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 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!

Saturday September 12, 2015

Ever have plans for the day, and then at the end of the day, realize that very little of it was what you had originally planned?  This was one of those days.

On my calendar, it said, "Village Garage Sale", (I was going to have one) it said, "5K Walk for Cancer", and "WINERY".

I opted out of the Garage Sale when I realized the 5K that we do each year was on the same day.  4 days ago we got a notice that the 5K had been cancelled.  (you can't just throw a Garage Sale together at such a late date... and it rained anyway)

A buddy of ours that plays in a band was supposed to play at the Winery tonight. It would have been a beautiful evening to be out there, (the rain gave way to blue skies by then) but he let us know this morning that there was a schedule change and they weren't playing there tonight.

So, its good to stay flexible, I guess.

What I did accomplish is, my friend Christy and I got our wine bottle chair turned in for the CHAIRity Auction.  63 bottles of different shapes and sizes and colors.  We named it, "Wasn't that a Party?"

It was kind of a debacle... We had to remove the back of it because it wouldn't fit into our truck with the cap on the back, so we had to reassemble it when we got to the library.  The white stuff you see on the back is silicone adhesive that will turn clear when dry.  

Then I showed the tree I painted at cousin Marges house a while back.  Well she has been a framing fool and wanted me to come over to help get them up on the tree.  This is what we ended up with and we have room for growth.  She is tickled pink.

Thinking that although there is nothing on the calendar for tomorrow, it might as well stay that way, because plans change anyway, so you just have to find other ways to be productive!

Stay tuned!

PS Just a quick addition to my weekend fun:

Another scrap cupboard door that I decked out today.  That was fun!

Thursday September 10, 2015

Have you ever heard of Yarn Bombing?  A local town is starting to wrap several trees on their main thoroughfare with crocheted and knitted strips.  This is one of several.  It is a happy way to welcome people to their town, dontcha think? And hopefully, if they leave it up for winter, will add a little color to the winter months.

 

This is a an old boat house at a marina in the UP of Michigan.  It is now the tasting room for Mackinaw Trail Winery.  (I liked several of their wines!)  What a clever place to put their wine tasting room!

While in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan last week we stopped at the Cut River Bridge to stretch our legs.  There are paths and walkways under and around this massive bridge!  Here is a shot of the structure that holds up US-2:

Also there is this walkway that goes under the bridge:

Where you find this door:

With this name tag!  Those UPers really have a sense of humor, eh?  Did you know they call anyone who lives below the Mackinaw Bridge a TROLL?  In good humor, of course!

 

 We saw waterfalls and lighthouses and a great Blues Festival.  Best of all, our son in college!  

We live in a beautiful state! If you stop to check out somewhere new and explore a little, you just may find some fun surprises!

Stay tuned!

Saturday August 29,2015 11:11am

I am sitting on my front porch enjoying a not-too-hot-not-too-cold day with a 60% chance of showers.  Not much to report, artsy wise:

The Rooster is now hung in its new home and the family loves it! Whoo Hoo!

Worked on the wine bottle chair last night and placed the arms and started the back.  (Waiting for glue to dry and firm.)

The Wine Label Chest is still in my dining room and I am still trying to get all those corners to lay down, and a clear coat over it all... Can only do one side at at time.

The bra art auction in October is coming up and its a whole new committee... which means all new rules.  I am not sure if there will be a next year, but I may be pleasantly surprised.  I hope so.  I started a piece before I knew the rules, and if it floats, fine, if not, fine too.  But once I had it in my head, it had to be done. Somewhere among the planning/rules/hub-bub of this years event, I have lost my enthusiasm over it.

Basically, that's the scoop on the week.  Next weekend is Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer.  The kids go back to school right after that and the long (lets hope its real long) slide to cooler temps arrive.  There are trees already starting to turn colors at the tips, and I think I need to go and lay under one and just look at green leaves for awhile.  Just to enjoy them for a bit.


On second thought, I believe I shall just stay on the porch and enjoy them from here, so the neighbors don't  think I am unconscious in the yard again.
Stay tuned.

Saturday night August 22, 2015

I am sitting here under a wrap because it really is chilly.  In August. 
As much as I hate to let summer go, it seems to laugh at me as it is getting cooler much earlier this year. **sound of finger nails on a chalkboard to signify my hold slipping on said summer**

This morning, I was supposed to participate in a Plein Aire event.  It was a two day event, where before you start, you go in and pay your entry fee, have your canvas stamped and then go out and paint in the free air.
When I drove 25 minutes to said event, the art center where they were scheduled to have the event and the artist reception this evening, was locked up tight.  I went to the other art-type building where I know they give classes. 
Nope. 
I checked the internet event notification that I had.  Nothing was actually said about where and who would stamp your canvas.  So I called the phone number on the bottom of the event flyer.  It rang and rang.  I ran around town where there might be artists... not a one!  The time said it was to start at 8am.  It was 8:30, and paintings needed to be handed in by 5pm.  I found two spots that I wanted to paint.  I called another artist that usually participates... he was on vacation.
I came home.  So I still have my first plein air experience yet to experience.

I did get a Sit and Sketch organized and done last Tuesday at the local Yacht Club.  It looked like it was going to be stormy out, and we did get a little sprinkle, but it cleared right off and was just fine. There were 4 of us, three had never done that before and me, who had only done it the one other time.  Here is what I did in two hours... but it was a beautiful night to be at the lake and it was very meditative.  I think everyone did a great job and sounded like they want to do it again!

Friend Christy and I are working on that Wine Bottle Chair, and although we have been taking pics of it, I don't know if the pics are as easy to see what it looks like, but she and I know...

Still only half built...
Well, the Sandman is telling me its time to go to bed.  Tomorrow is another day, and the start of the last full week of August.  (whine!)

Have a great week!  Stay tuned!

Thursday August 13 2015

A lady at work has just redone her kitchen.  She said it now needed a focal point.  A POP, if you will.  Well, we popped it alright... her love of funky chickens and color inspired me to do a 24x36 inch rooster.  Voila!

She loves it, and now I have rooster/chicken ideas for more.  I don't think this is the end of it yet.
Stay tuned!