Embrace Imperfection

I was up early this morning before the rest of my household and had a delightful bowl of cereal outside on my patio. The understory is now completely filled in our ridge. It is beautiful in its imperfection and is the perfect backdrop for our bird "restaurant". Things were quite hopping this morning, as a matter of fact. I think our "Denny's" opens up before the sun and then continues a brisk business all morning. It is fun to see the couples show up and the brazen hussys or BMOC birds try to break up the camaraderie. Nature does imitate life very well, but doesn't worry about every little detail. Hence, today's artwork theme. I enjoyed marring the background some before adding the wonderful paisley tree. It was a fun exercise today in using what I already had and putting it together in a haphazard way. The sentiment came from a conversation with my best friend a couple of days ago.I love it when nature inspires and when things just come together because they should.

Listen Closely

I am trying to get quiet and listen, hoping that I will know which way to go. It is easy to get lost in the quiet where I live now. I am hoping that the solitude will help me on my journey.

Sunkissed Moments

Well, May is here and a lot is in bloom. I am thrilled to say that we are getting our house landscaped today finally. I will, of course, post a picture when it is done. I have really been enjoying getting back into doing some painting so I painted a series of abstract designs for Mother's Day cards that can be found on my site. Having a brush in my hand is one of those tactile experience that I missed while struggling to deal with our relocation. I hope I am coming out of it. Happy Mother's Day.......and many sunkissed moments for all of you.

Ordinary

I actually did some watercolor yesterday while Sammi was at the gym out of some paper that I had to cut up to move.....enjoy! It is amazing what you can do with a clipboard, Lyras , a waterbrush and 5 hours. Art felt good again.........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMMI!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Sammi!

Tomorrow is her 15th birthday......I am hiding this piece of canvaswork in her locker for a surprise this afternoon. ENJOY..................................

Imagination

We are finally coming out of winter here in St. Louis and boy do I need spring badly. This has been the longest winter in my life for many reasons. My in-laws were here over the weekend and we were able to tour Grant's Farm on a beautiful, sunny day yesterday. It was wonderful. Sammi's season is done and she won the Region IV championships in South Dakota last weekend. What an amazing meet she had. She moves on to train level 9 now for next season.

I did this included artwork for an ATC exchange for favorite quotes. I hope I can rediscover my imagination. It seems to be hiding somewhere these days.

No art in sight

Sammi's season is finally coming to a close so maybe art will begin to happen again. We have one more meet...regionals in South Dakota... in April. Then she starts training for the next level (9). It never ends, but at least we are local during the rest of the year. I am enjoying being part of an ATC art guild and collage club here in St. Louis. They seem to have more inspiration than me these days, but I do enjoying the gatherings. Wonderful people with wonderful ideas and hearts of gold.

No art as a pic this time but here is one of Jim and Sam headed off to the Barat Academy Father Daughter Dance tonight.... Enjoy!

White on White

There are big flakes of snow coming down yet again today, although I doubt we are in for any accumulation. I am SO ready for spring after these latest snows and forced hibernations. But at least it is the endish of February. We leave on Friday for Wisconsin so I am sure we'll be heading into more snow there, but at least it is just overnight for the latest and greatest gymnastics competition. Two weeks from now is Tampa so at least we are going south.

Not much arting going on here, but I am uploading an ATC exchange card that was appropriately themed: white on white....esp. since I keep seeing those flakes. It was an interesting card to do. The background is torn deli paper spot coated with gesso. The lacy embeliishment was embossed in white as were the words. It was a stretch going almost colorless, yet I really like the finished product.

Still unpacking here so no new classes scheduled until Stampaway in August. Stay tuned for any changes to that schedule.

Hard Holidays where art and music meet

No, this isn't my art at all, but the cover for a new EP put out by my nephew, Jon (25). His long time friend, Tia, did the cover artwork for him and it turned out great. I have put a link to Jon's myspace (or click here)so that anyone who wants to can listen to his music. Jon has been creating music for years and it has been interesting seeing the evolution and the depth that he now brings to the table. My personal favorite off this EP is Used Books Torn Pages but Nations and Hard Holidays are creative as well. I am amazed at the varied layers of music that can exist within one song and as everyone knows by now, I love layers in my art and the constant reveal. I wish Jon all the best with his music and his life. I celebrate what he has brought to all our lives with his talent.

2008 art

I promised some new art online and here it is. The two jpgs are new class samples done on layered canvas. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Celebrate '08

Happy 2008

everyone....

We had a great trip

east for Christmas

but headed back

early to St. Louis

so Sam could have

a shot at going to

her first meet.

The foot isn't quite

at 100% but she

was able to compete

and win three events

and her meet in Kansas City over the weekend. Art samples to follow tomorrow online, but for now I just wanted to celebrate my amazing daughter. Here's to a happy and healthy '08!!!!

Fa La La

I don't know about everyone else, but December is roaring by me. We had three days of ice here this week so I didn't do any driving except what I had to. Now I am really behind. I will say I felt like I was in Narnia every time I looked out the back of our house to the ridge. The ice was beautiful to behold. Instead of promises to keep, I have boxes to keep, I think. My studio still has quite a few, although my shelves are filling with stamps. The artwork pictured here are some stampbord inchies I did to share at the Collage Club luncheon tomorrow. I had a lot of fun doing them. There are four layers in all and then I distressed the sides and wrote the words. It felt good to get at least some art done in December.

House news: We should close in the next couple of days and will only own one house after that. Keep your fingers crossed.

I hope everyone has a joyous and festive holiday season.

October musings

Well, October has quietly slipped by ins ome ways and roared in others. We moved over into our new house last week so we have boxes, chaos, more flies than I can murder in one day, and some damaged furniture from the move. But, even with all that....I love the house! I have space to myself and love the wooded area we are now living in. A new discovery: turkeys do not adjust well to concrete. I watched them meander in a meadow one morning and then look like roadrunners as they scurried to the other side of the road, then meander again. It was a funny sight to see. Artwise...not much going on. My studio hasn't even gotten on my radar. Food and sleeping quarters took priority. I did have a chance to work on a series of Halloween houses for an ATC exchange tonight. I hand drew the ones above.....I don't hand draw often but it worked that I could do it while Sammi was at the gym. I hope they are well received. That's all from the new Curry abode.... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Living Inside a Box

We are still living here in our apartment for a few more weeks. Move in day is October 11 and I can't wait. Sam has started school which is freeing my time somewhat, but am dealing with reacclimating here in St. Louis and the tiny apartment which seems to be closing in on me more each day. I leave on Friday to visit my dad in Williamsburg. We are at the cusp of putting him in an assisted living facility by my sister. The decision is difficult but it is a safety issue as of now. Art has been almost non-existent but this piece is the sign in page from my new altered calendar that needs to be sent off next week. Just a bit of doodling to add interest. Enjoy the fall!!!!

Stampaway 2007

What a crazy time for our family. We arrived in St. Louis in the middle of the night on the 2nd and I left to return to Cincinnati with Tracy on the 8th for Stampaway. I can't even remember how many years I've been attending, but I think this is my 7th year teaching. I loved the clocks that were done in Time of Your Life. They really took off and had a ball doing them. My favorite class was my new stampbord class...LOVED IT...... It was fun to see everyone try the new techniques. THANKS TO EVERYONE IN BOTH CLASSES!!!!

Tracy and I had a great time at Stampaway and cavorting about Ohio. We hit an antique mall in Springfield on Friday and I managed some finds. I bought two vintage windows and two post boxes. Both are for the new house. We hit the ground running at the Friday preview party. Tracy loved the new designer for IO, Leigh Hannan, so we spent a long time there. I already had all but two designs that I wanted so my damage wasn't as great. We also had to by soldered charms for necklaces from Artful Illusions . That family is one of the nicest I've met so I enjoyed plunking down a lot of dough there. Last year I bought a lot of their unmounteds and totally missed the jewelry so it was nice that I could poke through their stash this year. Connie's party was a fun time as usual. The usual cast of characters were there as well as a special guest, Carol Duvall. We spent a lot of time chatting with the JudiKins crowd both at the booth and the party. They are always fun and inspirational at the same time. I've been a longtime JudiKins fan.

Now it is back to the grind in our one bedroom apartment! Here is my temporary email address: nancycurry1@gmail.com if anyone needs me.

Perhaps

This artwork sums up our week. We lost the sale of our house because of Joe, our sex offender that lives on our cul-de-sac. Apparently because he plea bargained and did his 8 week stint in jail and a few weeks in counseling, he can go on with his life while ruining ours. No one can make him leave unless he keeps his yard unkempt. It doesn't matter that he wants to chat/meet/greet underage girls. So we are still moving next week and the house will sit. Sit. Sit. Perhaps it will sell. Perhaps it won't. Perhaps ..............................

On a more positive note, this is a piece ( 6 x 12" canvas) I did for the art auction for charity at Stampaway. I am quite pleased with it. On my regular website there is a duplicate that I did for my bff, Deb....That one is in Tuscan colors that will go with her house. I do love working with stampboard. It is great for home deco.

New email until we move into our house is nancycurry1@gmail.com . No new posts until we are in the apartment!

Movers and Shakers

We are nine days from the movers beginning the four day process of packing and crating for storage. But GOOD NEWS ............... the Curry abode is S O L D !!!!!!!! That development was Wednesday but I think it has taken me a few days to know that it is real. No rest for the weary, though, because the move is imminent, but at least we don't have to worry about it standing after we are gone. Prep continued this week for my Stampaway clock class. I think drilling took me 6 hours or so, but all canvases and matboard are drilled. I have to write the instructions, and pack the kits this week. It will be nice to have that done as well. The picture today again isn't art, but it is the first pic that Jim, Sam and I have been in since she was a baby. It was taken on the cruise and I think we will use it for our XMAS cards this year. Enjoy............

Chez Curry

Well, here is a non art-related picture.....our new house that's going up in Missouri. Jim stopped by tonight and this is the first pic I have seen so I had to share. I am busily prepping for my Stampaway classes that need to be finished before the movers come. Today's fodder included packaging up clock movement pieces and painting 70 canvases black. Everything is coming along, although I have to admit it is difficult doing this in the middle of prepping for 2-3 months of storage. I have to keep telling myself it will all get done. It will all get done. It will all get done..............yada yada yada.

Up, Down and All Around

These days I spend a lot of time going from up to down. Today was a down. I see other houses selling in the neighborhood, yet mine can't even get an offer. This puzzle piece for an "opposites" puzzle parallels my up and down mood. I love to play with patterning and love to doodle so I spent the afternoon on this piece while Sam was going up and down at the gym.

Maybe tomorrow I'll have an up. Who knows..............

Home Stretch

We are home from our wonderful trip to the Mediterranean. I have officially fallen in love with Rome. The flora, fauna, and flavor were just so wonderful....all except the taxi drivers. The rest of our trip was as wonderful. We saw so many begininings of civilizations that it is hard to pick a favorite but if I had to I would say the pyramids at Giza. They are amazing. Even more amazing is the fact that our party all traveled in a four foot wide and tall, downward angled passageway about 150' into Chephren's pyramid. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Had I known what it was going to be like, I might now have gone, but I am glad I did now that I am sitting in Cincinnati.

The cruise itself was wonderful, too. We did a lot, but also were able to relax some, too. It was wonderful to be on the trip with our chosen family from Boston, and equally as wonderful to still have that bond after eight years apart. We are very lucky to have friends like that.

Now it is back to the grind. We have a month left and then everything will be in storage until October. I am busily prepping for class here tomorrow and packing my materials for the Stampaway class will be a priority in the coming weeks. The moving man cringed today when he saw my studio. That's all I'll say about that.

Coloring Outside any Lines

Well, Sammi is finally on the mend and the house is still on the market. Our new house in St. Louis will be started at the beginning of June so this chaos will continue into the fall. My friend, Deb, inspired this ATC from top to bottom. She brought me back these Technique Tuesday petal stamps http://techniquetuesday.com from Florida. They are so petite that they are a perfect size for cards and ATCS. I must confess that I bought two of the larger sets on my own after that. She also found the text stamp and thought I needed it, too, since it is the title of my blog. I finally got around to using both today. It was fun being down in the studio again even if just for an hour or so. I worked on some charms for a mingle, too, and I am very pleased with them as well. I hope this trend continues that I can get down there once in a while just to scratch that art itch.

May Day

My best friend started me on the tradition of May Day baskets when we lived in St. Louis in the 1990s. I didn't grow up with that tradition, but thought it was wonderful each year when one was delivered to us. Well, I have my own imaginary basket today that is filled with the blessings that have been delivered to us over the last couple of weeks. Our house is up for sale and we have had a number of showings, but no buyers. Words have been critical, but I am trying to see the big picture and know that there will be a buyer for us. My father seems to be articulating better and we have had some great conversations together. I don't mind playing "fill in the blank" when he is showing me he wants to talk. Finally, Sammi is back in school this week and is recovering from her gym accident from last Monday night. She plowed into the high bar with her head before falling to the ground and jamming her knees into her face. We are very lucky that she had only multiple level 2 concussions and bursa fluid in her knees. After three days of "brain rest" she was sort of back to her old self. She is still on crutches but even the knees seem to be getting better. Unfortuately for her, she had to miss her regional competition in Indy, but we are just happy she is on the mend. No art pics today, but there are pics from her in the ER and taking 2nd on beam at state last month. Anyone who has my book knows how much I love her, but not everyone knows what "heart" she has to push through as many obstacles as she has had. I celebrate her "heart" today.

Diffusion

I've spent a lot of time during the past three months diffusing life's curveballs, but more keep getting thrown at us. The house is now up for sale as of Friday and we have had our first showing. They are marketing the house with a working studio so it doesn't have to be as pristine as the rest of the house. My foot still isn't healed so I have to be off of it as much as possible. I can't believe that it is still not right after about 12 weeks. The boot and I have become one soul. We are probably going to build a house in St. Louis but I'll know more about that next week. The builder took forever to get us a cost analysis, but I love the lot. I'll post a pic if that happens next week. Unfortunately I had to pull out of Artiscape so I can get my body healed. Lisa's event has been one I have always wanted to go to, but never seemed to be able to because of Sam's competing season. It had worked out this year and I was eager to teach. I hope it goes well for everyone. The piece featured in this post is for my calendar exchange. It is the first art I've sat down to do in weeks (watercolor, permanent markers, sprits bottle, Hampton Arts stamp.)

Once Upon A Time

I've spent a lot of time this past week thinking about "once upon a time." No conclusions on why things can't be as good, but definitely thinking about it. Hence, the piece of art above that I did yesterday while cleaning out my studio to put the house on the market. I can only hope that some day in the future I'll be able to look back on this and reminisce fondly!

Teal...all day...all the time

I had a lot of fun working with some leotard patterns to do this teal challenge on one of the Yahoo lists I am on. Sam leaves today on a bus for Orlando and I fly out tomorrow morning. She doesn't compete until Saturday so I am hoping to get out into the sunshine while we are there a little bit.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!

True Blue

I can't believe it is already February. It does look like we'll be relocating this year to St. Louis.....a trying time this has been for all three of us. My time has been spent beginning to get the house de-cluttered, but not too much art has been happening. This week, though, I sat down and did this piece of canvas for a mingle.

Time of Your Life

Time just keeps marching on...........I can't believe that it is already Dec 1! Thanksgiving passed quickly and was quite fun. I did my typical Black Friday shopping spree at 4 am and then was exhausted by noon. I was able to finish the first Stampaway class before I picked Dad up at the airport, but then was not able to finish the second class until yesterday.....the due date, of course. I am pleased with the concept.........but always hate running at a deadline.

Next up.......cleaning my studio, I mean..."the pit." I am tired of working in a 4" area..............

A Golden Life

I finally had a chance to work on some art. This month has been a roller coaster and I have not felt creative at all. My dad seems to be better and hopefully his heart rate will stay above 40 so we don't have another scare during the holiday season. My sister was a real trooper once again, dropping everything to go down and make sure he is ok. I am not sure how long he'll be able to live on his own. 81 isn't a great age to be when you are trying to be independent.

This piece of art is just a study in monochromatic gold. It was a lot of fun putting together, although I really wish I could wiggle my nose and clear off my studio desk more than 7". Creating would be oh so nice if I could do that. Maybe I'll work on clearing a foot a day. Next up is the finishing of my Stampaway class for 2007. It is 95% done and I'll post a sample another day. My second offering will have to get finished after Thanksgiving. It is time to clean the house for family coming next week. More on that later.

Nostalgia

I created this puzzle piece and was overwhelmed by nostalgia.......I inherited a box of handmade gift tags (cut with pinking shears, hole punched and attached with curling ribbon) from my grandmother quite some time ago. All of our packages growing up used these tags and many of them had the type of graphic design that the tree epoxy stickers I used had. My childhood and the early '60s came rushing back and I could see more than just those trees. I find it interesting that one image can open the well for many more to come flashing back. Does anyone else have that happen???????

My 2007 schedule will be light due to probably relocation, but I am pleased to say that I will be teaching at Artiscape (May 4-7). I've wanted to participate in Lisa Ohmer's retreat for years but it normally has been during Sammi's competiting season. This year it is not. Check out European Papers for more info. I am sure it will be a great weekend!!!!

Happy Boo Day!

Well, it is the Friday night before Halloween and lo and behold, my plan is to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with Sammi. I love to relive those childhood favorite moments and this year it worked out that we were home from the gym to do it together. Fall has definitely hit here in Cincy, along with the rain and dreariness. I teach here locally tomorrow at Stamp Your Art Out and then will be taking a break for the holidays and throughout most of her competing season that begins in January. It's hard to believe that the holiday season is almost upon us, but knowing that our time changes tomorrow night, makes it a done deal. Last weekend we went to a corn field and went through a haunted maze. Yes, the ones with the chainsaws and zombies. I have been through indoor haunted places, but have never been outdoors in the dark, cold and seemingly evil field. It definitely ramped the scare up a notch. I worked on this Halloween card the next day. Enjoy!!!!!!

The time has been passing at super speed this fall. The faster I go, the more behind I seem to get. Hence, the name of this entry.....falling. I've had a busier than normal teaching schedule while getting Sammi back in school. My trip to Red Lead in September was terrific. I really enjoyed teaching there and getting to see a lot of old and new faces. My demo and classes were both well attended and I was able to socialize with Tracy and Leslie and did some more house hunting. The week before Red Lead I was able to pop into the A.R.T. weekend retreat to teach a shorter class and sign some certificates. I loved being able to put faces with names from that wonderful group as well. This weekend I went to Chicago to Carolina Moon and had a blast. Carolyn was a wonderful hostess and Chicago offered me a beautiful fall weekend. My classes again were well attended and those involved were excited and generous with their spirit. I was so glad to visit there again. I even got to meet Carolyn's cat, Mr. Moon. I have to say that he is one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen.

Artwise, I have been able to just barely keep up with class prep, my calendar and the other exchanges I signed up for in a moment of weakness. The piece below is an encaustic wax extra from a fat book exchange done for St. Louis. I love the contrast between the white and the magenta. I was able to get my class submissions done on time for Artiscape in May. I've never been able to submit before because Sam is usually competing then. I hope my classes were appealing. Stampaway classes are due at the end of next month. I'd better get cracking!!!!!!!!!!

My schedule is light for the rest of the year. Upcoming classes: Sat. Oct 28, Stamp Your Art Out, Cincinnati, OH.

ceLeBraTe

Stampaway is over for another year. It was quite a jampacked six days personally and professionally. It is wonderful to see the same people year after year and to feel the undercurrent of energy and excitement. My classes were well-filled and full of ladies that amazed and inspired me the whole time. I saw some fabulous color combinations and design strategies that I can't wait to try after my studio is CLEAN. That is my goal for this week since I need to gear up for four upcoming events. The piece of artwork above is a sample from my demo today (ignore the lousy paint job on the canvases. Time was critical.) I see a new class in the future................

I took my first carving class from Connie Newbanks early on Thursday. SHE IS OUTSTANDING! Tracy got in from St. Louis on Thursday after my Kaleidoscope class and we scurried out for dinner at Pappadeaux (horrible waiter, great company and conversation). Deb was indispensible to the smooth running of the class and as a chauffeur (my car's steering column ...R.I.P) and I just LOVE having her there with me. Friday's ATC class was sold out and Tracy effortlessloy kept everything running smoothly. We had a wonderful lunch in Glendale and a bit of shopping as well before I took Tracy to a quilting studio to see the quilting machine to end all machines. Friday night was the preview party and it was delightful to browse without being elbow to elbow. I DROPPED A LOAD ON PAULA BEST'S JEWELRY http://www.paulabestsilver.com/ . Saturday I had to leave my friends for a few hours while Sammi was choreographed on floor. I then returned to the convention center and spent some more shopping time with them. Dinner was at Vincenzo's and was fabuolous as was Connie's vendor/teacher party on Saturday night. An illusionist was there that knocked my socks off. Today's demo went fine and I did debut some brand new techniques from this week. I hope everyone enjoys playing with them!!!!!!!!

Off to get some well-needed zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs.





Upcoming Class Schedule ............September: ART gathering, KY........... September: Red Lead, St. Louis, MO............ October: Carolina Moon, Chicago, IL.............October: Stamp Your Art Out, Cincinnati, OH

Happily Ever After?

It is August 1 and Jim, Sammi and I are settling into this new separated living arrangement....as well as can be expected. July brought much travel: St. Louis, Ann Arbor, and North Carolina so I am glad that August brings some time at hour to recoup. This ATC is a sample from a class I taught at Altercations..definitely the need for time at home with my family was in my unconsious.

Hard to Please

Certain lyrics always find their way into my artwork. Does anyone else have that happen? This is the third piece I've used lyrics from "Hazy Shade of Winter" but they always seem applicable to my life.

Lately I find myself questioning why I spend so much of my time wishing, wanting and waiting leaving less time for doing, enjoying, and feeling satisfied. In a nutshell..... I am hard to please and it isn't one of my qualities that I am very proud of.


************************************************************************************ Summer/Fall Class Schedule July: Altercations, Ann Arbor, MI July: Enchanted Cottage, Lewisville, NC August: Stampaway, Cincinnati, OH September: ART gathering, KY September: Red Lead, St. Louis, MO October: Carolina Moon, Chicago, IL ************************************************************************************

Dog Days

Sammi and I have made it through the first week on our own, but definitely being the sole caretaker will require some reshuffling of my art time. I wish I could get her interested and that we had the time in her schedule to get her arting so that I could have more uninterrupted time.

Limbo

Never get complacent with your life because that's when changes knock you right off your feet. Jim's job is in flux so another move is a possiblility, our sixth since marriage, and our third one into the St. Louis area. One of the spreads in my calendar reflected the possible
"motion" coming in our life.

Windy City Report

I had a great time in Chicago last weekend and will look forward to returning. This week has not brought much art at all, although I am diligently working on my calendar for the month. I had to upload this piece from my demo in the resist class. It never ceases to amaze me how breaking up a design can really "make" it into what it should have been in the first place. The hand lettered quote at the bottom really sums it all up! Now I have used that phrase on the last two blogs. I think I have a theme.

Thanks to all who took my classes and I will let you know if a stamp company ever wants to use my handwriting for one of their fonts!!!! You gals rocked and so did the Moon. Those going to Chicago shouldn't miss a trip to Carolina Moon.........I'll be back in October. Below is my current schedule for the rest of the year:

We had a wonderful time in Cayman........It was a great time to renew,rethink, reconnect while asorbing all the vibrant colors that are daily part of life in the Caribbean. I wonder if their good humor is due to the saturation of color and sunlight in their lives every day? It is good to be back, although I am excited to be teaching in Chicago next weekend. I love that city and am ready to meet all sorts of new people. This weekend is taken up with Sammi's 13th birthday and all the preparations that are required for that. Art will take a backseat to Laser tag, pizza, games, ice cream cake, snacks, cinnamon rolls, etc...Most of my time will be seeing to her teammates needs, but it comes once a year and it is good to see her so excited!!!

Spring Fling

I can finally say spring appears to be here in our area. I might add that I say... FINALLY! Of course, that is just before we head to Grand Cayman on Friday, but hopefully spring will be here when we return. I spent some time playing with some submissions today to get them where they need to go tomorow. Definitely my results were fueled by the weather. They were very cheery and fun to go along with the cloudless sky. I do find that my art is influenced by my environment. I wonder what I'll do in the Caribbean??

Addition and Subtraction

I sat here tonight thinking how much of my life revolves around addition and subtraction even though very little of it has to do with math in the traditional sense. I received new inks today from Lindy's Stamp Gang so now I have 17 bottles of Moon Shadow Ink added to my supply of about 500 or so other paints. Because of these paints, I'll need to move or "subtract" other supplies that I am not using regularly. Of course, this company has many other products that can be used "in addition to" the ones I have so I am sure more will be making their way into my studio. Composition-wise I also seem to return time and time again to the addition and subtraction of paint and inks. The ones I worked with today work really well to add and take away to create a mottled effect. I can't wait to sit down again and see what else they can do. That will be more time in the studio and less time doing the household chores..........what else is new?

Harlequin Redux

I continue to wonder what fascinates me about Harlequin design over and over, but at least once a month I do some kind of design that incorporates it and I never seem to get tired of working it. This one is the last spread in my altered calendar for February. I had a lot of fun working with the patterns and mylar accents. I wonder if others find themselves returning frequently to a design scheme.....write and let me know so I know I am somehow normal......

Fairy Tale

If I have the time I normally don't have any problems coming up with Valentine's. I have done everything from black and white ones to non-traditionally colored ones, depending on my mood. This year I decided to go brightly covered for my husband in one that is titled, "Fairytale"........ Our life hasn't always been a traditional fairytale, but even with our ups and downs, we have had our moments of magic. This one was fashioned out of scraps from some of my other seasonal work. NEVER THROW BITS AWAY! I keep scraps of work in a special tub to pull out when needed.

Valentine Mingle

I finally had some time to do some Valentine mingles for some special people and really enjoyed doing them. So much so that I am considering taking this project style and selling them later this year. They sold really well on the Arts de Mer cruise last year and really are a great size for gift giving. I am still thinking it through though, since I consider myself more of a teacher than a seller.

My teaching schedule is filling, although I am still working around family schedules:

A Time to Dance

While normally art focused, I find myself pausing to celebrate my daughter's personal victory at her first gymnastics meet of the year. Since 3 years old, gymnastics has been her life and I have watched, with admiration, her courage and dedication through illness, injury, and the hardships that all gymnasts go through. She has won events before, but last weekend won the all-around as well, which meant enough to her to bring tears of joy to her eyes. Those of you who bought my book might have noticed that my dedication about "taking the chance to dance" was for her. Well, as an addendum......I saw her take that chance and she did dance. Her work ethic and willpower paid off, a skill that will serve her well through life. I am so glad I was here to see it.

Lamentations or Resolutions?

This is THAT time of year where I take stock of what I did and didn't do last year while trying to plan what I am going to do this year. The key problem in that is the word "plan". I have never done that very well, leading to all sorts of predicaments throughout my life. Plans sound great in theory, but when they go awry, they let me down. I am pulled (voluntarily and involuntarily) in so many different directions these days, that plans seem to be unmade as quickly as they are made. I am great at getting my deadlines met, but not so great at anything else. So I have decided that this year will be a "random" year which is a word my almost teen daughter seems to use with zeal these days. I like the sound of the freedom in the word and hope that it doesn't let me down. No resolutions except that I will accept where my life takes and detours me, without worrying about whether I am getting enough done. So, yes, I will have a random year of art this year and will see where that takes me.

Earthen Alphabetika

I spent some time today getting my first collaborative puzzle ready for framing. I am so pleased with how the project came together and so grateful to all the artists that participated. After the new year I'll post another one but I am still thinking up ideas.

Joy

The holiday season is in full swing...or is it swinging me? Actually I am keeping up pretty well. Getting next year's Stampaway classes done in November really helped out. I've been having some fun playing with holiday ideas and rediscovering the "joy" in creating. That has been a wonderful December gift for me.

Enjoy the season.........

Miracles Happen

It still never ceases to amaze me that I unblock at the very last minute and produce some of my favorite work when I am down to the wire. I wonder if the synapses fire faster or some chemical revs up the creativity a notch. I worked today on the final samples for the new mixed media ATC class and I am very pleased with the outcome. Hence the text on the card.