Friday, September 18, 2009

Just Because

09.17.09 - Day 29: Paint it Forward

When I was little, I used to make my family little cards to tell them that I loved them ...just because. I remember one time when I took all of the pennies from my piggy bank and glued them to a sheet of paper in the shape of a heart to give to my sister, Rachelle, when she was sad about something.  Much to my dismay, half of it fell off before I could hand deliver it, but I still remember how tightly she hugged me because she could tell it was from my heart. I always had this thing with labeling my cards on the back, as if I was my own Hallmark brand or something.  I had forgotten about that until this past year when my Grandma Liz brought me an envelope full of cards I had left for them over the course of several years. When I "did the flip," it said  "From the Heart Cards" on the back in pencil.  I must have been 7 or 8 years old when I started doing that...so I guess I really was destined to be a marketing person.

Over the years, I have made and exchanged several cards with family and friends, but I had forgotten how much I truly love the simplicity of drawing with a pen.  I've been making whimsical flowers, trees and creatures like these since I was a kid--whether I was drawing them, cutting them out of paper or even making them from a paper napkin at dinner [clearly, I have an attention disorder].  I'm not sure what my fascination with flowers has always been, but in part, I think it is the realization that it's virtually impossible to be sad when someone gives you flowers.  They're like an instant gratification button--poof, you're happy.

The story behind these two cards in particular stems [pun intended] from my frustration with standing in the store for 30 minutes, unable to find a card that says what, or looks the way I want it to...so I made my own.

There are two people I'm sending these to: one is a dear friend that's been on my mind a lot lately, and the other I have yet to meet but has recently touched our family in a very special way.  That's all I'm really going to say about these.  I'm not sure they count as part of the PIF project, but it was something I'm glad I picked up again, for no real reason other than...just because.



CRL
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Follow along at: http://paintitforward.blogspot.com/




9 comments:

Kelly Oliver said...

:-) Happiness!!

Michelle said...

Michelle Sheets "loves that reading Louie's Blog brings tears to my eyes, while the music brings tears to my heart. You are amazing my friend, purely amazing." xoxo chelle

Angela said...

chris, i read your blog and i am TRULY moved by everything that is you!!! you are one of a kind girl and i hope you know how very talented you are from your writing to evey gorgeous art project. i hope you get everything you are looking for with paint it forward. much love, angie.

Angela said...

BTW michelle is right you move us to tears.

Suze said...

Once upon a time, weren't you going to start your own offical line of cards!? I think that is an excellent idea! You should go for it! So hard to find the right card these days.

Love what you are doing Louie! I look forward to the next post!

Girish said...

Loved the simplicity...have shown some of your paintings to my 10yr old who dreams to be an artist...she is mighty impressed...

Mata said...

You make me so proud to be your sister. I love you for your strength and desire's to always bring happiness to others. You are truly a flower with movement that entitles you to be ever so fragile, but yet as strong as the stem that holds the pedals of a flower. We are so blessed by you my dear. I love you always.

Gina said...

That's why I love you, little sissy! You are one of the gifted few in this world that God gave the ability to make everyone feel better just from you being near. Don't know what I would ldo without you! Xoxo

Sia said...

nice........enjoyed reading this. Love ya