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 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?

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…..

If you like to knit or crochet and would like to make some items for charity, talk to me.  I’d love to get you involved!

With all the rain, taking pictures outside was not on the agenda.

I had to look for opportunities inside, which were slim pickings!

The photo of today, is of my favorite artist.

Phoenix is developing into a great artist.  He adds tons of little tiny details to his drawings.  Here he was making a thank you card.  He did the illustration, Willik wrote out the card.  It was a good partnership.

The second photo represents Fabio and I.

I love having coffee with him at night, being able to have uninterrupted conversations after the kids have gone to bed.

The biscotti you see featured here was part of a care package sent to me from my wonderful sister-in-law, who made some oreo biscotti.  Thanks Michelle!

weekend arts and crafts fair in Embu, SP

Monday was an awesome day.  Thanks to our host Sueli, who took on the role of our very own personal driver, we spent the whole day out.  We first went back to the little center of town near where they live, Embu, and walked around for some wonderful pics, and also we became the proud new owners of a handwoven, authentic hammock, that should hold the whole family!!

Then we went to an orphanage named Lar Batista.  This orphanage was one which my grandpa had been very involved in while he was alive.  We had lunch there, and the boys sat together with some other boys, and managed to have some sort of conversation in Portuguese, while they ate.  They also showed us around, and explained a little bit about what they do, which includes a sort of After school program for nearby children who live in one of 5 nearby shantytown/slums.  They teach them music, English, art, amongst other things.  They also feed them lunch.  At the orphanage currently, they have 24 children in this particular facility, but there are 4 other facilities that are supported by local baptist churches….  More on the specifics later.

We then went to a park I used to go to as a kid. Parque do Ibirapuera.  Unfortunately, it was cold and cloudy, with temperatures hovering the low 50′s, so we didn’t stay as long as we wanted.  It was good for the boys to run around.  They did get in trouble for speaking English out in public, though.  We are really trying to get Phoenix on board.  He is still being stubborn.

Going backwards, Sunday was possibly just as good, if not better.  We spent the better part of the day, after a late start, in the center of town, walking around and enjoying an arts fair.  It goes on every saturday and sunday.  It takes over the whole town.  It made me want to live here, just to be able to show and sell my work on a regular basis, in a place where value is given to it.  The art and artisan/handmade stuff was amazing, and so inexpensive that it made me feel really bad, in that they weren’t making any money.   We  drank coconut water straight from the coconut.  We then had a pretty late lunch and went to their night services.

Other random facts:

We’ve been having  brasilian coffee around the clock!  We’ve seen more than a few dogs that have no owners and just roam the streets.  Sao Paulo has much more traffic than NYC, and we spend large parts of each day in the car.  Seeing family is fun.  Poverty is a very real concept, and it makes me crazy that we have so much.  Having fresh squeezed and natural juices is part of the norm.  Yum.  A roast pig has too much fat and too many bones to make it worthwhile eating.  All my family seems to love handmade stuff, so I guess I’m not so weird after all!

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!!

The goal was to create 40 pieces in 30 days.  A daunting task, considering I’m married with children, and still need to take care of my family’s needs.  A bit of laundry went undone, and I didn’t do many complicated meals this month.  My husband spent a bit more time with the boys, and I accomplished the task.

I figured I’d learn some lessons along the way, make some discoveries about the process, likes, dislikes and such.  I was not disappointed.  I did learn and discovered many things.

One exciting and encouraging discovery was that I can paint quite quickly when under the gun.  I used to think of myself as a bit slow in my process, but now not so much.  Sure, some pieces need to “take their time”, but not everything has to be that way.  And if I can do 28 finished pieces in a month, then I certainly can do 10,  just as well, and still keep the family happy.

I continue to be drawn to many styles, and don’t intend to box myself in, but I was reminded of  how much fun the mixed media pieces are, especially when I incorporate drawing and my own photos into them.  They keep me engaged and  “not bored”.  And they give me license to continue to improve my photography habit!

The one desire that hasn’t gone away is the driving desire to show my art in public.  It’s nice that so many people can look and see everything online, but looking at it online, and looking at it in a room, seeing the size and paint textures are completely different.  So now, all the more reason to pursue venues and ways to show my art somewhere, anywhere.  If anyone in or near Bucks County has any ideas of places I might try, or places that will take art, please let me know.  I’m even toying with the idea of renting a storefront  or some other space, and making my own gallery showing…

If you haven’t seen the art I’ve been making, go to 30dayartist.com where you can go thru my month of art backwards, with all the blog entries.

If you’re interested in buying something, contact me via the contact page, and I will give you a price, per individual piece. Depending on medium, framing needs,  the prices will vary.

Here’s a quick picture of all the work I created this last month.  Soon to become part of the gallery page.

“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

Here it is…

This was a challenging project in more ways than one….

I started this “Country Life” Series last fall, and once the weeks started leading to Christmas, I learned to crochet and completely abandoned my paintings in ordered to make crochet Christmas gifts.

It was also challenging because I had nowhere to paint.  If I painted on the kitchen table, I had to move everything else that belonged there.

The last thing which was hard to overcome was one concerning the material.  I was trying out a new kind of board.  It’s sorta like an illustration board, with a “texturey” clay surface. I thought it was going to be really great, but while it was super sturdy, the texture didn’t work too well for watercolor.  It didn’t flow very well….  I don’t think I will be using it again for watercolor, but I am happy with the end results.

So, this painting, as well as all the other pieces in the gallery are available for sale, unless they belong to a collection.

If you’re interested in one, or would like to talk about a commissioned piece just for you, drop me a line.

This year, was one of firsts. We had our first garden, which didn’t yield much….due to the rain. The boys got bikes, and learned to ride them. Both boys are in school full-time, so now I am finally able to devote time to art. I even converted what would be the dining room, and made it into a studio.

More importantly, I participated in my first Arts and Crafts show. It was a local show, right here in Dublin, where I got a booth, and displayed my art and my photography. In my mind, selling one piece would be enough, and I did just that. God knew just what I needed. I sold an original, as well as several photo prints. It was a joyous experience, and one I would gladly do again.

But, imagine my surprise when, a couple months ago, I received a request for yet another painting. Not a commission piece, but a request for purchase of one of my originals, displayed on my website. It was thrilling, and humbling at the same time. This gentleman purchased the gift as a surprise Christmas gift for his girlfriend. That’s what I call a romantic. Not perfume or roses, but a painting! A one-of-a-kind present.

So, I’d say this has been a successful year. For me personally, and for my family. I can’t wait for next year, and what it will bring. I hope to make more art, and in turn, sell more art.

There is so much, that you don’t even know where to begin.

Yesterday, my day was no different.

I was invited by a friend, to go to the Barnes Foundation.  I know, it doesn’t sound like a museum, and truthfully, it’s not a normal one, either, but  it was so much more, and for this “starving artist”, it was just the right dose of inspiration.

If you’re not familiar, you can read more about the Barnes Foundation at an art  + history blog I found.

Apparently, it’s in some trouble, because some people think it should be sold, but that goes directly against the wishes of the late Mr. Barnes.

This place is an estate, a school, a gallery and a museum all rolled into one.  It makes me think of  The Frick Collection, in New York City.  Barnes intended for people to learn about many aspects of art, by comparing art from the ages, and lots of different kinds of art.  He assembled each wall with care and thought.

The most frustrating about it, is also it’s asset.  There is too much art on each wall. Yeah, right?!   Well, things aren’t all at eye-level, making it difficult to really look at the art.  But, at the same time, it’s nice to see a renoir, a van gogh and  a modigliani on the same wall, and compare and contrast them.

It was mind blowing.  It’s no Met, but yet it has hundreds of Renoir’s, and dozens, literally, of Cezanne’s.  My favorite piece yesterday, was “The Postman” by Van Gogh.  What I loved about it was it’s colors.  I don’t remember having seen this one before.  There were tons of color on his beard, even though when you step back you see gray.  it also seemed unusual for it to be a head-on portrait.  Van Gogh seems to have more 3/4 views of his subjects.  But the most unusual thing was the “art noveau” style background, with flowers and his name “vincent” almost thrown there.

The biggest surprise was the work of Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot(the piece to the left was not at the Barnes, but it gives you an idea).  I’m sure I studied some of it back in art school, but I loved the work.  Many of the paintings were little, maybe 8″x10″ in oil, portraits of women, reading , and they had incredible detail and realism.

There were also Picasso’s, and Matisse’s and many other things.  If you’re in or near Philadelphia, go and check it out, before it all goes away to other places.

Now I have to make some art too.

Now, I think I have had all the help from other volunteers I can, and I have to do the rest on my own.

The buildings need to be one unit, and I need to do all the details myself.    I won’t be able to get anyone to do it like I do it, or to do what I want, cause it’s just too hard to explain.

Also, I think tomorrow afternoon, the mural will be going back up on the wall, which will make it a bit more challenging to paint, but it will be okay.

Here are 2 more pictures of the progress:

Little did I know what I was getting myself into.  I had said yes to painting, and leading other volunteers, to paint the backdrop for the Easter Musical which the choir and drama team will put on.  I had no idea it would be over 11′ x34′.  That is 11 feet by 34 feet, people.  Say it with me, “that is gi-hugic!!”

Anyway, not only that, but the choir director didn’t have much else to say other than to tell me they wanted it done on some sort of material so that they could reuse it–oh, the pressure!  And that the pastor would give me a picture of what he wanted.

He soon handed me a picture of old Jerusalem which he’d found, and said that was what he wanted.  He wanted it to be dismal, and of course, that is when I learned the size of the thing.  I would have to adapt this scene to fit this long landscape horizontal shape.

I worked on the drawing, and showed the pastor, to which he seemed pleased.  It took me a while to find a place to buy the material from.  After doing a couple days worth of research, I settled on using a muslin.  I would paint it on the floor, and it would get hung up afterwards.

The muslin’s arrival was delayed by several days, and when it did arrive, it was apparent they sent us much more than what we paid for.  That was okay, but this is when my work began.  I set out with a helper, to cut the fabric after having to use a big tape measure twice for the length.

After cutting, Pastor Tim hung it up on the gym wall.

Then we got the projector set up and pointed to see what size my drawing needed to be once on the fabric.

Armed with a big fat permanent marker, I set out to trace what I had prepared.  After a few adjustments, I got going in stride. 

Within an hour and a half, I had the whole thing sketched out, to the surprise of many.

I’m sore from climbing on the ladder, and squatting alot as I sketched.  The pastor liked it, which is really the one I’m aiming to please on earth, besides myself.  I pray God is pleased with my efforts and my service.  The outcome is less of an issue for God, I think.

I also searched throughout the many nooks and crannies of the church for leftover paint.  I have many cans which I will attempt to use and make interesting colors from, tomorrow.

Friday the painting starts.  I will have volunteers willing to help.  I’ll have more pictures friday or saturday.

Keep praying for our efforts.

What that means is, that I got myself a moleskine sketchbook(this is what I use for sketchbooks most of the time) and I drew a sign in page…

Then I drew a self-portrait…

Now, it’s been sent on to a guy in Newark;  This guy, Danny, will draw himself and then me.  He will then send my moleskine to someone else, who will draw themselves, and then me, and so on.  I should get one from a girl in Israel.  I will draw her and my self, and send it on.  I can’t wait.

If you want to see some of the other artwork, check it out here…

If someone is interested, we could do our own moleskine exchange…let me know…

yes, that is an awesome giant easel.

And it wasn’t just purchased for me, it was made, by none other than the ever-talented Greg Lopez!!!

This is a counter-weighted easel, which means I can easily move it up and down and forward and backward with just one hand.  It was based off some other easels I’d seen which were in the thousand dollar range.  I intended to at least pay for the wood, but instead, I was told it would be a housewarming gift after we moved.  Talk about a housewarming gift.

It’s amazing.  Made from douglas fir wood. it can get up to 8 feet tall, able to have large paintings, and small ones too.  I can’t wait to try it, and of course, the Lopez’ get one of the first paintings.  And that is still just a very small way of saying thanks!  Greg, you are like a benefactor to my art, and every painting made on that from now on, is because of your efforts, friendship and belief in my abilities to create.  The words “thank you” seem like a very small, and week way of saying what I really feel.  But Thank You!!!

Now we really need to make that barn a working studio, cause I can’t keep this easel in what is to be a dining room.

5″x7″ watercolor on 140lbs. watercolor

A quick piece, loosely based on a cemetary which we can see from the boys’ playroom window.

It’s a quiet place I walked to, while I was birdwatching.  I also watched this squirrel rest here for a few minutes.

I should have photographed my process, but by the time I thought of it, it was too late.

(approx. 5″x7″ watecolor on watercolor moleskine)

Mixed with this painting, comes a lesson.  Something about transience, and our inability to keep things the same.  I’m still learning and processing it.

This tree in our backyard went from this…

to this,

in about a week.

It turned yellow just as I was starting 30 Places, so in my mind, I made a mental note to paint this in the next month.  I had no idea how fast this…

…would happen.

It was a matter of a couple days.

I started sketching the tree when it had probably half of it’s leaves, but by the next morning, when I went to paint it, it had less than a quarter.

It was extremely fun and enjoyable to paint, even though it took me several days to actually get it done.

And as is often, when I approach something I haven’t done in a while, I feel a small trepidation.  Doubts about my inabilities.  But once I start to do it, as with this watercolor piece in my moleskine, I am amazed at how my skills in the medium come back to me, and I am thankful to God for my talent.

I checked my email a couple times, and logged into this blog, to check my comments, but other than checking for a recipe conversion, not only did I stay away from the internet, I stayed mostly away from my computer, except to upload some pictures.

It was weird not going to the computer all day to check on facebook.  I felt the pulling of it, but I’ve always been pretty good with my will, and you can pray for my continued discipline….

I don’t know what anyone else is up to, but I know that I did a lot today.

I cooked 2 meals.  I played outside with Willik.  I made pumpkin pie.  I explored the immediate neighborhood and took several bird pictures, soon to be posted at my the photoblog.  I went thru several boxes in the studio/guest room, and I found some of the supplies I need for the next few weeks, with Fabio’s help. And tonight, after the boys were in bed, I even made some art.  The whole reason for this endeavor.

I just finished, and although I’m not thrilled with the scan(it’s a bit too light), I’m happy with the piece.

“honeymoon in venice”

approx. 4″ x 8″

sharpie and colored pencils on watercolor paper

He’s young and energetic, and keeps everyone guessing…

The one and only,

PHOENIX LORENZ MIR

Here’s what he created this morning, in front of my very eyes…

(click on drawing to see large version)

and if you’re not familiar with who he is, he’s the one about to get hit by the “obstacle” while he and his brother prepare in “Ninja School”.

It’s great!  It keeps me in touch with people I know from all over the globe.  I can chat with a girl from Indonesia if I want to, and I can write an email to my husband, even when he’s next to me.

I can find out all kinds of information, about any subject under the sun.  I can self-diagnose if I’m a hypochondriac, I can learn all about the churches we will visit(provided they have a website), I can find out if a book is any good before I even start to read it.  I can also be inspired by many artist, and learn from watching their videos.  It’s amazing!

But it’s also terrible!  It sucks away my time more than anything.  If I sit down to “just check my email”, I end up staying there for at least a half hour.  It provides me with many excuses for not doing many other things that need doing, and many things I’d rather have done.

It also helps evil-intended people do many harmful things to others, and makes it too easy for people to forget what it means to have a real conversation, or a real connection with others.  It enhances people’s abilities to stretch the truth and live in their “la-la” land.

Yesterday, I came across something wonderful on the internet.  One of those projects that deserve to get looked at by everyone, cause it’s so cool, and clever and poignant.  It doesn’t hurt that one of the installations is about/in Brasil.

So check it out:

http://28millimetres.com/women/

Click on Brasil’s map to see it.  The others are interesting as well.

And let me know what you think, or if you have other sites/art projects to recommend.

In the meantime, good luck not getting sucked into the internet too much.

That’s what I did last Thursday on my first pottery class, through the Adult evening school of Pennridge School District.

At first, I thought I wouldn’t be able to use the wheel at all, because I’d been informed when signing up for the class, that one of the teachers; the husband, was ill, and he was the one who really taught the wheel.  I was a little disappointed, but decided to sign up anyway, cause I needed some creative outlet, and a chance to meet some more artistic people.

Well, last week at the class, the teacher–Loretta, told me she’d be willing to coach me on the wheel, even though I had no prior knowledge.  It was so much fun.  I became instantly addicted, and spent a few hours watching YouTube and other videos, trying to learn more about it.

I managed to make a japanese-style mug with no handles.  It’s not completely finished, as I have to trim the bottom, and glaze it before it’s fired, but I’m so excited about it.

The class is 10 weeks, so if I make at least 5 more things, averaging just over a piece every 2 weeks that would be awesome!

So, as soon as I can I’ll take some pictures of my stuff.  In the meantime, if you have any experience with making pottery on the wheel, drop me a line.

Yesterday, after a particularly challenging morning with Phoenix, and during some much needed quiet time while he was in his half-day Kindergarten, I opted to draw and listen to a book, instead of doing anything else.

I still don’t have a studio set up, so I had to do a little digging to find some supplies.  When I did, I set the pears up near a window, and drew them.

They made me happy, and brought me sanity.

8×12 pencil drawing on textured heavy eggshell-colored bond paper

Fabio took the day off work, so we could spend it together.  After we dropped off Phoenix at school,  Fabio took me to a place we’ve never been to before, called Tom’s Restaurant.  It’s been there since 1936.  It’s in Brooklyn, but it felt like we were in Cuba, or in old Jewish New York.   Their specialty was pancake, and I had pancakes with mango, blueberries and walnuts.  It was really good.

Then, we picked up my friend Liza and my godson Luke, and as a surprise, Fabio took us and Willik to the Guggenheim, to see the “I want to believe” installation, and other cool stuff.  I was impressed by Paul Klee’s work.  He was an artist from the turn of last century, creating around the 40′s and yet, the art is so modern! He has works in oil, watercolor, gouache, charcoal, transfers, pencil, and mixed media.  One guy did all that, and just encouraged me to keep on pursuing whatever varied materials I like to use, and not feel as if I have to be pigeon-holed.

The “I want to believe”show was very cool.  Made you think, and brought some concepts and ideas up close.  It was thought provoking and interesting, as well as educational.  The artist is Chinese, so there was a bit here and there, about Chinese culture and folklore weaved in.

Willik liked it as well, and I’m hoping he’ll write and draw a bit about his experience.

After the museum, and a high priced parking garage, we headed to Brooklyn again, to have lunch with Liza.  We hung out for a bit, and then left.

We came to Queens, picked up Jill, and headed to Mineola, where my sister and Stacey were both cooking a surprise meal to honor Jill and I, since her birthday is also in April.  We had Bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon , breaded fried shrimp(my fave), roasted garlic mashed potaoes, garlic sauteed spinach and rice.  It was awesome, and delicious!  Who could ask for anything more?!

I got great gifts, including $50 gift certificate to spend at Target, for the new house, and converse sneakers, a new dressy shirt, some chocolate, a necklace.  I’m set.  Look out for those pictures I’ll be taking with my macro, as soon as I get a chance to use it.   Willik made me a great drawing, and Phoenix told Fabio that he wants to get me an orange phone.  I’ll just have to wait on that one, I think.

I got several birthday calls from far away friends as well as close-by friends.  I got lots of brthday emails,  orkut and facebook greetings.  It was a wonderful day, and it feels good to be alive.

Thank you God for one more year, and a chance to honor you more and love you more.  Thanks also for great friends and family who love me and support me.

Isn’t that exciting?!

I’m feeling sick as a dog today, with a crazy cold, but that makes me want to get better even quicker, cause I got to get back to work on my city drawings again.

I’ve got one almost finished that I will be posting soon. Stay tuned.