Good News!

"Good news today?  The biopsy on the tip of my nose shows it to be a pre cancerous Actinic Keratosis and the doctor will treat it with nitrogen on Thursday morning.  This was the best news possible for me and I am really thankful I didn't wait any longer.  The small sore that never healed has been  on the tip of my nose for at least three years.  I just couldn't bring myself to deal with it the last year while Karl was still with me and even over a year after his death.  It was foolish on my part but it looks like everything will be alright after all.

Tomorrow, I am going to Shark Valley in The Everglades National Park so there won't be any painting but. . . . .  life is GOOD!"

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"March Bouquet II" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"March Bouquet II"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on linen on board  (20"x6")    March 31, 2012

"March Bouquet II" is produced on the last day of March and now I want to go into a larger format.  

Yesterday, I had lunch with two very accomplished and successful artists, Joyce Norwood and Abby Warman.   It was so good to be with these friends yesterday, to share with one another and talk the "Art".  I came home with a feeling of thankfulness and enthusiasm to be painting again.  Listening to and heeding the Still Small Voice within always shows us what path to follow and what steps to take.  I am Blessed anew. 

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"March Bouquet I" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"March Bouquet I"

© Nora Kasten

Oil Painting on linen on board  (16"x12")   March 26, 2012

"I simply couldn't think of another title so this will be "I", in hopes that "II" and "III" will follow.  

A bump on the tip of my nose was biopsied today so I plan to stay in and paint for the next few days.  Who could have guessed that it would take this to get me back to the easel?


One thing that I would like to share with you is about my MAC and the new "Lion" operating system I've downloaded.  I've lost so many Pages documents and Pictures folders and even my bank can't open up my account using Safari.  They told me to use Google Chrome until they get the issues resolved with Apple and thank goodness, that works.   I am so sorry I upgraded to Lion because everything was working fine until then.  


Have any of you had this problem and how are you solving it?  I really want to go back to the old operating system, Leopard."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE 

"Bright, Bright Sunshiny Day" Acrylic Painting by Artist NORA KASTEN

"BRIGHT, BRIGHT SUNSHINY DAY"

© Nora Kasten

Acrylic painting on 2" deep gallery wrapped canvas  (32"x 54")    March 10, 2012

"This painting is on a canvas, custom crafted, by the owner of the Art Emporium art supply and framing store here in Naples, FL.  It's hanging on an end wall of the lanai where I actually executed the painting that took me several weeks to even get started.

The title is from a song I was listening to on the radio while driving one day.  Can you hear the upbeat tune with lyrics . . . .  It's a bright, bright  sunshiny day . . . ?  That's what I was experiencing.

When I cleared out so many things in the house after Karl died, I sent all my acrylic paints to the Salvation Army and had to buy new to do this painting.  I'm still finding my way back but believe that I prefer working in oils the best. "

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Smell The Roses" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Smell The Roses"

© Nora Kasten

Oil painting on linen on board  (24"x24")     February 12, 2012

"It was tempting to not sign this painting but I've eaten a lot of humble pie lately and this is just another bite.  

I purchased a new chrome and black easel the other day that will hold a large canvas and the plan is to experiment with more of the"Contemporary Expressions" I completed a couple of years ago.  Karl didn't especially like those works so I discontinued them but now seems to be the right time to go in that direction again."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"Beach Bride" Oil Painting by Artist, NORA KASTEN

"Beach Bride"

©  Nora Kasten

Oil on linen  (40"x24")   From the 2001 Archives

"Last week we saw the movie "The Artist".  It was a great movie and the wonderful lead actress, Berenice Bejo, reminded me so much of Kathy, the beautiful "Beach Bride" I painted over ten years ago.   The actress looks so much like Kathy.  She's pretty like Kathy but also she portrayed her mannerisms and personality so wonderfully.  It was really a treat for me to see the  movie and remember Kathy.


The home Karl and I shared finally sold last month, January, 2012 and I've moved into the place (home) that is right for me now.  There is a room with an easel, all set up for me to paint, and that's what I intend to do.  There is the beginning of a painting on the easel now (a lady sniffing a bouquet of flowers) but I'm not sure if I will finish it or destroy it.  I'll keep you posted."

NORA KASTEN WEBSITE

"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