"The Magi" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"The Magi"

Oil Painting on linen on board  (30"x24")

In the collection of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Moriarty

"The Druid Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA will feature "The Magi" on the cover of their Worship Order this coming Sunday, December 11, 2011.  Blessings to the congregation and many thanks to them for choosing my painting."

MAY THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON BE A BLESSING TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Floral Delight" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Floral Delight"

Oil painting on linen on board  (10"x8")
Recently purchased by John and Jerri Ramsey of Carmel, Indiana
From The Brown County Art Guild, Nashville, IN

"I hope this page from Martha Whitmore Hickman's "Healing After Loss" is helpful to you.  It's just what I needed today."

"I was beginning to do better.  I thought I was doing better, but a few days ago the holidays just hit me." -  This was from a widow, contemplating her first Christmas alone.


"Memories are always there to hook us, to make the grief fresh again - birthdays, anniversaries, summer vacation -- any occasion of "the first time around" without our loved one.  But the Christmas holidays, the Hanukkah observances, when the whole world seems poised for celebration, are among the most difficult times of year for survivors of loss.  Each of us has a time-honored list of things "we always do" - go to services, hang the stockings, light the candles, share traditional foods.  They are part of our identity and our joy in being alive in a world together - and now one of the key people with whom we shared that joy is gone.  Is it any wonder we cringe from the thought of the holidays?


We will get through it, and probably better if we can talk about it with others who are feeling the same loss.  Reaching out to others for whom this is also a difficult season (especially the lonely) will help, and will express the deeper meaning of the season."

Footnote

"I know this will be a hard season for me.  I will take one day at a time.  I will acknowledge when grief hovers close.  And I will try to be open to times when joy may surprise me, too."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Color Me Red" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Color Me Red"

"Color Me Red"  Framed oil painting on linen on board  (30"x30")

"Now in the wonderful collection of BRENDA HALE KELLEY"

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Reading from "Healing After Loss"

"Cut Roses"

"I want to share with you Martha Whitmore Hickman's meditation for today, November 11, from her book "Healing After Loss".

"Deeper and deeper we burrow into our grief.  Desolations pile on one another.  We wonder if we shall ever see anything on the horizon but this gloom and sadness.

Then one day, in some moment of quiet reflection, we find ourselves Thinking of Something Else!  Is it possible?  

We will move back and forth many times - back into the dark woods and forward again into light.  After a while we will realize it is all one world, that feelings of joy and sadness enrich each other - as a person who has been mortally ill has a new appreciation for the beauty of starlight, the taste of orange juice, the caress of love.

Is it all right?  Is it being disloyal to our lost loved one - to savor our life afresh?  Are we in danger of forgetting?  Not to Worry.  We would as soon forget to breathe."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Roses, Outdoors" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Roses, Outdoors"

Oil painting on linen on board  (14"x14")    November 8, 2011

"This painting took far too long to complete so it may look labored but I've decided to declare "victory" and move on to the next.  Laboring over a painting never makes it better.

Life is very good here in Naples, Florida with many days at the beach.  Today, I'm going to a beautiful spot on the East Trail and am hoping to get some good photos."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Nora 10/2011" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Nora 10/2011"

Self Portrait, Oil on linen on board  (18"x18")  October 24, 2011

"Time for a self portrait that doesn't show grief and agony.  Today is good and I am happy!  The grief took it's toll but I took the artist's privilege and left out all those wrinkles . . .  .  "

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"October Sunset In Naples" Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"October Sunset In Naples"

Oil painting on linen on board  (6"x6")  October 23, 2011

"Well, of all things, a friend has introduced me to jazz music recently and I like it!  It's Sunday morning, jazz music coming from the computer and this little painting has come into being."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Happiness Is . . ." Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Happiness Is . . . "

Oil painting on linen on board  (18"x18")    October 18, 2011

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"White Roses" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"White Roses"

Oil painting on linen on board  (24"x36"   October 17, 2011

"It's time to declare victory on this and move on. . . . it's feels good to be painting again."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

Oil Painting "Red Rose" by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Red Rose"

Oil painting on linen on board  (18"x12")   October 9, 2011

"I skipped over "Painting In Progress" to paint "Red Rose" today.   The thing that I learned today is that the many linen canvas on boards I have in stock all need a primer coat of gloss paint.  I really like to paint on a slick surface and this isn't it.  I'm not discouraged though, since I'm just happy to be painting again."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE