Windows and Doors and Barrels, Oh my!

I've always loved windows and doors - don't know why, and I didn't know others liked them, too, until I started on this art "journey." But, I've got old photos that I took of windows and doors many, many years ago - long before ever even thinking I might one day call myself, among other things, an artist.

In a few years ago, we went to south easern Illinois to try a Moonshine Burger from the Moonshine store. (I'll blog about that some time, but suffice it to say, Mike & I agree - we're going back!) On the way back to the main road, we came across a dilapidated home, with the most amazing doors and windows, and well, I just had to stop and take some pics.

We also stopped at a historic site with more wonderful picture opportunities - I hope you enjoy!

Amazing tomato

Mike always laughs about the fact that he grew up in the suburbs, and "has farming in his blood." (said with that southern accent!) So.... of course, we've started corn and green beans indoors (yes, you read that correctly, that means transplanting corn and green beans - anyone who is a farmer knows you don't do that...) to great, overwhelming success, and last year, Mike broke off a piece of one of his tomato plants at the end of the summer and said "I'm going to plant it and see what happens."

Yup, you guessed it, it is still thriving, and we've eaten several tomatoes from it. In fact, there are more blooms right now. Yes, grown in a window, indoors, in northern Michigan during the winter. Can you say, low sun angle, and grey days?

So, as evidence, here is the plant. Still looking good, still providing tomatoes for us, as if to say, "I'm really thankful you didn't leave me out side in the winter, so I'll just keep producing for you!" Go figure!

Donation

Since I don't work on art pieces beyond cards and an occasional journal page much during the school year, to say that since April I've been working in series seems a little presumptuous, but that's the truth. I've been working "in series," and only now have the time to spend really working this series of pieces to it's natural conclusion. I have two new pieces, one of which I just donated to the ASBDA Foundation Auction. I also donated 4 packages of cards. I'm happy to say the donations brought the foundation lots of money, and I can't help but say it was kind of fun to sit there and watch my art being bid on furiously by several people. I had one person say to me, once the auction was over, "one of these years, I'm going to get one of your pieces - I love them all!" Ooh, have to tell you, that made me feel pretty good!



I have a couple of other "series" pieces in a different series that I am also working on right now, that I am very pleased with. I have also been working on about 4 pieces that have sat in the studio for 1 - 3 years, just waiting. I haven't ever felt bad about them, you know, I start something, and then set it aside. I have several canvases like that - try something out, see what happens, and then set it aside. Well, I had one of those Archimedes moments on Tuesday, and worked on three of them - so far, they are very pleasing. I have high hopes.

While in Nashville, we went to an art/craft fair at the Parthenon. Now, the Parthenon itself is cool, and if in Nashville, you should go see it - it's a full size replica of the actual Parthenon, and it was built during the time of Nashville's Centennial Exposition. It's the only remaining building on site from that exposition, and it's cool. The upstairs (main floor) houses the world's largest indoor sculpture, and although I didn't get to see that, because the exhibit was closed (they were filming the opening scenes for NBC Monday Night Football...... football follows me through my life, doesn't it?......) the bottom floor is really cool - a mix of art museum and historical museum about the Nashville Centennial Exposition.

Anyway, it was 96 degrees outside, and about 98 % humidity. I think I've only been truly hotter once in my life (in New Orleans in August), and so the art show was a quick once over for me. BUT.... Mary Beth Shaw was there exhibiting, and so I got to meet her, and looked at her work. I LOVED it, but it was SO hot, that I just didn't want to make a decision, and since her works were not inexpensive, I picked up a business card, rather than a piece. Perhaps I'll be able to pick something out via website/email & have her ship it. She was delightful and perky, and it was wonderful to see her work, which I have admired for quite some time, in person!

Been to Nashville, Ya'll

Mike & I went to the ASBDA National Convention last week - this year it was held in Nashville! So, we did several really fun outings, as well as having several business meetings for the association. Some of the things we did:

We went to the Jack Daniel's Distillery - a really fun trip. It was sure interesting to see all the steps in the process, and to hear about the history.


We got to tour the Ryman Auditorium & visit downtown Nashville. It's a fun city, and there's lots and lots of live music going on downtown. That was fun!

We went to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and took a tour of RCA's Studio B - that's the studio where Elvis made all of his recordings, along with many other famous people. We even made a recording of the group singing "You Ain't Nothing But a Hounddog." Let's just say that it's a good thing that we're band directors! LOL!



We got to catch up, if just for a minute, with composer (and our composition teacher), Jay Dawson - great concert from the Hendersonville High School Band with Jay playing bagpipes!




We got to go see "Cooter's," a museum all about 'The Dukes of Hazzard," which is one of Mike Larsen's favorite old t.v. shows -- we got to see the General Lee, and look at everything imaginable about the Dukes. Hey, I even got my picture made with Daisy's jeep!


We went to the Grand Ole Opry - got to see Vince Gill & Alison Kraus, along with several other wonderful acts. The real treat was getting to go backstage during the Opry, and watch from the "behind the scenes" perspective.

It was a good time, and lots was accomplished during the business meetings, so all in all, it was a week well spent. Now it's back to the real world, and the yard, the kitchen, the laundry, etc. I've already made some new art since returning, that I'll post a picture of soon!

Moderate Success

Okay, so I went ahead and left the posts the way they came out - just to prove that indeed, everything is not as easy as it might seem. No, I didn't intend to break up the cell phone post mid-sentence, but I DID find the exclamation point on my phone!!! A major breakthrough for me! I can now use both the exclamation point and the question mark. (Oh, don't ask, they were there all along, but thanks, Kathy, for being kind in pointing that out to me.... and yes, I actually snorted during the laughter that happened once she showed me where they were located....) Well, it's off to enjoy the sunny day!

Til next time!

the exclamation point on the phone !!!! Long story, but suffice it to say that it was a blonde moment - LOL!!!

Here's another remote post - this time from my cell phone. Since I was able to achieve remote post via email now I want to try texting! Ohhh, and I even used

Posting Remotely

Okay, so I'm trying an email post here, and we'll see what this is like -
gotta love technology when it works. When it doesn't, well, that's
another story.

It's a bright sunny day here in Michigan, and it's finally warm enough to
call summer. If it's sunny, bright & nice where you are - I challenge you
to go outside & enjoy a bit of the day! That's where I'm headed!

Til next time!

Summer begins, sort of

Well, the high temp here in Northern Michigan has been around 60 degrees. Yipee.... Makes you really think summer! (said tongue in cheek).

No worries, however, because I have several projects I wanted to get to. Here are some, and my progress on them:
1. Clean out my armoire, drawers, hanging clothes rod, and the several closets - now I'm doing well on that, I've sent several bags of old stuff to the Goodwill, and things are looking good. You might be thinking "closetSSS???" But, you have to remember that I live in a 100+ year old house. Each closet is the size of a very, very small coat closet in a modern house. In fact, the coat closet in our condo in Lansing is MUCH larger than any closet in this house. So.....I have clothes spread out in different spots throughout the house. That's one thing I hope to change in the next few years, but for now, I have gone through most things and decided "stay or go." Took a lot of things to the cleaners,and organized, and spiffy.
2. Get my stuff ready for the ASBDA convention - not there yet, but today's the day.
3. Finish a piece or two for the ASBDA Foundation Auction -- working on it. In fact, working on several pieces. I'll post pics in a day or so.
4. Clean out the spare rooms. Ugh. Not there yet, but working on it. Kind of went along with the #1 thing, because it's just to easy to "drop" stuff (including clothing, etc) into the spare rooms - so they need serious attention every once in a while.
5. Clean out the garden - an ongoing thing every spring. I've done some of this, but then it started to rain, rain, rain, rain and be cold. So, probably will finish after ASBDA Convention.
6. Start the bathroom, kitchen, office & porch projects. Okay, these are HUGE projects, and I won't finish in a day, week or month, but I've got to start somewhere - so once decisions are made, I can take them to a builder, designer, or at least the home improvement store!

Whew! I feel tired just looking at my list, and I haven't told you everything I've done - some fun, some not, but all necessary.

One of my former students saw me last week, and said "I hope you're going to take some time for you and to just RELAX." Whew, is he good, or what? Yup, that's necessary, too, but these things, while being *busy* stuff, are still so different than the day to day for Mike & I, that well, they're relaxing!

Well, enough for today, I've got a list!!

My Sanctuary

I'm so hapy about the way my studio is setting up - I got my paper storage cabinet set up a few weeks ago, and I just *love* it so much!! I also got a drying rack that I just love & am looking forward to putting to great use.


Look at how the drawers look with my paper in them!!




And I've put quite a few of my pieces all on display on the workbench. I like walking in and seeing this colorful splash.



The last official day of school is tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to having some time around the house. Looking forward to a relaxing summer, at least at times!

Again soon!