So, it's been almost two months since I posted. Perhaps I'll just be a "sometimes" blogger for a while longer. I'm sure you, gentle readers, will understand. Those duties associated with a full time job call me often.
But... I have news, and will soon have pictures. Our town has a non-profit art group - the Manistee Art Institute. They have a yearly juried art show, which is a fund-raiser for the organization, and a way to bring local artists in & local art lovers in. The show is held in a 100+ year old beautiful hall, which is just made for an art exhibit.
I saw the "call for exhibitors," for this year's show about a week and a half ago, and the submission dates were last Friday & Saturday. This is a juried show, and while there is an entry fee, the fee is nominal - but it was clear, not everyone's submissions would be taken - in fact, there are specific times listed for the non-selected pieces to be picked up.
Yes, I went ahead and selected two of my pieces (one made at Art Unraveled, one made at home), and took them & submitted them last Friday. I awaited my mail to see if, just maybe, something might be selected by the juror, a professional artist, for the show.
When the form came back, earlier this week, yes, BOTH had been accepted. **Grins** I will be going tomorrow night to the "meet the Artists" reception for the show opening, where I will be one of "the artists!" I'm very excited, and while a small step, I can't tell you how exciting this is to me.
The show runs this weekend and next, and I'll take pictures and post them. I'll be going tomorrow night for the "Meet the Artists" and then back again on Saturday to take Mike - he can't go with me tomorrow, as he has a home football game (the life of a band director - I'm just glad I do NOT have a home football game tomorrow night!) and will need to see me pieces hanging in the show. Or more like, I'll have to show him my pieces hanging in the show!!!
That's my news!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Post #100
I'll be honest, when I saw that I was getting close to post #100 a few weeks ago, I was a little intimidated. I follow several bloggers, and it seems that in blog-land, when you reach a milestone post, it's like a milestone birthday.... Well, I now know I'm not particularly good with either! (LOL!)
So, in 100 posts, what have I learned? Here's 10 things:
10: It's all about making time for what's important, even just at that moment.
9. Once you get started, the task at hand doesn't take nearly as long as you thought it would. (Or else it takes two or three times as long, but never, NEVER what you thought! LOL!)
8. Computers take a toll on our eyesight - be careful & take lots of breaks! I mean, keep reading the blogs, but set a timer.
7. The world is a lot smaller than I ever imagined.
6. The inspiration I receive from others is amazing - it's so fun to see what everyone else is up to, and hear about their lives and what inspires them.
5. Art, like music, is a wonderful creative place to be! And it is a place, as well as an activity, to me. A state of mind, as it were.
4. Friends build you up & keep you going. (Knew that already, just it's so fun to have blog friendships over such long distances - how cool is this??)
3. I love looking at blog pictures & need to remember to take lots and post them!
2. There's so much out there in the world that I want to explore.
And the number one thing I've learned since becoming a blogger is....... wait for it..... wait for it....
1. It's fun!
I know, I know, nothing profound. But, in the end, taking time for ourselves to do something that enriches us or helps us grow is indeed profound.
And to that end, I wish you a day of fun, wherever and whatever that may be! As for me, I'm going to do a little in the "craft house" and maybe go explore a new place for lunch.
Til next time!
So, in 100 posts, what have I learned? Here's 10 things:
10: It's all about making time for what's important, even just at that moment.
9. Once you get started, the task at hand doesn't take nearly as long as you thought it would. (Or else it takes two or three times as long, but never, NEVER what you thought! LOL!)
8. Computers take a toll on our eyesight - be careful & take lots of breaks! I mean, keep reading the blogs, but set a timer.
7. The world is a lot smaller than I ever imagined.
6. The inspiration I receive from others is amazing - it's so fun to see what everyone else is up to, and hear about their lives and what inspires them.
5. Art, like music, is a wonderful creative place to be! And it is a place, as well as an activity, to me. A state of mind, as it were.
4. Friends build you up & keep you going. (Knew that already, just it's so fun to have blog friendships over such long distances - how cool is this??)
3. I love looking at blog pictures & need to remember to take lots and post them!
2. There's so much out there in the world that I want to explore.
And the number one thing I've learned since becoming a blogger is....... wait for it..... wait for it....
1. It's fun!
I know, I know, nothing profound. But, in the end, taking time for ourselves to do something that enriches us or helps us grow is indeed profound.
And to that end, I wish you a day of fun, wherever and whatever that may be! As for me, I'm going to do a little in the "craft house" and maybe go explore a new place for lunch.
Til next time!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Summer adventures
So many things to tell about! What a jam-packed summer it's been.
Art Unraveled was a truly inspiring experience. I spent time with my art-buddy Kim from Phoenix who I met on the very first day of the very first Art Unraveled we both attended, five years ago. (We were in line to register together & started talking - we haven't stopped since!! LOL!! ) We sure had fun & I look forward to when we can "play" again - she's such a lucky gal to get to go to Journalfest & Artfest this year - I'm going to want to hear all about it!
To my teachers at Art Unraveled, I just want to thank each of you - what an inspirational week we all had, and I can't wait to get busy practicing what I learned from each of you. Although eleven classes in eight days is LOT to digest, I just can't believe what we were all able to do in those eight days.
Linda & Chuck are the organizers for Art Unraveled, and they do a whale of a job! Thanks to them!
My first class of the week was "Hard Candy" a wonderful class on copper enameling by Melissa Manley. Melissa did a great job in helping us transform sheets of copper into baubles that we could transform into other things. Just look at what I brought home from this class. I'll post pictures of what I make with these little gems, and the additional copper enameling I plan on doing. Love it!
I also took two classes by husband and wife team Thomas & Jane Wynn. In Jane's class, called "Science Under Glass," we worked on floating solder over a brass or copper sheet, and then adding a bezel, which then housed a beautiful butterfly wing. It is to be a pendant, and I have yet to finish it, because I also made a round bezel, and added some pearls to the bottom, and a connector to the top. I'm going to add something fun with a little Ice Resin into the bezel - I think it's going to be stunning!! I LOVED soldering!
C. R. Radding did a wonderful class on making a heart pin from wire and beads. Here's my pin, which I just couldn't finish that evening - too much close work for one day. My eyes just gave out mid attachment - that's why you see a piece of wire sticking out from both sides of the round thing (button) on the right side of the heart - I just had to stop. When I finish it, I'll post again.
Carrie Imai did a GREAT workshop for five of us gals, titled "Art for the Non-Artist." Too many cool things to show from the class, but I will show two things (I came home with a pile of papers almost an inch thick from that class!): First, we worked on using watercolors to make clouds -
Then, we worked on a water color painting of grasses or weeds. I just LOVED this technique!
Speaking of watercolor, I took Jane LaFazio's workshop on watercolors journal style. Her style is so wonderful, and she is such a good and patient teacher - I went into this class on Kim's suggestion, even though I kept saying, "But Kim, I can't draw.... I CAN'T draw."
Kim very nicely told me that Jane could teach me to draw. See what happened when I listened to Kim!!:
Okay, so maybe I CAN draw - a little!! (**snort!**)
I have followed Mary Beth Shaw's work for quite a while now, and last summer went to see her booth at the Nashville Art Fair while we were there for the ASBDA convention. It was hotter there than I can ever remember being (or at least for a LONG time), and we didn't stay nearly long enough. THEN, the Art Unraveled class list came out, and guess who was on it? Well, Mary Beth's class became one of my "non-negotiables" for this AU, and look what I did in her class, "Moving in the Right Circles":
I had so much fun in that class, and look forward to working with her again in the future.
Serena Barton is another artist whose blog and work I follow - she taught her "Wabi Sabi" process at AU, and again, that was just another "non-negotiable" for me. Kim and I got to take the class together, and it was so much fun! Here's two pieces that I did in Serena's class:
As I mentioned, I took eleven classes, so I have more to show you, and will do so in an upcoming post. In addition, I have more pictures and stories to share from other summer events & travels. I look forward to sharing.
To those friends that I made connections with again while at AU - it was fun to see you and see how you're doing. It seems like the few days that we are there just fly by! To my new friends that I made, from both near and far, I enjoyed meeting all of you, and look forward to "arting" with you again in the near future.
And for now, I have to get thinking about my next post - I can't believe it, but my next post is Number One-Hundred!! See you soon!
Art Unraveled was a truly inspiring experience. I spent time with my art-buddy Kim from Phoenix who I met on the very first day of the very first Art Unraveled we both attended, five years ago. (We were in line to register together & started talking - we haven't stopped since!! LOL!! ) We sure had fun & I look forward to when we can "play" again - she's such a lucky gal to get to go to Journalfest & Artfest this year - I'm going to want to hear all about it!
To my teachers at Art Unraveled, I just want to thank each of you - what an inspirational week we all had, and I can't wait to get busy practicing what I learned from each of you. Although eleven classes in eight days is LOT to digest, I just can't believe what we were all able to do in those eight days.
Linda & Chuck are the organizers for Art Unraveled, and they do a whale of a job! Thanks to them!
My first class of the week was "Hard Candy" a wonderful class on copper enameling by Melissa Manley. Melissa did a great job in helping us transform sheets of copper into baubles that we could transform into other things. Just look at what I brought home from this class. I'll post pictures of what I make with these little gems, and the additional copper enameling I plan on doing. Love it!
I also took two classes by husband and wife team Thomas & Jane Wynn. In Jane's class, called "Science Under Glass," we worked on floating solder over a brass or copper sheet, and then adding a bezel, which then housed a beautiful butterfly wing. It is to be a pendant, and I have yet to finish it, because I also made a round bezel, and added some pearls to the bottom, and a connector to the top. I'm going to add something fun with a little Ice Resin into the bezel - I think it's going to be stunning!! I LOVED soldering!
Carrie Imai did a GREAT workshop for five of us gals, titled "Art for the Non-Artist." Too many cool things to show from the class, but I will show two things (I came home with a pile of papers almost an inch thick from that class!): First, we worked on using watercolors to make clouds -
Then, we worked on a water color painting of grasses or weeds. I just LOVED this technique!
Kim very nicely told me that Jane could teach me to draw. See what happened when I listened to Kim!!:
Okay, so maybe I CAN draw - a little!! (**snort!**)
I have followed Mary Beth Shaw's work for quite a while now, and last summer went to see her booth at the Nashville Art Fair while we were there for the ASBDA convention. It was hotter there than I can ever remember being (or at least for a LONG time), and we didn't stay nearly long enough. THEN, the Art Unraveled class list came out, and guess who was on it? Well, Mary Beth's class became one of my "non-negotiables" for this AU, and look what I did in her class, "Moving in the Right Circles":
I had so much fun in that class, and look forward to working with her again in the future.
Serena Barton is another artist whose blog and work I follow - she taught her "Wabi Sabi" process at AU, and again, that was just another "non-negotiable" for me. Kim and I got to take the class together, and it was so much fun! Here's two pieces that I did in Serena's class:
As I mentioned, I took eleven classes, so I have more to show you, and will do so in an upcoming post. In addition, I have more pictures and stories to share from other summer events & travels. I look forward to sharing.
To those friends that I made connections with again while at AU - it was fun to see you and see how you're doing. It seems like the few days that we are there just fly by! To my new friends that I made, from both near and far, I enjoyed meeting all of you, and look forward to "arting" with you again in the near future.
And for now, I have to get thinking about my next post - I can't believe it, but my next post is Number One-Hundred!! See you soon!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Summertime beauty
This beautiful sunset brought to you from the top of the John Hancock Building in Chicago. Lovely.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
One Month Later - So Many Stories, So Many Memories
So, I was noticing that my last post was exactly one month ago today. Wow, has time flown. I've done so many wonderful things in the past month, I am very blessed.
Since I last wrote, I have:
Had my students perform in a wonderful parade (I got to march through twice!!)
Ate caramel corn from the caramel corn lady that comes to town only once a year - what a treat!
Driven to Orlando to preside over a marvelous and energizing convention of wonderful educators - again I feel blessed to be part of such a tremendous group of people.
Driven back to Michigan to do laundry and...
Drive to the summer camp I have now worked at for 22 years, and work with some wonderful students and tremendous professionals. We'll put on a concert in a few days, and it's going to be outstanding (if I do say so myself!)
Whew.
And today... I learned how to "cast off" in knitting. This, after of course, learning how to knit just before we went to Orlando. Now, mind you, I don't know purl. No, I know "knit." That's it. Today I expanded my knitting knowledge by 100%, as I now know "casting off." You may ask, but you must have "cast on." Yes, yes, I did. I didn't retain a thing. I am going to "cast on" with my new yummy yarn, and hopefully this time it will stick. I am also going to learn "purl." I have a great teacher - a woman who taught needle arts in a high school for 33 years. She assures me that she can teach "even me...." We'll see, but so far, so good!
See my new scarf - the object of my "casting off" lesson today!
And see my yummy new yarn that will be the next scarf. I am not sure, but what I will only do "knit" on this scarf, as well, as I like the idea of the textured yarn and the nubbie quality of the use of only "knit." Rats - my teacher told me what that is called (there's a name for it), and I have forgotten that. Back to class!!
Since I last wrote, I have:
Had my students perform in a wonderful parade (I got to march through twice!!)
Ate caramel corn from the caramel corn lady that comes to town only once a year - what a treat!
Driven to Orlando to preside over a marvelous and energizing convention of wonderful educators - again I feel blessed to be part of such a tremendous group of people.
Driven back to Michigan to do laundry and...
Drive to the summer camp I have now worked at for 22 years, and work with some wonderful students and tremendous professionals. We'll put on a concert in a few days, and it's going to be outstanding (if I do say so myself!)
Whew.
And today... I learned how to "cast off" in knitting. This, after of course, learning how to knit just before we went to Orlando. Now, mind you, I don't know purl. No, I know "knit." That's it. Today I expanded my knitting knowledge by 100%, as I now know "casting off." You may ask, but you must have "cast on." Yes, yes, I did. I didn't retain a thing. I am going to "cast on" with my new yummy yarn, and hopefully this time it will stick. I am also going to learn "purl." I have a great teacher - a woman who taught needle arts in a high school for 33 years. She assures me that she can teach "even me...." We'll see, but so far, so good!
See my new scarf - the object of my "casting off" lesson today!
And see my yummy new yarn that will be the next scarf. I am not sure, but what I will only do "knit" on this scarf, as well, as I like the idea of the textured yarn and the nubbie quality of the use of only "knit." Rats - my teacher told me what that is called (there's a name for it), and I have forgotten that. Back to class!!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The whirlwind continues
In the midst of some of the busiest times of my life come these amazing flowers. I smile each time I walk by them. And...I try to remember to stop and enjoy them! The business & hurry hurry of today will not last, and eventually things will slow down enough to get back to enjoying art and friends, but for now, I just have to remember to breathe deeply & take enjoyment in all things.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Oh, and journals
Okay, so there are a pile of unfinished journals on my work table. Some **spoken for**, some to just make. Okay, so they're going to get made some time within the next couple of weeks.
It's always interesting to me to watch how the creative process goes - there is a time that I walk by the pile of unfinished journals and say "Ugh, I can't even imagine doing that..." That's been going on for at least 2 years, in my case..... I'm admitting it. And yesterday, after I finished my assignment for my class, and I had no more time for 'creating' I said "oh, that looks like so much FUN...' Yes, it's a mysterious thing, the creative process.
But, Journals will be produced. Journals will be sent - Laura email me your address. I owe you a pink and black journal, and I'm thinking maybe a little more! :-)
It's always interesting to me to watch how the creative process goes - there is a time that I walk by the pile of unfinished journals and say "Ugh, I can't even imagine doing that..." That's been going on for at least 2 years, in my case..... I'm admitting it. And yesterday, after I finished my assignment for my class, and I had no more time for 'creating' I said "oh, that looks like so much FUN...' Yes, it's a mysterious thing, the creative process.
But, Journals will be produced. Journals will be sent - Laura email me your address. I owe you a pink and black journal, and I'm thinking maybe a little more! :-)
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