Serenity

I did this for someone special who told me that water is his inspiration and serenity. I hope that when he looks at this, it calms and soothes the soul and inspires him in the best ways possible. I let go of the perfectionist in this and I love how it turned out. More than I have in a long time. This is closer to where I want my paintings to be. I haven't given this to him yet, but hopefully he finds as much pleasure in it as I did creating it.

I love the colours I found in the sky. I think I probably spent the most time on it. The sun gave me the most grief. It is so hard to capture the exact movement that I want. *sigh* It's still something I truly enjoy doing. When I paint, I feel more free than at any other minute in the day. :)

The Lights

I have finally gifted this painting (had to wait to meet up with the recipient) and so am now finally able to share it. I wanted to give AB another attempt and although I prefer my first one to this, the rainbow of colour in this one does make me smile.  Unfortunately, the photo doesn't come close to showing the colours as vivid as they truly are. But I DO like the way I've filtered the trees in.

I am not entirely happy with this one, but I'm still learning to shush that inner perfectionist.

The Bridge

FINALLY!!

I am finally done with a painting I began about two months ago. The link (just click on the title, "The Bridge"),  provided will take you to the artist's blog who inpsired this. Scott is a gifted photographer and sees art wherever he is. I am thankful that he allowed me to use one of his photos for inspiration. 

I am not certain why this gave me such grief, but the black eyed susans were so unforgiving. I stopped when I was almost finished the bridge and had everything else painted in EXCEPT those blasted beautiful flowers. lol It sat in the living room just mocking me everytime I looked at it. I finally managed to coax the muse to help me finally finish it and now it gives me some satisfaction when I look upon it. This photograph simply does not do it justice. I couldn't capture how truly beautiful the colours look on canvas, but this is the best I can do for now.

Now I must visit this actual bridge and see how beautifully life imitates art. :P Thanks Scott!! :D

Dandelion Days

I wrote this for my sister Janene who died, September, 2002. I miss her every day.  I mostly remember those days in the summer when we left the house at the crack of dawn and didn't find our way back until the sun was setting.  Those were the best days! The Dandelion Days.

Softly the light pours through the trees

falling down in radiance on silky brown locks

that whip through the air on wings of the wind

flowing like the white fuzzy seeds we set free

Smiles and giggles, packaged from before

are let loose to the gathering wind

and carried off to the land of never wonder

where hearts are light as lazy clouds

and souls delight, removed of shrouds

I remember you
I remember this
I remember absence;
our moment of happiness

Tulip trails and butterfly dreams

fluttering for your laughter

that taunted my mood and so easily

broke my frown

you, whom life was too crowded for

Death, that eager chamber of darkness,

envious of all the joy and breath

you gave to the earth;

bitter and cold in his loneliness

abducted your innocent heart

leaving your absence lingering

with a stinging, ceaseless ache

The only solace now are the memories

of those glorious sun-swamped Sundays;

those water-logged, carefree, monumental

child-minded eternities;

the remembrance of every smile

and all those dandelion days

Copyright © roxannegaebel [09 - 10 -2007]

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.