An evening at Journal club...

Thank you, Marilyn and Melanie, for a wonderful evening of instruction, cameraderie and inspiration. See you in February!!

A favorite place

Peebles Island, Cohoes NY. Early mornings with Mike and the dogs are the best time, but Max can be a handful so I don't usually take my camera. But last week my very first best friend from childhood visited, and I left Max behind so that we could take in the sights and capture some of them in pictures. It was a gray day, but no less amazing for lack of bright sun. A bald eagle flew across our path and over the water during our walk, but neither of us could move fast enough to get a photo, so we just stood in awe of it's beauty and wing span and all it represents.

The best kind of snow day...

Not a flake fell from the sky, but it was still a great snow day... I spent much of the day Saturday with a few friends to try our hand at making some magical, glittery snowmen and women. Many thanks to artist Sue Pelletier, whose article (and cover art) in an issue of Cloth Paper Scissors inspired us. This was truly some of the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on!

There really is something about sharing a creative day with like-minded souls that is utterly satisfying. We enjoyed great food, lots of laughter, amazing creativity and an assortment of materials that would make any mixed media artist weak in the knees!!

The first two photos are "group shots" of our creations before we (reluctantly) left for the day. Due to drying time & transport issues, we all had to do our "glittering" at home, so these were taken pre-glitter. The glitter really makes them magical, as you can see in the last shot, which is a line up of my first (but definitely not last, snow people). It has been suggested that they make great gifts, but I do not see myself able to part with any of mine anytime soon!!!

...and as if on cue, today we had our first real snowfall!!! Somehow, looking forward to making more snow people makes an early November snowfall just a little more tolerable.

Journal swap page...

My friend Melanie and I began a swap journal TEN years ago, which we never finished. A number of circumstances in our lives at the time made us set aside our journals, and new opportunities in life and art kept us from resuming our swap...until this year, when my friend Marilyn and I began teaching a new art journal class. So Mel and I decided to pick up where we left off. This swap is unique in that we both started with an expandable "scrapbook" type of journal, where the pages can be removed. It's a great way to swap because we can work on pages and then just give the pages to one another to insert into our own journals. Although we each designed our own covers, the insides of our journals are essentially the same because when we swap pages, we also make one for ourselves. So (in theory) at the end of this swap, we will each have a very similar, if not identical journal with a personalized cover. I say "in theory" because in this case, I have finished Mel's page, but not the one for my own journal. And I have so many projects on my plate these days that I fear I will never get to it. So for the sake of remembering what the page looks like before I pass it on, here it is. We went with a spring time theme, since we've been enjoying some wonderful springtime weather lately --and also because, by April in upstate NY, we are sooooo ready for spring, even if it takes its time getting here.

I may still add just a few additional details, but I was pretty pleased with the overall composition.

Journal workshop...so far

I am trying to live in the present these days, and it is very, very challenging for me. I am a planner, a compulsive list-maker, calendar-keeper, a budget-balancer, etc. etc., and all of these things involve looking into the future - at what's next rather than at what's NOW!!!! I don't think I waste too much time in the past, although I do occasionally indulge in the shoulda, coulda's and of course, by it's nature, this blog typically tells the story of what I'm planning (future!!) or what I've done (past!!), so clearly, I'm screwed.

And speaking of the past, (phewf, so glad to be out of the future), here's a glimpse of my journal cover - from the workshop series I am teaching with my friend, artist Marilyn Rock.

Marilyn and I also recently took a class in carborundum printing at the Troy Arts Center, (in the recent past) and our creative wheels are turning with regard to offering our own less traditional variations of print-making. When? you might ask? Well, in the future, of course!! We'll be offering one more local workshop together this spring, and then I plan to take much of the summer off from teaching to enjoy outdoor activities before we regroup in the fall.

I will be sharing some of my carborundum prints in another blog post.

Home...

Home - 18 x 24, acrylic & mixed media on canvas

This is a gift for a friend who just bought her first home. As any of my regular blog readers know, home is a recurring theme in my art and a very important symbol in my life. It represents security, family, comfort, love, and acceptance - the one place I always feel grounded and real and safe.

I wish you all a good weekend and a place to call home.

Thelma n Louise (with a better ending- we hope!)

After about five minutes of careful consideration and another five minutes of intense planning (and several hours to deliberate our wardrobe choices), my friend Ali and I are off on a road trip - just a night - or most of it - or possibly part of another day - or not... we really don't know except we'll have about 12 hours of driving time, round trip, with my dog Max, to expound at great length and painful detail on our strangely parallel lives, eat, laugh, hear some good music and generally find just a bit of mischief.

These photos are from our last haphazardly planned get together, which included flavored martinis-I've already forgotten what flavor; fishnets, 80s prom dresses, a hula hoop, redneck barbie and bunny ears.

Maybe more Lucy & Ethel? Or can you think of another dynamic female duo???

Did I say tomorrow? I really meant, um, never.

I just read my last post to see where I left off and apparently I had promised photos from a recent art gathering "tomorrow." That was a week ago. What can I say? Time flies! And when I finally opened the file with the photos I took, they were all blurry. Have I mentioned lately that I am one of the world's worst photographers with my digital camera? The camera I've had for 4 years? And every January I make a resolution to actually read the manual and learn to use it? And then I don't? Have I mentioned that lately?

So in lieu of my own photos, I will link you to the blogs of some of the attendees who actually do know how to use their cameras -- Tabitha and Ginger.

It was a perfect day. The hostess, a very good friend of mine, is an event planner as well as an artist, so in addition to good company, we had great food, beautiful surroundings, and a seamless choreography of the day's events. She even managed to make it stop raining -- no small feat this summer.

From her little heart...

From her little heart - 12 x 12 acrylic mixed media collage on deep set canvas.

I've finally returned to my art room after an unplanned hiatus, and this is my first finished piece. To give you an idea of how I create, and the kind of planning that goes into my paintings...I dropped a paintbrush on the floor as I was working on this piece, and saw the watch faces in a box under my table as I bent to pick it up. That's how it ended up as part of this painting. It's very often that simple. It's one of the reasons I like to have art supplies and found objects stored in open containers around me. It looks messy and chaotic, but if they're in my line of sight, and I don't have to break the creative flow to find them, they're more likely to end up in a finished piece.

In other news...
I was interviewed a short time ago by fellow artist and blogger Liz Ness, and the interview has now been published on her blog. Check it out. Liz and I have never met in person, but we've been fans of each other's art and blogs for several years. Take your time when you visit Liz' website and blog (which she maintains with friend and artist Jackie Wood) -- it's full of great artist interviews, digital tutorials, product demos, and a great online store, to name just a few.

A glimpse of summer around my house...

I am really loving the summer this year. Even with all the rain, we've have relatively cool evenings until this week, and I love opening the windows wide and listening to the birds singing outside my windows.

And Cutes (my niece's nickname)is doing well. She's had all of chest tubes removed and is slowly being weaned from pain meds, ventilator, etc. Next week, I have will have a Cutes-related giveaway. Stay tuned!!

Have a good weekend all!

Gratitude and humility...

My friend Marilyn stopped by my office yesterday to hand-deliver a wonderful gift: a group of heart-themed ATCs made for my niece -- the timing is perfect, as I will be traveling with my dad tomorrow to see her. (Marilyn also collaged the house pictured here, in which the ATCs will reside.)

In addition to the beads, glitter, buttons and embellishments that any little girl would love, these very special ATCs also carry messages of hope, love, family, and strength (to name just a few) which brought tears to my eyes, and I am sure they will be treasured by Avery when I share them with her.

Thank you Marilyn, Melanie, Melissa, Lori, Fran, Laura, Sharon, Miriam, Peggy, Roberta, Pam, Linda, Ginger, Elaine, Helen, Tabitha, and Patti. I will carry your thoughts, prayers, wishes and friendship with me on this visit, and everyday.

The art exhibit...

My friend Marilyn's exhibit opening at the Five Rivers Environmental Center on Saturday was a great beginning to the weekend. After taking in all of the exhibits(Marilyn was one of five artists whose work was on display), I made a nature print at Marilyn's demo table, and then painted a metal heart (for Avery, of course) that I was able to rivet onto a metal sculpture. I love exhibits that allow for some interaction. I would have liked to stay longer to enjoy the hiking trails and see the grounds more thoroughly, but I had lots to do, so I plan to visit again when I can just take some time to walk around with my camera and my journal.

After some much-needed yard work, I headed out to farm country to visit my friend Debbie. I'll be posting the artful results of that visit tomorrow.

Aries, art, artists, friends...

These images are of an owl named Aries, hooooo I may very well meet this weekend... I first learned about him in this blog post by my friend Marilyn, who is having an art exhibit which begins tomorrow at the Five Rivers Nature Preserve, where Aries resides.
When Marilyn first wrote about Aries, she offered a blog challenge to create an altered art image of him. At the time, I was busy with other projects, but I decided to create one today in anticipation of meeting him and seeing Marilyn's exhibit. Clearly, I can't improve on the art of Mother Nature. He's a beautiful and majestic creature.

After the exhibit, I will hit the road with my faithful sidekick Max, and head out to my friend Debbie's, for an overnight of art, food, friends and fun on the farm.

I hope to have pictures of art & adventures to share with you on Monday.
Enjoy the weekend, my friends!

Gratitude today, for:

Avery's continued progress (next stop will be home, hopefully this week!)
A new cd - Zac Brown Band (Chicken Fried - I love that song!)
Pic from my friend Marilyn's 60th birthday party (see here)
Lingerie sale at Macys - $9.99 bras - that's only $5 a cup!!
White broccoli lasagna, friends & family (for dinner tonight)
...and so many things too numerous to list. I am wealthy, blessed.

Just art!

Here's a journal page exercise that I created about a month ago when I got together with my friends Laura and Marilyn. Laura "prompted" us to cut out magazine faces and then have fun doodling around them.

I am off to visit my niece at Children's Hospital (Boston) this weekend, so this post is brief.

Thank you all for your caring and inspiring comments. Your words are a source of strength and comfort and sheer joy!!

Merlot & Marmalade...

Actually, it was pinot grigio and marmalade, but I liked the alliteration. My friend Ali, known to some of you as the grubby wench (her soap company), in addition to being a saponification expert, is also an excellent cook, and she agreed to help my friend (or perhaps former friend?) Anne, and I to make some marmalade. I beg the question about Anne's friendship because she volunteered her kitchen, which -- after a long day, several bottles of wine, (good food) a lot of singing and dancing and pot-watching -- did not fare well. In addition to getting the hot, sticky stuff all over the stovetop, counters, and floor, we somehow managed to pour some in between the glass panels of her oven door. Oops! If anyone has a tip for how to clean that up, I'd love to hear it.

Never borrow trouble...

...imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.

I don't know who to credit with this quote, but I found it in the sidebar of a book I am reading and it has kept me grounded these past few days. My reality is a wealth beyond measure of amazing friends and family, (and blog readers - thank you!!) a great little home, good health and of course, Max the wunder-schnauzer to name just the highlights. My imaginary worries got the best of me last week - worries about the future, which, if you really think about it, is imaginary. There is no other moment than now. So now is where I am living today.

And speaking of now, I am now the proud owner of a trunk-turned-coffee-table, which I found for a steal while antiquing with a girlfriend this weekend. I am hoping it holds up better than the checkerboard table, though I have yet to test it on my family. It looks pretty durable, but I haven't dropped a 220-pound man on top of it yet. If I do, you'll be the first to know!

Elvis, is that you?

My friend Miriam invited her friends to help celebrate her birthday this weekend with one of the most unique parties I've ever had the opportunity to attend. In addition to the family, friends & food found at most parties, this party included a combination of arts & entertainment I am likely never to see all in the same place again... While enjoying food and conversation, we each had our photo taken with the birthday girl and then made two 6 x 6 scrapbook pages to leave behind for Miriam's memory book.

But it was Elvis (or was it?) who stole the show. Actually it wasn't the real Elvis - my first clue was when he told us his computer had "crapped out on him, (he'd forgotten to pack his Mac power cord) so he had to go back to CDs." My second clue was his wife/assistant...no, not Priscilla --but the Number One Female Elvis Impersonator in Europe, who performed the warm-up set. I wanted to be impressed with her title, really, I did, but, I mean, how many other female Elvis impersonators...in Europe... did she have to beat for that title? Two? Maybe? I don't know. Maybe there are dozens.

Nevertheless, in true Elvis fashion, he girated and sweat, and curled his upper lip, and worked the crowd as best you can when you're competing with printed papers and glue stick and ribbons and punches and a cheese platter and baked ziti.

But one of the other party-goers asked the question I now ponder, as I remember this one-of-a-kind party...

"I wonder if they have real jobs?"

-- Thanks Miriam. May you have a wonderful year!!!

Another year older...

and deeper in debt!

and yet, I am incredibly rich in friends and family, without which nothing else would matter. It's amazing how perspective changes with the passing years. When I was in my early teens, I remember imagining what the world would be like in the year 2000, which seemed light years away.And then I did the math, and realized to my twelve-year-old horror that I would be -- egads -- 36 years old in the year 2000. I would be so old that I wouldn't even be able to enjoy the new milennium!! Seriously,I recall feeling this way. Fortunately I am much younger now than when I was twelve.

I was a dreadfully serious child at twelve. ("Wednesday's child is full of woe" - yes, I was born on a Wednesday). And I worried about EVERYTHING --which, of course, was mostly nothing, but at the time the most minute details seemed the cause for great angst in my life. Homework, teachers, clothes, my thighs, a single zit on my chin, my thighs --the physical worries alone could fill entire paragraphs on my blog.
Add to that puberty, public speaking and sports, and I just wanted to spin a coccoon and emerge as a butterfly, skipping my teens entirely.

There are moments when the thought of that coccoon still sounds inviting, but most of the time these days, I am ready to face the world head on, and enjoy each day for the gift that it is.

On my birthday, my wish is for all of us to recognize the gift of every passing day.

(and also that I win the mega millions lotto or some other great fortune).

I get by...

...with a little help from my friends.

I am not good at asking for help, but this year, as a newly single bill-payer and homeowner, I've had to humble myself to do so several times, and I've learned something that should have been completely obvious. People like to help. They want to to help. It feels good to help someone -- I know this. I feel good when I help someone else, so why have I been so reluctant to ask for help when I need it? Simply put, I am guilty of pride. I pride myself on being able to do it all, but the fact is that I can't do it all. Sometimes I need help. And that doesn't make me less of a person. In fact, it makes me feel so fortunate that I am surrounded by so many people who care.

A few weeks ago, I had a mattress and boxspring delivered by two enormous men in need of a good dental plan. They were a jovial pair, grinning unself-consciously in spite of the fact that they didn't have a full set of teeth between them, and they were quite graceful given their girth, as they maneuvered the mattress and boxspring into my bedroom. Unfortunately, the weight of a heavy boxspring and two three-hundred pound men (I'm guessing) took it's toll on the stairs leading off my deck, and they collapsed. In the tradition of my mother, I "fixed" my stairs with a combination of bricks and wooden shims, camouflaged with flower pots, but I knew this was a sad and temporary solution. I really needed to get the stairs repaired.

So I asked one of my neighbors and fellow dog-walkers who is now retired and has been busying himself with handyman work. And of course, he was happy to help. The very next morning - before 9 am (on a weekend!) he arrived with tools in hand and whistled his way through the job in about an hour, refusing to take payment (which was a relief, because I didn't have any money to pay him either!!! :>)

So now I will leave you with a digital collage I just made(above). I started with the picture of daisies taken on my friend Debbie's farm (rotated sideways) and transformed it in Photoshop.