Art Prints

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

"Little Roper" Young Cowboy Southwest Acrylic Original ~ Amy Tuso

"Little Roper"
Acrylic
SOLD

This charming young cowboy with his mischievous smile and eyes is hanging in a collectors home here in Fountain Hills.

While I was painting this young man the presence of my father was with me and while working on the facial features I realized I was looking at my father's eyes and smile. 

I felt my father's presence very strongly yesterday as I was digesting all that transpired during my tending to moma.  What should have been a very easy chore and visit turned into a difficult confrontation with Alzheimer's.  I thought I was speaking with moma...until the situation was out of bounds.

That's part of the strangeness of this disease...you see glimpses of your loved one and out of habit you speak to that glimpse...somewhat hesitantly, but still think you are carrying on a conversation with them until all of a sudden...the realization hits.

Once I returned to my home I crumpled while sitting in my favorite red leather chair in my studio.  I felt my dad comforting me...he used to call me Missy and he was addressing me that way.  My mother confuses me with my father at times...in my heart, or is it my trying to rationalize the
bickering that she pulls me into...anyway, she is coming from a point of love as she loved my father greatly, so her confusing me for him stems from her love for the both of us. 

Anger, hurt, despair, helplessness...so many emotions at once...I can only imagine what is happening in her mind when this rotten disease takes control...

I pray for guidance in finding the correct, loving pathway so I don't bring hurt to moma and I am able to keep the anger and irrationalities of Alzheimer's out of our loving home...our spiritual sanctuary and place of refuge.  Please pray for me and all the other families that are dealing with this horrible disease.

It's too late for my mother and many others...but please pray for a cure for Alzheimer's...the robber of souls, minds, memories and eventually the physical body.


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

"Thru Her Eyes" Colorful Mountain Majesty Textured Sculped Acrylic Abstract Desert Southwest Sunrise Sunset by Amy Tuso

30"x40"x1.5"
Textural Acrylic Abstract
Gallery Wrapped Canvas
UV Glaze Protected
$800.00 via my website and secure PayPal

Living in Fountain Hills offers breath-taking views of the McDowell Mountains, Red Rock Mountain, the Superstition Mountains and the Mogollan Rim in the distance.  I view Four Peaks from our balcony and have the honor of greeting Grandfather Sun each morning as he begins announcing his arrival with a flood of multicolored glory in the sky until he crests the peaks and his brilliance overtakes the palette of colors with a golden blinding glow.

Four Peaks were the inspiration for this painting as the sun was setting one day and the mountains took on the purple-mountain majesty that is sung about.  Second by second, minute by minute the colors change and take my breath away.

Our Creator, God, Great Mystery...whatever name rings true in your soul...is the ultimate artist as well as teacher!  Visually He offers comfort from the beauty that surrounds us...if we have the eyes to see it and take the time to absorb it.  Spiritually He offers a continual flow of love...if we have the heart to feel it and allow our souls to embrace it.

Life offers challanges as lessons to be learned...if we allow His guidance to be heard...if we have the ears to hear it and the faith to accept it.

I hope you allow yourself some quiet time in nature as often as possible.  Offer up your gratitude for all that you are and for your life. Tune into His love, guidance and feel His grace enter your soul.  Pass His love onto others...and onto yourself.

Have a blessed day...Amy


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

"Echos" Vibrant Color Texture Sculpted Blended Linear Southwest Abstract by Amy Tuso Daily Painter From the Desert Southwest of Arizona

40"x30"x1.5"
Acrylic and Texture
Available via PayPal on my website.

"Echos" is highly textured and sculpted with layers upon layers of acrylics and glazes.  The end result is this beautiful, leathery-feeling tactile and visual joy that was inspired by the canyon walls throughout the southwest.

I chose "Echos" as my posting today because I am "hearing" echos in my memories of times gone by where I needed to dig deeply into my soul for the strength to continue forward movement.

It has been a rough 2 months with preparation to completion of moving my mother into assisted living.  She agreed to move and than resisted moving straight through the move.  Although everything was on schedule and worked like "clock work", her apartment is charming with loads of bright light streaming through the windows overlooking a beautiful courtyard she continues to struggle with both her new circumstances and me.

Anyone who has had to become a true parent to their parent understands the enormity of the soul draining energy involved before, during and day-to-day here on out.  The gratifying news is that when I speak with our contact at this community, she informs me that mom is "charming", "liked by everyone" and that she is taking advantage of many programs that are offered...and so when she lashes out at me it is "just because" I am the one who is here and that she feels safe in expressing her inner thoughts and deamons.

I pray on our present circumstance continually and feel His answers blanket me.

This morning I was lead to an old file of mine that had "Gratitude" writings from over 12 years ago.  A portion of one in particular stood out to me....

"I am grateful for the peace and quiet that is usually at my disposal at any given time during the day.  I am so lucky to be able to do anything, anytime that my heart desires.  The peace is here in this house.  The peace is in my heart.  The peace is in my mind...my soul...my surroundings.  The peace is in my love...I just sometimes forget that all I need to do is stop, breath and enjoy!"

Have a blessed day and allow yourself time to remember just how much you are loved.
peace, light and joy....Amy