Mary Jo Leisure

Diary of a Painter

Painting is an expression of ones feelings. It can take you to another place at another time. Art comes from your heart, mind and soul. I hope you will enjoy reading My Diary of a Painter. I write periodically so I hope you will visit often. My desire is for you to feel and experience the inspiration that is all around you.

As you read my renderings you will notice that the dates begin at the beginning of this summer.I wanted to use them regardless of the date because I thought they each had something to say about our emotions and feelings, what we see and how we react, particularly as creative people. These segments will be kept in My Diary Archives in case you would like to return to them for reference when I move on to new thoughts.

Use Your Eyes, Use Your Paint, Use you Joy

It is raining.
There is something about the rain today.
I love it.
It is slow, quiet and gentle.
It is a time for
smiling,
crying,
reflecting,
reading,
singing (in my heart),
writing,
going through pictures, thinking of the past,
reaching for tomorrow,
new paintings designed
in my mind no less.
Tmes to be shared
with my immediate family,
my painting family
and my friends.
Gardens to plant, paintings to paint
sunsets and sunrises to enjoy
and fill my soul.
I can see the beauty through the rain
and through the clouds.
There is a silver lining.
Tomorrow the sun will be shining...
the iris will be blooming...
and the old fashioned spirea is ready
to pop out
on its long graceful branches.
A joy in white to behold.
What a pretty picture
with the iris standing tall
framed with the flowing white spirea
hugging tight
yet reaching beyond.
Spreading its beauty
reminding us to look around us
and capture the moment,
then preserve it.
Use your eyes, use your paint, use youy joy.

Mary Jo Leisure, May 7, 2008

When You Can't, God Can

I woke up this morning
to the singing of a million birds.
It was obvious they were so happy.
The sun wasn't up
and it wasn't very warm,
but that did not stop their singing.
They were ready for a new day.
By the time I got up I had heard the symphony
and I was ready to fill my soul with the day.
The gentle rain through the night
had given all the flowers a drink
and the grass had grown 2 inches.
That is the way spring says hello in Kansas.
I walked out to see my living wall bed
filled with pink geraniums
and purple petunias.
They were just planted yesterday.
I can visualize how beautiful this bed will be
all summer.
Thank you Ann.
That is the prettiest May Basket I have ever received.
I believe it is time to paint a May Basket,
if only in my mind.
The ideas are soaring.
Somehow the colors need to be pinks and purples.
It is so frustrating when you
love to have your hands in the dirt
and can't
and in the paint
and can't.
Then God puts friends in your path who can.

Mary Jo Leisure, April 27, 2008

I Took Spring Into My House Today

"Today is the day the Lord hath made let us rejoice
and be glad in it"
Some days it is hard to rejoice
even though I know each day is a precious gift.
So, I remind mtself of this verse.
But, today is a beautiful day and I am rejoicing.
The sun is shining and
the Yellows in my garden are vibrant.
It is about 53 degrees
no breeze
just quiet comfort
touched by the songs of the birds.
I walked around the yard,
wishing
I could pull some weeds or plant some seeds.
I promise to protect my right arm,
but my doctor says not yet.
My sweet friend, Donna, cleaned my front flower bed
a few days ago.
It lifted my spirits so.
I see the Bradford Pear trees across the way
totally dressed in White blossoms
ready for the day.
I gathered a pretty bouquet
of daffodils, forsythia, and bridal wreath
to take spring into my house today.
What a pretty picture it made
on the table in my garden room.
It was framed by the outside
from the windows all around it.
I could touch it, feel it,
and look at it from every direction.
I could even use my imagination
to see what this painter might design.
I am thinking unique and one of a kind.
Gathering ideas
from out of the blue
and I will throw nothing away until I am through.

Mary Jo Leisure, April 14, 2008

I've Been Waiting and Waiting.... Where are You?

I've been waiting and waiting....
Where are you?
I'm ready for spring.
I can't find
any yellow, pink, purple or green.
It's time to wake up.
My kids in Texas are telling me
about all the blossoms
and color popping out everywhere.
Massayo sent me pictures of the
beautiful plum blossoms
in the park at Osaka Castle
in Japan.
I am still waiting...where are you?
Can you tell I am anxious.
When we wait and it doesn't come
we fill our mind with memories.
It works.
My mind's eye is full of color
something new blooming
everyday.
First it's yellow and green
and then everything breaks loose.
It's wonderful.
It is kind of like
when you try something new
you experiement, you test.,
sometimes what you want comes slow.
Be patient.
That's my word of the day.
At least it is at the top of the list.
Patience
don't give up
Prepare
Pull out the books, magazines, pictures.
Go to the nursery, buy garden seeds,
plan some new projects,
keep busy.
Pull out the paint and brushes.
I can't paint right now.
I am trying to be patient and prepare for tomorrow.
I can dream
and enjoy the beauty I love so much.
I think I will plant some grass this afternoon
in containers to grow in the house.
I can use it in arrangements
for Easter.
Maybe I will even pull out a little paint,
and try.
I don't give up....
I pray, I have faith, I trust in God.
He is in control.
Enjoy today.

Mary Jo Leisure, March 10, 2008