When I painted “SF Golden Gate Bridge,” I was thinking about two people who should never have met, but did. A man from Oakland. A woman from Mongolia. Different languages. Different histories. They would stand together and look out at this bridge, searching for words, then giving up on words and letting the silence do the work instead. Over time, they learned each other’s language. Slowly. Imperfectly. But even before the words came, there was this place—this span of steel and light—that held them both. I began to see the Golden Gate not just as architecture, but as a quiet witness. A bridge between countries, cultures, and the small, ordinary evenings where two people try to understand one another. This painting grew out of their love story. Out of the space between them, and the way they crossed it. SF Golden Gate Bridge | Open Edition Giclée Matted Print pforbesart.com/product/sf-go… via @Power_WithinU

Visit with great grand kid Removing toddler dangers Excited for visit

Spring rain muggy day Fireflies evening mating Mosquitos biting

A moment in my life written in haiku.

Haiku are a lesson in observing the scene. Much like artwork or a play the scene gives the viewer freedom to feel. I started doing Haiku to learn to say more with less words. Instead, I learned that writing should and show not tell. Here is a guide for a traditional Haiku. Traditional Haiku: A Simple Guide Haiku is more than a 5-7-5 syllable poem. It is a brief observation that allows the reader to experience a moment and discover its meaning. Traditional Haiku Elements Three lines 5-7-5 syllables (in English, often used as a learning structure) Nature imagery A seasonal reference (kigo) Concrete observations Juxtaposition (two images or ideas placed side by side) No explanation of meaning No moral or lesson Show, Don’t Tell My example: A man’s face frowns A clown honks his horn loudly Summer sun warms ground Each line is up to you to wonder about. We are blasted daily with instructions on how to think, and what things mean. Our brains are shrinking… Think for yourself...

Morning thoughts haiku Seeds of acceptance Sown in deep rich soil of trust Watered in kindness

Today’s haiku is about how we curate how we appear on social media. What if we didn’t enhance our persona?

Morning thoughts in haiku form.

Morning thoughts Haiku

Morning thoughts Haiku.

Haiku this morning. Keep Healthy!

Every morning I look at the painting I am creating. I ask myself does this painting speak to me, I don't ask if this painting will speak to others. Everyone’s art whether it is words, music, drawing, or a sculpture should ask themselves “What is this saying about me, to me!” If you want to really know me, study my art. My art tells the truth of my story.

I answered the phone, and a man said, “This is Officer ___ from a police department out of state. A car registered in your name was involved in a hit-and-run.” My mind immediately packed a lunch and left the building. I said, “That’s impossible. My car is in my garage in another state.” My husband, standing nearby, said, “Don’t give out information. It could be a scam.” He was right. These days, caution is not paranoia. It is basic survival. So I asked the officer for his name, badge number, and the department phone number. Then I told him, “There are too many scammers. I’m going to call you back.” I looked up the city and police department myself. The number matched. I called dispatch, and they transferred me to the officer. Then the questions began. Had I ever owned a green Subaru Outback? Yes, but over twenty years ago. Had I ever used a different last name? Yes. Had I ever lived in Washington state? I gulped. Yes. By now my heart was racing, and my brain was digging through the attic of my life trying to remember who I sold that car to. The first thing that came to mind was a former family member with the same first name as mine. Then he asked if I had ever lived in a certain small town. Finally, I could say, “No.” I told him there was someone from my former family who may have lived there, but I didn’t have her number. I might, however, have her father’s number. So I gave him that. While we were talking, his police radio went off in the background. He said, “Do you believe me now?” At least the man still had a sense of humor after dealing with the public. I was pretty shaken, so I asked him to call me back if he found the right person. Then I asked what had happened. He said it was a fender bender in a parking lot. I let out the biggest sigh and said, “Oh, thank goodness. I thought someone had been hit.” He said, “Nah. Just looking for insurance to bill.” Later, while I was telling my youngest son the story, the officer called again. I hung up and called the department number back because, apparently, I was still not done being suspicious. He answered and asked for my birthdate. I said, “Am I off the hook?” He said, “Oh yeah. Not even close.” To defend my suspicious nature, I told him, “At my age, it’s not paranoia. It’s wisdom.” I could practically hear his eyes rolling through the phone. Anyway, if I disappear from social media, I need bail 💵

Lessons about life I have learn through my art. “Painting has taught me that not every mistake needs to be fixed. Sometimes we live with it, learn from it, and keep going. I think we try too hard to erase mistakes in life, but mistakes are often what teach us. I even think they are part of the gift of free will. If we were perfect little humans running around, we wouldn’t learn much. Even in painting, a mistake is not always a flaw. Sometimes the imperfection is what brings it to life, because life itself is imperfect.” - Pat Forbes

I’m working on a painting that feels like an English garden in the Pacific Northwest. There’s a small pond in the center, flowers around the edges, and a blue sky with one soft cloud reflected in the water. The trees are more like evergreens or firs, which don’t exactly scream Kansas, but I love them, so they’re staying. Hopefully, I will finish up this painting soon and have it hanging at Images Art Gallery in Overland Park, KS next week. Enjoy the spring color.

You know it’s spring on 𝕏 Spaces when the trolls start emerging.

There was a time when freedom was as simple as a swing and the wind in your hair. No deadlines. No noise. Just the thrill of soaring higher and believing the sky was within reach. This painting was created from that memory of pure childhood joy. 🎨✨ #Art #Painting #ChildhoodMemories #Freedom #ContemporaryArt #PForbesArt Joy | Open Edition Giclée Matted Print pforbesart.com/product/joy-o… via @Power_WithinU

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