Artist in Progress

Where Have I Been?

2011-05-22T22:36:00.002-05:00

I must be living under a rock or something because I was just introduced to the wonders of PINTEREST. It's by invite only, so I am waiting for my invitation to join. What is it all about? It's your own bulltein board on line with all your interests pinned on line. I have seen art work, magazine clippings from fashion to home decor, oh, the list goes on. Silly me, I have seen my friends using it and though they were posting PINS, as in jewlery, to a online site. I will put the site in my listing of interesting place so you can check it out for yourself. Prepare to be amazed, it's a good thing that creative people around the world can get by on little sleep, you have to love them.

It's Been Awhile..............

2011-04-04T15:31:00.001-05:00

To say the least!!! Almost a year since my last post but I haven't forgotten about my blog or all my art sisters out there. I have been busy with other things in my life, like traveling, reading, and making art. I have a terrible addiction to the game, Farm Town, on FaceBook, LOL. My sweet friend, Carla thought that maybe I needed an intervention with this game, thanks Carla for looking out for me. While I know what is going on with most of family and friends because of FB, I also spending way too much time on the farm game. No fear, the summer is coming and I will be out in the convertible and not down on the farm. It's timely that James Kennedy held another art show of fan art and repeated his lively Doom of Dome this past weekend in LaSalle, Il. (I hope I got the town right!) which meant that my art got a second viewing by curious eyes. Of course, the draw is meeting James Kennedy. Just being in his creative presence is an experience in it's self. He wrote the wonderfully entertaining novel, The Order of Odd Fish which the fan art is based on. You can view pictures of the fan art on my blog. I hope it was a raving success, Mr. K. And yes, please read the book, you will love it. I wish everyone a happy Spring!!! And I will talk with you soon.

One More Thing

2010-04-19T20:54:00.000-05:00

The Order of Odd-Fish is a roller coast ride of craziness and humorous fun. If this book isn't on your book shelf, you only have yourself to blame.

It will make for a fabulous summer read, lose yourself in the adventure of a unique young girl as she makes her choice between good and evil. Our Jo will not disappoint any reader ages 10 to 100. The cast of characters will delight you and you only wish you had an apology gun of your own. Treat yourself and go to www.jameskennedy.com and see for yourself.

Thank you, James, for opening up a whole new world and artistic adventure for me. So to our continued friendship, congrats on a wonderful evening, I bow to your genius and love you to pieces.

Costumed LADIES

2010-04-19T20:22:00.000-05:00

This unique evening began with a 2 hour gallery showing of over 100 pieces of art. The event of the evening was a costume party to be held in the Dome of Doom where the people would dance to their death (not really) in their Odd-Fish inspired garb and win, well, the prize is bizarre, the heart of the All Devouring Mother, I hope I got that right, too. These costumed Ladies were only to happy to pose for my camera. I hope one of them won the contest.

More Artwork

2010-04-19T20:12:00.000-05:00

The second photo is that of a CAKE made by a gal in Florida, the fish is throwing out the City of Eldritch. The third photo is the travelling trunk of Lily LaRouche, famed actress of her day, put together by the author's wife, Heather (I hope I got that RIGHT) and the drawers were filled with everything a diva needs. How clever is this!!!

Works of Art

2010-04-19T20:05:00.000-05:00

Teddy Bihun

2010-04-19T20:00:00.000-05:00

A very creative and funny guy from Detroit Teddy Bihun and his lady, Rachel, standing in front of his 3 pieces of art rendered in oils. I wish now that I had a better photo of the imagimation and detail that went into his works. His pictures show the darker characters in the book and were a bit scary but BEAUTIFUL. Teddy, if you drop in, I loved meeting you, talking with you and I must thank you for your interest in my collages. And my goddaughter that attends RISD said I should have told you what R I S D stands for: the Reason I am Sleep Deprivated. I told her it was RISD lose. Love you both, hope we meet again.

Young Artist and her Work

2010-04-19T19:54:00.000-05:00

This young lady created this soft sculpture of the fish in which the City of Eldritch resides. I am so sorry that I can't recall your name. Your art hanging in the center of the room is one of my favorites pieces.

The Order of Odd-Fish Fan Art Show

2010-04-19T19:50:00.000-05:00

On 4/17/10, I spent a wonderful and surreal evening at the Order of Odd-Fish Art Show. This is a photo of myself with the author, James Kennedy. It was the BEST two hours of my artistic existence. James Kennedy is pure kinetic energy. His imagination is wickedly creative and humorous. The art that was inspired by his book was rendered in oils, paper cut art, fiber and fabric, crayon, acrylic, soft sculpture, collage, and even a cake!!! In a loft in the city of Chicago, everyone mingled and viewed these wonderful pieces of the art, I had the chance to meet most of the artists, who were delightful and truly into their craft. To experience my collages in this gallery was universe tilting and nirvana. To have other artists ask me how I create my art really blew me away. I was honored to be in the company of truly creative artists. Thank you, Mr. Kennedy for your book and for asking me to be part of the world you created with my collages.

2010-03-18T14:09:00.000-05:00

2010-03-18T14:08:00.000-05:00

January 15, 2010

2010-03-18T12:45:00.002-05:00

Fast forward...it's early Sunday morning, January 24, and I came to my computer to see what was going on in the universe, and ended up at my blog. That is when my universe tilted! I said on January 15th that with a new decade I was hoping for change and adventure and so far nothing was happening and 2009 was going to repeat its self. I had two comments on that post, the first was some one kind enough to say the year was still young and things would change with a little faith. Thank you. The second comment, the universe tilter, (is that a real word?) was James Kennedy, author of The Order of Odd Fish. HUH? Check my book selection, the title is right there! Somehow, he found ME and said he liked my collages and hoped I would submit some art to his fan art show. WHAT? I was skeptical and thought who's playing tricks on me? I googled James Kennedy and found that it was James Kennedy - no tricks. We made a connection and I quickly read the book again for the fifth time, well, if it's a excellent book, I read it several times. You know of my Twilight obsession, right? You should read his book, too, it's fantastic and the adventure of Jo LaRouche, not your average thirteen year old who has the power to destory Eldritch City that is located in the belly of a very large fish. Well, Odd Fish is part of the title, go for it, I won't give the whole story away. You should never walk past the young adult section in your favorite bookstore, it is filled with incredile reading, move out of your comfort zone, it's 2010!!! I submitted two collages and want to share them with all my art friends and relatives clamouring for me to post the collages after reading my Face Book wall. Their excitement about this universe tilting good fortune of mine is delightful, thanks . Look Mom, I am a star in the universe!

Hello

2010-01-15T18:29:00.002-06:00

We are 15 days into the new year and nothing new is happening to me. I said I was going to blog more, then the computer completely self destructed and two after that I realized that I did not back up my picasa and.........sounds like 2009 to me all over again.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T21:21:00.002-06:00

Rejoice! 2009 is just a memory and 2010 is here and holds new challenges, inspirations and adventures. I am ready to start the next decade of my life and my art. It is said that every seven years one changes in slight ways, I believe this to be true for the decades as well. The unknown is before all of us - how to live, how to change, how to improve and how to accept it all with good graces. I toyed with the idea of taking a break from my blog - what did I have to say that was new, what art could I display that was fresh? I won't know unless I am on my blog, talking and showing my art. For the new decade I don't want to run away from life, I want to embrace it and one way is to devote some time to my place here, out in the open, in front of all to see. I feel myself changing everyday, for better or worse, with all the doubts I have about where I am going and where I will end up. I stopped making resolutions a long time ago, I always had the same old ones and never kept them anyway. So I have 'challenged' myself to commit to my place here instead. Only time will tell if I have clever things to speak of and good or bad art to show. I challenge you to the same, remember the new year means out with the old, and in with the new. Good Luck to you and me, my friends.

Merry Twilight and a Happy New Moon

2009-12-24T11:59:00.003-06:00

I am wishing all my art friends a happy, safe and blessed holiday season. Enjoy being surrounded by family and friends and to all a cup of good cheer. May your new year be filled with creativity and inspiration. I will see you all in twenty ten until then do something creative everyday.

All I Want for Christmas

2009-12-02T23:23:00.000-06:00

The Godmother says...........

2009-12-02T23:20:00.000-06:00

Time to make merry and bright! Don't be idle when you know how many things need your attention right now! You can be sure that Santa and his band of elves are working all day and night to make your Christmas just right. Do SomeThing Creative EveryDay!!!

2009-12-02T23:16:00.000-06:00

Art from Christmas Past

2009-12-02T23:14:00.000-06:00

2009-12-02T23:12:00.000-06:00

Holidays on my Mind

2009-12-02T23:04:00.002-06:00

I am starting to think of the holidays with only 23 days until Christmas. I want my blog to have a festive look but I am not too sure about this color green. The red which I would naturally chose is way over the top!!! Starting to receive Christmas cards and it has put me in the mood to gather all the cards together and get them in the mail, too. I want everyone to enjoy their cards before they gather so many that mine gets lost in the pile! While you are thinking of the gifts and goodies you want to give to your loved ones, please remember those that can't, and give to those less fortunate than we in the art community who definitely know how to share with others.
Just a thought.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T15:35:00.001-06:00

Wishing all my friends a blessed Thanksgiving. I hope that you share your day with family and friends, enjoy good food, good talk and blessings galore.

Are you think about Thanksgiving?

2009-11-05T21:54:00.001-06:00

New Moon Countdown

2009-11-05T21:49:00.002-06:00

There are only 15 days until the New Moon comes to the theatres. I can't wait. I am not sure if I will go that first day. Only because I would rather not watch the movie with a lot of screaming young girls. Or maybe that is the way this movie should be seen. I can tell you that I was screaming when I read the book. lol Maybe I will read the book one more time before the movie comes out on 11/20, heaven knows, I have read it about 6 times already. If you haven't read the Twilight books, what are you waiting for?

Autumn in Rhode Island

2009-11-05T21:44:00.001-06:00

Just thought I would share.

Photo taken by Kat

2009-11-05T21:40:00.000-06:00

Isn't he sweet?

2009-11-05T21:38:00.000-06:00

You look lost and alone. Come to my house and let's talk about it over a cup of tea.

I'll say...Vanity Fair

2009-11-05T21:36:00.000-06:00

Maybe you didn't like Robert Pattinson as the vampire. Alright, how do you like him now just being his self? I think he's adorable.

My Favorite Vampire

2009-10-30T20:44:00.000-05:00

Isn't he the cutest vampire you have ever laid eyes on? Oh, come on, witches, you know he is. Edward from the Twilight saga, if you don't know him, you really should. Just read the books and sit back and enjoy yourself.

2009-10-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

2009-10-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween

2009-10-30T20:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween to all my witch and warlock friends!!! It's time for tricking and treating your friends with wicked deeds and sweet candies. Hope your day is ghoulish and fun. Enjoy the day, love from yout Vampire Queen.

2009-09-09T21:47:00.000-05:00

F A L L

2009-09-09T21:40:00.002-05:00

Well. summer is almost over. The trees in my neighborhood are starting to turn lovely shades of bronze and red. I know everyone loves their summertime but I am definitely an autumn girl.
I was looking for some 'older but goodies' of artwork for the upcoming fall season to put everyone in the mood, it seems when I cleared up some of my files that those images got deleted, oops, somehow. That means I have good reason to create more!!! Hope you are all being creative everyday.

ClipBoard Art

2009-09-09T21:31:00.002-05:00

Had this old clipboard laying around, naked and sad looking and then -BAM - collage magic!!!

2009-09-09T21:31:00.000-05:00

2009-09-09T21:29:00.000-05:00

A Very Special Gift to Me

2009-07-19T14:37:00.000-05:00

If you really know me, you know that I'm Twilight obsessed, really it's okay, it's a excellent obsession to have, if you need an obsession. Everyone knows my goddaughter, Kat, and her wonderful art work and this is a little special gift she made for me. I love Edward, the vampire, and this delicious photo of Edward and Bella, well, I enjoying looking at this picture all day long. Kat got the photo card and dressed up an old picture frame with all those flowers. She patiently drilled a hole for each flower and then glued the flowers in place all around the frame, a very lush presention. That's a little glass apple, too. I piled the pink ribbon on top of the frame so you can see how it will hang in a place of honor in my art space. I love you, Kat, for spoiling me.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY

2009-07-19T14:25:00.000-05:00

THE TRUE OBJECT OF ALL HUMAN LIFE IS PLAY.
g.k. chesterton

"Fishy" Art Exchange

2009-07-19T14:24:00.000-05:00

I want to show you my art friend Michel for her wonderful 'fish' picture. I found the embossed fish at Paper Source in a sale bin. I just liked them and I told M about the fish and she was intrigued by the idea of using the fish in an art exchange. And there you have it!!! I just love that we chose different views of the frame, vertical and horizontal, cool. Most of the time, Michel and I created art from opposite side of the spectrum, which always makes the exchange a bit of a mystery. I thought with the fish, we would both have a 'water' theme but I am the only one that went swimming. Thanks, Michel, for sharing your art with me. What's next????

More Mermaid Art

2009-07-19T12:47:00.000-05:00

The Mermaid Club

2009-07-19T12:46:00.000-05:00

Just a bit of 'fishy' art. The fun part was gluing the images directly to the back of the glass. A bit tricky, it's hard to put glue on the face of your image and then try to position it just right on the glass. It takes a bit of thought as you are adding the layers. But who isn't up for a challenge once in awhile.

Just a Thought

2009-06-16T10:33:00.002-05:00

the reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for faith is necessary to fly. j.m. barrie

2009-05-26T23:30:00.002-05:00

If you click on the photos you will have a better look at my artwork. Someday I will get my act together with this posting stuff. LoL

2009-05-26T23:28:00.000-05:00

This is the back of the canvas board with Kat in bed. It explains quite clearly why she is fast asleep and doesn't want to be waken until 2 weeks for her thesis is due. The second year of her master's program Kat will be writing her thesis about....well, it escapes me right now, but I will let you know all about it in the coming year. Sorry about that, Kat. I am very proud of Kat and love her to pieces. I love you, Kat.

A good look at R I S D Kat

2009-05-26T23:22:00.000-05:00

R I S D Kat

2009-05-26T23:20:00.000-05:00

R I S D stands for Rhode Island School of Design. My goddaughter, Kat, which I talk about all the time, just finished the first year of her masters program at RISD. She worked very hard completing her finals and presentations just about a week ago. That meant long hours in the studio for days on end, forsaking sleep. The students at RISD say that it really means Reason I am Sleep Deprived. I have to agree with that. And ever since Kat told me that I have always wanted to do something for her using RISD. Well, it took some time but I had the idea of Kat finally getting the sleep she had missed for two or three weeks. Yes, that's Kat in bed!!! I know it's a stretch, but it is truly art from my heart to her heart. And my sweet goddaughter just loves it and that's enough for me.

2009-05-26T00:28:00.003-05:00

today is my birthday, happy birthday to me. and happy birthday to all the talented and beautiful women who share this day with me. so let's all celebrate!

be happy.

be creative.

enjoy your day!

2009-05-21T19:47:00.002-05:00

I can't tell you how long I have wanted a banner for my blog! Isn't this stunning? The gentle woman looks just like me having my morning tea, quiet and serene. I came upon her at Art Tea Life's blog and I was captured. So, I treated myself to an early birthday present (I always get myself the very best presents!) I love it. Thank you S. you have made my day.

2009-05-14T14:19:00.000-05:00

A better look at my rebellious woman. Too funny but I couldn't stop myself. My muse went to lunch and I just allowed myself to have some fun. Maybe my muse should go to lunch more often.

2009-05-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

Isn't this collage feature on Picasa cool? I though so and decided to share it with all my art friends.

Art Project with Michel

2009-05-14T14:13:00.000-05:00

My art friend, Michel and I have been doing art projects for almost a year now. And we like to challenge each other with different materials to work with. We have altered board books, compacts, tins and now an aol mailing box. Michel had the boxes laying around and suggested we play with them. There was no theme, we do calling this playing so we try not to limit ourselves with a theme. Most of my art sheets used are from Teesha Moore, love her stuff and the quote is Ocsar Wilde. I find that he had a lot of delightful things to say.
My lady is have a dominoe for a face, just the lips. We all know that women have a lot of important things to say, expecially when wearing their favorite shade of red lipstick. Try red lipstick, and it just might change your life, too. Thanks for the aol box and for challenging me, Michel. Do something creative everyday. Have an artful day.

2009-05-14T14:04:00.000-05:00

the inside of the box. the quote is Oscar Wilde's. and yes, all women are rebels!

2009-05-14T14:03:00.000-05:00

back cover of art project, the base is an old aol mailing box.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T12:17:00.003-05:00

Just taking a moment to wish all my friends, family and fellow artists a wonderful and blessed Mother's Day.

"All women become like their mothers.

That is their tradegy.

No man does.

That's his."

A quote from Oscar Wilde, the Important of Being Earnest. And it speaks volumes. Have a great day.

for Elena

2009-05-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

This composition notebook is for my sweet niece, Elena. I think the girl on the cover looks just a bit like Elena. I made her a notebook last year and she had filled the pages with her thought and doodles and needed another. So I went to work on it and mailed it off to Southampton, England. She just got it and loved it. That is the best compliment I could receive. Fill it with your wishes and dreams. I love you bunches. Of course, I did add with word dream in the bottom right hand side after I took this photo. But that is just the artisitc view of "it just needs one more thing." lol. Have a creative day, everyone.

Please...........

2009-04-11T13:06:00.003-05:00

take a look at my Twilight photo on my blog. It's part of today's posting under older posts. I couldn't stop myself from asking this favor!!! Twilight Obesession. Thanks

New Bulletin Board

2009-04-11T13:04:00.000-05:00

This bulletin board was too perfect when I spies it at Marshall's, one of my many favorite places to shop. I cleaned up my art space in March for a couple of days and I knew that I needed a new board and this one fits in so well. That is a license plate from Aruba from my last trip there. The picture is of Kat, my goddaughter, with her new glasses on her smiling, shining face for me to look at when I am in my art studio . I adore her just as much as I adore my board.

Art Studio Sign

2009-04-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

Since the day I stepped foot in my art studio I have always had a sign for my door. I wanted it a welcome for myself and others into my space. The old sign had seen better days and I just finished making this one. It might be a little hard to see with all the sparkly areas but I just love it. Of course, Teesha Moore's cheeky girls adorn it. The girls have enough sass and glitter to make that welcome all the more special. I smile every time I walk in the door to be creative - in my own way. Thanks, girls.

Lovely Lady

2009-04-11T12:51:00.000-05:00

While We are Talking Books....

2009-04-11T12:40:00.004-05:00

In The Garden by Angela Cartwright and Sarah Fishburn: This wonderous book has bound the most delightful and beautiful gardens you will ever have the pleasure of walking through. The layout, the artwork, and prose is splendid. Of course, my art sister, Denise Lombardozzi graces the pages with her Wild Garden - just stunning. Treat yourself to this book. I would have put a picture of the book here but my scanner is playing games with me. Trust me, it is worth having in your collection. I only wish I could walk through these gardens ever day.

2009-04-11T12:40:00.001-05:00

Twilight Saga Obsession

2009-04-11T12:39:00.000-05:00

I admit that I am obsessed with the whole Twilight saga. Vampire boy loves human girl and guess what, she loves him,too. And then the adventures begin. It's Romeo and Juliet, it's Heathcliff and Cathy, it's is every movie or book where this could not and should not happen!! It does in the most intriguing way, all 2,444 pages of the saga. Oh, I did count how many pages are in this saga, because I have read those pages about four times now. Can not get enough. I want to be in that world right now, not that my life needs all this escape but, hell's bells, I did my daily dose of Edward and Bella. Out of four books, New Moon and Breaking Dawn are my favorites. If you need some Spring or Summer reading, go grab a copy of Twilight. Or maybe all of four, trust me, once you transport yourself into this modern and clever, funny and sad world you have to continue reading.

Happy Birthday, Sis

2009-04-09T13:30:00.000-05:00

Today is my fabulous sister, Deborah, birthday. Have a wonderful day. I love you.

Happy Wedding Anniversary to Us

2009-04-09T13:22:00.002-05:00

Today is our 21st wedding anniversary. I still feel like a bride (blush, blush) and my sweet Joey is still the same loving, caring and extraordinary soulmate to me. If you have read the Twilight saga, which has occupied a lot of my time the last few weeks, I have truly and deeply found my Edward, I can only wish the same for you.

Happy Easter

2009-04-09T13:19:00.000-05:00

I hope that your Easter is sunny and bright. I hope that your Easter basket is overflowing with love, joy and lots of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans.

2009-04-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

An Ode To Spring

2009-03-20T20:22:00.002-05:00

Well, the calendar says that today is the day, the first day of spring, but our temperatures are in the 20s and there might be rain with a snow mix tonight. When you live in the Midwest, like I do, you become used to spring arriving this way - slowly but surely.

Spring is when you feel like

whistling

even with a shoe full of slush.

-unknown

2009-03-20T20:17:00.001-05:00

2009-03-20T20:09:00.001-05:00

My Goddaughter, Kat

2009-02-27T13:15:00.000-06:00

While I am sharing this is Kat, my goddaughter, who is a student at Rhode School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. The top left photo is the normal Kat, next to that is an art project she had to submitted even before school started, and front and center is Kat all dressed up to celebrate her birthday with school chums at a moustache party. I think they went bowling and everyone one of them wore moustaches they purchased at Target (this is just about Halloween.) The art project is a rendering of ancient art, I know that name but no idea how to spell it, anyway, the container is a metal tin shrine from ArtChix that she rusted and then painted in saintly looking gentleman. If you look closer the background says StarBucks and he is holding a cup of coffee!!! Such imagination. I am telling you this because while working on her masters at RISD, she just learned that she is an honor student for the first term. Straight A's. Am I proud? You know I am. Love you, Kat.

My Family

2009-02-27T12:53:00.000-06:00

This is such a nice picture that I decided to share it. My Mom is on the left, then me, my sister, Deborah and my sweet husband Joey. I think it was taken when we treated my Mother to a birthday dinner in August. And I just now put those pictures on the computer. You know how that is, take lots of pictures and leave them in the camera. I believe that Walgreens has a great commerical about this!!! So now you can see those who love and support me each and every day, and the faces that I love to pieces.

Where Have I Been?

2009-02-22T01:13:00.000-06:00

Fair question. Away! Recharging my creative spirit, my interests and my focus. It was time to step back and find myself among all the clutter of everyday. I have been reading, keeping an art journal, listening to music and enjoying simple pleasures that I made time for.

This is from a fortune cookie and one of the best I have ever cracked open -

to expect life to be tailored to our specifications is to invite frustration.

Enough said.

2009-02-22T01:04:00.000-06:00

2009-02-22T01:03:00.000-06:00

Oooops

2008-09-20T11:41:00.000-05:00

What was I thinking? I said the Paris lady was my picture on my blog, sorry. This lovely gal is my picture. I can not remember (isn't old age a *itch!) but I believe she is a cover of a composition book, too.

Favorite Lady

2008-09-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

Isn't she lovely? My first composition book cover and I use her as my picture on my blog. With autumn just days away, the moody look ties in with the season's change. Dusk comes so early now, the darkness, strange face and eyes, leafless trees and bright moons, and shadows on the sidewalk. Autumn in the lady's figure. Her parts are, of course, Tessha Moore, love her collage sheets!!!

Autumn Art

2008-09-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

2008-09-20T11:29:00.000-05:00

2008-09-20T11:28:00.000-05:00

Happy September!

2008-09-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

And then there is Angelo....

2008-08-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

What a delightful 9 year old boy. We made pizzas one night. his request. Pizza in England is not like in the states, or for Chicago for that matter. That is his creation which he devoured. He ate corn dogs, Lucky Charms cereal, ice cream, potato chips and lots of pop on his visit, just can't get that stuff where he lives. And he has a charming English accent, sounds a bit like Harry Potter, I kept looking at him while he spoke, I didn't think he would have that much of an accent and it amazed me. I miss him already.

Me and the Girls

2008-08-29T12:53:00.000-05:00

I treasure the time I spent with the girls, Elena, in orange, and Kat, in yellow. Shopping, seeing the sights, more shopping and just getting to know them better. I am the one in blue, we were at Starbucks taking a break before we finish our trek around a amazing, huge discount mall in Charlotte. It was sad to leave them, each going their separate ways, one to Chicago, one to Rhode Island and the other to England. Oh, did I mentioned that Elena is an architect with a real interest in building and living "green." Go my darlings and live and dream big, the world is yours. I love you both so very much.

Always Bragging..............

2008-08-29T12:36:00.000-05:00

I do brag a lot about my goddaugther, Kat, can't help it. She is just a delightful young woman and on her way to Rhode Island School of Art and Design for her masters!!! Kat is the one in blue jeans, by the way. The gold lady is actually a large canvas hung gallery style. The other lady is contemplating life. Just 2 pieces of Kat's art. The canvas is magificent and huge, an art project from her studies at the Art Institute of Chicago. I am so proud of her.

This is Charlotte, NC

2008-08-29T12:26:00.000-05:00

You might be wondering where I have been, well, in fact I was away visiting family in Charlotte, NC. I don't have to say that it's a pretty place, warm and humid, sunny and friendly. Can you image that it will stay this way until at least January?? That's when it gets cold, about 50 degrees or so. Hard to believe when we are all looking forward to the change of season to Fall. I had a wonderful time there. One reason I went is because my niece Elena and her son, Angleo were visting from Southampton, England and I had not seen them in 3 years, so I took a deep breath and boarded a plane & in 90 minutes I was there to hug the stuffings out of them.

2008-07-22T20:29:00.000-05:00

This is my latest creation, a circle board book. This is a fun medium to work on, you really have to think about placement working in a circle. This is the back cover of my book and the artwork of the Princess Kat and Queen Carol my first pages. Kat is my goddaughter and we are working on each other books, fun, fun. The cover is done and will show later. The hole at the top is for a ring and I will hang ribbons and charms from there. Just thought I would share. I love that wicked face and she is covering the Mona Lisa, Mona never looked so good.

2008-07-22T20:25:00.000-05:00

2008-07-22T20:23:00.000-05:00

So what are you doing this Summer?

2008-07-10T22:34:00.002-05:00

Maybe spending time in a bookstore, looking for Manga to read for yourself, it's a new experience, try it. Or doing the best artwork you have ever done. Drinking lots of Starbuck's iced lattes and reading a bestseller. Outside with a camera, doodling in your art journal, reading all the special Somerset Studio publications. Share. Have a creative summer, friends.

P.S. You see that I have mentioned 'reading' alot, it's is one of my favorite ways to pass the time.

Manga Mystery

2008-07-10T22:32:00.000-05:00

There is a little catch to reading Manga. The book's back cover is really the front cover and you read it back to front?!?!?! And you read it left to right, okay? By the little diagram above you are shown how to read the comics, you can bet that I kept my finger inside that cover while I was reading it because it was a bit confusing. There is so much going on with the characters and drawings that you need to check that diagram once and awhile. The way the characters are drawn - well - everyone has long hair and it is usually across their features so you can't tell the boys from the girls, their names might be nicknames or Japanese style, so the same character might be called by several names. But why get all bogged down with that? It's about a school academy for day students (humans) and night students (vampires) and the 2 main characters Zero and Yuri try to keep the peace between them. It's fun and light hearted and since scifi and fantasy are my middle names, well, I am hooked.

Manga Mania

2008-07-10T22:22:00.000-05:00

So what I am doing this summer?? Reading Manga, of course. Japanese comic books!! I never read any comics as a kid, not that I remember at least. My goddaughter, Kat, turned me on to this little gems of sheer fantasy. If you haven't heard about Manga just ask any one younger than you and they will tell you all about it. I do watch Anime, Japanese cartoons so this was not a stretch for me. I liked it. Of course, there are a number of books in the series, for this one, about 12 books, I think. Read the first 4 and I must know what happens to Zero and Yuri so I guess I will read the rest this summer.

Sharing

2008-06-18T13:28:00.000-05:00

I want to share with you just a piece of art that graces the cover of Esopus, a artful publication I found at Borders last week. Yes, the name is unusual but the inside is a work of art. In fact, this non-for profit group publishes Esopus twice a year. Each magazine costs $10 (a small price when you view the contents) but a subscription is only $18 for 2 issues. I am thinking ordering a subscription but my mail box is way too small and it will get crunched. And you know, how we hate to have any paper good crunched!!! The pages are glossy, next to veleum pages, next to graph and paper that feels like old note book pages!! There are artists and authors, sketches, drawings, collage, photos, believe me, it has everything. And I love their statement that "...provides an unmediated forum through which creative people can interact with the general public." Love that. So maybe you might want to treat yourself to an issue. The cover is of notes that the artist has been tucking into pockets, drawers, and lunch boxes of his 2 kids over the years. Some of the notes are published so that you can read them. Esopus, remember the name and check out your Borders for a copy. Who says treasures can't be found at your local book store? Not moi.

2008-06-14T21:36:00.002-05:00

we tend to seek

happiness

when happiness is

actually a choice.

2008-05-23T23:09:00.000-05:00

I challenge myself and you to be electic, eccentric and creative in ways that will surprise and delight you. Do it for yourself first. And then challenge all your friends and family to do the same. Shake things up, turn routine upside down and see what happens. A year of surprises to all. My birthday wish for the coming year. Oh, a lady never tells her age and no one should ask!!!

Eclectic and Eccentric Me

2008-05-23T23:03:00.000-05:00

Need I say more? Happy Birthday to me, the new and improved version for the next 7 years of adventure and beyond. I guess you can say that I won't be behaving the same anymore. I would so like to make history. You, too? I thought so.

Birthday Musings.............

2008-05-23T22:46:00.003-05:00

As my birthday nears (Monday 5/26/) I think that it isn't possible that all this time has past. I am of the generation that didn't trust anyone over 30 and now I am way past that, both in age and belief. If it is true that every 7 years the body goes through many changes then this must be the year when I muse about being eccentric (peculiar in manner or character) and eclectic (liberal and broad in taste or belief.) Tired of being normal and following the rules, I think I have earned the right to be - just me, which means I can be eccentric and eclectic for the next 7 years. What I will be after that I do not know right now, but I will think of something different and hopefully creative when that time comes. To those who share my birthday, have a happy one and change in ways that will surprise yourself.

My 2 all time favorite spaces in Aruba...

2008-04-23T16:29:00.002-05:00

Well, here it is. When I wasn't strolling the island, shopping, dining al fiasco, swimming in the ocean, sunning by the pool, or daydreaming, this is where you could find me. Each and every day I spent as much time as I could sitting on a lounge letting sand slip through my fingers and thanking my lucky stars that I was right where I was at that moment. The blue lounge is at our hotel, Radisson and the yellow lounge is at Eagle Beach. What a way to spend the day.

2008-04-23T16:27:00.000-05:00

2008-04-23T16:26:00.000-05:00

My favorites places in Aruba

2008-04-23T16:19:00.000-05:00