A Show of Hands: Dexterity

As a child, I was fascinated by my hands’ dexterity.  I am ‘double-jointed’ and can bend my hands and fingers into all sorts of strange, unnatural positions.   I wish I could boast about how this ’talent’ has benefited me, but other than being the undefeated “Thumb War” champion in my family, it hasn’t. It only serves as an oddity and an off-putting party trick.  Still, I treasure my flexible little hands and thank them for seeing me through countless yoga poses, hours of drawing and painting, and a lifetime of ability.

“Dexterity”–Graphite

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A Show of Hands: Shake on It

I like to think I’m a person of my word.  If I make a promise or a deal, I try my best to follow through.  When I’m dealing with myself, however, it’s often a different story.  I make resolutions every year, but many of them remain, well, unresolved.  Maybe what’s missing is a hand shake to seal the deal.  I’ll shake my own hand on January 1^st as I proclaim my New Year’s Resolutions.  Hopefully, in 2014, I’ll have success.

See the continuing ‘A Show of Hands’ series here https://www.facebook.com/tamberrinoartstudio

“Shake on It”–Watercolor Pencil

A Show of Hands: Pray

People pray in many different ways for many different reasons.  Prayer can be a time to connect, to reflect, or to meditate.   It can be done out loud, with others, or in complete silence. It has the ability to create a sense of calm, hope, or reassurance. Regardless of how people pray, I think most would agree on one thing– prayer is powerful.

“Pray”–Graphite

 

A Show of Hands: Love

A gentle touch.  A warm embrace.  A reassuring squeeze.  Our hands can express love on so many levels.  Words are not necessarily needed when you have a hand to hold or a cheek to caress. Hug your spouse.  Pet your dog.  Shake your neighbor’s hand.  Reach out and show some love today!

“Love”–Graphite and Colored Pencil

A Show of Hands: Rolling the Dice

Next weekend, we’re heading to Las Vegas as part of my ongoing birthday celebration.  Although Sin City is the gambling capital of the United States, my husband and I don’t frequent the casinos.  We typically spend our time in Vegas shopping, enjoying the incredible shows, and sampling the cuisine. On this trip, in honor of my 50^th, I have decided to roll the dice a few times.  Maybe Lady Luck will be in a generous mood.

“Rolling the Dice”–Colored Pencil on Mixed Media Paper

A Show of Hands: Hang Loose

While it would be correct to say that I grew up in Daytona Beach, the truth is that I grew up on Daytona Beach.  My siblings and I were tan from March through December. We spent so much time in the sea we often felt more ’fish’ than human.  Back then, there were no beach tolls or beach patrols– only surfers and skim boarders, body surfers and swimmers—even our dogs were allowed to frolic beside us in the water. The ocean was our playground.  We constructed enormous, elaborate sand castles complete with moats—no buckets, shovels, or plastic molds were needed.  We built them with our bare hands. We were experts at dodging traffic as we flagged down the ice cream truck that drove up and down the shore, and we learned at a very young age what a ‘run-out’ was, and how to swim out of one.  Although there have been many changes over the years to my beloved Daytona Beach, for me, it will always be home—a place to swim, sun, and just hang loose. 

“Hang Loose”–Colored Pencil on Multimedia Paper

A Show of Hands: Pinky Promise

I don’t remember the Pinky Promise from my own childhood, but it was definitely part of my daughter’s youth.  An unspoken contract between friends who are more like sisters, the Pinky Promise create an impenetrable vault for secrets.

“Pinky Promise”–Graphite and Watercolor