You gotta have shapes!

   If you ain't got a shape, you ain't got a thang! Do wop, do wop, do wop, do wop.  Ok, we artists can take creative license in more ways than one. Whether it is great creativity of verbage or not... the shape IS the thing. I recently was teaching a charcoal class to all ages and when they saw me draw looking at my paper upside down and facing away from me they were surprised. How did I make it look right? Focusing on the shapes of a thing is what it takes. No matter how you look at it, you don't draw a house...you draw squares, rectangles and triangles, etc. Monet said it, I believe it.  Every student left happily with a wonderful and complete drawing.

Nesting and Reflecting

    I realize it has been a while since I have posted anything new. I have been nesting here at home. Taking time to reflect, design items for my JM Couture line, organize my working areas, and other misc. actions. Reflecting has been uppermost in my days. Receiving word of the sudden death of my friend Heidy's husband, who was only slightly older than my husband, really has made me more conscious of my actions in the passing days. All of my current art is a reflection of "life" in its exuberant fullness. Knowing death is a very real part of the life we all face I think will be expressed in a few works to come. Not in a morbid way, but in fallen leaves and logs, leafless trees, etc. But for now, my prayers are for Heidy, and I must complete the commisions on my table.
  My hope is that we all appreciate every day we are given. That we love and honor all we come in contact with.

Local Art Shows

   Sapulpa, Ok's. annual Route 66 Blowout Art Show was held this past weekend. It was so inspiring to see the many local artists and their varied styles all in one place. The youngest 6-10 age group exhibited fantastic and creative pieces along with the older groups. As a committee member I enjoyed accepting the work and getting to to talk to each artist. I heard the judges had quite a time of it judging all of the wonderful pieces. It really got me fired up to get back to my easel and create!
   This coming Saturday, June 11th, will find me in Drumright,Ok. at the Tidal School Winery from 2-5pm for my Meet the Artist time. I have an exhibit this month of my colorful acrylic paintings. June 25th will find me there once again. There is always wonderful live music and wine tasting too.  I hope to see all of you local okies there for a fun time!

Back to it!

          My goodness, how time goes by. After a major MS exacerbation requiring hospitalization and time to recover I am soooo glad to be back on my feet and back at the easel. The Wine, Music and Art Festival at Tidal School Winery in Drumright this past weekend was officially my first "brush" with the art life again. We were blessed with a glorious day and only slight windiness.
         JM Couture has been busy too. After the ...dare I say it...Royal Wedding...my fascinators are enjoying a surge in popularity. Plus the cabbage rose bracelets are selling faster than my fingers can bead.  So work before picture posting.
       

New photos - JM Couture

 Just added these photos of a few hair fascinators. These are the larger one of a kind pieces selling in French Kiss of Ashland, Oregon. I also create one of a kind smaller pieces as well with pics to come. Must schedule time with my Melissa to get them set up. I create and she handles the technical end! It is another way for me to express my creativity and indulge in my love of embellishment, vintage lace, ribbon, embroidery and floral art which can be worn. There is nothing like an accessory to help us feel "topped off" and express our feelings or mood for the day.

New pastel pictures posted!

   Do you believe it? New photos of some of my pastel paintings have arrived on the blog. All due to the techno savvy Melissa!  There is definitely more to be done on all the pages...still to come. I have so fallen in love with pastels. The glorious immediacy and tactile nature of the individual sticks, in a vast array of colors, causes me to loose time as I create a work based on my chosen subject. I can capture the softness of a horse's nose and the vibrancy of life in a landscape. My gift of 214 pastels in a wooden box took my breath away! It has allowed my love of color to flourish!

Water..and more water

   The rain is falling softly outdoors. A short while ago there was lightening and thunder with a heavy downpoor.  Kind of representing my life right now. I had anticipated posting a blog this week with new photos- finally- and reporting on my day at Tidal School Winery. That was before the water heater burst in the main hallway drenching the carpet. We have been edging around the pulled up carpet draped on raised chairs with fans and space heaters to aid in the drying. Followed by the dishwasher stopping mid-cycle full of water of course. My Whitney-girl has National FFA Week requiring evening meetings and special happenings as well adding to the fun. But seriously, we are blessed. It makes us appreciate all that we have. With all this water I am thinking water color paintings!