meet up with Rolle and Anita in Sweden. I enjoyed my trip very much, but somehow seeing the photos of him returning form the saunas made me think that he got the better deal.
This original painting is for sale.
Framed size 27"x 33"
Painting size 15"x 18"
The frame is included in the purchase price. It is 3" dark mahogany style frame. $850.00

Hugs? No thank-you

2008-02-05T14:52:00.001-08:00

One of my first portraits was from a photo of my niece and God daughter, Mickey.
I remember the day that I took the photo. It was mothers day. I had stopped to visit all my brothers and sisters to say Happy Mothers day to them or their wives. It was sunny and warm and the kids had a great time posing. This shot was so great. I looked at it for over a year before I got up the nerve to try the painting. It may seem odd to worry about it. If it doesn't turn out, so what. Well anyone who does art knows that a failed attempt could really set you back, especially when you really want it to turn out like you see it in your mind. Well, Mickey may not be perfect, but it was as close as I could have come to my vision. For that I am grateful. Thanks Mickey, for such a great pose!

Dancing Hearts

2007-09-12T19:01:00.000-07:00

Growing Hearts is a site designed to show-case my art and to bring out the creative nature in anyone who is looking to be inspired. That's how I got started. I admired the work of my mom and big sisters and I wanted to be just like them. It didn't take long for me to figure out that I had to find my own twist. I have been thrilled and constantly amazed at the talent my mom passed down to all of us. I didn't feel that I had it in me. But she didn't care. She sat us down to do projects every time we appeared to be bored. I think we need more people like my mom. I have also surfed the web to find the best of the best. I love finding artists that I can relate to. Art is such a personal thing. Relating to it is what it is all about. So here it is my first post. I hope you will join me on this journey and take a look at all of the wonderful links to friends sites and sites that have inspired me. There will be many pieces available for sale. If they are available I will have a description at the bottom along with the price. You can purchase by contacting me at elizabethbravo@comcast.net. Thanks for stopping by!

"Don't feed the CROWS"

2007-08-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to write children's books for a long time. I have started several and completed one, but I didn't feel that I could do the illustrations. Now, that I am more confident in my work, I feel that I am ready to do the illustrations, but I think I will leave the writing to someone else. Watch for a book called The Lost Balloons. It is written by Judith Ann Hillard and her daughter Olivia. The illustrations are by Elizabeth Bravo.
I will post a few in the future, but in the mean time, be sure to visit Judith's web site. It's listed on the side bar. The subject of her first novel was overcoming the addiction to cocaine. Her story is incredible and although it's a hard subject to imagine reading about, Judith finds a way to keep you interested. Her wit and sense of humor come through and it is easy to see in the end why she was saved by so many angels holding out their hands. She was meant to write and help others who have fallen on the same path. Please take the time to look at her story. You never know when you will find someone who will need a helping hand like Judith's.