We were invited by a friend to join them in a hike, which would also include a creek and some rock climbing.

We were not able to meet them early, so we had to go on our own,  and meet them there.

My boys and I started the trail, looking for yellow blazes on the trees.

That wasn’t a problem, except that sometimes the trail split, and you weren’t sure if it would come back together, or this was the turn toward the creek I was supposed to go to.

I was feeling a little out of sorts, especially since my you gest doesn’t pay close enough attention, and he kept tripping at every other step, and I had visions of him going over a cliff.

My friend called, said they too had passed the point of going down to the creek, so if I kept walking, I should meet up with her.

This eased my mind a bit, and we kept eating our sandwiches and walking.

Soon after, we were rewarded with spotting a deer about 8 feet from us, and I was able to get pictures!  I know!  It was a minor miracle.

We kept walking some more, and a few minutes later, met up with our friends and the fun began!

We had the pleasure of getting to do some “real” rock climbing, with an experienced belayer/climber, so it was a treat.

My oldest loved every minute, and was a regular little monkey/bear on those rocks. The youngest, not so much, though he at least tried.

I even climbed, and I haven’t done that in like 14 years.  I didn’t make it all the way to the top, but I got real close, and I have some bangs on my legs to prove my efforts.

This was the best photo of the day…

Then there’s 4 more from the past….

April 28

Willik playing the saxophone with the school band

April 29

The race for education

April 30

The last set of paintingsI worked on for 30day artist.

May 1

this just felt like a photo that should be black and white. Willik playing the bass with Got Strings? at the Strawberry Festival in New Hope!

I think it was the first time I saw the sun’s rays at sunset…

We were just leaving Peace Valley Park after a lovely picnic dinner, and I’d given up on taking pictures because it was just getting too dark, when I spotted this!

Thank you God for your majesty in nature and creation!

I have a record of the chrysallis before hatching. I will post more later.

For now, enjoy this gorgeous black monarch…swallowtail.  Eastern Black Swallowtail. Thanks for the correction, Lorraine!

The boys looked so handsome, and Willik had said Phoenix looked like a boy model.  So I decided I should take some pictures.

This one was my favorite.  Just look at the love on Phoenix’s face.  Willik often does not realize how much his brother adores him.

Since they were posing, here’s one more.  They are indeed, quite handsome, aren’t they?? I guess I’m biased!

The, the back up photos from April.

This includes April 23, 24(Easter), April 25th(my birthday) and April 27th.

As you can see, I’m missing some days in there…. Life must go on, even if I did not snap a photo.

Soon,we will move into May….

107 yeah! art supplies!!

108 macro close up of a tulip

109 the garden in a friend’s yard

110 silliness in Lancaster

Not from doing art, but from doing too many other things, and barely finding time for art.

In order to see my daily art, you have to go to the 30dayartist website.

Or you can like my artist page on facebook.

I will continue to post my daily project365 photos here.

The day before yesterday, we attended a spaghetti dinner concert for Willik’s Got String? orchestra.

Here’s my favorite picture of him…

I love how concentrated he is.

Yesterday, I was at someone’s house with a beautiful backyard, but I didn’t have my camera.

Instead, I took a picture of my cup of paint water.

I love how the paint swirls when I just do a quick dip to get some water in my brush.

It’s cool how physics are working to do that, even though I don’t understand any of it.

You may be seeing more artist at work pictures this month than you care too!

What’s crazy is, that we had the biggest April Fool’s joke here, because we woke up to tons of snow.

So, I took pictures of snow while we drove toward Philly, for our breakfast date.

This was my favorite of the bunch…

Also, today is the first day of what will be a very busy month for me.

I am the featured artist for the month at a website called 30dayartist.com.

You can go there each day to see my artwork.

I did this last may.

The goal is to try to get 40 pieces done during the month.

Thinks it sounds crazy?  It is, but it’s also fun!!

I went to visit a new friend who has chickens.

I had a blast taking pictures of these chickens.  They were skittish sometimes, and some of them were bold and came right at the camera.

Can you believe I took almost 400 photos?

The beauty of digital is that you can delete all the bad ones.

Anyway, here’s the winner….

And did you know that chickens have clear eye lids?  Yup, compare the next two photos…

They can also look so regal…

…and as you probably noticed, they have unique and individual eye colors…

And they can also look at you funny!!

But mostly, these Rhode Island Reds love their “mom” and she loves them!

And they live and free-range in a beautiful place!

Thanks Barb for sharing your chickens and your eggs.  Thanks for the coffee and good conversation.  It was a great morning!

Caught this one just in time!

Thank you God for such lovely colors!!

I fell asleep while crocheting, which was what I was going to take a picture of…

So, I took a pic of it this morning, first thing, just to keep the groove alive…

And then, all day I’ve been painting.

So today’s picture has to do with painting.

In January, I vowed to make at least 5 handmade things to the first 5 people who vowed to do the same, and post the same vow as their status.

Today, I finished the first painting which I am giving to one of those people.

It started as a failed attempt to do something, and turned into a great texture for this…

Here’s the painting halfway done…

Here’s where I started this morning…

Tomorrow,when the painting is fully dried and signed, I will post a better picture of the finished piece.

What do you think of it?

The only problem was “rush hour”, which kept me from pulling over just anywhere.

Here’s my fave…

And second fave…

I am just a sucker for a red barn!

Took this one at a friend’s house, who seems to be attracting way more birds that at your house?

What , if any tips, can you give me, about how to get birds coming to your feeders?

Anyway, I recently heard juncos described as “junky”, because they lack the colors and delicate design of some other more picturesque birds.  While they do lack the intense colors, upon closer look, you can see that The Creator still took his time, to put an interesting design on the junco’s tail feathers.

That’s the reason I decided to go with black and white for this photo.

Even if we didn’t have color, there are plenty of textures and lines to be noticed all around us.

Have you taken the time lately to see what is beautiful around you?

I needed it to include in the entry to this art show I’m trying to get into, called Art in the Open.

It was hard to get this all done, as I felt really sick, and moving around made me cough even more.

But now it’s done, and sent, and i won’t hear anything for 3 weeks.

In the meanwhile, you can look at it and tell me what you think.

It’s called “Protection”, inspired by a few different Bible passages.

It’s mixed media, made with acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil, ink on a cradled wood board.

It’s 10″ x20″.

And it’s for sale.

Also, I didn’t forget to announce the winner to a print.

And the winner is…..

I’m pretty much done with my resume, and wanted to put some finishing touches on a piece of art that I want to submit to the juried show I’m entering.

Luckily, Phoenix watched some tv, while I worked on my piece.

We went to get milk, and I had enough forethought to bring the camera along.

I got a picture I’ve been meaning to take for about 2 years.

This is what living in the country looks like…

Happy to pick up the milk, because it was a sunny day, and I might find a photo op.

And I did.

Birds, loving the top of the silo, and the warm sunny spot.  Hundreds, I guess, but I didn’t feel like counting.

November was craft month. December ended up being craft month as well.

I made tons of scarves, a couple crochet pillows, a few other random crafts, all of which became Christmas presents.  Trick became my best friend, always wanting to be close to the yarn.

I didn’t post for a while because  I didn’t want to show any of my gifts ahead of time.

The new year is upon us.  Tomorrow the New Year begins. I intend to create more art, and sell more art.

On the craft front, I’m hoping to make some afghans.  More knitting too.

Photography will be front and center too, since my best Christmas gift was a new camera body.  I’ve taken a few shots with it already, but I really wan to start using it and seeing all of what it can do.

Keep coming back and I hope to post much more regularly!

And please leave me some comments.

A

So yesterday, was alot about those things, with some crafts mixed in.  Of course, I think cooking is an art, and baking is too, so we weren’t too off the target.

Truth be told, the baking started the day before, when Michelle decided to bake pumpkin chocolate chip muffins( I just helped), so that they would be ready in the morning.  I will most definitely need to make some again.  Pumpkin and chocolate are a great combination, in case you didn’t know.  They were so good, that we had to have some straight out of the oven, while the kids were already in bed.  That, my friends, is bliss!

Saturday morning came and went quickly, and Michelle had to go to a baby shower, so I worked a bit more, by starting on my other nephew’s hat, Seth, who is 5.  I also shopped and made lunch.  It included a butternut squash pasta.  It was good, and everyone was happy  with filled bellies, as Michelle came home.

Somewhere along the day, my oldest nice, Tabitha, and Phoenix decided they wanted to learn how to crochet, and I taught them how to make a chain.  Tabitha, especially, took like a fish to water, and is well on her way to making a headband

.

The kids also worked on perler beads, even making some christmas ornaments.

Soon, it was time to start cooking again.  We got dinner going, and at the same time started making a pumpkin roll, which although is a common recipe, I had never made.  It was fun to make a thin cake and roll it up.  I also worked on the filling, and before you know it, dinner was done, the pumpkin rolls were filled, and all we had to do was to eat,a nd wait for the pumpkin roll to be ready.  Tortellini and Roasted Brussel sprouts were delicious.  We made 2 versions of the roll.  One with nuts and one without, due to some allergies in the household.  Everyone loved it.  But later Michelle and I discussed a variety or ideas for making it better/different.  I might have to try some sort of chocolate spread in to in lieu of the cream cheese some time soon.

The evening had me working on the hat for Seth again, but I must admit I was pretty tired by this point.  We hung out and talked for a while after the kids were in bed.  Always a pleasant change to the usual chaos of 6 children running around.

Today, we spent most of the day away from the house.  Church, and lunch out.  Also a playground and some times looking at ducks and geese.  Then when we got back, the kids did more perler beads, and I finally finished Seth’s hat.  And I did a small touch up to Ian’s hat, making it a little bit longer.

I did not get to make a hat for Tabitha, which I feel a little bad about, so that is at the top of my list for this week.  They might be in our neck of the woods next weekend, so I might even be able to hand deliver it to her.

We just got back, making much better time on this return trip.  No more crafts for tonight, but tomorrow is a new day for creativity, and I don’t think I’ll be crocheting.

Below are Patricia’s hat photos, in case you want to see yesterday’s creation.

Fabio and I tried a new place for our breakfast date.  It’s more of a coffeehouse, but they have real bagels, nice sandwiches, and good oatmeal.  The coffee shines of course.  So, let this be a plug for Brig O’Doon Coffeehouse in Ottsville, PA.

And no, I’m not earning anything for sharing the joy.

Anyway, we weren’t out long.  I managed to get the last blog written, then I packed for our trip to Maryland.  Then, when I started getting our lunch ready, I got a ping from my best friend, and we ended up talking on google voice for over an hour.  That meant I only had a few minutes left to get all my “other” stuff for the trip together, before going to pick up the boys and traveling.  The other stuff, needed to have crafts incorporated into it.  It also needed to be something I could do, or at least start in the car.  So, I opted to take a break from knitting, and get some crochet done again.

This is when I had the idea of making caps for my nieces and nephews.  There are 4 of them.  They are all younger than my 2 boys.  So I gathered up yard accodingly,  grabbed the camera, and was off and ready.

I managed to get 2 hats done yesterday.  The first one, I completed on my way down, even before it got dark.  Our trip was long, and loaded with traffic, but within little more than and hour, Ian’s hat, the youngest at less than 2, had a hat.

Then, I worked on Patricia’s hat.  She is the second youngest, and I decided to go in backwards age order.  I used 2 different  colors and types of yarn to create a  sorta  random flecks of color in an otherwise would-be boring  pink hat.

As it turns out, they both were big fans of their hats, and Ian even made Patricia’s hat a part of his wardrobe, and now I’m wondering where it went.

2 kids’ crochet hats in one day is great!  You can do it too.  Just make it a goal and you can go for it.

So, that is why November is Arts & Crafts Month.

I will attempt to make as many things within one day as possible.  If it’s a more complicated thing, it may take one or 2 days to finish.  I will also try and paint and work on my r”regular” artwork.  I should stay pretty busy.

Today, I decided tokeep on sewing.  I had such success with my newest used sewing machine in making the boys’ costumes, that I decided to keep the momentum going, and make something else.

I opened up a little sewing kit I’d bought a while back, called Amy Butler’s Sew-it Kit, where I got the instructions and idea to make my very own pincushion.

This project was fun because I used old sweaters that I had felted and am now recycling/reusing.

It was also a good project because I realized how bad I am about cutting fabric straight.  It’s quite hard, and if anyone out there has any tips or suggestions, I’ll take it.

I also got to recycle some polyfil from another thing I’d taken apart to use for Phoenix costume, so lots of things were getting a new life, and I was gaining new skills.

It’s a smal start, but I am really proud of my little pincushion.

Below are some pictures from beginning to end.

I’m glad to have my first project done.

Stay tuned for what tomorrow might bring… And don’t forget to leave me a comment.

I’m glad to have my first project done.

Stay tuned for what tomorrow might bring…

This painting was my first commission piece.  This piece was a large piece.  This piece was a subject matter that I wouldn’t have picked on my own.

The era is over because this painting took a

lot longer than first expected, to finish.  So it feels as if I’ve been freed from a burden.

So much learning came of it.

I learned about time management, and the duty that a commission piece entails.  I learned what it means to work on something you don’t like, because you are working for a client and not for yourself.

I learned about the joy of making something for someone who appreciated art so much that they were willing to pay me in advance to do it.

I learned that I should charge more for large, time consuming pieces.

Today, I am finishing the varnish process on the piece, so it will be ready to be handed over to it’s owner.  He has not wanted to see any photos of except ones from the early start, because he wants to be surprised.  I can’t wait to give it to him, and see what he thinks.

If you’re interested in having something custom-made for you, drop me a line, or comment on this post, so we can start a dialog about your needs/wants.  Look around at my previous work, and see what styles you like.  I am pretty versatile and willing to do lots of different things.

And whatever you think of this piece, leave me some comments about that as well!

right click on this picture, then click on "view picture" then use the + magnifier to look at each piece more closely.

I seem to enjoy a bit of torture, when it comes to coordinating projects for church. I take on a huge project which nearly kills me with the amount of time and effort it takes to get it done.
The last few weeks have been exactly that.
I was asked by the pastor last year, if at day camp this year, I would be willing to do art, instead of craft. I was thrilled with the request, even if part of his reason was to save money.
He talked of a mural, or something big….
Fast forward 6 months, when the planning for day camp started. After talking some to the children’s director, we came up with this idea of individual canvases joining, but having each child’s art, with one big drawing to connect them all…. And that’s what I did.
Unwrapping 350 canvases that were double wrapped was a lot of work, as was doing a number grid system on the back of all of them. I was blessed with many hands, which helped to lighten the work.
Another able-bodied carpenter made a plywood wall that would hold all of these canvases spanning 19+ feet across and 10 feet tall. But then there was the issue of how we would get these to stay on the wall.
We’d agreed on velcro, so my wonderful husband gave up many evening hours by standing on a ladder, and putting 190 feet of velcro to accommodate all the canvases and he made sure that the lines were straight. We also had many hands putting velcro dots on the back of the canvases.
When the wall was up against it’s “permanent” home, then I went to work putting all the blank canvases on the wall. I projected my original drawing and stood on a ladder for several more hours to draw the whole thing. Then 350 canvases had to come down off the wall, so that we could pack them all for the children.
All during this, my parents were kinda enough to keep my boys with them in NYC for the week, so I could do all this prep work.
The moment of truth came last week, when we then started to have the kids paint.
They painted in the black shapes/lines which I’d drawn for them. They were only given black acrylic. Many had never painted on a canvas.
The black dried overnight, and we then had color out for the children. They were artist, and could choose to paint their canvases any way they saw fit, except that they had to leave the black alone, and not leave any white on the canvas. They followed my instructions perfectly. But at this point, I still did not know how it all turned out, and how things would all line up.
Wednesday night, when everyone else was gone, we had about 6 or 7 people who came out to help me put the canvases up. Many hands again made this go quick and smooth, with a lot of good organizing by my sister Raquel, who came up from NYC for a couple days to help me, along with Diana, who is the kinda person I need to have on every large project from now on.
As we put the canvases up, it was amazing to get to see the “mural/mosaic” wall unfold. The pieces were all lining up. Even some colors lined up. The black lines were there, and they met up with the next canvas.
The children did not know what the “BIG PICTURE” would be, but I told them I was going to be surprised as well, with how it turned out. And I was.
I could not be more pleased with it. It was a joy and a pleasure, and all those hours of planning, prepping, worrying and prepping, and planning were worth it.
I hope the children do continue to think of themselves as artists, and I’m glad I had a part in helping them see that we are all part of something bigger, and God instilled creativity in all of us, because He is the greatest artist ever!!
Here are some pics of the mural. If you’re in PA and want to see the real thing, drop me a line, and I’ll take you to it. It’s much better seeing it in person. But make it quick, because I don’t know how long it will be on display.

Oh, yeah! When this was over, we also made sketchbooks and had drawing lessons on shadow and light, and drawing a friend!
It was a great artistic week for 300+ children! And I loved every minute of it!!

I think I did..

People have been asking me if I am taking a break, and the answer is: No Way!!

For one, I’ve learned how much I can do, and I don’t want to lose the momentum.

Also, I have 3 art -related projects I have to work on.

First, I have to finish a commission piece I started before the 30dayartist thing.

Second, I was “commissioned” to do a small mural at the church library, which has to be done by the time school is out.

Third, I am running the art part of day camp for 400 children.

So, there will be no rest, and plenty of art, and for that I am grateful.

In the meanwhile, I will post progress, and updates and sketches.

If you think of any ideas of how I can display my art from the 30day run, I would like to hear it…

Most importantly, my husband comes home from a trip yesterday, and that makes me ecstatic!

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and  not for men.” Colossians 3:23[HCS]

Completing 40 pieces of art in 30 days is a big task.  Some might call it impossible…

Come and see what I’m doing this month at 30dayartist.com

What I’ve been thinking about is, inspiration.

Where does it come from, how do you get it, what do you do with it?

And what happens if you don’t feel inspired?  How can you paint/draw/create?

Rebecca Finch wrote a really interesting piece about inspiration last year at this time, when she did the 30dayartist run with some beautiful oil paintings.  She talks about going to the studio even when you don’t feel inspired.  I think I’m beginning to learn this lesson.  I’ve had glimpses of this, but now I’m starting to understand.

Inspiration can come from anything.  A friend mentioned being amazed and in awe of how weeds have beautiful flowers, and that is inspiring.  One might be inspired by hearing a beautiful song.  Or being in love.   Or reading a great book, or seeing a movie.  But I know I won’t have that everyday. Nonetheless, I need to draw or paint everyday, in order to keep my skills sharpened, and my mind creative and motivated.  Inspiration will come, and on those days, I will probably make the kind of painting that sells.  But even if it doesn’t, it won’t be a day wasted.

My last blog’s name was “Seeking the Muse”.  I truly want to seek the Muse. My Muse is God.  I want to know Him more, and love Him more, and I know that if my art flows from that, it will truly be Inspired.  I don’t mean to say I will paint “christian” art, but my art should be an outward flow of my love for Jesus.

Accountability is great, and I hope those of you who are joining me in this journey will check in with me and ask me how I’m doing with my art when May is over.

There are a few things that have inspired me lately.

A podcast of an interview with an art family.  This family, who I’ve “followed” for a whole is truly living the kind of life I hope to live.  They are not working for “The Man”.  Listen if that interests you…interview with Beerhosts .

Also, Danny Gregory, has been a source of inspiration for a long time.  I credit him partially with getting me back into making art regularly.  I have several of his books, and I want one of his latest ones,  An Illustrated Life,  if anyone is feeling generous.

I am also inspired by my kids.  Sure, I have those moments when I wanna pull my hair out, but I also love when they are creative(see their artwork below), and cute, and kind.  I want to inspire them to do great things.  I want them to be inspired by my being diligent and doing the best I can do as a mom, a wife and an artist…okay, as a housekeeper too….

“The music  that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at  the center of the jaunt.” Bono

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”
Picasso

“Inspiration is for amateurs;  the rest of us just show up and get to work.”
Chuck Close

I’ve done a little bit at a time, waiting for parts to dry, and giving myself some time in between, to make sure it looks like I want it to look.

I’ve been building up the foreground and background.  Today I hope to start on the main area.

Here’s the progress thru pictures.  The pictures aren’t the greatest because of lighting challenges.

All day today, I spent preparing to paint.

I laid out all the elements, and played around with placement.

I glued the quote strips onto the board.  Made sure all the papers were flat, no bubbles, and then I had to wait for everything to dry.

While that dried, I worked on a drawing which was an additional element to the piece.  Figuring out the best size and placement was probably the most creative of today’s efforts.

After everything was dry, graphite paper was my friend.  I transferred a large enlargement onto the wood panel, making it the final step before painting.

It’s been an interesting day.  Several hours spent doing lots of tedious steps which will make it into a great painting.  I’d almost forgotten what it takes to get ready to paint.  On one hand, there’s this overwhelming desire to just be able to put paintbrush to paint, and go at it, but my logical side knows what a difference having everything in the right place will make in the end.

Tomorrow, I hope to start putting some color in.

Tonight, some quiet, and maybe a little ice cream.  Skinny cow ice cream.

In the midst of some other longer/larger project, this was just the ticket to get a painting done lickety split.

Essentially, you block a part of the paper with a masking fluid, let it dry, and then paint the rest of the paper in whatever color you want.  It’s fun, quick, and purely about color.  The hardest part of the project is waiting for things to dry.

Here’s mine: