Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Post Merry Christmas and Happy almost New Year


The rest of fall and holiday season are but a blur now. So much thought, effort, sweat, and sometimes frustration goes into the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas...and then it is but a memory. Our season itself was quite wonderful once we got through senior exams and another college shopping trip to PA the first week in December. We traveled back to PA for Christmas with family and managed to get out of dodge before the blizzard hit the area. My gifts of Christmas were many: time with family, laughter, a peaceful candlelight church service, some treasured gifts that were unexpected. While my family moments were wonderful, my favorite moment came when I was reunited with my best friend in the world for the one year I lived in PA during 8th grade. It was online that I found her, but we hadn't seen each other for 33 years. It was nice to see we could pick up where we left off all those years ago. I hope to see her for years to come.

I have many moments and people to be grateful for in 2010. It was the year of trips for all of us. Lots of gymnastics and college travel in the winter and spring. These trips were soon followed by my nephew's wedding and our summer Japan trip. I will treasure those family moments and the peaceful nature of the Japanese always. More college trips came our way later in the summer and into the fall. Each college had its own flavor and being on these stately campuses made me want to metriculate again...briefly. I took a break from that kind of travel to go on my first trip with my sister in November to the Caribbean. We had a lovely cruise together and enjoyed bonding over jewelry shopping and stingray swimming. I am really blessed to have had all these opportunities this year. Unfortunately, that meant that not a lot of art was done. I am ready to jump back in for 2011! The art above is a little taste...... Happy New Year and a wonderful 2011 to all.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Chills and Thrills


Mike Meador of Coffee Break Designs left us today. I will miss his wit, support, and good-natured demeanor. I feel lucky that I was able to see him at Stampaway and will remember him that way. Although I only saw him sporadically, he was always willing to help when I needed every little thing for classes....yesterday. I took some gentle ribbing, but he always came through. Thanks, Mike...you will be missed by many.

Halloween is rapidly approaching. I finished my cards tonight and managed to do some ATCs to send out as well. Yes, Chills and Thrills is supposed to be askew......I promise.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Willy-Nilly





willy-nilly adv: in a haphazard or spontaneous manner ... That word sums up my September. Maybe my 2010, too. I was pulled in so many directions all month that I got little done on what I really wanted to do and what I did get done was 5 minutes here and 5 minutes there so everything felt disjointed. I got a little of my studio cleaned only to mess it up again so quickly while getting some things out at the last moment. I got Sammi off for her senior year of high school..... and then had a moment after she left that first day. Then I had a week where I realized that I will need to reinvent my life after she goes off to college next fall. Yes, it took a week. I have come to no conclusion on what I want to do....another book? more travel? a job? more studio time? Hmmmmm....... Even my thoughts have been coming and going in a willy nilly fashion. They flit in and flit out and almost get forgotten. It's so fitting that my last artwork of the month celebrates the freedom of willi-nilliness (head nod to Red Lead for the great stamp). I think I will try not to fight it in October, but will embrace the randomness of it all. We'll see how that works.

Monday, August 09, 2010

STAMPAWAY 2010



Well once again it is Stampaway week and it's all happening here at my house. New samples, packing, more packing, more organizing for packing, buying supplies, forgetting supplies and having to go back again and again. But along with that is the excitement to see our small world again, meet incredible students and peer teachers, and get inspired by all the artful discussion all around. I've been going for 15 years and have been teaching for 10 or 11. It is always a week to be remembered.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hope


It is midsummer and quite tepid here in St. Louis, although Tokyo was not much better. College shopping is in full swing as is prep for Stampaway in two weeks. I am quite looking forward to it. But back to Tokyo....what an experience. It was as if we stepped completely into another world for 8 days. The people were fabulous and the scenery in such a large city was lush and bountiful. We negotiated the subways and learned that just when you think more can't fit...they can. We also managed to handle the lack of English with dignity. Luckily, pointing to food mock ups was socially acceptable.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Summer 2010


Sorry for being in absentia for quite a while. We had a lot of post season gymnastics travel as well as a family wedding, college shopping and, of course, the lousy winter pneumonia scare. It's been quite a busy few months. I am really enjoying the slowing down in summer and have probably done about 10 pieces of art since school let out. I hope to get some of them posted on my main website shortly. This painting was done this morning and was my first foray into using Wood Icing as a texture tool on canvas. It was wonderful to work with after a terrific demo with Mary Beth Shaw last week. I think it is going to become a studio essential. This week was banner since I was able to head to the Collinsville Convention for a few hours with my bff, Tracy. Typical vendors but the day was capped off with an ongoing demo by USArtQuest owner and fabulous artist, Sue Pickering Rothamel. I hadn't seen her for a long time but was entranced as usual with her talent and demo style. She'll be around this summer so be sure to catch her when she's out. It is always worth a few hours.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Scrapbook Page!


I will tell you all that this is about the 6th scrapbook page I have ever done and had no pictures. So I had to do what I do best. My oldest nephew is getting married in May and this is a page to go in a wedding shower album. It was fun to do. I can see why people scrapbook! I am ready for spring now...that's for sure. I love weddings and haven't been to one in a few years. It will be fun.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Lost and Found


I am in the process of trying to find my art muse again. It has been lost for some time now. I still can appreciate art but have not been able to find the desire to produce until last week. I am happy it is here now and am going to try to keep it going.

I never understand why it comes and goes. Part of it is a lack of nurture I guess. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thursday, January 21, 2010

It's In the Details


JANUARY 2010

*new year
*new start
*new art
*new honesty
*new resolve

Don Sanderson and David Wilson....you will both be missed. I am lucky to have had you both in my lives, my father and my dear friend.