A True Story...

Hello, friends!

Ok. So maybe today I do have a story to share with you.

Once upon a time, many months ago, a very tired working girl spent a few evenings doodling and drawing faces on 4" x 4" squares. That was the requirement, you see. There were rules. She was not allowed to use any of the art mediums in which she was most comfortable with, such as watercolors or acrylics. So, she played with markers and pencils.

Bright colors. Another specification.

When she finally completed a bold, fun face...

She packaged it up.

And one day after work, she dropped it off at the post office and never thought about it again. (Afterall, she was terribly burned out with her day job, and art had become something that she longed to do full time...but could only squeeze in here and there, in between chores, work, rest, and other priorities).

On to work she went, Monday through Friday... Going through the motions.

Today, this gal is happy to be done with that unfulfilling day job and working towards goals that have been put on the "back burner" for years. Yes, it could take many more years to achieve... And I may never achieve all that I desire, but I do now, feel complete and so very content.

Today I received my March/April 2014 issue of "Cloth, Paper, Scissors"...

And there she was!

That sweet face that I had doodled and colored long ago! I smile big. She was chosen to be on one of the pages for the "Faces of mixed media" challenge. Thank you, "Cloth, Paper, Scissors". It means so much to me!

Every day I paint.

Although my butt gets sore from sitting on my work bench for too long...

I still paint, joyfully. I have commission work and am preparing for a March show. Very blessed, this girl is!

Here is a sneak peek at some of my offerings for the show!

I'm trying to create a variety of art... Small keepsake boxes, wall canvases in several different sizes.

I'm so loving textures!

This morning I ordered the most adorable vendor apron for keeping my money, business cards, iPhone, pens, etc. in while doing shows! I used to do shows years ago and oh, how I have missed it! I'm very excited to get back out there again!

Back to work I now go...

If i do not get side-tracked reading this new issue!

Until next time...

XO

 

Friends, Mermaids, and Starfish...

Good morning to you!

I sit here in the morning light, outside on the patio with a cup of coffee.

Pondering. Reflecting.

This patio has been the host to many memorable occasions!

Over the weekend, it was a perfect place for two longtime friends and a beautiful mess!

Together, we enter into a whole new world where the creativity flows for days and we bounce from one project to another. Even after the sun sets, we remain, under the patio lights...

Working away, like little elves. Building, assembling, painting, talking, and laughing.

A block of clay becomes a starfish...

Mounted onto a painted, wood box.

Some of our projects,such as the box, do not get completed...

Until the next time we meet...

Or, we may work on them from miles apart and share the process by phone- sending text messages and pictures! Either way, the projects are shared together. Isn't it just the greatest thing, to have a friend who is much like yourself and has the same interests as you? I do hope that you have one of these friends... Or two!

A friend who adores a silly little sculpture to set on a shelf!

So, our hands knead and pinch clay for hours...

Until mermaids appear.

Meet "Mable"!

She is my mermaid friend. Lori chose her name. I'm not completely satisfied with her face, but I shall work on her a bit more.

Even mermaids need a friend, right?

Here are the girls, together! Don't they make you just smile big?

Oh, how we enjoyed playing with the clay and glitter!!!! I am now inspired to do more sculpting for sure!

In between projects, we break for a snack.

Zucchini on the grill was a very nice treat!

We brushed each slice with olive oil and then topped with herbs from my garden, freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sun dried tomatoes and peppers. You must try this!!!!

It was a glorious weekend and always difficult to say our goodbyes. ( I still cry when my loved ones leave). Sometimes I do feel so far away from all of my people and familiar places...

Way out here, in the country.

But then my husband returns from his fun weekend in the Ozarks...

He and I take a drive...

And I am reminded once again, just how grateful I am to live out in the country. It's so very peaceful and serene.

We resume our normal routines here today- he back to work while I tend to the home and the gardens...

And of course, the creative projects of my own.

I will grin each time that I pass by "Mable"...

And think of Lori, of course!

Blessings to you all!

XO