Marthann's Musings

Family is the best . . . . .

2010-10-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had our every two year " First Cousin" reunion. This was the 10th anniversary. We started here in Kansas City where we all basically were born except 3 of the cousins.

What a wonderful time with family from California, Colorado, Texas and various parts of the Kansas City area. My two wonderful sisters were the main force behind getting everything done. They did an amazing job.

The picture above is my immediate family minus a few. There is my Brother who looks like Santa Clause who is the oldest. My two sisters, the oldest with short hair & glasses the youngest with longer gray hair and glasses. My oldest sister's husband, 3 daughters, son-in-law and two grandchildren, my youngest sister's husband, and youngest son. Her oldest son and daughter in law live in Boston. My two sons were also not there. Scott and his fiance Erika came to the Sat. night gathering. Andrew the youngest is in the middle of moving from New York city, back to Chicago ( Long story)

Anyway, wonderful fall weather, attended and Irish Festival, ate non stop for three days and started my new job as a bank teller on Monday.

Will try to get better about posting from here on.

Zentangle R.......

2010-10-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

I was amazed and awed by the pictures on the Zentangle Website of the pieces done at the retreat/Masters class. I especially loved the one where they used a letter in the middle, framed by Zentangle forms. I am not sure if this is finished yet or not. The area aroung the R looks kind of empty.....Any suggestions.

I am back again.. . . . New job, hopefully more time for art.

2010-10-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

First before I tell you about my new job, the picture above is of my 5 month old cockapoo Mollie. Mollie is on the right. She is with her sister Miley at their dog obedience class training graduation. The nice looking young couple are Miley's Pet Parents. Really nice kids.

Now for the job update. I will after tomm. night no longer be working at PetsMart. As much as I liked it the 9 hour Saturdays and Sundays and two nights a week until after 10 was really getting hard on my 61 year old bones.

About two and a half weeks ago I saw an ad in our local paper for part time Tellers at the Bank that my family has used all my life. My brother in law is on the board now and my dad was up until his death. Anyway, I applied and I got the job. It is perfect hours, especially so I can get some art work done.

I will work every day 1-6:15, every other Sat. 9-1 and every other Monday 8-5. A total of 32 hours a week which is about what I am working now, plus I will be making $2.00 more an hour. Yeah !!! I am really looking forward to it.

I have been checking in to the blog world every so often, and hopefully, everyone has not completely given up on me. Missed you all

I know I am early. . . . but look what I found. !!!

2010-09-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

I know this is not the best picture, could be a little brighter and darker, but, I still use my camera, because I am saving up for a good scanner.

I started this drawing about this time last year, maybe a little later.

Was going to use it as an example for my 3rd grade class. Things changed, I had to retire because of some health issues and so on and so on.

Came across it a few days ago while going through some stuff !! Now I am just in time to finish it for Halloween I guess.

It is done all in plain old regular 2B pencil on white 80lb drawing paper. You know school supplies, you can't spend a whole lot, so you do with what you can afford.

It was fun, and now I cannot wait to work on it again.

We have been seeing . . . . . .

2010-09-11T06:06:00.000-07:00

Can you see the Rainbow in this

picture below

I guess if we have been having all this rain, it stands to reason we will also get the chance to see beautiful rainbow.

Wishing all of you a weekend of Rainbows !!!

It seems like all it has been doing lately around here is raining, thundering, lightning and so on.

The one nice thing about thunderstorms and rain clouds is all the amazing pictures of clouds you can get.

Here are a few I wanted to share on yet another rainy day here in my part of the country.

Hopefully it will clear up, want to go to the Westport Art Fair this weekend.

I finally got up the nerve and did it. . . . . .

2010-09-07T12:17:00.000-07:00

I finally did it !!! I got up the courage and joined The Sketchbook Project. I had filled out the form over a month ago when I first heard about it, but, just couldn't decide. Today I decided what am I waiting for, so I hit go to check out and did it.

Thanks to Eden at Draw, Doodle and Decorate for listing some others who have already signed up. Check out her blog to see. I can't wait to get my sketchbook and start.

Another reason I finally decided was my son Andrew has now moved to Brooklyn, NY and since that is where this is based I decided maybe I might even get there to see it. Andrew is also an artist so I am thinking of giving it to him as a Christmas present.

Any way. good luck to all have decided to participate, and thanks Eden for giving me the push.

How does everyone keep track ??????

2010-09-06T07:32:00.000-07:00

I sometimes get overwhelmed at all the different days and groups and ATC and whatever.

How do all of you keep track of what you are suppose to be doing on any given day, I would be comletely befuddled.

Don't get me wrong I think it is fantastic, I just am not sure I could keep it all straight.

Also, how do you get to belong to all these groups and how do you know what they are?

Now that I am going to be getting ( hopefully) back to having time to do more art, I would love to become involved in some of them.

Any help ,suggestions or ways to would be appreciated.

Love my "Blogging friends" and all their amazing work !!!

Eden's Celtic Knot Inspiration. . . . .

2010-09-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

I know this is not quite a Celtic Knot, but it reminds me of some I have seen. I just love using markers and doing things like this with paper.

Check out Draw Doodle and Decorate Blog by Eden today for a great Celtic Knot video.
Thanks Eden for a great post.

Eden at Draw, Doodle and Decorate has the most amazing post today. A gorgeous Celtic Knot in beautiful bright colors and then with Zentangle like designs on it, with a title Six Degrees of Seperation .http://geeden.blogspot.com/.

Her post reminded me of some similar pieces I did that I shared above/

Eden also had a link to a video on how to draw this Celtic Knot that is really nice.

I like Eden love markers, bright colors and doodling. What fun I am going to have making Celtic Knots this weekend, whenever I am not at PetsMart.

How nice to be putting up a post again.

I will be doing art again soon . . . . . . . YEAH

2010-08-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

Thank you first to all of you who supported me in my vacation from blogging. I had alot on my plate and just was too stressed to do anything it seems.

But, I just signed up for 3 ( oh my poor credit card) of Laure Ferlita's classes for fall. The two mini classes Halloween and Christmas and Journaling in Autumn. I am so excited. The last art work I produced was done in her Foundations of Journaling this past summer.

To catch up just a bit. Andrew my son has moved to Brooklyn, and to sustain producing his artwork is working at a small eating place in Brooklyn called " Pies n Thighs" the thighs is as in chicken and the place serves all comfort food. Three girls own and run it and were featured on the Today show. Go to www.piesnthighs.com and you can see there web page and see the video clip of the Today show. It is a fascinating place and somewhere fun to go if you go to NYC.

I am busy with my two sisters, brother and cousin planning our 6th bi-annual Reppert family reunion for the October 8-10 weekend. It will be here in Kansas City. We have 5 cousins in Calif. 1 in Oregan, 1 in Colorado, and 1 in Texas. It will be so good to all get together again. We know my Dad and his two brothers and 1 sister will all be looking down on us.

I have kept up when possible looking at everyone's pages, and have loved all the beautiful artwork and wonderful friends in blogworld.

Hopefully I will be posting some artwork soon.

Thank you everyone for the kind comments about Mollie. . . .

2010-08-21T19:33:00.001-07:00

I finally got my puppy........Mollie is her name !!

2010-08-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

Meet Mollie my new Cockapoo Puppy

Well I finally broke down and did it. I had a situation come about that I knew meant I was suppose to have her. I have her sister Miley in one of my obedience classes. The couple that own her told me about the small operation breeder they got her from, out in the country on a farm, just a delightful place.

Mollie was the last of the litter left and was 3 1/2 months old, which is getting old for people who want a puppy. The breeder found out that I worked at PetsMart and was a trainer and decided she would just give her to me for $25. instead of her usually higher fee.

She is going to quit breeding, because of grandchildren that now need to be cared for.

I am so lucky. She is sweet, quiet, pretty good so far about potty training, and since I am a trainer, I can take her to work with me !!!

So Mollie and I are roomates now.

Engagement is official......

2010-08-13T10:07:00.001-07:00

Below is the official Engagement Picture of my oldest son Scott and his fiance Erika. It is a little blurry, but, I don't have a scanner, so taking a picture of a picture was the best I could do. The article was in the local paper this week. I couldn't be any happier for any two people.

If you will note she has strawberry blonde hair. They both have curly hair ( she flatirons hers) , so I am hoping someday for a red headed, curly headed Grandaughter. !!

The youngest son Andrew is now in New York City ( well Brooklyn really). He already has a job doing restaurant work, after only being there 3 days. Amazing what a 4 year degree in Philosophy from Loyola of Chicago will get you.!!! No I really am just kidding. He is becoming quite an artist and hopefully that can continue in New York. He is living with his girlfriend Stacy.

I still get on and look at all your blogs occasionally. Will hopefully be back on more of a regular basis someday soon.

Thanks everyone for all the kind words when I announced my "break" from blogging.

Thank you. . . . I will return periodically.

2010-08-04T20:06:00.001-07:00

Thank you so very much to all those who responded to the post I put up. Diana's services are now over and she is resting without pain finally.
I hope to find some time to post periodically, but, we will see.
Thanks for being such dear and precious "blog friends"

Back for a moment. . . . . . with a tribute and a wish..

2010-08-01T22:25:00.001-07:00

Aren't these little puff balls just adorable.

The one at the top is a Cavashon.

The ones on the bottom are cockapoos and the one in the middle is a Shitz Zue.

I really want a little puppy to love and care for.

Now if I can just save up the money.

Tribute to Diana

I need to take a minute to pay tribute to a dear and wonderful lady. My friends, community, family and I lost a dear and special friend to a very long and painful battle with cancer last night.

Diana Wheeler was the classiest, most caring, most thought and unassuming person I have ever know. Diana had a flair for decorating, cooking, entertaining and just making others lives joyful

She will be miss by many but especially her husband Paul, son Cole and wife Megan and two little girls AmaLia and Vivvinne, and son Justin along with many other family and friends.

We will miss you and always love you Diana. Know you are in a place where you no longer have to endure the pain you were going through. I am glad you were in the end blessed with a quiet and peaceful passing with your dear husband Paul at your side.

This is not working any longer.. . . . .

2010-07-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

This is goodbye to blog world. I have realized I just don't have the time, nor energy for it right now. Hopefully someday I will be back. Until then, enjoyed getting to know you all

Martha

Artful Journaling Assignment. . . . .

2010-07-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Butterflies, Beautiful Flowers and Blogging !!!

I had a great time doing this final project for our Artful Journaling Assignment. ( Well I guess our cover was actually last ).

This piece was so fun to do. I struggle at times doing realistic pieces. I tend to do art work that is more graphic design in looks rather than realistically true. I was pleased with the butterfly, didn't think it would come out this good.

Just thought I would share a couple of butterfly pictures I have along with this painting.

Here's to Laure Ferlita http://paintedthoughtsblog.blogspot.com/ thank you for a wonderful experience.

Doing the Blog sometimes makes me crazy.......

2010-07-12T13:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am going to have to have someone give me some lessons on designing blog posts.

I get so mad and frustrated sometimes trying to place different elements on the page.

I think I have it just right and it looks perfect then I click on publish post and then view blog and it looks completely different. Words are not by pictures I put them by, pictures are not the right size and words are not where I wanted them.

OKAY, I am done venting now.!!!! Thank you one and all, I am going to master this if it kills me.

Martha

Finally time to do a little artwork. . . Sunflowers

2010-07-12T12:55:00.000-07:00

Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Whimsical Smiling Sunflower

My sunflower Journal page for class

at right a Sunflower

by Georgia O'Keefe

One of my favorite artists is Vincent Van Gogh. I am sure most anyone who has ever seen his work, is aware of how famous his "Sunflowers" painting is. I know countless art teachers who have used this piece as a starting point for many an art lesson.

I have had students do them with real sunflower seeds for the centers, paint them with a vase like VanGogh and make them like 3D pictures with construction paper. Whatever way I have ever taught them they have been a big hit.

Sunflowers are a beautiful, amazing piece of this world we live in. Living in Missouri, means I am next to the "Sunflower State" of Kansas. You have never seen anything until you have seen fields filled with Sunflowers.

In the latest Foundations of Artful Journaling class assignment I did with teacher Laure Ferlita, I decided to use sunflowers and summer as my theme. This got me to thinking about all the wonderful art besides VanGogh's Sunflowers that is out there.

Above is the piece that I did and then I thought I would share some other artists work using sunflowers.

Oh my where do the hours go............

2010-07-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

I almost adopted this precious puppy last

week, but, he was not healthy and I was not

ready to take on a sick puppy/rescue for

$375. He was so precious.

Great Niece & Nephew Troy & McKenna are here to
visit this week. So precious

I seem to be running so far behind these days, I don't know what happens. Last week I was busy because I was working alot, so I could take Sat., Sun and Monday off, now this week I am working alot to make up for taking Sat, Sun and Mon. off.

Did have a wonderful birthday. Went out to lunch with my sisters and cousin, and dinner was with my son and his fiance.

Now. I have go to get with it. I am behind in my blogging, my Foundations of Artful Journaling Class and a myriad of other things.

I was so pleased to find out this morning that I am going to squeak by and not have to sell my patio home/ condiminium. I love it because it is quiet, has a great back deck with a pasture behind that and is so convenient. So. Ms. Frugal I am going to have to be for a year or so.

Will be back doing some art hopefully soon. Meanwhile, hello to everyone and I love seeing what everyone else is doing.

Have a great rest of the week fellow blogging friends and artist. Martha

July 4th 2009 to July 4th 2010. .. . .. . .

2010-07-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodnesss.

So much can happen in a years time.

Scott and Erika in the second picture became engaged. Andrew and Stacy in the first picture are in a relationship and moving off to New York City together.

I no longer teach art but now I teach dogs.

I am getting ready to downsize my abode to an even smaller one.

I have made it through 4 years of working with my therapist and am beginning to see the end of the tunnel.

I am getting to do more of my own artwork.

Just think a year ago today July 4th 2009 I was on the eve of turning 60 years old, and in the Cascades Mts. of Washington State.

Oh my goodness where did the years go, how could they possibly have passed so fast and how could so many dreams, ideas and expectations have happened and not happened.

Tomm. I will be 61. I wonder what the next year will bring. The thing I hope for most is contentment with myself and my life, and happiness for my two sons.

Happy 4th of July Weekend

2010-07-02T07:13:00.000-07:00

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND

I hope all of my friends out in blogosphere have a very safe and wonderful

4th of July Weekend.

Sorry I haven't been around for a week now, but, I took this coming Sat, Sun. and Mon. off, so as a result I have been working everyday since last Saturday. Whew I am going to need a break.Today I work an 8 hour shift. Those wear me out.

I painted the picture above as part of my Foundations of Artful Journaling Class with

Laure Ferlita. I am not sure if I like this piece or not. It seems a little simplistic or cutsey in some ways, but,it was fun to do. I am always a happy little girl when I am painting or drawing or doing whatever kind of art.

Be safe.

A little bit of everything. . . .

2010-06-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

ROOST..... and it's contents. This funky and interesting store in the area of Chicago called Andersonville. Andrew my son sells some of his art there and works there part time. I had fun taking pictures of all kinds of fun stuff.

At the bottom a couple more of my " Doggy Graduates"

Hopefully by next week I will get back on schedule with some of my artwork I am behind on.

ROOST in Chicago where my son Andrew works part time. Very eclectic store full of all kinds of treasures and old stuff.

SHELLS

ROPE

MAGGIE

ANDY AND HIS MOM

Time for some blooms...... A little less humidity !!

2010-06-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

Here in Missouri, summers are known for heat and humidity.

Well, this summer is no exception, except it has become excessive. Especiallly for June. We have thunderstorms about every other day.

Peoples basements are filling up with water, streams are out of their banks and high winds are causing tornados and wind damage.

The one good thing though is that every growing thing is growing by leaps and bounds. Lots of mowing, weeding, and to help out lots of beautiful flowers.

Thought I might share a few pictures I took with you

Have a great week.

Fun week of Art, and a Surprise.!!!!

2010-06-19T20:52:00.001-07:00

I am hooked on Word Art and found out my picture is on a bookmark at the local Library.

As I have said I am taking a watercolor journaling class. The pear below was one of our assignments that I really had fun with.

Our next assingment was word art. Well, to say the least I got really hooked on that. The one on the right is my 2nd one.

The 4th of July one is also special to me because my birthday is the 5th of July and so it becomes a two day celebration

About a month ago I was in the library checking out books. They asked if they could take my picture for a marketing promo for MidContinent Libraries. I said yes, they asked what I did I said art teacher and artist. So they gave me a sign with the word Picasso on it.

Today I went back to the library as I do most weeks to check out books, and there is a big poster with my picture along with others promoting the library. They also made bookmarks with each of our pictures on them.
Below is a copy of the book mark with my picture on it. !!
What a hoot. I may be famous, yeah right.

Grunewald Guild........ I miss not being able to go this year.

2010-06-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

This time last year I was getting ready to go to Grunewald Guild in the Cascade Mts. of Washington State. It is an art and spirituality retreat, and I took two classes. One on Mandelas and one on Art and Spirituality. It was soooo wonderful I was going to go back this year for 3 weeks on staff, which meant for a little work I got my classes and everything else free. Well, alas things often changed. I needed to retire from teaching, I got the job at PetsMart, and so here I am still in Missouri for the summer.

I will return again though. There were two 87 year old women there when I was and they came every year. It was a wonderful way to spend my 60th birthday and was my gift to myself. I hope I don't have to wait to0 long to go again

My life has been fruity lately . .. . . . ..

2010-06-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

My life it seems has been full of food and fruit lately.!! In the Foundations of Artful Journaling online class, so far we have drawn watermelon, lemons and now a fortune cookie.

All of this reminded me of a painting I did about a year ago in a 1 day class on watercolor. I actually still have a little bit of work to do on this piece, but, for the most part it is done.

The grapes need some more color and the pear in the bottom left needs work.

I also need to finish the background, but I thought I would show it anyway. Who knows the way my life seems to be lately, who knows when I will ever get back to it.

I will say, some of the things I have learned from Laure Ferlita in just the past week already make me see some places this piece needs work done on.

Hope everyone is not expecting to have to build an Ark, like we are here in the Kansas City area. More rain expected for tomm.

I taught 5 dog obedience classes today and two 30 minute make up classes. I was wiped out by the time I got off at 7:15.

Happy times to all my new found blog artist friends. You make my life so much more enjoyable with your kindness and talents.

Flowers, Chicago and Lemons......and a long week

2010-06-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

Wow this has been a long week.

It started out with going to work at 10pm to 4am on Tuesday night for inventory.

Back to work at 4:30-9:30 on Wed. to teach two dog classes.

Got up at 4:30 on Thursday morning to catch a 6:15 am flight to Chicago to see my youngest son Andrew.

Back home at 8:30 last night, because my flight was an hour late leaving Chicago, so, lots of sitting in the airport time.

Andrew will be moving to NYC with his girlfriend in August, as she will be finishing up her Masters at NYU in French Education. Andrew, not sure exactly what he will be doing. Oh to be young, in love and fancy free. I am so excited for them and their new adventure.

I am putting up some pictures from the trip, some beautiful flowers I saw, and the latest assignment for my on line class with Laure Ferlita.

Water brush. . . . .Birthday Watermelon

2010-06-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

I am taking Laure Ferlita's Foundations of Watercolor Journaling on line class. One of the tools we use is a "water brush". I had seen them before,but never tried one. This was a new learning curve for me to get used to. It takes a bit to get used to how to control the flow of water and how much paint to have on your brush. Having now tried it I think I am hooked. I understand how wonderful it will be to take with you and not have to worry about messing with water, etc.

The assignment was this picture of a slice of watermelon. I am sure you wonder why mine has a birthday candle in it. My birthday is July 5,1949. I was not usually a big cake fan, so my mom started putting candles in 1/2 a watermelon and that would be my birthday cake.

Last summer when I turned 60 I took a week long retreat to Grunewald Guild in the state of Washington. It was a week of art and spirituality. I took a Mandala class with Carla McConnell.Check out her web site. She does amazing things with colored pencils. Her mandalas are unbelievable. That was where I first saw the water brushes. You need to check out the Guild, they have different classes taught by known artists throughout the summer. It is up in the Cascade Mts. and is just beautiful. They have a different set of classes every week. I hope someday to get back again.

My very dear brother and sisters, made sure that the staff there knew that I liked watermelon for my birthday cake, and everyone surprised me with a birthday celebration complete with a watermelon birthday cake. I will always treasure those memories.

My first dog graduate...... this is Talon

2010-06-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my second dog obedience class had graduation. This class only consisted of one dog, as the other one in the class ended up not being able to be there at the time scheduled.

I loved this experience. I had a class graduate the Saturday before, but, I forgot my camera. This time I remembered.

The cutest couple were my "Pet Parents". Eric and Angela. She is due to have their first child next month, they are moving into their first house this week and Talon their beautiful yellow Lab graduated on Sunday. They were so sweet to work with and so nice.

What a rewarding experience this is. I love the picture of Talon with the cap on the side of his head covering his eye, and he didn't even mind. He is a special dog.

Bird and Artichoke. . . . . Zentangles

2010-06-04T20:12:00.001-07:00

After a very long day at work today, I need some relaxing down time. My favorite thing to do for that is art work and more specifically Zentangles.

I have been hooked on them ever since I found out about them almost 6 months ago.

The first one I did was this little bird. Maybe that comes from my part time job at PetsMart !!!!

Whatever, it just seemed like a fun idea.

THE ARTICHOKE
Thanks to Valentino Ramos for the inspiration.

I must give some credit for this Zentangle to where I first saw it which was on the blog of Valentino Ramos .
She is an amazing artist who's work I just happened on to here in Blogworld.

I love her Zentagle works that at 3D- different, unusual and just amazing. I was so inspired by her Artichoke Zentangle I had to try one of my own.

SO, a big thank you to Valentino even though she has no idea who I am, for giving me this inspiration. You can go to her blog which is linked above to see her work.

Brother....... couldn't leave him out !!

2010-06-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would let you see a picture of my Brother, so he would not be left out, since he is not a girl. What he is though is "Santa Claus" at Christmas time. I am sure you can see why. What else he is , is one of the most caring, loving, dependable, trustworthy and specially talented persons I know. That is " Brother"

The girls in the family.........minus my brother...

2010-06-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Family is Special....
Came across this photo today while looking for something else.

I love this picture. It was taken last August at my nephew's wedding in Tulsa Oklahoma.

I am in the middle back row, my oldest niece is to my left, my baby sister to my right ( mother of the groom) . The front row is my older sister on the left, her middle daughter in the middle and her youngest daughter on the right. My older sister had the three girls, my younger sister and I each had 2 boys.

We all had so much fun watching all of them grow up. They are all such fine young men and women now.

My brother who is the oldest could not be at the wedding. He is the wonderful person entitled Micosay who comments on every one of my blogs. We have always called him "Brother" although his name is John Charles. He and I have a bond of our artistic sides.

My younger sister is Betty Lou and my older sister Mary Margaret.

Last EDM.........Foundations of Watercolor Art Journaling Next.

2010-05-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

Well, today is May 31st. Oh my goodness where did the month go.

I tried to get a drawing or whatever done every day in May, but, alas, not every day got covered. I would continue, but now I am going to start tomorrow with Laure of Painted Thoughts Blog and Imaginary Trips Blog on a new course.

This one is Foundations of Watercolor Art Journaling. I think I got that right. Close anyway. So alas, it is goodbye for now to the EDM's. I am excited about this new adventure.

Below is my final EDM. I am not sure what day or category is fits into. This is actually a wooden sort of giraffe that I made out of wood scraps to use as a teaching example for my third grade classes. It is made up of all different sizes and shapes of wood.

If you will look back at my EDM pear and other works I have posted over the time of my blog, you will notice I love to work with pencil. Especially shading with pencil. Soooo that is what I have done here.

Happy June to Everyone and off on a new adventure.

2010-05-31T06:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day to all. Hope everyone has a safe , fun and relaxing holiday.

I received a wonderful surprise yesterday, a blog award from a great friend. I have and am having a very hectic weekend working all day Sat, Sun and today at PetsMart, so this gift was so appreciated. It reminds me of all my new found and wonderful blog friends.

I am sure many of you are familiar with Laure of Painted Thoughts: Laure was my first "blog friend". Laure is a wonderful artist, teacher, and friend. I thank her for this gift and for her sharing.

Now I am suppose to share ten things about myself... I love to read and have way too many books....I love to go to new places and would love to go to Ireland and Scotland...I used to be an avid counted cross stitcher, but spend more time doing art now...I insist on doing the cross word from the newspaper every day... I love to watch CBS Sunday Morning show...I have two wonderful sons, 25 & 29.... I would love to live by the ocean on either coast... I live by myself with all my clutter all over...I am a retired art teacher...and, like Laure I love to go out to eat for breakfast.... Thank you again Laure.

Now, I would like to share some blogs with you.

Katherine of Katherine Thomas: She is a elementary school teacher, an amazing colored pencil artist and someone who I am sure is glad summer vacation is here ......

Martha of Art de Jour by Martha Lever: Well, first off it is fun to find another Martha, there are not many of us out there anymore. Martha has a wonderful little corgi dog, a red shed second studio, and does amazing things with stencils and spray paint.

Laurel of Studio Lolo: I am sure many of you are familiar with her blog. Laurel is fun, talented, does amazing and different things with her art work, and is always there with a compliment for yours.

Julie of A Succulent Life: has the most amazing pictures of her flowers, gardens, and all kinds of succulents you have ever seen. I love her gardens done in the center of old tires.

Lori of Elvie Studio: I love all the cute, colorful, and creative things Lori does. It is always so fun to see what she comes up with next.

My son is an artist. . . I am so proud

2010-05-29T21:33:00.001-07:00

This is an announcement of the Gallery Showing my son Andrew Brant ( listed down at the bottom of the card) is part of.

My son Andrew pictured below with his girlfriend while in France together is having a gallery showing in Andersonville ( A part of Chicago). I am so proud of him. The show will run the month of June, and Andrew will have 10 pieces showing. We are all so excited. So if you live in Chicago , scroll down and look at the announcement of the events.

Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Join us at Las Manos Gallery, as a part of the Andersonville Midsommartfest. They close down the streets, put up four stages, have music and a party in the street, so come by to see my recent work, and have a good time in Andersonville!

I will be exhibiting ten works on paper from my recent trip to France, paintings and charcoals of Paris and Brittany.

I will be there all day Saturday, and the show will be up until June 27th, open every weekend.

Also included in the show:

Michelle Peterson/Albandoz
Paul Clark
Michael McGuire
and Chuck Meyers

EDM # 26 Draw anything you want.

2010-05-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

Draw anything you want, well, what shall I draw. I am sort of tired of white paper, so I thing I will use black just to be different.

I love to draw different kinds of bugs. I also always have wanted a Volkswagon Beetle Convertible.

So since I have never gotten one, I thought I would just draw my own kind of Beetle.

Most of this probably makes no sense, but, I did have fun drawing the bug.

EDM # 19 Draw something you made.

2010-05-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

I have two sisters and a brother. I am in the middle.

When my first son was born in Nov. 1980, my older sister had just had her 3rd daughter the July before. Then, my younger sister in February 1981 had their first son. Needless to say the three were kind of raised like triplets when they were small. When my younger sister had her second son on April Fools Day 1985, I next had my second son on May 9th 1985. I brought him home from the hospital on Mother's Day.

Well, since we all lived in the same town we grew up in, and my parent's also lived there, Christmas was a big deal. One Christmas I decided to paint sweatshirts with Santa Claus heads on them for the 5 youngest grandchildren.

The pictures below will show you a re-creation of the Santa Head, and a picture taken Christmas Day at our parent's with the kids all decked out in their shirts.

Two in one night. . EDM 13

2010-05-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

I am on a roll tonight. Two EDM'S in one night.

I always like the old black funky looking phones we had when I was a kid.

I can still remember when we had prefixes like ST. or TH instead of numbers. I remember our phone number changing when I was about 12 from ST1-XXXX to TH7-4694. That was a big deal because that meant we could call Kansas City, MO. which was 20 miles away for free !!!!

I lived in Liberty, MO. which is where I still live. Liberty was actually founded before Kansas City, MO.

I am 5th generation of my family on my mother's side to live here. My mother used to tell stories about her great grandmother and the Civil War right in Liberty.

Well don't ask me how I got from a drawing of a phone to that, except that I am rambling maybe because it is late at night or I am old LOL.

Anyway. This is my picture above of my old phone.

Remember this summer game.. . . . . .

2010-05-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

EDM # 6 Draw a Toy. . .

I can remember many a summer day or evening, setting up the wickets and getting the croquet set out, for a rousing game with the kids in the neighborhood.

I grew up in the 50's so there was no being inside in the summer, it was too hot in there and there was nothing to do anyway. Our days and nights consisted of building treehouses, wading up and down the creekbed exploring, swinging from grapevines, playing on our bikes and in the evening 'Kick the can" and one of my favorite Croquet.

We had some pretty cut throat games at times, knocking each others balls out of contention, trying different tricks, whatever.

I know childhood is different now, just as my two twenty-something sons lives were different. There is just no replacing though, those wonderful childhood memories, whatever they may be.

I was so very very fortunate to have had that childhood. My heart aches for those who didn't or don't.

EDM what did you have for dinner...... well part of it.

2010-05-23T21:27:00.001-07:00

I was so worn out after work tonight all I had the energy to eat was a pear. So I drew a pear.

We have gone from rain every day to 85 degrees and humidity plus !!!

It was so hot in PetsMart yesterday and today ( with a hot flash every so often for good measure) that I thought I was going to melt. So when I got home I wanted to crawl into the refrigerator. The thing that looked best was a ice cold beer and a pear !!!!

So hear is my pear. Sorry no beer bottle. Too tired to draw two pictures. !!

Playing Catch up on EDM's . . .

2010-05-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am still pretty technically challenged, and for some reason I could never get the picture of the glasses to upload right side up.

So in frustration you get it this way. Maybe better next time. Who knows.

I did these three with markers. I usually do watercolor, but, I also love markers and just felt like using those tonight.

I am finally done with the wedding invitations and had a day off from work, so I can play a little catch up with the EDM's for May.

I may have done some earlier that I numbered the same as these, and I know I did a shoe already, but, I just had an urge to do this cute flip-flop.

Next two days will be spent doing lots of dog training classes at work, and a graduation party for a sweet girl from work. Hope everyone's weekend is wonderful.

Guess what we had a whole day today without rain, and suppose to be the same tomorrow. YEAH !!

I had to draw something. . . . . .

2010-05-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

EDM 16. . Finally drawing again. !!

Okay, I could no longer stand it.

After getting the 160 wedding invitations and inside envelopes addressed in calligraphy,I had to draw something

Since all I am hearing and seeing are raindrops, I decided to just do EDM 16 for me. Draw a tool.

Well for me I consider my trusty mechanical pencil a tool. This is the result I came up with after coming home from a night of dog obedience training. About all I had the energy for.

Enjoy my purple pencil !!

Rain go away.

2010-05-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain, go away, and don't come BACK !
I live in Liberty, MO. A town right outside of Kansas City, MO. All it has done here for the past three weeks is rain, rain, and more rain. We may never dry out. I want to go outside and take pictures and sketch and paint !!!

Link to my son Andrew's blog. . . . . .

2010-05-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

My son Andrew informed me that if I was going to put his artwork on my blog, that I should link his blog to my blog. I said, well your mom is old and technically challenged, but, that I would do that. Sooo here is the link to my son Andrew's art work. http://www.andrewbrant.com/ He is a starving artist of sorts, who tonight called and informed me he is moving in August from Chicago to New York city ( the East Village) to live with his girlfriend while she finishes her Masters in French Education at NYU. What can I say, he is a 25 year old adult. More power to him.
Anyway, check out his blog.

I will let everyone know. . . .

2010-05-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of you who commented on my book, and said they wanted one when they were finished. I will for sure let everyone know !!!!
Thanks for all the support from all my blogland artist friends. Love ya all.
Marthann

Our book is almost in print. . . .

2010-05-16T21:29:00.001-07:00

Away in a Manger
an ABC book on the Birth of Jesus Christ
Written by Cindy Brouse Kenealy
Illustrated by Martha Reppert

The galley pages of the children's book a friend and I are doing together are finally done.

We reviewed them and made changes and submitted them today.
It is an ABC book on the birth of Jesus Christ.
Below is the front and back cover.
I cannot believe we are finally this far !!!

Click on the picture below to enlarge it.

Andrew. .. . . . .

2010-05-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

Andrew the Artist.

Since I haven't had time to do any artwork the last few day, because of wedding invitations, thought I would share some of my son Andrew's work. The bottom two were done while he was in Rome for a semester studying. He graduated from Loyola University,Chicago in 2008, with a degree in Philosopy. He now lives in Chicago doing art work, playing in a band, working as a Barista ( coffee maker) in a hip little place in Andersonville ( an area of Chicago) and living the good life of a 25 year old. Oh those were the days. He is quite talented even if I am prejudice. Little different style than his mom !!!!

No EDM's for a couple of days. . . .

2010-05-13T07:43:00.001-07:00

This is what will be keeping me busy the next two days. I don't have to work at PetsMart, so I will be doing 160 wedding invitations for a friend of my niece. Below is a sample. Hope I don't get writers cramp !!!
Have a great Thursday. More EDM's to come later, probably Monday as I always work 10-7 or 8 on Saturday and Sunday.

EDM 10 & 12.. . .Don't know what happened to 11??

2010-05-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

I am a little behind on my EDM's. Been having to work alot. Somehow I did 10 and 12 and skipped a number 11. That is about par for me. My ice cream is not the best I have ever done, but, I do love to eat it. I also love being able to eat whatever I want whenever I want, since it is just me at my house.

The watch is one of my favorites. It is reversible black/brown Brighton I got while in San Antonio at a Family reunion. Good memories.
Happy Hump Day Wednesday.

EDM 8 & 9

2010-05-10T07:18:00.000-07:00

EDM 's 8 & 9
I running a little behind !!!!

Running behind getting my EDM drawings up. Weekends are busy for me as I work all day Saturday and Sunday. Most of my dog obedience classes are on those days.

So here is my pretty pitiful entry for Day 8 which for me is draw your bed !!
Number 9 is just a little drawing of something I saw while on my morning walk this a.m.

Happy Monday to all and also a good week.

2010-05-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to All

The two most amazing young men in my life. Thank you Scott and Andrew for making my life !!
Thank you for making me a Mother who is loved.

Taken in Rome 2007 when Andrew was studying at Loyola University Chicago
Rome Campus for a semester.
Scott 29 the oldest on the left. Andrew who happens to turn 25 today on Mother's Day.
We came home from the hospital on Mother's Day. What a great gift both my boys are.

Hello Spring . . . . EDM 7

2010-05-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

EDM 7: A Bit of Spring

I am sure something about flowers or Spring is on the EDM list. . . . .
Saw this in my yard and couldn't resist.
Happy Weekend & Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.
Ironically this year my son's 25th birthday is on Mother's Day.
We brought him home from the hospital on Mother's Day. Seems like yesterday.
Now he is living the good life of a 25 year old in Chicago.
Enjoy this bloom of Spring.

EDM 6....... A funky lamp

2010-05-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

EDM 6: A Funky 70's Lamp

As I mentioned before, I somehow got started doing the EDM pictures out of order.
But then again, I guess maybe that is creativity, to paint what hits your heart on any given day. So, that being said, here is EDM 6, a lamp. Pretty funky 70's look I think.

I think probably the lampshade should have been a little larger !!

EDM for day 5. . . . .

2010-05-05T11:39:00.000-07:00

My funky Pink Shoe
EDM day 5

I am not always doing the list of 1-31 in order, I seem to do better when I do what feels right.
This is a shoe I did last night, then put on pink paper. You know me I had to make it kind of "design" or zentangle like.
Happy EDM Day 5

EDM for May 4th. . . . for my Mom.

2010-05-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

My mom's favorite color was blue. This cup reminds me of her demi-tasse cup collection. Demi-tasse are the tiny little one of a kind tea type cups.
Happy EDM #4

EDM for May 3rd. . . .

2010-05-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

“For the millions of us who live glued to computer keyboards at work and TV monitors at home, food may be more than entertainment. It may be the only sensual experience left.”
Barbara Ehrenreich, author, social critic

My EDM for Monday May 3rd. I had some peppers in the fridge for a dinner I was hosting. I loved the bright green and reds all mixed together in my vegetable drawer. Alas, I took a red one out and started to draw.
Happy EDM for May 3rd.

My first two EDM' s are on yesterday's blog at the bottom

2010-05-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

I forgot to say that my first two "Every Day in May" pictures are at the bottom of my previous blog. Love looking at everyone's.

Will post a new one tomm.

My blog post turned into a journal entry. . . .

2010-05-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling with my art the last several weeks. I couldn't come up with anything I liked, couldn't decide what to draw, looked at the work so many others were producing and thought my was not near as good. Just struggling with what I was suppose to be doing. Tonight it hit me.

I am trying too hard. I am trying to be a kind of artist that I am not. I am not at my best when trying to do very realistic drawing and painting. I look at others work and tell myself mine is as artistic as others. Well, I realized it doesn't matter what everyone's work looks like compared to mine, because we were all meant to do what we do best.

For me that has always been more design oriented type works or less realistic type work. That is what I like, that is what I do best, and that is what makes me like my work. I realized I was making "work" out of my producing art and not having any fun at it. I was not enjoying what I thought I should be doing. Soooooo now I am only going to do what pleases me. Who cares how good or not good it is. Who cares if I think someone else can do such and such picture better than I can.

God has given me a great and beautiful gift of my artistic talent. It was given to me to enjoy, to praise Him and to share with others. I am not meant to be doing what someone else does, not suppose to be comparing my work to others. I am to be doing what pleases me and makes my life more enjoyable.

I was going to be part of a my town's first Art Fair in June. It kept bothering me, because I didn't feel my work measured up to what I see at Art Fairs, didn't measure up to what I was sure most of the others work would be like. I was beginning to dread having to mat, package, set up and show off my work. It then hit me, I shouldn't be doing this if I wasn't having fun doing it. I shouldn't feel pressure to do something that was suppose to make me happy but didn't . So, I am not going to do it this year. I may next year, I may in some other Fair, but, I was not ready to do this now.

I have had alot of changes in my life in the past 6 years since my divorce, but, especially in the last six months since I quit teaching. I was married 25 years and then my life was turned upside down. Although it was my choice, it meant huge changes in my life. Going back to teaching, leaving my home, times of separation from my sons, estrangement from friends, my church, and on and on.

Resigning my teaching position last fall threw me into another huge lifestyle change. I have in the last 5 or so months finally found time to produce art for myself, not just to use as teaching examples, and I have had to face some things about my art and myself I wasn't really prepared for. I had people telling me to do this or that, or make my art for this or that, and I realized tonight that all of it is making me very unhappy instead of happy.

I want to paint, draw, sew, crochet, cross stitch, whatever it is because I want to !!! I want to draw what I like, when I want to and because I want to. I don't want to be pressured into doing it for an exhibit or an office wall or anything else for that matter, at least not right now. The time may come when I will want to produce art work to market, but, not yet. I need to find out who I am as an artist and what I love, before I start sharing it with others for monetary or exhibiting reasons.

It really doesn't matter if anybody even reads this post. This post is mostly a journal entry for me, not a post. I didn't start out to have it be that way, but, that is what happened. I think that I just finally had had it and knew I needed to voice what my heart was telling me.

I so love all the new friends I have made in "Blogland" and so admire all the different work I get to see, but, I have now realized we are each different, each talented in our own way, and each meant to do what makes us happy and pleased with our work.

Below is a piece I did starting last night, and finished tonight. This is probably my favorite kind of thing to do. This is where I find joy. So, this is what I am going to continue to do and also continue to find other new areas that make me happy with my art.

I also realized I like doing whimsical instead or more realistic drawings, so, I also am sharing my fish I did yesterday with this post.

I hope anyone that reads this realizes their own joy in their art work. I feel all our many gifts, whatever they may be, art, music, writing, whatever, are all gifts from God.

I am glad I wrote this, I needed to, and in a way it is a prayer of thankfulness to God for the talent He has given me.

Wish me luck. . . . .

2010-04-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Wish me luck. I got a call today, to come interview for an assistant mgr. position at a different PetsMart than the one I work at now. It would mean a little bit of a drive, but, full time, more money, and better benefits. Keep your fingers crossed.
Thanks.

Dog Obedience Training is taking away from my Art Time.

2010-04-28T20:22:00.001-07:00

"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that."
~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

It is a real experience going from teaching Art to children to teaching dog obedience to dogs and their adult/children pet parents. What fun it is though. Soooo alas my art is suffering some, since I am so tired by the time I get home from work at PetsMart.

This is what has been taking up most of the hours of my days lately. Being a Dog Obedience Trainer. I am very new at it, but, I love it already.

The dog below and to the right is my dog Max. He is a rescue and I am nuts about him. The Westie looking puppy at the bottom is my sisters Westie Raleigh. I had one about ten years ago named Winston.

I am still not very good at putting pictures and words together in my blogs, but, I am sure somewhere down the road I will be better. Meanwhile bear with me. !!

If you have an hour. . . .

2010-04-25T20:01:00.000-07:00

If you have an hour, will you not improve that hour, instead of idling it away?
Lord Chesterfield

I had my usual 1/2 hour for lunch at work today. I wish I had an hour, but, alas I don't. Instead of just wasting my time doing nothing, I sat in my car and did this little line drawing.

My new mission is to always have a sketch book with me and pencils and pens, just in case I do have an hour, or half hour of even a few minutes.

Most of you will probably read this Monday, if at all, since it it getting to be late Sunday night.

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Earth Day and Muir Woods in California. . . .

2010-04-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
~John Muir

Zentangle Tree in honor of Earth Day

One of my favorite places is Muir Woods outside of San Francisco, California. Every time we have been to S.F. we have tried to make a trip up to this fantastic place.

Muir Woods is named after the man who spoke the quote written above. Muir Woods is a huge forest of Redwood trees that is just amazing. You can hike for hours and never cease to be amazed with what is around you. Below is a little blurb of history about John Muir and Muir Woods.

"This is the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world," declared conservationist John Muir when describing the majestic coast redwoods of Muir Woods .

Muir Woods National Monument is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), one of the largest urban national parks in the world. GGNRA was established in 1972 and contains 75,398 acres extend from Tomales Bay in Marin County to San Mateo County in the south, encompassing 59 miles of shoreline - one of the nation’s largest coastal preserves.

“Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike”

John Muir, 1869

John Muir was one of the country’s most famous naturalist and conservationist and Muir Woods, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is named in his honor. Muir is credited with both the creation of the National Park System and the establishment of the Sierra Club.

If you are ever in this part of California, be sure and take a wonderful adventure and tour Muir Woods. You will not regret it.

Thank you everyone in Blogland. . . .

2010-04-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful thing this world of blogging is. Being new to it ( as of about 3 months ago), I cannot begin to tell all that I have learned, shared, seen and all the new artist and otherwise friends I have made.

I love the fact that everyone is just who they are. I have been offered advice on everything from how to blog, set up a blog, art ideas and just plain, honest caring advice. I would especially like to thank Laure at Painted Thoughts Blog and Teri at Teri's Painted Daisies to just name a couple who have helped me tremendously. Also today at Teresa Mallen's blog site I just happen to read her side bar entitled "Keep it Simple" and felt like it was a word from God. Thank you Teresa.

I had hit a roadblock this week in my creativity, and just going to blogland and reading other people's writings, seeing there work, and realizing that we are all seeking the same thing, our own inner peace and happiness, and the ability to share it with others helped so much to get me back on track. ( That and a fantastic, and caring therapist)

Even though I am a retired, 60 year old, art teacher, there is so much I don't know about the real world of art. When I say that I mean in terms of some techniques, exhibiting, products to use and what is out there for the taking.

So I just want to say to everyone who has come to see my blog, left wonderful comments, shared their ideas and work with me a huge Thank You.

Last but not least, I am going to be exhibiting for the first time this June in a small town Art Show. Open air, like an art fair, with works for sale. I have done photography, Watercolor, and pencil and ink. What are your suggestions for displaying my works in terms of covering them, like in acetate or something similar, to protect them? Also any other ideas and suggestions for what to use to display them on. I will be under a Canopy type tent top.

Just sharing a few more pictures I took recently.

Happy Wed. everyone and thanks for being my new artist blog friends.

PS. my youngest son made it safe and sound to Paris yesterday with very few hitches and frustrations. Oh to be young and carefree 25 again. !! Well, maybe.!!

Guiseppe Arcimboldo; Fruit and Vegetable Artist

2010-04-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

The Fruit and Vegetable Artist.

As part of a lesson I was teaching once to my third grade art students, we studied Italian artist Guiseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593) The one to the right is one of his most famous. The kids had a great time with this. They got quite excited about turning "food into faces". I got into the spirit myself and did a couple of colored pencil portraits. I also had the students use colored pencil, which was a new medium for them.

Giuseppe Arcimboldo (also spelled Arcimboldi; 1527 - July 11, 1593) was an Italian painter best known for creating imaginative portrait heads made entirely of such objects as fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish, and books - that is, he painted representations of these objects on the canvas arranged in such a way that the whole collection of objects formed a recognisable likeness of the portrait subject.

Arcimboldo was born in Milan in 1527, the son of Biagio, a painter who did work for the office of the Fabbrica in the Duomo. Arcimboldo was commissioned to do stained glass window designs beginning in 1549, including the Stories of St. Catherine of Alexandria vitrage at the Duomo. In 1556 he worked with Giuseppe Meda on frescoes for the Cathedral of Monza. In 1558, he drew the cartoon for a large tapestry of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, which still hangs in the Como Cathedral today.

Here are the two that I did. I think they are rather comical, yet artistic. Very fun to do, you might want to try it sometime.

A Little Fishy. . . .

2010-04-14T17:50:00.001-07:00

There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky; there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.
Victor Hugo

I was playing around drawing and painting fish last night. Have no idea why or where the idea came from. Was fun though. The one above obviously is done, the one below not painted yet. I like doing whimsical things.

My son the artist

2010-04-12T21:19:00.000-07:00

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.
~Pablo Picasso

My youngest son Andrew. An aspiring artist living in Chicago.

He does painting, silk screening, plays bass guitar and has a degree in Philosophy from Loyola University of Chicago. He is my "Renaissance" son. I am so proud that he is taking after me and pursuing art.

He first really got interested in it while spending a semester in Rome. Now he is traveling to Paris next week for a week. I love the light in this picture.

He set the picture up himself with his camera and self timer. I just love it.

Andrew you are an amazing son.

Hopefully like Picasso says, my Andrew will remain an artist. !!!!

Having fun with graph paper. . . .

2010-04-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

Trust that little voice in your head that says "Wouldn't it be interesting if..." And then do it. ~Duane Michals,

This started out as just a little doodle on graph paper, and then became bigger and bigger.

What fun it was.

Happy Monday to all !!!

Art is a collaboration. . . . . .

2010-04-10T21:49:00.000-07:00

Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.
~André Gide

Just some fun pictures I took once while working on some artwork. I love art supplies, pens, pencils, paints. paper, all the ways they feel, work, show beauty. Art is such a wonderful combination of fun and yet work. Making art can be a great joy, or at times a great frustration. But, we artists seem to keep pursuing this dream or image we have.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

I love poppies. . . and need to learn to love "Me"

2010-04-08T09:06:00.001-07:00

These pictures I took of poppies in the garden at Grunewald Guild ( the art and spirituality)
retreat place in the Cascade Mts. of Washington St., are some of my favorites. I love how the beautiful red colors just burst open and are dominant over every other thing in the garden.

Flowers like these are really one of God's gifts. It is like He is saying, wake up, look at this, look at this bright color, look what I have made for you. Enjoy.

These pictures also make me want to create. I am going to try and do a series of small watercolors of the poppies.

I am beginning to get into this blog thing. At first it was really overwhelming !!! There is so much going on, so many events every day, or every minute or every month. I almost don't know where to start or how to even jump in feet first and get wet. So that being said if my posts are a little blah at this beginning time, bare with me. I am on a Huge Journey of finding out who I am, and more especially how to love myself. Fortunately for me I have a wonderful therapist Jan Myers, helping me do this.

It sometimes takes a while to undo years of thinking bad thoughts or unkind thoughts about yourself and your abilities. I am hoping and beginning to feel that this venture into Blogland will help me truly be the person I am. That person who is artistic, different, a little crazy and wants to be very creative.

Thanks for all the feedback I have gotten so far, especially from Laure, Teri and Margaret. I think this whole thing is going to work out.

Meanwhile enjoy the photos below of some beautiful poppies.

Happy Thursday. I am off to do some painting.

Last three paintings for our book are done.......

2010-04-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased to finally have the last three paintings for the children's book I am co-authoring with my friend done. As I said in an earlier blog, it is a childrens ABC book of the birth of Christ.

My dear friend Cindy and I just fell into this project when I realized her dream was always to write a book, and mine was always to illustrate a book. It is like is was a word from God.

These last three are pretty self explanatory . Wise Men is for W, Mary & Joseph on Donkey is for D and the last one of the manger scene is for M.

We have most everything already at the publishers except these three pages. We are both so excited, and relieved to have our part of the work done.

I finally finished it......

2010-04-05T18:23:00.000-07:00

Along with my artwork, my next favorite thing to do is needlework. I started years ago with needlepoint, moved to counted cross stitch, and now that my eyes are not as good am back to a form of needlepoint again. I do still occasionally do some counted cross stitch, but, not on the tiny linen I used to.

This pillow is a pattern designed by needlework artist Laura Perin. She has a wonderful blog.http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/. What this kind of work is called is counted needlepoint. I loved using the metallic threads, the quilt like pattern and the colors.

This piece was done mostly with perle cotton floss, in long stitches. The triangles around the outside are done in a variegated floss that makes a great look.

Laura also has some amazing photography on her blog that you will really enjoy. For some reason when I click on the link to her blog, Firefox comes up saying it cannot connect . If that happens go to my List of Blogs I visit and scroll down to Two Handed Stitcher and you will get there. I am new at this linking, so it was probably something I did.

I am just glad to finally have finished it and have it finished into a pillow ready to grace my couch.

Happy Easter. . . . He has risen.

2010-04-04T10:37:00.002-07:00

"Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness."
-- Floyd W. Tomkins

This is a painting I did originally for a children's book I am doing with a friend. It is to be an ABC book on the birth of Christ. I thought this one fit well as an Easter picture as well.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate.

Faucets and Rocks . . . . . . .

2010-04-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

A pile of rocks ceases to be a rock when somebody contemplates it with the idea of a cathedral in mind.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I love taking pictures out in this beautiful world of ours. On my retreat last summer in the Cascade Mts. of Washington St. I got some really fun pictures of lots of different things. One very interesting thing was the difference configurations of rocks. Paths and piles of rocks. Rocks just strewn everywhere. It was such a wonderful thing to see.

My other find was coming upon some faucets, right out in the middle of nowhere. I am not sure if these faucets still even did anything, but I loved the shapes, symmetry, and composition of the way they looked.

All of us have our own conception of what is art, and for me you can find no prettier picture than what we can find in nature.

Spring a true work of art. . . . . .

2010-03-30T00:57:00.000-07:00

The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.
Michelangelo

Below are some works of God's art. Spring is finally arriving, and the flowers are beginning to peek out. I took my camera out and began collecting a few pictures, and also put in a few I had taken in the past.

The two most beautiful things in my life I have created are my two sons Scott and Andrew. They are 29 and 24 respectfully. They have turned out to be wonderful young men with their own special talents and traits.

Andrew the artist is creative, philosophical ( The the degree in Philosophy for Loyola of Chicago being true) and somewhat of a doer of a little bit of everything.
Scott the oldest is the most caring soul I believe I have ever known. He is sweet, kind, and would be devastated is he ever hurt anyone. I am so glad he has found someone to love and spend the rest of his life with. Congratulation Scott and Erika.

Now, back to spring. I think spring brings out art in all of us. Spring makes us see the true works of divine art. That is the art that is created by God. Perfect in every way. The signs of this are every spring when those blooms begin to peek their heads up out of the ground, after surviving the bleakness of winter and being covered in snow for such a long time.

No wonder Spring is considered a resurrection of sorts. Like Christ's being raised from the dead, out of the dead cold winter comes all the bountiful beauty of spring. Spring in all of its wonderful colors, shapes, smells and beauty. Maybe this new beginning after a long cold spell is what activates again our creative juices once more. . Inspires us to get out and capture it on paper.

The first picture above is of another of two of God's perfect creations. My precious great niece and nephew McKenna 1 and Troy 3. They have blessed the lives of everyone in our family, and I am sure will continue to do so always.

I hope spring is becoming a time of new awakening for you, your art, and those you love and care for.

Enjoy the day, smell the flowers, care for those you love. Life is so very short. We often
forget that.

A Mandala Monday

2010-03-29T07:35:00.001-07:00

And a Happy Monday to all. Finally the sun is shining here in Missouri, and we are suppose to be in the 70's by the end of the week.

One of my many favorite things to do are Mandala like artwork. Along with that I also love to do anything with paper, Kirigami, Origami, Folded paper, Cut Paper, whatever.

The first picture below is a piece I did by folding paper. It looks somewhat like a quilt pattern, but, also with the symmetry could be a mandala of sorts.

The two designs below are just some simple mandala type pieces I did. I didn't realize until I was done that in the one at the bottom, it has part that looks like tennis racquats. I used to play tennis 4 and 5 times a week, but then I tore up my knee and plus my aging body stopped me from doing that any longer. I do miss it.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Here is a little quote to start your week off.

"Try to learn something about everything and everything about something." - Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895)

Thank YOU Tyanne.......

2010-03-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

Thank You Tyanne.
you saved my life with your tip about software for
recovering lost files from digital camera memory cards!!
It Worked and I got them back.
I never dreamed anything like this existed.
You are a sweetheart.
Thank goodness for Google.!!
Oh Happy Days I am back in business so to speak.

Oh boy did I MESS up this time.

2010-03-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it, but, I think I have somehow inadvertently deleted all the pictures on my digital camera !!!! That means all the ones from my week in Washington state at the art and spirituality retreat, my nephews wedding, and various other things. Thank goodness I had put at least most of the good ones from my trip on the Artsonia ( a web site for student art that I used to put my students art on) so they at least were saved. I also made actual prints of all of them.

I still don't know how I did it, except I was messing with my camera trying to change some settings, and I guess I must have accidently erased them. I am sorry because there were some really good ones of family from the wedding.

Oh well, I guess I will learn to back my memory card up and make a CD every so often so this won't happen again. The only things on it now are the pictures I last posted of the Zentangles. I was messing with my camera, because I didn't think my pictures were coming out very clear. Well I really did a number on the old camera now. I don't have a scanner, so this is the way I put pictures up.

I don't know much if anything about scanners. Is that a good or better thing to have when putting up pictures on posts or other places?? I would love to have some feedback from you
more experienced bloggers out there.

Well, I have had to work so much this week, that I have had little time again for more than just a few small Zentangles. These three I did with the cards from the Zentangle kit I ordered from Rick and Maria at Zentagle.com. It is kind of fun to do it in this small space. Good for the
learning curve anyway.

My son is going to try and figure out if what I did with my pictures is my camera or my computer, but, I don't hold out much hope of being able to recover anything. Well live and learn right.

Hope all have a good weekend and next week.

Here are three square Zentangles I guess you could call it a "Trio of Tangles". Sorry for the bad joke.

It was a Zen weekend. . . .

2010-03-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

For some reason, this past weekend I could not stop doing Zentangles. I hope you all know that Zentangle has its own blog now www.zentangle.blogspot.com. I just love doing these. I think the second one kind of looks like a rhinocerous. Whatever. Thanks to so many new friends from "blogdom" who have come to visit my blog. I really appreciate it and love looking at everyone else's.

Again special thank you to Laure for giving me my first Blog award. You are the best.

Enjoy the lines and curves !!!

Something new to share.

2010-03-19T01:18:00.000-07:00

My First Art Exhibit
My Oldest Son is Engaged

The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work." -
Emile Zola (1840-1902)

I am so pleased. I found out today I have been accepted to exhibit in the Liberty Arts Squared Art Fail. It is June 5, 2010 on the Downtown Courthouse Square in Liberty, MO. So, now I am really going to have to get busy. I have never done anything like this. Wish me luck. Here are a few of the photos I will be exhibiting, and , I will also do pencil drawing, ink drawing, and Water Color Below are some of the photos I have chosen so far.

Also, just a little personal note. I am so excited that my oldest son Scott is engaged to a wonderful strawberry blonde sweet girl named Erika
Wedding will be May 29, 2011

Illustrating Children's Book

2010-03-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to be a children's book illustrator, but, never quite got it done. About a year ago I was sharing lunch with a friend, and she said, I am going to do something I have always wanted to do. That was write a children's book. She wanted it to be about the birth of Christ.

My first question was who is going to illustrate it, and she said she didn't know. I told her of my lifelong dream to do the illustrations for a children's book.

At that point we both got excited I am sure everyone eating around us thought we were nuts. It was so ironic, such a Holy Spirit/God thing, and we were so excited.

The book is being self published by us, and is an ABC book of the birth of Christ. I did the pictures for each letter and she did the rhymes. We have sent the first draft to the publisher, and she is now making a few changes with the verses that they suggested.

I am so excited to finally see it in print, only if I make all my relatives and friends by one. It is not something I intend to make big bucks off of, it is just about the experience and being able to do it with a dear friend.

Below is just one of the pictures I did for it, then we decided to go a different direction with that page, so I framed this and gave it to my cousin for Christmas last year.

Sooooo if you ever know of anyone needing an illustrator who is new to all of this but eager, send them my way.

2010-03-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly.
Buckminster Fuller.

Happy Monday to one and all. I don't know about alot of you,but in the midwest (Missouri) where I live I am ready for Spring and butterflies. No more gray days. UGH.

This little snippet says so much.

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”
Martin Luther

So, in hopes of maybe creating a little sunshine in these dreary days here are some suggestions.

1. Go outside and see how many tiny buds of tulips, crocus or other lovely things you can find, and make drawing or painting or whatever of this new life peeking through.

2. Look outside and see is you can find a robin redbreast or some other harbinger of spring.

3. Take your children, grandchildren or someone else you love to the park or the back yard for a swing on the swingset.

4. Get out your sketchbooks and do some drawings of some of your favorite spring things, even if the weather is still to wintery to get outside for very long.

5. Put a big smile of sunshine on your face for all to see. It will probably make them wonder what you are up to.!!!

Have a happy, productive and creative day.

Creativity and Dog Training.. . . .

2010-03-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

"I have been terrified every day of my life,
but that has never stopped me from doing
everything I wanted to do."
Georgia O'Keeffe

Well, I have been absent from here since Monday. I just have had such a crazy two weeks learning to be a Pet Obedience Trainer. It was and is very fun. Lots of really cute dogs, nice "pet parents" and also some pretty wacky and overly excited dogs and pet parents.

You learn alot about people when you are working with them and their pets. There a many different personalities that come out. There are those who want to really listen to what you are teaching them, those who think they already know it all, those who you never hardly hear say a word and those who behave almost worse than their dogs.

Learning to train dogs reminds me alot of being an artist. With dogs and their pet parents you are creating a bond between them, a better pet for everyone to be around and a feeling of accomplishment for yourself and those you teach.

Likewise in art you are creating a bond with people you may not even know who enjoy your work or also creating their own work, you are achieving a feeling of accomplishment with your work and trying something new, and you are becoming a better person even if you don't realize it.

Creativity comes in many forms, and is in everything and every part of our lives. Often we don't ever see it or don't quite look hard enough and miss out on some unbelievable opportunities.

Take this next week to look harder at the people, places and things around you and how they affect your creativity and how you can improve someone's life with what you create or teach them to create.

Until next time, keep on looking. Here are some of my creative endeavors that might inspire you to do something of your own. A little of this a little of that.

I had fun making Mr. Mouse.

Just a little doodle !!!

I made 25 of these for a dinner at my church.

This says " Nature God's Art"
also done in the class on art and spirituality.

This was part of a class I took on art and spirituality.

One of my favorite things to do is to make banners for church occasions.

Christopher Marley........ Bug Artist

2010-03-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

I love to watch CBS Sunday Morning, and back in January, they had a fantastic piece on artist Christopher Marley.

His artwork is composed of using real ( but dead) bugs of all kinds and putting them into different patterns. It is absolutely amazing

Below I have listed the title of the piece on CBS and also a link to the show. The link even shows a video of him doing some of his work.

Check it out, it is a great new inspiration for drawing, painting, photography, whatever.He has out books, puzzles ( I have one but haven't put it together yet) and is just so different and unusual.
Have fun checking this interesting young artist out. I took a picture ( sorry it is not the best picture but you get the idea.)of the front of the puzzle box I have, and am giving him full credit for the work.

Beetlemania
Christopher Marley Was Phobic About Bugs; Now He Collects Them for Artwork That Celebrates Their Beauty and Diversity

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/10/sunday/main6078368.shtml

Celtic knot work. . . . .

2010-03-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

I love to draw different kinds of Celtic Knot work.
I usually do it on graph paper and then retrace it using my light box on to better paper. It is rather an intricate process to learn to draw if you really get into it. You can find lots of tutorials on the web if you just Google Celtic Knotwork.
The first two are from a book on Knot work and below that are two that I have constructed.
It is really a fun art form to try.
Happy Saturday.

Finally some Art Time

2010-03-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

This has been a very busy week, working 8 hour days learning to be a Dog Obedience Trainer for my job at PetsMart.
I just thought I was retired !!
It has been fun though. Lots of different kinds of dogs and "Pet Parents" also. Big dogs, little dogs, frightened dogs and ADHD dogs if that is possible.
Finally this morning, since I have Friday off, I got to do a little art work and relax.
Have a great weekend everyone.

Here are a couple of my " Doodles for the Day"

Puppy/ Dog Training is so Fun

2010-03-03T20:45:00.000-08:00

When I retired from teaching, I took a part time job at PetsMart the big chain pet store. I have fallen in love with my new job.
I am spending this week and next week training to be a Dog Obedience Trainer, and then will do that as part of my job.
This is a picture of my Westie Winston when he was just a puppy. They are so cute.
The only thing that is killing me is the 9 hour days it takes to do this. At my age that is a long day and on top of that part of that 9 hours is 30 minutes over and back home driving.

Zentangle has a blog now !!

2010-03-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

I fell in love with the process of Zentangle the minute I first saw it. Now the great people at Zentagle Rick and Maria have put up a blog for all of us addicted to Zentagle to share..
The address is www.zentangle.blogspot.com. Run on over and see it if you are into doodling, messing around with lines and shapes, whatever. It is so much fun.
Here are a few Zentangles I have done.

Wonderful Watercolor Workshop

2010-02-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

In the Kansas City area we have a wonderful place called Powell Gardens. They have beautiful gardens of all kinds, wonderful buildings, even a beautiful chapel for weddings, and best of all have professionals come in and teach classes on all kinds of things from water gardens to watercolor. I took a class there and this is the result.If you live anywhere near Kansas City, Mo. google Powell Gardens and give them a visit.

I love taking Pictures of Nature.

2010-02-25T20:59:00.000-08:00

I love composing all different kinds of pictures from simple things in nature . When I was on retreat for a week last summer, I was able to take some really fun pictures. Here are just a few. They also make great inspiration for drawings and designs.

Girl time together is the best . . . . . .

2010-02-22T20:11:00.000-08:00

Lots of good girl friend time last Thurs. through Sun. Went on a Quilt Retreat at a place north of Lawrence, Kansas. Quilt designer and fabric designer Jo Morton from Nebraska was there to teach. Lots of fun, eating, laughing, drinking good things, sewing, sewing and sewing some more. Some very talented ladies made some very awesome quilts in the last year

This quilt is one I puchased in 2oo2. Each square was designed by a known quilt teacher/designer for the "Liberty Gathering" in Liberty,MO. I love it because each square is signed by the designer who made it.
The proceeds from the auction the quilt was part of went to the
Liberty Hospital Foundation "Project Treehouse". This is a seperate beautiful house adjoining Liberty Hospital, and is for people who have loved ones as patients in Liberty Hospital.

Grunewald Guild. . . Art and Spirituality

2010-02-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

I spent my 60th birthday week last summer in the Cascade Mts. of Washington State. There is a wonderful place called Grunewald Guild. Everyone should experience this fantastic place. You can take art classes from professional artist, take great hikes, eat wonderful homegrown food and share wonderful love and friendship. I took a class in Madalas from Carla McConnell, one of the founders of the American Colored Pencil Society. She is amazing. This is a pic of my finished project and a pic of the one Carla did that week. If you are interested in looking into Grunewald go to www.artfaith.com.

This is the one I did. Notice the Acorns !! just had to have them in there.

Carla McConnell my teacher did this one. She is fantastic. Her web site is www.artsisters.com

I highly recommend this experience to everyone. They have different classes every week for over 8 weeks in the summer. Everything from Fiber Arts, Ceramics, Stained Glass to painting, drawing and more.

Sunshine Please . . . . . .

2010-02-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

I am joining Margaret at Water Blossoms in wishing for some reprieve from all of these gray days. Hope all out in blogland have some sunshine in their life today.

"May we never let the things we can't have, or don't have, or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have..... Unknown.

Another Acorn piece......

2010-02-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday to everyone. I love doing my art work in several different mediums, but, I love pencil . I like to be able to make all the different shades and contrasts. Continuing my acorn theme for one more day, here is a picture I did with a sort of Zentangle effect.

Great Oaks from . . . . . .

2010-02-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things is acorns. I collect them, cross stitch them, draw them and love them.
For me they symbolize growth and how it can come out of just tiny thought or idea.
Some of my best artwork has evolved this way.
Here are just a couple of my acorn creations.

Well here I go, wish me luck.

2010-02-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

This is the first entry of my blog. I am a new member of the world of "blogs". I love art, music, needlework and want to share that love with others who wish to follow along with me. There is a great deal of fear inside of me from taking this leap to find out who I really am, and where this journey will take me. Wish me luck, and bear with me as I get this going.