Out with the old?

Where oh where did 2008 go?  I suppose it's a sign of age when the years start flying faster and faster at what seems like breakneck speed.  What a glorious year it has been though - and yes, I am well aware of all the bad stuff every day in the news.  But I have decided I am not going to allow it to influence me.  Seriously.  Call me Pollyanna if you want, but I love my family, my animals, my art and my life - I am filled with gratitude for the abundance that surrounds me. Rather than worry and fall into that lonely place of fear, I prefer to live my life from a place of love.  I want to do what I can to spread some joy in my very tiny part of the world.  

These last few days I've been reflecting back on 2008 and working on goal setting.  The Universe helped me out by guiding me to Sheri Gaynor's blog today.  Sheri has been my coach for several years, however we haven't talked lately.  Her blog post blew my mind - she never fails to amaze me with her insight.  In fact, tomorrow I am going to do exactly what she suggests!  I can't think of a more poignant way to end the year.  Click here to see Sheri's brilliant idea. 

The holiday continues

Here are some pictures from holiday events of late.  The first one of our perfect(now what would you expect me to say) grandsons working on their gingerbread house.  If you look close you can see icing on Ian's face.  And Aidan has quite the big brother judgment look, doesn't he?  So cute.  These 2 couldn't possibly be any different.  It is delightful to be part of their lives and watch their personalities develop.  Today we will celebrate Christmas with them, yippee!!  

It was our year in Cincinnati, at my parent's house with my siblings and families.  We drove over there last Tuesday which was predicted to be an "ok" weather day, or at least we thought we were well ahead of the predicted bad weather.  W-R-O-N-G.  It basically sleeted the entire drive and what normally takes 6 hours took 12 including several where we just sat on a closed highway as the State of Indiana waited for the temperature to rise above freezing so the salt would work.  I kid you not.  It was utter craziness.  Luckily I had my laptop, knitting, and books which kept me sane.  I don't know how John did it though.  He was a rock (as usual) never losing his cool, and delivered us to my Mom + Dad's house safe and sound.

Christmas morning was fun with three little kiddos - my nieces and nephew (I have 2 other nephews who are older - they are too "mature" to stand longingly in front of the tree, lol).  

Fun times, but I will confess I am soooo anxious to get back in the studio and carve out massive amounts of time time for my pending projects - I feel such a strong emotional and even physical urge to paint, I am guessing this is how an addiction would feel, I don't know.  The goal for today is to be IN the day, not thinking ahead to the next thing.  Luckily the boys are good at keeping me on track.  

Families that dance together.....

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Claybord book

If you've spent any time at all hanging around my blog, you know how I love claybord.  It's slightly embarrassing to say, but I guess I am obsessed with it.  The slick surface, oh my; it's unpredictable, you never quite know what's going to happen, at least I don't because I work so wet and the paint just takes off on its own journey.   

Well.

My friend Karyl took one of my classes and, rather than making  a series of paintings (like everyone else was doing), she promptly made book covers.  

HUH!?!?  

I mean, sure, it was obvious, or seems really obvious now, except of course I hadn't thought of it, which is weird because I do make book covers out of lots of stuff.    

DUH!?!?!?

Anyhoo, I've had this hankering to make claybord book covers ever since I saw what Karyl had done.  And that is exactly what I've been doing lately.  Making books and proposing classes.  This is one of my favorite ones, probably because I love the color.  But I am also happy with the way the spine turned out, see I cut the spine from another piece of claybord and then used my dremel drill press to drill the holes.  I used Tyvek on the inside to hold it all together firmly and sort of rigged up this "pleat" of sorts so that it opens well.   

The books feel sooooo substantial with the claybord covers.  It's my new journal of choice.

Valley Ridge opens 12/15

Just a reminder that registration for workshops at Valley Ridge opens on 12/15.  I am teaching a 2 day Claybord extravaganza that covers color and composition, in addition to all the ins and outs of working on claybord.  So, if you've *ever* wanted to check out claybord while also learning about abstract painting, this is a terrific chance.  I am absolutely thrilled to be teaching at Valley Ridge as I have heard nothing but positive feedback about the beauty and serenity of the location in addition to the incredible hospitality of our hosts.  In a nutshell, I can't wait!!!!

Check it out here:

Valley Ridge Art Studio

Workshop sneak preview

Coming soon to a workshop near you........paste paper frenzy!!!

Lost Generation

Very cool video. Cleverly done with a great message.

How can it be Friday already?!?!  This week was supposed to be my nothingonthecalendarcatchup week yet it is nearly gone and I am not.caught.up. 

 

I've been busy at work creating class samples and working on numerous household tasks that are simply too brainless to mention.  Remember that unfortunate carpet incident I spoke about?  Well, nothing that an old oriental rug couldn't fix, lol.  These pictures show the gallery part of my studio (or it will be once I actually hang art).  I had recessed lights installed and John painted the room last weekend.  It's a space for framing, computer stuff, sewing and other "clean" tasks. Note my "high end" furnishings, lol.  The kitchen cabinet was found on a morning walk, neighbor's garbage of course.  The door was a discard from our remodeling - it is simply sitting on top of the storage pieces.   And John built legs under that other counter which was another garbage day find.  

If you're in the St. Louis/St. Charles area, boogie on over to Rock Paper Scissors today or tomorrow for the Bizaare Bazaar from 10:30-5:30 to see all the handcrafted goodies from local artisans (including me).  Here's a link to more details.

I will leave you with a Georgia O'Keefe view of my bloomin' Amaryllis.  It has 2 blooms at the moment and another on the way.  I'm not very good with plants, so this is wildly exciting for me.  

Silence Must Be Heard - Enigma - The Scilence of Jupiter!!!!

I finally figured out how to embed the video....so here it is.  You'll still need to read the previous post to get the lyrics and "story." 

A Day of Sharing Song

Enigma's song, Silence Must Be Heard has been one of my favorite songs for quite a long time.  I frequently paint while listening to Enigma and the painting above (30"x40") is my homage to Silence Must Be Heard.  Oddly enough, the painting sold to a couple years ago to a musician.  I say oddly because it struck me as ironic that a song about silence would sell to a musician.  But perhaps he thought it odd that an artist would use sheet music in a mixed media painting.   Anyhoo, I am proud to say that Chris Anderson of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes bought the piece for his New York home.    Chris was not even familiar with the group Enigma, but he was very intrigued by the piece and it's meaning.  

Click here if you would like to hear the song plus see a cool video. 

And here are the lyrics for you to ponder:

Silence Must Be Heard

Look into the others eyes, many frustrations

Read between the lines, no words just vibrations

Don't ignore hidden desires

Pay attention, you're playing with fire

Silence must be heard, noise should be observed

The time has come to learn, that silence...

Silence must be heard

Or diamonds will burn, friendly cards will turn

Cause silence has the right to be heard

People talk too much for what they have to say

Words without a meaning, just fading away

Silence must be heard, noise should be observed

The time has come to learn, that silence...

Silence must be heard

Or diamonds will burn, friendly cards will turn

Cause silence has the right to be heard

Click on over to The Poetic Eye to see what other people have posted on their blogs.  And thanks again, LK, for a brilliant idea.