The Woods

Another Christmas present that I can finally share, now that the recipient has opened it. :) The path is a little shaky in my estimation, but I love how the birch trees turned out, not to mention the massive colour of autumn that is my reason for living through another winter in this forsaken climate. haha

Trees are fun to do because it is so difficult to mess them up. ^_^

Sunrise on Lake Ontario

This was the result of a "practice" piece I did. One gorgeous October morning I rose early to capture the beauty of light rising over the lake. This is my intepretation of that photo op.

Colour is so extraordinary. I love experimenting with it. Maybe I'll get more daring and do some very different colour combinations one day. For now, I'll just be satisfied with working on the skills I am readily eager to hone.  :)

Where I Want To Be Most ~

Not a piece of poetry, but a thought really, that crosses the mind now and again about the place I run to when life becomes too overwhelming to handle.

where I want to be most ...


a place where second chances come more than once
a place I can be who I am and not fear ridicule
a place that values love, compassion and uniqueness more than it does the acquisition of money or power
a place so beautiful it could make angels weep
a place where equality and fairness are sovereign

in short, the place I go when life condemns, scorns and mocks me.
Inside my poetry books.


Life seems less of a trial when immersed inside of words. Whether it is a story, a poem or the lyrics to a song, words that make us feel like we are not alone are the glue that helps hold our conviction together. The emotional equivalent to a hug. :) And we all need more of those.


Enjoy life. Enjoy friends. Enjoy the pure pleasure of words when you can.

Dolphins at Sunset

This was a definite learning experience. I spent a very long time working this over and redoing much of it. It still didn't turn out the way I wanted or envisioned. But so many have expressed appreciation for this, I couldn't ignore sharing it. I'm still learning about colour and how to create motion in my paintings. And as frustrating as it is, I am still loving the learning experience every time I place paint to canvas. Stretching boundaries and finding my niche, so to speak. And I read something recently that made me realize perfection isn't everything.


 "Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything." ~Gustave Flaubert 


Somehow I must learn to be satisfied with less than what I perceive is perfection. To accept and embrace the style that is inherent in my art.

Lark's Song

Perched upon some silent tree

The Lark is singing quietly

Lament for loss of feathered heart

Which sadly tore his soul apart

A song to mirror friendless skies

In hues more blue than bluest eyes

Waking all from fabled sleep

And far more sad than Willow’s weep

Though resonant and kind to ear

It grieved and broke my heart to hear

Listening, the sky turned gray

As dancing sun refused to play

And hid behind the stormy clouds

That cast the gentle earth in shroud

When suddenly the Lark’s song crowned

A note to drown all other sound

Then silence fell with deafening ache

That caused the hardest hearts to break

And as I walked, dark loneliness

Bathed in perfect emptiness

While melancholy reigned supreme

And stripped me from the land of dreams

But I would weather any pain

To hear the sad Lark’s song again

Copyright © roxannegaebel [03 - 26 -2007]

Farewell

As I let go of the past and tried desperately to muster up courage to face the daemons of my future endeavours,
this was born...

~ * ~ 

Goodbye to indecision
To the philosophy of lets just wait and see
Time has no conscience
It cares not that we squander opportunity
Farewell, my guilt
That strangled-holds my heart
Forgiveness is not a luxury given in the dark,
And meant for others, alone

Goodbye to procrastination
To lazy days of leave it for tomorrow
Only to find that tomorrow becomes a never-do-it infinity
I’ll let you go, commiseration
For compassion need not always be partnered with empathy
Goodbye, control
I can not stop the war
That rages on around me, in spite of my bid or
Every.
Sleepless.
Night.

Be gone self-doubt
You have no power here
And no longer will you feed
Upon unfounded and lonely fear
Goodbye misery
I once called you friend
Knowing now, your darkened light
Was not a means to an end
(And I shall not miss you)

Farewell, farewell
To lonely days, filled with passionate need
I’ll dream, instead of future joy
And leave behind my greed
So long to negative judgement
You, I despise the most
Attacking all the kindnesses
While never looking back
Or laying claim for any destruction

(Evil knows thy name)

Farewell torment ..

hello release ~

~ * ~

copyright © roxannegaebel [11-27-2007]

Snowy River

Did this a few weeks ago, but had to wait to post it, because it was a gift. I didn't want to chance the receiver seeing it. This is my first "fight" with painting snow. I never realized how many different shades actually go into giving snow a realistic look. Up to this point, this is the one painting I've had by far the most issues with. I wasn't even sure I liked it much when I finished it, but it has grown on me and I'm learning to let that perfectionist go (slowly). The recipient was very much pleased and that is truly what matters with this one. I'm sure "snow" will become easier to define, the more I paint of it.