Wednesday, December 30, 2015

December 30 2015

I have seen a couple "Call to Artists" lately for artwork for charity reasons.  One is tugging at my heart for the Humane Society.  As you know, I keep a file of photos I have seen on the web, for just inspiration for just such an occasion.  As I was going through some of these, I had to smile at several.  My apologies to the sources of these pics, I would give you credit if I could.  I am definitely not claiming these to be mine, but passing them along for the 3 other people that might read this blog.



Now if those don't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will.  Hold that smile and greet the New Year!
Stay tuned!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas Eve morning 2015

Merry Christmas!

As I am trying to get ready to get this house in shape, I started with dishes, which brought me to the window over the sink.  I realized that this window could be the window to my soul.  Well, at least my scrapbook.   Sure, it looks like a garbage dump to the untrained eye, but see what I see....
The Hubs said, "you are NOT putting winebottles in the window!"  Well, yes, I am.  At least for a bit.  I LOVE light bouncing through that blue glass.  Its cheap, and easy, and I drank the wine just for the ambiance of those bottles in the window.  (Not really, but it makes you smile, right?) There is something about the variations of light coming through cobalt blue that makes me smile.  OK, so maybe not the classiest thing, but worth their weight.  Just wanted to explain those first thing.
 The white poisettia bloom is one that accidentially got broken off my plant this year. It was the best bloom on the plant and I couldn't just throw it away yet.  So its been in a vase my friend Maureen made, (she's a potter and we traded art!)for about two weeks.  then comes a little pot I made for my mom in about 5th grade.   The smiley face is also a piece Maureen made, its an egg separator, and although I have used it a couple times, I love it for FACE value.  It makes me smile.  Then comes the antique bottle The Hubs found and cleaned up.  An old candle cup filled with rocks from a beach is used as a starter for plant starts.  Hanging here is an glass blown angel which has a magical story of its own that I should tell you sometime.  The bauble is from my friend Shells in Australia that catches the sun and bounces light all over the kitchen.
The Green heart on the window is a something that came to me after we did our first reno to the house.  Its been through a lot, this heart, this house, and our hearts.  The little copper one that hangs with it, reminds me of my parents roots in the Copper Country.  There are a couple little clear bottles that I have visions for future craft projects.  The ball jar lids will be on some jars for treats in a day or two.  The coffee cup is self designed and was a fundraiser at work. I gave it to Hubs for Valentines Day this year, but its nice of him to let me dry my paintbrushes in it.  That little bottle has a metal plate inside that says "Let your Light Shine" and it reminds me daily.  Way over is a little brass candle holder that was made by my son Trent, at a museum, on a school field trip.  I remember his face when he brought it home to me.  Hanging by the white ribbon is my chi piece.  Its a piece I bought on a beautiful artsy daytrip Hubs and I took a while back.  Chi hanging in your window is  supposed to allow all good vibrations in.
The sunflower hanging in my window was made for me by my friend Terri and sent as a gift.  The four rocks are all made from miliflori, and found on an anniversary trip we made.  The only way you see their personality is with light bouncing through them.  The blue pot?  Yep, that cobalt thing again, and the daisy is a solar dancer and just reminds me to smile.

So, what looks like a garbage dump of sorts, have all perfectly logical reasons to be.... I am just catching on that the light plays a big meaning in much of what I see.  Things that maybe aren't so pretty, are pretty within when shone through with the light.  Hmmm... getting deep, but there is a meaning in there somewhere.  Now that I have explained all that, I should get back to the dishes.  There is a holiday coming up, ya know.

Only the strong take glimpses in my brain... congrats, you just made it through one.  Stay tuned.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sunday December 20, 2015

Picture this:  Moonlit night.  A wooded area running alongside a beautiful lake.  Christmas lights on the other side of the lake reflecting in the water.  A luminary-lit path on a snow dusted winter night, where you walk along, until you find a place that is significant.  You turn on your flashlight and read the prose left for you.  Snap off your light and continue on.  The walk ends at the winery, with the chili warming and the jazz band playing.  That was our evening last night. Perfect weather last night for it.  It was one of those events where you couldn't take pictures of it, you just had to savor it. It was beautiful!

 I have shown some of the cabinet samples I rescued from the dumpster, right?  Well, I made some Christmas cards with them... on the back is a large sticker that says Merry Christmas from US!

There is baking to do and wrapping to do and lots of Christmasy stuff to get done.  Stay tuned!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Thursday night December 17th, 2015

Shopping for men has to be the hardest!  I have three, and no ladies to shop for, really.  I am stumped and Christmas is a week away.

I tried making one of those photo books online, of the things we did this year, for The Hubs for a gift, but we really didn't do all that much. I was to page five (May) and asked myself REALLY??? You want to pay for this book?

It seems I forgot to take pics of some of the things we did do,but we don't DO much:  Work. Eat. Sleep. Work. Eat. Sleep.  Throw in a committee meeting, etc in there, and that about wraps up the yawner we will call 2015.  (Sometimes no news is good news and after the last few years, we are just as happy that it was a yawner.) But it just isn't the first few months either.  Oct, and November, Hubs was recuperating and we didn't do much for those two months either. This book has 20 pages! 

But, it was pitiful up to the point where I left off. **Shake my head.** Just pitiful!

I want to vow right here and now that 2016 will have more to show.  We are going to do more to ENJOY 2016.  And to enjoy it you have to be grateful for it in your life, right?  I think I have found my word for 2016.  I want to ENJOY life more.  Be happier.  Do more.  ENJOY!  We are at a point in our lives where we raised our kids and crammed as much into our days as we could while we did it.  The kids moved out and we stifled.  Before we get too old we should be having fun! And dangit!  Its time!

I think I will like this new word.  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.  Trying it on for size.

Stay tuned!

Sunday, December 13, 2015

December 13, 2015

I have a creative, artsy, guardian angel.  I am sure of it.  There are times that my art is better than others and I have these creative ideas that I don't know where they come from.  But POOF! there is art and its really good, and OMG, I had to get up in the middle of the night to do it!

Like this:
 And this!

I have had the hankering to do them for a couple of days, and then took a quick buzz over to the garden center to photograph some.  Then I got up in the middle of the night to do the red one.  The white one this morning.  Thank you to my artist angel for all her (or his) help.  I absolutely love them.

Maybe paint isn't the medium I should work with.... maybe its colored pencil.  The last thing I did though that I felt help with was a painting, and before that, angel pins.  Ok, ok, so we are diversified.

Never know what is going to come next.... fun, isn't it?  Stay tuned!

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Wednesday, December 9 2015

Well, the craft show wasn't as attended as they expected.  Lots of holiday things going on in the county, and we had dense fog until noon. But I made back my booth rent plus some, so I dun good. 

The Christmas canvas I wanted to do in my last post, ended up like this.... its 24x36ish.
  I started the other one but have pulled up short... maybe next post.  I also bought 4 smaller canvasses for another project that hit me at the art store.  Where does that inspiration come from?  Just WHAM! there it is!
Still, nothing compares with real nature... (on my way to work the other morning)

Stay tuned!



Monday, November 30, 2015

Monday November 30, 2015

The local arts and crafts show is this weekend, and in keeping with my word for 2015, (lighten) I am going to get in to get rid of some of the load.  Just hoping to make booth rent.

That being said, I am in a creative jag at the moment, that just has my mind zipping from one project to another.  Not helpful.

After the boys left yesterday, from what was a really great Thanksgiving that I thoroughly enjoyed, the house was too quiet, and I was too tired, and too creatively distracted to just sit here and cry about missing the kids.  So since I have two paintings in mind, (one is my Christmas painting) and no canvas, we took a road trip 35 miles to a big art supply that I don't get to very often.

While there, we decided that we haven't done anything for the cemeteries for the holidays yet and we also picked up things to make wreaths.I made five and after this pic was taken added a red bow to each. There are red holly berries and different greens that the pic doesn't show.  They really are prettier than what shows. 

Then, during the summer, I made a couple of these concrete hand planters.  I was looking for air fern  ever since and hadn't been able to find it, but I found some fake cactus that I really think works well with them.  SO, finished those too! Nice to get them off my counter in the kitchen. (now what to do with them?)

I also picked up a couple things for experiments of some ideas shooting around in my head.  I really need to do something around the house... to many ideas, so little time!

I did decorate the front porch for Christmas and put up my manger scene.   As far as I am concerned, until the tree goes up, the rest can wait.  At least til the craft show is over.  Wish me luck.

Stay tuned!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving 2015

I post a lot of grateful things on my page throughout November, but this one is the bestest one I found this year.  Maybe because lately, I feel that there are some people in my life whose actions towards me are a puzzle to me and I hope none of my words and actions encouraged such actions.  On the other hand, if it wasn't me, was it them?  In which case, there is nothing I can do about it.
 
Someone once told me, that someday all the truth comes out.   You will see why people do the things they do.  Its nice to know that God knows my heart, and I am grateful for that.

This also reminds me to give others a break.  We never know what path other people have to walk, and what they have to carry.  Only God knows what all their burdens are.  Everyone is learning, trying endeavoring to be everything they were created to be.  Give them all a break in this rough world.

 ******************

Its time to start to open my thoughts to my new years WORD.  Last years word was LIGHTEN.  Lightening the load, like getting rid of half done projects and get them out of the way.  And I think I have done a good job of that.  There is evidence of that in this blog.  I feel good about that and I am going to continue to do that in the new year, as its not just a years worth but an effort put forth through in all aspects of my life.

The ladies that started "the Word" say to open up your mind and thoughts and your word will usually choose you.  You will know it when it comes to you, or you may have to savor it a while to see if it fits, but two years ago, I did a do-over from the year before with "Sunshine" that I liked, but was a desperate attempt to invite more sunshine, and therefore, was more of a forced attempt than a prophetic one.  This year, I start now to open my mind, to listen to what comes to me, to hopefully find what I need to declare for 2016.

Well, my dishes to pass for this Thanksgiving, need to come out of the oven.  I hope anyone reading this today has a joyous healthy Happy Thanksgiving and is grateful for everything that touches their lives.

Stay tuned!

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Saturday November 21, 2015

Today I stayed home from the myraid of holiday craft shows that is happening around the area.  Decided since I will be having company this next week, I really need to get some things done around here.  We are under our first Winter storm advisory anyway.

This week, I tried something that I saw on Pinterest...
 Looks easy, right?  Notsomuch.  I used Black straight pins for the eyes, an electrical cap for the nose and I dropped a little can of hairspray and broke the cap the other day.  As I was about to throw a piece away, I thought, HEY, wait a minute... that would be the perfect smile on my snowman! And so it is!


A doodle while watching the game on TV last night.
 Today I am finishing some little doodads that have been on my bench a while to abandon them to some unsuspecting victim.... will show you when I get them done! 
Stay tuned!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Monday November 16, 2015

Well, They loved the rooster, and will be sending a check.  AND, they want me to do another addition!  Yea! 

Over the weekend I decided that if I am going to get into a Christmas Craft show that there are several things in the art room that I can 'shovel out'.  You know, that New Years Rez that I am still keeping up with.  (pat on back for me here!)

These are pieces of recycled things that have been keeping residence in the art room half finished, so this weekend I got them finished, and Hubs put them together today... I hope they sell!
I posted them online tonight, and although people think they are cute, no bites...

Well, thats all I have for now...  have to go work on that 'addition'...stay tuned!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

November 10 2015

Tuesday night.  Hubs is teaching a class and I have, (surprise!!) my paint clothes on.  I just finished slapping a coat of clear coat on my latest piece of work.  Its on its way to our new improved Village Restaurant, if they like it, if not, I will bring it back home.

This is the painting I had a dream about, and I dreamt it hung in said restaurant.  I knew that morning that I would have to eventually do the piece.  When I was visiting with the ladies that are opening up the restaurant, I told them about the dream and they got excited about it.  SO, hopefully it stands up to expectation.  I am excited about it and hope it finds a home there.
I actually had that chicken dream before I was asked to do that other chicken.  And I thought maybe that was the one that was going to be the answer to the dream, but nope, I didn't stop thinking about this one.  This is just about the same way I envisioned it too ~ airbrushed sky,  chicken crowing on the fence in front of the dawn, and the barn and trees.  I debated about writing Good Morning across the top, but decided against it.  Its about 30 x 40, by the way. 

Wish me luck.  Delivery soon.  Stay tuned!

Friday, October 30, 2015

Blogtober 30.

Blogtober is winding down to a close.   I only missed a few.   And yesterday I DID start, but ended up deleting it because of what Mom used to say.  "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."   Any thing I started to say just sounded bad, so decided to just give it up.  Might have been my mood or my attitude to extenuating circumstances.  Either way.  Neither blog worthy.


Today is our 33rd anniversary, and this month while helping him heal after the surgery the 'in sickness and in health' part kicked in.  But thats what the promise is, right?  He was there for me when I had the kids.  Its all part of the contract of the heart.  He is doing so good, I took the day off and we are going on a day trip when he gets home from PT.

Tomorrow is Halloween.  I didn't get crazy with decorating again this year.  Just a few things. I will work a little more on the porch and front yard for the trick or treaters between now and then, maybe when the sun pops out.  I just am not into this holiday anymore that the kids have flown the nest.

But there are still smiles involved.  In long marriages.  In Halloweens.  In life.

Stay tuned!



Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Blogtober 27

Tomorrow night is the Bra Art Auction, and with two separate entries, one of my own and one commissioned piece, I am anxious to see how they do.
I believe I have posted both of them previously in this blog, but here they are again.  Mine:

 And the commissioned pieces from old mam films for the ladies radiology department.

This event, this year, takes a little wine, and a good friend and a deep breath for reasons that I won't write here.  Here we go!  Wish me luck!  Stay tuned!

Monday, October 26, 2015

Blogtober 26

Once upon a time there was a website, (last I checked, it was still there, but looked pretty deserted) where artists made small cute pieces and left them in public places for people to find.  They would attach a little note saying something like, "YOU HAVE FOUND ART!  It was put there to brighten your day!  If it did, keep it.  If not, leave it for someone else.  If you want to let the artist know that you found it, leave a little message on this website..  www...."

Wouldn't it be great if a piece of art could make a difference in someones day?  Something totally random getting to just the right person?  Maybe it seems idealistic, but if you believe in signs, fate or just meant-to-be's, maybe those messages get to just the right person! 

There was also a website called You Are Beautiful ( http://you-are-beautiful.com/pages/about-us ) where the message You Are Beautiful is left in public places to encourage people to love themselves the way they are.  Not if they were thinner, or curvier, or blonder or taller, but just the way they are.
Randomly.  Like a sign from somewhere.

Art should inspire.  Art should lift up.  Art should be used for good.  Not evil.

Love that thought.  Stay tuned....

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Blogtober 25

I had no idea that artists HAD a day!  On October 25th every year!  Wow!  I could have thrown a party had I known!

I have tried to get to a couple of artsy things... been really busy otherwise.  But you'll see them here first! Stay tuned...

And oh yeah... Happy International Artist Day!!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Blogtober 24


Its a beautiful Saturday, and the windows are open.  The day started out rainy and windy, (still windy) and on the coolish side of warm.  Sweatshirt weather.  With peek-a-boo sunshine.

I went grocery shopping this morning and when I came home a local 4H group was raking our front yard! Wasn't THAT nice?  They are going around the community doing their community work and they wouldn't take anything but drinks of water but we handed them tootsie roll pops too. 

While we visited with them on the front porch as they raked, we noticed a tulip bulb that I missed.  And then another.  And another.  I KNOW I didn't forget to plant all those.  The kids started looking for them (kinda like an Easter Egg hunt at Halloween!) and found just about all of the 3 dozen or so of the ones I planted the other day on top of the ground and all the empty holes I planted them in.  Something didn't apparently like them planted!

It seems that whatever dug them up wasn't after them.  So that made me think WHY?

As I went to the garage to get my shovel and my kneeler pad and gloves, I almost grabbed the bulb fertilizer bag that I used the first time.  A light bulb went off.  I usually buy regular bone meal, but this bag was different, (not sure why I bought it instead unless it was all they had?)  It said ORGANIC.  (Note to self: bone meal is ORGANIC, so if that is why I bought it, its a moot point!)  So I'm thinking it probably has some food qualities to it, and that was what the animal(s) wanted.

I was sore the day after I put those in.  It hadn't rained in weeks and the ground was hard.  Like I said before, it was raining this morning, and the ground WAS a little softer, if not muddier and messier, but I planted those bulbs ONE MORE TIME!  MINUS the ORGANIC fertilizer.  Hopefully they will now STAY planted.  Guess we won't know til Spring.  But know I am still in for one more sore day again tomorrow. 

In the words of Roseanne Rosanna Danna, its always somethin'!

Stay tuned.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Blogtober 21

Eye candy.

It doesn't just mean who you have on your arm, you know... it could mean this:
Or this:
 Or this and this and this....


None of these pics are my creations.  All of these are pics I have found on the web that I just like looking at. They give me pause.  They make me stop and just enjoy.  I know that there are people that took these pics, and yes, if I knew who they were I would give them kudos.  But I don't.  I hope they know that their work is in a special folder that I look in on a bad day.  One that I go to for creative inspiration.  One full of color and uplifting feelings.  If I were a published artist, and even if they didn't remember my name, it would be nice to know that something I did, makes someone feel good every time they look at it.  This is not to say that I would want someone to steal my photo to claim as their own for fun and profit.  That is lying and wrong on all levels.
I call it Eye Candy:  stuff I like to look at.  A collection, an arsenal, if you will, of feel good pics.
How can anyone have a problem with that?

What does eye candy make you think of?
Stay tuned...

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Blogtober 20

Its getting to be bed time, and I am sitting by the open window, as its 70 degrees and there is a sprinkle of rain every now and then.  Its warmed up a bit and I am going to soak it in as much as I can.  I don't want to go to bed because it is supposed to get cooler the rest of the week.

It was a beautiful day.  I planted spring bulbs.  Tulips to be specific.  Bright pink, bright purple and a different pink.  Kind of like:

maybe the purple would be a little brighter.  I know me.  I know after a long winter, the brighter the color I see, the happier I will be.  I am planting some happiness for a time in the future that I know I will need it.  Thats what spring bulbs do!

I made a salad dish for about 40 people who will be attending a funeral dinner tomorrow for the local Legions commander.  I don't go to the meetings so when I am called upon, I try to help.


And after a long day at work, I am spent.  Its time to decompress.  Have a lovely day tomorrow and count your blessings!  I know today that I am!

Stay tuned.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Blogtober nineteen

Look at what this lady did with leaves.  I was married in October (30+years ago) and if I was going to do it again, I would want this bouquet!  Isn't it different and lovely? 
Art in all forms...  Creativity...  everywhere!  
Just thought I'd share.  I thought it was wonderful.
Stay tuned.

 

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Blogtober 18

 Another thing I saw on facebook and is the truth.  I just don't get that shoe thing. 

Haven't had much time for art, and nothing new to report.  So I guess I will say...

Stay tuned.


Saturday, October 17, 2015

Blogtober 17

Dang!  Missed ANOTHER one!

The challenge of Blogtober is to blog everyday.  Well, there are some days that there just isn't anything to report and life is pretty busy these days, so I am lucky to have five minutes as it is.  SO, that being said, my challenge is to do the best I can with it.

Well, I delivered the baby shower gift and she loved it. YAY!

I saw this on facebook (thanks to Jennifer Allwood) and thought I would share it, because I thought it was in tune with my handle here.  Paint Warrior.  I will have to ruminate on that one...  perhaps I would be more like a Paint Warrior Wannabe, as I am not able to paint for a LIVING.  But she sure looks like shes having fun!

Stay tuned!

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Blogtober 15

Dang.  Missed another day so far.  But, nothing hurt. 

What do you do when someone hands you something to paint because they want to give it as a gift,   the design seems simple enough,  seems like a piece of cake, so sure! you agree to do it...

Then you find out that you're painting a cylinder.  Made of cloth.  That collapses.  With wrinkles.  How do you iron that? Should you iron that?  Whatever you make on this canvas should not be painted thick enough to break off the cloth, and should be able to move.  Light weight paint right?

Airbrush. The lightest paint I know.

So, Lets hang this cylinder up, then weight it down so that the wrinkles hang out. To get nice color, continuous, around this tube, you have to allow it to turn as you work, to make the continuous lines.  This works pretty good.

Until the subject matter needs to be done, which happened to be some characters.  Its been awhile since I airbrushed, and it felt good to pick up this medium again.  I think I would have done a decent job, had the cylinder not decided to turn as the air comes out of my gun.  I am a two handed airbrusher: two hands steadying themselves.  Now I am minus one because I have to hold the tube to keep it from rotating.

Why didn't you block it from turning, you ask?  Well, anyone who has used an airbrush knows that putting down the airbrush in the middle of painting promotes clogs and stoppages.  Thin paint shooting through pinholes with large amounts of air which is drying it as fast as it sprays, waiting for two or three minutes while I try to find something and rig it up to work, would have stopped this session pretty much right there.  I didn't have anything handy at that point in time to do so.  If I would have found something, I would have to totally disassemble the airbrush, clean it all out, reassemble it and come back a half hour later.  Doable, but I didn't do it.

I wasn't satisfied.  I thought I could buy another one of these canvas hampers and try again.  Well, that would not be profitable, and I have done art enough to know that perhaps, this project was in an ugly middle stage.  Many times I will get half way through a painting or drawing and find myself ready to tear it up and quit.  If I don't, I am rewarded with something much better than what I imagined would have come out of the ugly duckling I saw earlier.  So....

I may have outlined the characters in airbrush, but I finished them by hand.  Yes, the paint is thicker. Yes, the whole tube is wrinklier.  Do I like it? I do, but I am not confident enough about it being good enough to give as a present.  Do I think she will like it??  I hope she is kind because it wasn't an easy project.

I would love to show it here, but I hate to show gifts before the recipient sees it.  At any rate, its done, I don't believe I would want to do it again, and I am handing it back to her tomorrow.  Wish me luck.

Stay tuned!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Blogtober 13

Tomorrow, one of my bosses has been with the company for 30 years.  We are surprising her with lunch.  Since she also loves the Minions, I decided to throw this in too.
Its all a bit tacky yet, so hoping it will be all dry by morning. 

You just never know what each day brings.

Stay tuned!

Monday, October 12, 2015

Blogtober 12th

I saw this on Facebook yesterday, and I fell in love with it.   Yes.

I sometimes believe that there is a creative angel whispering to me... seriously, something pops in my head and I will find myself thinking, "now where did THAT come from?" 

Fragments of stuff in my brain, (its a wonder I can think at all) of things that get put together for better or worse, from all that I have seen, or been impressed with or someone that has inspired me with what they do.  Some have been long forgotten or stored in a filebox somewhere in the depths come to the forefront to be part of a new creation.  Sometimes its not me at all, but a random mix of things floating up from the depths.  Whatever hits the surface first.

Right now, there is nothing floating.  But I know this is temporary and we'll just stay tuned....

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Sunday Blogtober eleven

Sitting on my porch watching probably one of the last of the warmer weekends end.  It was sunny, blue skies and about 70 degrees this weekend.

Its quiet now, but Oldest son and girlfriend and dog was here this weekend.  Got the eves cleaned out, and fall decorations out.  Bought some pumpkins, stocked the fridge for the week, and did the laundry.  (All but the hangin' up part.) Still have a few dishes to do and the garbage to take out then I am calling it a wrap.

We have had a few visitors this weekend and lots of phone calls from friends checking on The Hubs. Gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. 

Our youngest son lives over 500 miles away and has called once or twice every day this week.  We are so proud of the men that they have become.  We high fived ourselves. 

Artprize is now done.  Didnt get to make it this year, but next year- youbetcha!

Well, guess I need to keep pushing on so I can chill for the night... Stay tuned!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Blogtober ten

So...

We are hanging around home today, The Hubs, Kid and GF and Me. Oh, and my granddog Lunie.

 Its a beautiful autumn day with a hint of chilly.  The Hubs is getting around better, with no meds for pain, (he does have pain when he gets up and moves, but sitting he is good, so he chooses not to take them) and he is being a good patient for the most part.  No races yet, but we have high hopes for the future.

Remember I questioned whether to do the commissioned Bra piece for the Mammography department?  Well, I got some very old film type mammograms and they either wanted a wearable, or a lamp shade so that you could tell what they were.

Here is my answer to their request...


This one was still a little wet yet, thus the horizontal lines.

Very interesting conversation starters, dontcha think?  My sons girlfriend will have a story to tell how she came over and looked at mammogram films for an art project.  Bet there aren't too many stories like THAT around!

I finally got the call that the framing was done on The Tree... Here it is:
Of course, I didn't pull off the plastic before I took it to her.  But she was pleased with it!  Yea Me!

So thats the news for today, Artsy and otherwise.  Stay tuned!

Friday, October 9, 2015

Friday Blogtober 9

Whoops, missed yesterday.  Oh well...

I took today off to go pick up The Hubs from the hospital.  With the help of my sister and brother, we got him safely home and as I write he is snoring softly.

Now the healing begins.  Probably not as fast as he would like, but I think Mr. Patient he is not.




I am going to try to get some art done, but we have our son and friend coming in for the weekend tonight.  Oh, and the dog.  So its quiet now, but won't be later, so better do it while I can.

The frame shop has The Tree done.  I have to go pick it up.

My friend that bought the piano bench should be in town this weekend and picking it up!

And my beloved Red Wings start their season tonight!  YEA!!

Stay tuned!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Blogtober seven

UPDATE:  Progress is being made.  Things will get a little better every day.

Things on my mind... besides The Hubs and all the stuff to deal with there...

Another Bra piece.  Was I stupid to take this on? 

"The Tree" being framed.  Should be done tomorrow.

Certain housecleaning that needs to be done!! Tomorrow night!!

Family helping is a team building thing.

Another family member that is no help at all. "As much help as a sore butt to a shoemaker" to coin an old phrase.  Raising an issue when she shouldn't.  Adding unneeded stress.

Two funerals this week too.  Sending thoughts and prayers those ways.

And about a thousand other things that are too numerous to mention.  Little stinky things.

Tomorrow will be better.  Better every day.

Stay tuned.





Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Blogtober six

Its been one, long, day.

The surgery went well, now to get on with the healing business.  Thank you God and angels above.
Things I have learned today:

Having someone just sit with you while in the waiting room is something I will be doing for the next person.  It means a BUNCH.  I didn't think I needed anyone.  I was all big in my big girlie pants, but man, it was nice when my sister and my cousin showed up just to sit with me.  I will pass along the favor to the next friend or family member that needs me there.  Whether they want me or not.

There is nothing better than hearing the words, "Everything went fine!"

I am grateful that technology is able to take the pain away and he can up the quality of his life.

Coming home to a quiet house is way too quiet and I don't want to do this on a regular basis.

Never will I underestimate the power of good thoughts and prayer.  I am overwhelmed at the people on Facebook that prayed for us even when they didn't know what for. (I just asked for prayers without a reason until I knew it was ok with him to publicize) After, I am touched with the people that messaged us and just made conversation.   Some you wouldn't expect.

A good laugh or a good conversation from our boys is priceless for recouperation, especially when they are too far away to be there in person and calling their visits in.

Now its decompression time.  I have a cold, adult beverage and I am in for the night.  I know he is trying to sleep with the stat-taking, poking and prodding nurses, but in good hands.


I will continue to pray for others: Shells, Bob, Willie, Dave, Matt, Tamie and family, and Marv's family, wishing them all comfort.

I believe my beverage needs refreshing and I want to just chill the rest of this evening.  To all that read this: may your lives be blessed.

Stay tuned.


Monday, October 5, 2015

Blogtober five

The night before surgery and looking forward to the better days ahead.  Less pain on his part, and the waiting for this to happen since the day he had his pre-ops done, is not easy for him to do.   With God's grace, we will make it through with the help of family and friends. 

On the art side of the blog, I sent in my bra art and the committee sent me an email to ask if I would do a commission bra piece for the xray department, made of old mammography films.  I wasn't going to do it, but then had an idea and said yes (hopefully will try to work it in sideways) .  They are going to try to get them to me while I happen to be at the hospital tomorrow.  We'll see what transpires.

Here is hoping that there are bright skies ahead.  Stay tuned.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Blogtober four

I wondered about doing Blogtober because, in two days, The Hubs, is going in for surgery.  He needs a total hip replacement.  Actually, he needed it a while ago, but its now gotten very bad.  So life will be pretty busy for me in the next few.

I am trying to catch up on a lot of things, like finish up the art I need to, so I can be available for nurse duty.  I can't wait til he feels better again!  He has to be off the ibuprofen that works for him for this week prior to surgery, so I know he is gritting his teeth more than usual now.

I need to clean the house for the company and 'help' that will probably be coming in.  Groceries are bought, Laundry is done.  Today is a chilly, cloudy, breezy fall day, and after having breakfast with my siblings and siblinginlaws, doing a little shopping and a farmers market, we are both kinda crashing at home for a bit right now.

He has been flipping between the ball game, (last one of the season) and the Nascar race, and then I hear him snore.  Next I know, he's flipping the channels again.

Actually, once I get the Baby Shower present done, I think I am done with art until further notice.  Although I may sketch a bit in the next few days. 

I started the baby shower project yesterday.  I dragged out my airbrush, blew the dust off of it and started painting.  I am using the airbrush because its going to be a canvas hamper for the nursery.  Because its collapsible, I didn't want to put thick paint that may crack off one day, not that I expect them to collapse it on a regular basis, but because its so movable.

Well, airbrushing takes practice.  I love airbrushing, but I haven't practiced it in a while.  I am now at the point that I either have to patch and make what I have done, WORK, or go out and buy another hamper and start over.  I stopped when I got frustrated so getting back to it will take a bit of effort.  Cleaning up messes isn't as fun as creating!

I guess I can leave this blog with an artistic thought though:
Enjoy whats left of the weekend!

Stay tuned!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Blogtober three

A thought just occured to me while I watched my third tutorial video on Facebook this morning... that art is as relative as anything else in your life.

While I was watching this woman make an abstract painting in watercolors (no, I don't do watercolors but its fun to watch other medium artists do their thang) I realize that the theme of the painting that attracted me to watch in the first place is a definate difference in what she ended up with. (For the record I watched an Oil Painting technique this morning also, but I don't do that either. The third one was a Art Journalling video which I have tried, and basically suck at!)

While I appreciate the techniques and the creative mind she has, and the products she is touting on the video, I asked myself if I would buy that art from a booth.  My answer is no.   I gained appreciation for the piece by simply watching it be made, and if I saw it in a booth without that knowledge, I probably wouldn't value that piece as much.  In other words, it was fun watching it become what it became.  And the video did what she wanted, it taught me a few things.

Once the piece was done, it really didn't appeal to me personally.  I look at this like looking at a catalog of clothes.  Some may be beautiful on other people, but I know its not right for me.  Some may be the right color, or some might be the right size, but I don't have to like them all. Its personal preference like the clothes you wear, the color you paint your walls or any other decision you make.  You have to be COMFORTABLE with it.  Something in that piece has to resonate with you.

I think that art is in the eye of the beholder, and there are as many tastes as there are people.  You should always pick out your own art.  What makes you say "WOW!"  And it doesn't always have to match the sofa. The art you like says a lot about you.  I like to ask myself what I like and don't like about every piece I consider.

For me, I think this blog has given me the determination of  painting over a few canvasses that are less than loved that I have done.  Make something better out of them.  There are more canvasses being done these days than there are walls to hang them on.  So the ultimate purpose of those canvasses, in the long run, are to make ME happy anyway, right?  To express me.

Just my thoughts on a cool, blowy Blogtober morning....


Stay tuned!


Friday, October 2, 2015

Friday, Blogtober 2 2015

Happy Friday!  Did you know that Oct. 2 is Plaid Day?  Yep, I read that on Facebook last night.  And you know what they say, if its on Facebook it has to be true!

Well, I wore plaid today... (lumberjack red), and apparently nobody else got the memo.  Oh well... it WAS chilly out, and the plaid WAS warm, and its comfy on casual Friday.

Besides that, its First Friday.  Hoping to get down there tonight.  And with fall comes the fish fries at the local Legion. Gonna go try that tonight.

But first a glass of wine to say goodbye to the workweek, and hello weekend.

See you tomorrow!  Stay tuned!

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Blogtober one.

Ok, we'll give it a shot, Blogtober, that is, with no promises.

Its 10pm on the first... can't wait too much longer to start Blogtober, but I'm in!

Well, as much as I hate to post things that I do for others before they get to see them, I doubt if they, or anyone close to them, will see them here. 

This is a poem that I calligraphied, for a friend, and did the tree to match.  So, although I don't get the poem, I like the tree.  It is on parchment paper with walnut ink and sepia pen. The artwork is only laying in the frame before I left it for framing.  I can't wait to see it done next week. I hope she likes it.

Next up: a baby nursery hamper and a rooster for a restaurant.
And a halloween sign. 

Stay tuned!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Hmmm, here we are on the last weekend of September.   Despite the continuous proverbial hanging on by the fingernails on the season of summer, its leaving, and the days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler.  So I sit on my front porch a little longer, keep the windows open when its cooler than comfortable, and I will not, nope, will NOT hang out the fall wreath yet.  So there!

To do Blogtoberfest, or not to do Blogtoberfest, that is the question...

Life is going to be busy for the next couple weeks so I am also trying to get in all the art I can. (housework be damned!) So remember a while back, I bought a pretty big canvas for a call for art for a new massage place, but I didn't get it started in time? (I bought the canvas on the same day it should have been turned IN.)  Well, that blank canvas has been just hanging around taunting me.

So... yesterday as I was in the parking lot of a favorite store, we noticed THESE:
 I don't know if they were looking for their cars in the parking lot or seeing what parking lots were all about but they were not in any hurry or alarmed at all.  An hour later, when we came out of the store, they were still hanging out, entertaining everyone.

So, on the way home, I was thinking of them, and then BAZINGA! I remembered that canvas.  Its like 24 x 48.  and I did most of it last night, finished up at 6am this morning.  I didn't think the cars in the background did anything for them, so I used a new technique that I never have done before, where you squirt the wet paint and let it run.  Cool effect!  My first experience with Liquid Frisket.  A liquid masking stuff that you paint on everything you DON'T want paint on. Kind fun, even if a little pricey.
Since I took this picture, I have made the 'drumsticks' a little less pronounced, and the feathers lighter on the bird on the left.   Funny how putting on the computer makes you see things you didn't before.


<WIP to show background

So, thats the end of my tomfoolery this week.   Have a good week, and I will see you in October!  I haven't decided yet to do Blogtoberfest, but you will be the first to know.

Stay tuned!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Saturday, September 18,2015

Today is a local ArtFair that we call Artilicious. This is the Chairity Auction fair that we did the Wine Bottle chair for.   It will be interesting to see what is bid on that. Heading out to the fair shortly.

This week, the New Years Rez that I made, ( the one about doing something with the things I have around here that I have accumulated) kicked in and I pulled out an old piano bench that I found at a friends rummage sale (years ago) that I thought was worth painting.  Someday.  Well, someday was Tuesday. 
 This is the idea I had when I first bought it  Why did it take me so long to do it?

 Inside  I covered it in scrapbook paper that is antiquish sheet music.
I posted it on facebook and had some offers.  Sold to a friend of mine that is tickled pink to have it.
I am glad its going to a good home!  And proud of myself still working on a New Years Rez in September! 

Stay tuned!