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!

Emerging from our snowy cocoons in Snowklahoma!

     Two weeks ago we were recovering from a record setting blizzard. One week ago we were digging out yet again from a second snow storm. As "over achievers" here in Snowklahoma we set at least 5 new records for snowfall and temperature. Who could have imagined a 110 degree difference in temperature in a one week period. Yes, I know....could have posted the pics while snowed in. Hey... I was painting while enjoying the hot chocolate, popcorn and fireplace! Really.... I have a snow scene to prove it.         
      I am feeling a little like a butterfly emerging from it's cocoon enjoying the warm sunny days. Yesterday I went into Tulsa for a delightful Girls Day Out with a special friend. We went to Philbrook Art Museum to catch the Wyeth exhibit plus more. We enjoyed a tasty lunch served by a very handsome young waiter.  No....he wasn't on the menu so we had to leave him there.
 Philbrook has"living" art as well. Hahaha!
   Saturday promises to be sunny and warm. My "Meet the Artist/demo" in Drumright at the Tidal School Winery should be enjoyable along with the live jazz and blues band.
   
   
  

To Be, We Three

   Sitting at my studio art table I watch sunbeams dance casting morning light upon the gathered artist materials. Brushes, pencils, paints, pastels, and mediums are all readily available. It occurs to me these materials are symbols of life and human personalities. Especially we sisters three.
   Is today going to be a gloriously elegant, sophisticated upscale painting?  A sister who delights in "all things french"?  Champagne in the salon to be savored slowly, with artfully prepared pastries? Luxury to indulge in the process, time taken to savor the experience?
   Could it be a contemporary and imaginative burst of industrious energy? A sister going Mach I with her hair on fire handling life with a "get in done now" attitude? Business layered over a deeply rich and caring nature?
  Or lastly, will it be a landscape?  The sister who is tied in to creation in all its endless possibilities? Delighting in wide open skies and land, barefooted, tending the gardens and wildlife?
   How blessed we are to be, we three, creating life in our own special way. An intertwined composition  in layers of texture, colors, and styles.
       Today, which is to be...........?

Slide Show Memories

It is amazing what you can find to do when snowbound. We are going through still more slides from "way back when".  I love seeing places, people, and pets from earlier times. More importantly, we are reviewing artist reference pics/slides from California. The Central Coast area right now - we lived there in our early pre-married and newlywed life. My husband loved off-roading which perfectly matched my need to travel the countryside's "off the beaten track" places to find just the right spot to sketch/paint/photograph. My current pastel paintings of Montana De Oro and the San Simeon schoolhouse currently hanging in my Tidal School Winery show came from photos (and memories) such as these. Hubby is requesting another California poppy,countryside painting. This time in pastels. Back to the easel!

Mother Nature's Blessing

The snow, however beautiful, caused the Meet the Artist day at Tidal School Winery to be a no-go.  I was soooo looking forward to hearing the jazz band. One week to the day- the snow plow came out to our county road. Neighbors with tractors did their best on our private road. Mother Nature blessed me with the time to stay snuggled in a warm house painting to my heart's content since we were snowed in. I worked on a winter scene- while sitting in front of my small space heater of course. With family here to cook and clean it couldn't get any better. Kids are going to their first day of school. Another storm coming in today so we had to dash to town to pick up necessary items. Dark chocolate, pop corn, hot chocolate, hot spiced cider! It is all about priorities. Hubby made a wonderful pot of hearty soup to last a few meals. The easel is calling again...must paint!

Show goes up--Snow/Ice Came Down

Monday morning... at Tidal School Winery my art was hung. Once again, the talented Carol Mulcare stepped in and shared her expertise by directing and hanging the art.  Monday night..ice rain/inches, yes INCHES of ice...then a record setting snow for Northeastern Oklahoma bringing us to a standstill. The Tulsa airport and all major roadways totally closed. Snow was a minimum of 14 inches or so but thanks to the wind we had snowdrifts up to our hips. Front porch snow higher than the railings. Snow taller than our full grown Sheppard. Dogs do not want to go out with the snow blowing at 30-40 mph and snow taller than them. Big surprise there.(Sarcasm in capital letters!) Why do I get the dirty looks from them. After all, I shared snow blasting me in the face as I said OUT! Sixteen yr. old daughter bravely, and without complaining, trudges out to pasture to feed and check horses at -11 degrees. comes in and lobs snowball at Mom! We have to keep up our spirits being snowbound. This is day 3 but who's counting- right?  Hopefully the Meet the Artist date Saturday happens. I want to see the great jazz band lined up to play during my scheduled meet and demo time! Fingers and toes crossed. But mainly prayers. It could happen!