WORKING SMALL.....

It was time for an exercise in smallness. I prefer to create large pieces and quickly discovered that small is much more difficult. I will only have a small space to develop a subject that will engage the eye and hopefully evoke some emotion. After all, that is what art is supposed to do. Here are the components of this exercise. In the lower right corner below you can see a piece of colorful (but not real pretty) fabric that I will use as a base. The design on the fabric is not important, only bright colors over which to put paint. It affords a basic layer to build on and often the bright colors will show through. . To the left you will see various bottles of acrylic paint and in the top right you will see a pile of disassembled silk flowers and leaves. Lower left is a tray of oil pastels and a small box of about a million black seed beads. These components, pulled from my shelves and drawers, came together in the following small pieces. Two of them measure 6" X 8" and one is 7" X 9".

I think they are finished and ready for mat and frame. But, they might not be.....

SPRING CONCERT 2010

This afternoon we went to the Spring Concert 2010 presented by The Concert Band of Northwest Pennsylvania. It was a cold and rainy day outside but inside the Cole Auditorium on Edinboro University campus it was warm and inviting and joyful. The band offered up a concert of "American Band Music: Newer Band Classics and Classic Marches". ( I can tell you that the tenor saxophone is one sexy instrument. ) This is a very professional group, many of whom have been playing together for years. After the concert we stopped by at Mother's home and had dinner with family visiting from out of town. A totally wonderful day!

THE VANESSA COLLECTION GROWS....

This lovely lady has a piece of cheesecloth dyed lavender to cover her head.

This doll has a silk scarf and a tattooed face with a very sweet smile I think.

I used a piece of gray dyed cheesecloth on this doll. I really like the lacy effect; almost like she is covered with cobwebs.

"FOLLOW ME..."

I picked up the most recent piece from the framing place. I really like how it shows with the blue/gray mat. Like the previous pieces, this one is mounted on thin foam core and matted so that it appears to be floating in the frame.

POST NUMBER 300 ! OH, AND IT IS OUR TOM TURKEY!

This handsome guy has been coming by almost every day for the past week, eating the corn we put out. Now that spring has come and the snow has gone, our deer family can now find green things to eat and no longer depend on the corn. Yesterday we spotted three hens kicking through the leaves at the edge of Our Woods and poor Tom was following close behind, gobbling and fluffing up his chest feathers and fanning his tail. Another sure sign of Spring! After he finished eating he showed us how really handsome he is:

How could any hen not be impressed!

SPRING COMES TO GRAVEL RUN ROAD...

SPRING IS HERE ! ! !

Last fall, shortly after we moved into our new home, my sister and I spent an afternoon planting more bulbs than I care to remember. The next day, I watched with dismay as a red squirrel ran all over digging holes in the still soft dirt. I was sure he had eaten every single daffodil bulb! Apparently I was totally wrong! I am seeing bulbs coming up all over the place. I am so happy!

A DATE IN APRIL.....

I just ordered tickets for us to see "Riverdance" , the first week in April, followed by a nice dinner. It is their last venue this year in their US Tour. I am soooo excited! We have never been to the Warner Theatre in Erie so are really looking forward to the show. Should I wear diamonds? I need diamonds......and even matching socks! So much to consider.......

FRAMING MY ARTWORKS......

This is the first time I have had any artwork framed. It totally changes how they look to me and I do like how they look! As soon as they are all framed, I will prepare a CD of them along with the folk art wall dolls to present to Campbell Pottery. I am hoping to secure a show in their Stonehouse Gallery. We shall see! "Nightblooms" 19 X 25

"Pods" 16 X 26

"Deux Poires" 18 X 24

HOW SWEET IT IS.....

A very nervous daughter getting ready to dance.......and looking beautiful in turquoise!

Excitement! Shock! Disbelief! Joy!

My dear daughter took part last weekend in her first Feis (competition) for Irish Step Dancing. She competed in two dances and came away with two medals! A silver and a gold. Congratulations Erin Kelly!She has been taking Irish Step Dancing lessons for only a few months but felt she was ready and wanted to compete. I guess she was ready! There was a large contingent of family and friends there to cheer her on and then to all go out to eat and celebrate after the event.

She competed in the adult class and wore that lovely dark green velvet dress I made for her. In fact, it was probably the dress that turned it all in her favor (grin).

Here you see Erin on the left and a fellow classmate on the right.

One of her friends brought her flowers and here she is wearing those medals. This is one happy young lady! (already looking forward to her next competition)