What a turkey! No really.

This is the kind of day I have had. Stressed, trying to get artwork together to hang at the gallery. A last minute call asking me if I could hang a few days early. Yikes. I won't even bother to mention that both my honey and I are under the weather. As I am frantically framing and wiring paintings a movement in our backyard/woods catches my eye. Lord above...20 wild turkeys taking a stroll past the pool. Luckily we have a pool enclosure otherwise they would probably be doing the backstroke as I write this. They came around the side of the house to get a sneak peek at the artwork for next week's opening. They walked up the stairs of the patio to the studio door. They peered in, freaking Harold the cat out.
These birds are huge. The males stood waist high and I am almost 5'8". I snapped photos, my husband came out, our neighbor came over. (I learned some of these were jakes, year old males. One can tell by the long feathers on their tails.) The turkeys thought we were very interesting, not in the least bit afraid. I could have pet these crazy things. The only time they gobbled in alarm was when they wandered away and a car drove by. A little bit of Florida wildlife. Reminder: earlier posts include information on pythons. At least with these we could eat them not the other way around.

the Beach Lady and her perfect match

Eureka! A beach lady and the perfect frame have met. It is always a trial to find the perfect match. The perfect spouse (I have that one), the perfect shoes, the perfect purse, the perfect bottle of wine, you get the picture, "ha!", said the artist,"yes, you get the picture." This painting I am posting a hint of is the infamous "Where are the Children?" She has endured lots of comments about her zippy bathing suit and her dozing while the children played near a beach, what kind of mother is this anyway? Well she has been cornered, so to speak, by a frame I painted with a multitude of pattern. They have cohabited in the same house for a while and never met until this morning. They are about as happy as a couple can be. They look good together. They complement each other. They prop each other up when the other is down. Okay this is getting out of hand. Six days of cold and cough medicine have literally gone to my head.
Bottom line is the lovely beach lady will be turned out in style for the March 6th opening at Artistree Co-op. The event will be from 6:30-8:30. Come see her. She will be hanging around with other new characters for the month of March at this lovely spot at 1600 Edgewater in the College Park area of Orlando.

Family, Love, Life, Wind

Reviewing a portion of a painting started for the hurricane show. This is a very small section of the 24" x 36" piece. The background is a collage of torn paper, the sea of flood waters. The woman is a return to my madonna/mother images. She is holding her baby tightly, her side to the wind, bracing herself. The trees and houses are caught in the rabid winds. Several of the images take me back to the spirit of previous paintings. Family, Love, Life...is the first to come to mind. Family, baby, the wind or whatever blows a family.
Stay tuned for more.

Mardi Gras radio via Starbucks

A New Orleanian office on Mardi Gras. Note: opened and beautiful Valentine Day tulips, gold beads with fleur de lis, frog with crown (on Mardi Gras somebody needs a crown), and the music you cannot hear. Starbucks has been selling a great CD of Mardi Gras tunes. The best way to start it out is with my all-time favorite Iko Iko sung by the Dixie Cups. I have told my family and written on my will that I want this played at my funeral for the recessional. The most joyous, infectious, get out of your chair song you have ever heard. Following this cheer is Litenie des Saints with Dr. John, Fats Domino's When the Saints go Marching In (the song of the year), and Professor Longhair's Go to the Mardi Gras. This is only the beginning of a long list of heartfelt going home kind of songs. Hope you can still find it and enjoy the sound of New Orleans' radio stations at Mardi Gras.
P.S. The purple, green, and gold beads are on the wreath at the front door. The king cake has long been inhaled. Don't forget lent begins tomorrow. What are you going to sacrifice? Reminder: this is all related to Catholic/Christian themes. Love to all in purple, green, and gold.

Tulips together

I am grateful I have Valentines. My wonderful children sent me these magnificent tulips for Valentines Day. They have opened over the last few days and been wondrous each hour. Several years ago in a painting class we were painting unopened tulips. As the class progressed the tulips began to open toward the large light source. It was beautiful, like a nature film. Did you see the Vancouver opening ceremonies last night? It was a spectacular nature film unto itself. Be sure to watch it somewhere, somehow. My other Valentine and I watched it after attending a Valentine gathering at the Artistree Co-op.

More to come

To the left is a stack of studies I have begun for my hurricane series. As a Florida resident and New Orleans native I have a few stories to tell. Watch for them as they unfold in the next few weeks. Plus even more exciting developments to watch for!

Geaux Heroes Geaux

Even Riley, our garden pig got into the act this weekend. Geaux Saints, Laissez les bonnes temps roulez!, Who Dat...all ushered in the weekend New Orleans and its fans have waited for. Having grown up in New Orleans there is a part of my heart that beats harder when something is said about the Crescent City. I admire the people who stayed, returned or ventured into the city for the first time after Katrina. These were real pioneers. Things were rough, things were dirty, things were depressing, and there was a long way to go to reach a success that outsiders could comprehend. I can only imagine how difficult it was living in New Orleans. The house I grew up in was under 5 feet of water. The present homeowners were heroic and put it back together. 85% of the city was under water. That includes more than what you saw on tv, that includes many more people than you saw on tv. There are lots of people who are putting the city back together and there are a lot more who will continue putting it back together. They are heroes. Our doctor friend has stayed past the point of exhaustion to carry out his oath to do no harm. Leaving the folks in New Orleans without medical care would do harm. He is a hero. The Saints as a team and as individuals are heroes. Tom Benson who kept the team in New Orleans is a hero. New educators who had the vision to build and improve on the poor education system are heroes. People who put their money and muscle into the rebuilding are heroes. New Orleans deserves this win, deserves a pat on the back and encouragement to keep up the heroics that are going to be required to continue the feat of rebuilding a city that took 300 plus years to build and 24 hours to destroy.
Geaux Saints, Geaux good people of New Orleans. When the going gets tough the tough get geauxing.

For two very strong and eye opening accounts of life during and immediately following Katrina check out One Dead in the Attic by Chris Rose and Code Blue: A Katrina Physician's Memoir by Dr. Richard Deichmann. You will have a new perspective on what happened in New Orleans and a new respect for those who endured.

Frame yourself

I have started a collection of picture frames for Artistree Co-op. These are some of the backgrounds I will be using. There will be a piece of plexiglass mounted over the papers. These can personalized with your own photos. Look for them early next week.

Feeding me.

The blast off class ended today. The journey to the moon is well underway. This class was like a valentine to myself. Signing up and taking a class, educating oneself is a form of self nurturing. Feeding your brain, your soul, your body. This class fed the first two and prompted me to feed the last. I have signed up for another 5k next week and best of all I had my first tap dancing lesson yesterday. Could there be anything happier than tap dancing? That is what I thought. Another Valentine to myself.

Need help sometimes.

You know how you go through life? Sometimes it is painless floating, no worries, in synch with the world. Sometimes it is floating with worries eating you up from the inside out. Powerless, waiting for the next "foot to fall". We all need help from time to time. The blast off class is discussing a support crew. I am so fortunate. My crew is overflowing with support. My friends, my family, and more in shining armor waiting in my future.
To the right is the beach lady floating. Does she know what is out there waiting for her? Does she have the support to get through it?
My family always said,"Ask and ye shall receive." I am sure it is biblical in its roots. We also meant we are here for you. I am.

I am a guest blogger!

I have posted photos of us running the 5k last Thanksgiving. I am including the link to read the tale of my first 5k. "The Realist" asked me to be a guest writer for her blog. I am flattered to be asked. Hope you enjoy our writings. (Click on "The Realist")

What you Need to Climb a Mountain, Real or Perceived

Here is a quote my husband presented to me several years ago. It is a good boost. In realizing the author was a mountaineer I can see he knew the importance of being confident and going forward with conviction.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness, concerning all acts of initiative (and creation). There is an elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
-William Hutchinson Murray, Scottish mountaineer, 1913-1996

Moved to Artistree Co-op

Still dragging the fish out of the water. She is now mounted on a 9"x 8" piece of wood that has been covered in imported paper. A piece of plexiglass nailed in place with silver nailheads protects the painting. She will be seen soon at Artistree Co-op at 1600 Edgewater Drive in College Park. I moved some paintings and stationery to the shop yesterday where it shares space with Infusion Tea and Organic Cafe. Drop by for a snack and to see the art, jewelry, pottery, and all sorts of creative things.

Introducing a fellow artist and blogger

I am happy to introduce to you Hannah Klaus Hunter. This talented woman is not only an artist, but an art therapist too. You can follow her blog at http://www.hannahklaushunter.blogspot.com. Hannah lives in Davis, California where she creates paper quilts of varied colors and feelings. She also has a body of work entitled Alchemy and Myths. These incorporate an alchemist's bottle shape, paint, gold paint, text and other collage elements. With my New Orleans roots I especially like Katrina. You can see all of these on her website http://www.thesecondstorystudio.com Another connection I haven't even mentioned to Hannah is that she attended the University of Iowa for undergraduate work. Go Hawkeyes! My husband's roots being in southeastern Iowa and my children considering University of Iowa this is close to my heart. I keep hoping somebody in my family will go to the Writer's Workshop for graduate work. Maybe in my next incarnation I will do that.
The painting pictured here is from my hurricane series. When the Levees Failed is approximately 5"x 7", acrylic paint on paper. (Sold)

Making a habit part of a routine is going to take practice. That is where we are in our blast off class today. IF you read this blog you will know I am inconsistent in posting. I will promise you, shoot I said promise, a woman of my word I now have to do it, I promise I will post three times per week.
I have invited my classmates to send me their blog addresses by commenting on my blog. Stay tuned for web addresses from some very talented artists. This group is spread world-wide and represents many different styles and messages.
Busy day ahead, wish I had wings like the angel to the left, must run to interview with an artists co-op in our fair city, the City Beautiful, Orlando. Tonight is Alive At Five a street party event in Sanford. I think I will go visit the artists I used to spend time with at Gallery on First. By the way there were four of us from the Gallery on First who were chosen to exhibit at the juried ArtistsRegistry.com member show (which closes tomorrow night). There were two awards given to members of this group also, your trusty blog author and Aurore Brunet who won a third place.
Stay tuned and stay fit with http://www.dietsarecrap.blogspot.com, another blog I follow.

Get to the Meat of it

Time to evaluate finances in my blast off class taught by Alyson Stanfield, art marketing coach and all around guru. As in my painting this is like dragging a big fish ashore. Not really pleasant, not really fun, but to get to the meat of it you need to do it.

Reflections through affirmations

This photo may look like the last entry with notebook, etc. I have added a collection of affirmation cards. Positive reflections for daily thoughts. A way to remember all of the things we need to remember to feel confident and ready "to take on the world." Little black cards with swirly illustrations and longhand notes to myself. Ah ha the favorite white gelly roll pen steps in again, that pen always makes it fun.

Albert had a way with words as well as with physics

Alyson Stanfield's blast off class has begun. My eyes are already opening to the enormous job I have ahead if I am going to pursue what I really want. However that makes this more exciting, there is a path and I can follow it. Just need to find it.
Alyson left us with a brilliant quote from Albert Einstein,
"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
Albert, you had it going on.
Copyrighted Image from Beth Rommel's entry to Art House Co-op's moleskine project 2009

Check

Getting organized for the blastoff class, listening to Preservation at Work, a preserve the Texas Hill Country CD.
*New binder for class notes, hot lime green. Very exciting.
*Small notebook with one of my bright blue birds on the cover. A place for my gratitude journal.
*And an agreement with myself to do this seriously and with real effort. Check.

Where am I going?

A new chapter, a new year, and a new decade. Starting it off right I have signed up for the Blast Off class Alyson Stanfield is offering. It starts tomorrow. My last foray into on-line classes was a great one, a blogging class offered by Alyson and Cynthia Morris. It is time for the next step into my art career. Time to make goals, devise a map, and read and reread the directions so I can get there. It would be nice to know when I get there so must define exactly where I want to go. I have done the thinking, as illustrated by this angel in "Quiet". New year, new year's "aspirations", as gifted photographer, Dianne Poinski prefers to say.
New direction...all right already...go!
"Quiet", acrylic, 16"x 20", sold

Lessons learned

The new year is upon us. How did we get to 2010, a new decade? Time is certainly speeding up and I have so many things I want to do. I better hurry.
A reflection on the year brings to mind the 5k I ran in November. My favorite blogger, The Realist has asked me to write a post on my first 5k. Check out the realist's blog, http://www.dietsarecrap.blogspot.com for great health information. A personal insight into a real person's quest for healthy eating, exercise, and the stumbling blocks on the way. Her advice is very palatable. Lesson learned: new year's resolution includes reading this blog to keep my health goals in check.
The show I was accepted into, ArtistsRegistry.com Members Juried Exhibit produced an award of merit. Unfortunately I left the opening before the awards were announced so was surprised and delighted to receive the news via email. Lesson learned: stick around.
I have included a photo of "Lucy's Dogs" the commission I did before Christmas. This piece is acrylic, 30"x 40" with a gallery wrap. What a challenge and a treat to work on this piece. Lesson learned: shipping large paintings across the country takes lots of preparation.
The last month of the year was a great one for sales. Thank you to the wonderful people who thought enough of my work to purchase it to look at daily or to give as a gift. Lesson learned: I am blessed with people who encourage me, many without even knowing how important their confidence in me has been.
Please come back for an update on the 5k article, check out the dietsarecrap.com blog, and a surprise project for the new year.

Come in for a Landing at Avalon Island

The 5th Annual Artists Registry.com Members Juried Exhibit will hold its opening at the Gallery at Avalon Island this Thursday evening, December 17th. The reception is from 6:00-9:00. If you have never been to this space treat yourself with a visit for the opening event or at some point during this show which will be from December 17- January 15, 2010. The address is 39 S. Magnolia Avenue in downtown Orlando. This is the intersection of Pine and Magnolia, a fantastic turquoise colored building. There will be refreshments Thursday evening and the public is invited.
95 artists will have work shown in this juried show. Lady of the Stars, my acrylic 18"x 24" painting will be hanging for visitors to see. Not a print or giclee, but live and in person.
This copyrighted image to the left is entitled, Coming in for a Landing. Blessings from me to you this holiday season and in the coming new year.

Snowman in tow

Moving forward with snowmen in tow to the Trinity Art Bazaar on Friday. Come and support your local artists and see this piece, I Want That One.

Ho Ho Ho

In preparation for an art bazaar this week I am mounting some Christmas scenes on wood covered by Christmas themed paper. The image is then protected by a piece of plexiglass nailed to the board with decorative upholstery tacks. A little "ho ho ho" as the season takes off and we all run to keep up with it.
Take a break today with something or somebody that reminds you of good cheer and a warm happy household.

Run+ family+feast+friends+art=smile+gratitude

What a ride/run it has been through the last week. Thanksgiving morning I ran my first 5k, the Turkey Trot. I ran the whole way! My children ran with me, rather way ahead of me, they are pretty fast, 23:28 and 24:28, I was 39:40. After only a month and a half of training I am pleased that I could make that time. The great feeling of accomplishment will keep me going to more races in the future. We then feasted with dear friends and family. The next day my email brought the news that The Lady of the Stars had been accepted for the 5th Annual Artists Registry.com Members Juried Show. The exhibit will be open from December 17th to January 14th at the beautiful Gallery at Avalon Island.
This is a nice way to kick off the season. Optimistic and healthy and grateful.