Florence Feline

Florence Feline © 2012 Amy Hillenbrand

8 x 10 oil on board

$170.00

 Why is this painting called Florence Feline you ask? Back in 2007 I was lucky to go on a fabulous painting trip in gorgeous gorgeous Tuscany.  It was spectacular. We spent  most  of the trip in a 1000 year old villa in the beautiful countryside and at the tail end of the trip the group spent a couple days in Florence. I saw all the fabulous sites the  Medici Museum, Micelanglo's David and the Petti Palace with the Boboli Gardens. We arrived late in the day so the Palace was closed. I'm still sad about that. I guess I will have to go back, right? The gardens were magnificent and lo and behold I came upon the palace kitties.  I think this little guy was just waking up from his mid-day nap.

 

I know this a blogging no-no, but I feel the need to explain my long absence. As I often talk about on this blog, I was called to follow my heart. This time my heart took me to the bedside of my Mother. My family learned of her uterine cancer last August and my Mother and Father bravely went ahead with chemo and later radiation. She actually did quite well on the chemo.  The cancer was aggressive and in the first week of April she had emergency surgery to repair her intestine that had been damaged by the cancer. I felt so fortunate to be there as this all occurred. This was just too much for her weakened body and on May 10th my Mother left this life. I spent about 5.5 weeks away from home and am just now feeling like I'm getting my footing back. I know I could have been no other place at this time. As I painted this painting above, I recalled all the times my Mother encouraged my talents. She was one of my biggest cheerleaders. I will miss her dearly being on this earth plane with me. I'm very glad I followed my heart.  Thank all of you who have sent me notes and cards. I now know how good it feels to be remembered during times like this.