More art work

 

Lake Sitcoos/ McLaughlin

More Art

 

Spring /watorcolor/ McLaughlin

                                                          

Summer / watercolor / McLaughlin

Fall/ watercolor/ McLaughlin

Art for sale

 Someone suggested a good way to sell my art and contribute to charity so here it goes. Here are some painting with prices. Donate said amount to a charity like Planned parenthood, Fod for Lane County or Habitat for Humanity( or your own suggestion) -send me verification of donation and the painting is yours. It may not have glass with the frame if I have to ship. Enjoy.

                                                        

                                        Red Door  11x 14  /watercolor $60

                                            Rusty Hinge /watercolor  11x13 1/2  $60

 

                 Subatomic #1/waterocolor &ink  5x7  $40

Nature is Good for the Soul

                                                                                                  Bare trees / watercolor  A. McLaughlin

 

         I live in the city with lots of pavement, traffic noise and artificiality. I recently had a rare walk in the wood and it reminded me how important nature is for our soul. Studies have pointed out the obvious need for green space for their soothing quality, and absorption of CO2 . Duh. We have separated ourselves from nature with the whole arrogant "We can tame nature" philosophy that is now backfiring on us big time with climate change.

    Either we caused the problem but can't fix it or we didn't cause it but believe we can fix it. Reconnect to Mother Earth, sit by a warm fire, a flowing river, watch the trees sway in the wind, remember you are a part of nature too.The meditation will calm your spirit.

    

Watercolor art

 You know what the sercet to a good painting is? White space. Your eye is always attracted to white space.

                                                                                                Birch Trees / A McLaughlin

Painting

            Bare trees/ A McLaughlin/ watercolor

 

 

Painting, like writing, is easy. All you do is stare at blank paper until drops of blood fall.

Reflections of

                                    Reflections of. . . 

                                    watercolor

 

 

 

 

Art for Sale

 

Sunface / Watercolor 12x12 $120

 

 

 

Oak Leaf / watercolor 9 x12 $60

 

 

How to Put Up with ASD/ Neurotypicals

                    

            Red door watercolor

         Being an adult with autism is survivable yet endlessly frustrating. Getting normal people trained to the point where we don't have to bend over backwards to please them is a daily problem.

         No one would ever say to someone in a wheelchair to just try harder, so you can get up and walk. I've heard similar well meaning but useless advice most of my life concerning my invisible disability.

         This is for someone with autism, if you know someone close to you who has autism or someone wishing to know more about the condition.

          If you are autistic, you will have to educate those around you about your limitations, fears and perception in order to be accepted. You will have to guard against saying, doing and reacting the wrong way constantly. You will have to learn to make small talk, introduce yourself into a conversation correctly. Remember that not everyone shares a laser like focus in -fill in the blanks. Set a mental timer to stop speaking and give others a chance to reciprocate in conversation. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance when you're not sure. Go with being formal rather than chummy when dealing with new or casual acquaintances. I advise reading etiquette books to decode the rules to social interactions. Seriously.

         For the neuro typical, social skills are a given. Understanding body language, verbal tones and subtext is often lost on us. Please don't give us contradictory or vague "just do what you think is right" directions, we aren't always capable of figuring out what to do on our own. Please don't scold us like children when we have a messy, explosive meltdown. We know we're out of control but can't help it. Simply assure us it will be alright and ask "What can I do to help?". Understand that handling day to day adult responsibilities can be a monumental task when we have to carry around a mental instruction manual on how to behave. Throw in anxiety, depression and low esteem to further complicate efforts.

         We are doing the best we can, if we say "I can't do that," it's not just lack of confidence. What may be obvious and simple to you, may not be to the literal minded autistic.

         If you suspect someone you know may be autistic, research the criteria and politely present them to the person. If they aren't on the spectrum, at least both will get an education on what to look for. If they prove to have ASD, you will save them a lot of grief. They will be grateful and relieved to know why they don't fit in. I wish someone, anyone had said something to me earlier. It would have made my life easier.        

         Autistic people are not stupid, scatter brained or emotionally cold. Many are quite smart, aware and feel deeply. What we lack in tact, we make up for in other areas, encourage those skills, let us see how we can be accepted and valuable. Expressing empathy can be a mystery but we do care deeply. Neuro typicals and autistics need to find a way to recognize that.

         When you see an autistic person sitting by themselves, don't assume they prefer to be alone. More than anything we want company but can't always express that need. You may have to drag us into an activity but we will appreciate the effort.