Missing my mother's Happy Birthday

Isabel

Ink on Moleskine paper

8 1/4 x 11 3/4 inches

Barbara Muir © 2017

My mother was a gorgeous beauty -- never aware or confident
of that for reasons I will never know.  Today would have been
her birthday if she were alive to see it, and I thought of her
all day.

I've never done a painting of my mother, or even a real sketch,
so decided to try.  I get why I was intimidated -- she had her own
unique look.  Plus I know so much about her -- almost too much to
approach her simply as a portrait subject.  But I'd like to try again.
Here's my first sketch.

My mother was brave, resilient and always looked for joy in small
things.  Even blind, with a serious lung disease she asked me to
help her fill out cheques to dozens of charities.  Not large amounts,
but the thought of helping people was uppermost on her to do
list.  I miss her every day, but especially today.  She died on
Canadian Thanksgiving Day four years ago, and enjoyed a full
and mostly happy life.  I will try drawing her again to make an
effort to capture her beauty and the inspiration of her spirit.

Wish your mother Happy Birthday.