Pear Tree Sketch – 2 of 20 Wild Plums Art Series

When I was a child, we lived on this beautiful hill in rural Iowa. There were two gorgeous pear trees next to the garden overlooking the countryside beyond.

Mom put up a hammock from Mexico. My brothers and I would play and read and take naps out there under the twin pear trees. Our dogs and cats would join us.

Here are a few pictures and a (new!) video of my “Pear Tree” painting still in progress.

My new artwork series is a meditation on my childhood growing up off-the-grid in rural Iowa. My goal is to write a children’s book using this series of 20 paintings as the illustration for the book. Thank you to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation – BeWildReWild – Community Artist Grant for your generous support of my project.

https://bewildrewild.org/artwork-paintings-childrens-book

Blessings,

Emily Lupita

Http://EmilyLupitaStudio.com

First Painting Finished 1 of 20

I’m excited to have finished the very first painting in my new series. This is “Lupita Canning Corn.”

I remember corn harvest time. My brothers and I would pick the corn and pull off the husks. Mom would boil the corn on the cob in big pots on the wood cook stove. She’d dump the corn into the table and we’d eat all we could manage. The smell and taste of fresh corn (and fresh tomatoes!) was heaven.

 

We had boards with a nail end pointing up through the center. We’d stick the ear of corn onto the nail and cut off the kernels with long knives. Then we’d push the kernels into canning jars and Mom would pressure cook them on the propane stove. We stored the canned corn in a cement block cellar under the house. In the depths of winter, we’d open the glass jars and enjoy the fruit of all our hard work.

My new artwork series is a meditation on my childhood growing up off-the-grid in rural Iowa. My goal is to write a children’s book using this series of 20 paintings as the illustration for the book. Thank you to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation – BeWildReWild – Community Artist Grant for your generous support of my project.

https://bewildrewild.org/artwork-paintings-childrens-book

Blessings,

Emily Lupita

Http://EmilyLupitaStudio.com

Art Grant for New Book Project

It’s an exciting day! I’ve received a Community Art Gathering Grant from the BeWildReWild Fund at the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The grant is to create my newest children’s book – about growing up off the grid in rural Iowa. I’m filled with gratitude to have this opportunity.

The book will have a series of twenty watercolor paintings. Here I am with the very first drawing, all ready to paint. This one is, “Lupita Canning Corn.” These are the largest paintings I’ve ever made, by far. (The new paintings are 12×12 inches and I usually make 5×7 size.)

I’ve also added a new element to the Lupita paintings…a background. I’m experimenting with gauche paint for the background work. It’s challenging and exciting, both.

My favorite part of painting again is sharing the experience with my sons. The Captain is fascinated by Mama painting and joins me at the table to watch what I’m up to.

I’ll post updates on my new project here on my blog and also on my Emily Lupita Studio Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/EmilyLupitaStudio/

Thank you to the Iowa Natural Heritage Fund for supporting my work!

Blessings,

Emily Lupita

New Painting – Chaos Lupita

I thought I could be finished painting. I went months and months without picking up a pen or brush. I felt so devastated by my mom’s severe stroke…and her brain damage and paralysis that followed. To see her continued suffering through a very difficult recovery process, a long recovery process, and not be able to really help her – it has been so hard for all my family.

But my Mom, she’s a warrior. And she has been fighting every single day to make progress with her physical therapy. She’s able to sit in a wheelchair for a few hours now despite still being paralyzed on the left side. She’s able to eat a normal diet now, after months and months of eating therapy. We’re so proud and grateful for these improvements. We’re so thankful we still have her with us.

And…amid all of this…Mom started painting again. She’s doing a bird series. She asks the nurses to move her next to the window for natural light. She has a set-up on her tray to help her manage the paper and paint and brushes. She paints with her one good hand and uses her paralyzed hand to hold down the paper. Unfortunately, Mom has lost her muscle memory she developed from a lifetime of painting as a result of her brain damage. This means she has to start all over again. She has to learn to paint all over again. And yet, Mom continues to paint because she loves it. Because it gives her joy. Because it helps her connect with the world.

Mom has inspired me. And here I go. Drawing again. I have a new series I’m working on. I’m calling it the “Chaos Lupita” series because that’s how this year has been for me. Art imitating life.

Many blessings,

Emily Lupita

 

My Beautiful Mama – Brain Surgery

My beautiful Mama. She has been my life-long teacher in art. Mom suffered a brain bleed and stroke two weeks ago, and was flown by helicopter for emergency brain surgery. She survived the surgery, but still has swelling on her brain. For now she is still paralyzed on her left side and has a feeding port because she can’t swallow.

These are a few pictures of the latest quilt we made together. My painting on fabric and her quilting and sewing. My boys just love it.

It’s devastating for me to see my vibrant, artistic, creative Mama so silent and immobile in her hospital bed. But she’s a true fighter – a modern day warrior – and she will come back to us, I know.

To read more, get updates, and join her community of supporters, please visit Juana (Jane) Plum’s Stroke Recovery Go Fund Me page at this link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/6sdalco

Many Thanks and Blessings,

Emily Lupita

Artist & Author

www.EmilyLupitaStudio.com

New Painting – Lupita and Her Captain 2.0

My newest painting is modeled after a photograph of me holding my son, Charlie. These are a few of the steps I went through to create the painting. I used an Apple Pencil and the software called Procreate. It’s very calming and relaxing for me to paint this way. I love playing with color and texture, with the different layers upon layers.

Blessings,

Emily Lupita

Artist & Author

www.EmilyLupitaStudio.com

New Handmade Artwork

There’s been a flurry of activity on my art desk these past few days. I promised myself I wouldn’t give up on my artwork and would finish new items in time for Christmas.

There are 100 items in my online ETSY Art Shop as of today…a long time goal of mine. Yay!

Here’s a look at some of the Christmas cards (instant download to print at home), art books, handmade Turkish design earrings, and Lupita ornaments. The Christmas tree ornaments are made from my miniature original watercolor paintings. I coat them onto mini canvases and add ribbons to create the ornaments.

It’s been joyous for me to have spent time immersed in art again. Sending wishes for a beautiful holiday season to you and your family.

Blessings,

Emily Lupita

Artist & Author

Emily Lupita Studio