My Birdsong

The Start of Something New

Since Christmas, I have been keeping a watercolor journal. I have been stretching my paintbrush muscles getting ready for another holiday season. The unfinished painting of a leaf above was actually a photograph I took while on a walk after it had rained. The sun poked out briefly adding sparkle to the water droplets all around us. It was a magical moment, and I am eager to see if I can impart that feeling. Here is another journal page.


And speaking of magic, I will be teaching this summer at Artful Gathering, the online summer art workshops. I am finishing my class samples, which I will share here soon. I will be offering two classes, one of which will be Halloween themed. Watch for details soon and check out Artful Gathering.com.

Fresh Herbs for Late Spring

The gardening season in north Florida is short, since we really can't grow much during the hot months of June, July and August. So I started early and decided to share some of the photos of our side yard, container garden. Fresh herbs are so much better, don't you think? Parsely, sage, rosemary and thyme...hmmm...I've heard that somewhere before! 

I love this little thoughtful cherub. I think of our daughter when I walk past. 

Tomatoes, lettuce, turnips and spaghetti squash are all planted in containers.

I planted these nasturtiums from seed! The flowers are edible too. Thankfully the squirrels haven't gotten them.

Our gargoyles stand watch out front amidst the azeleas. I am inspired each time I glance out the window and see the beauty of these plants. Enjoy the sights of late spring.

Art Truly Does Save

The new year brings January birthdays for my husband and our beloved Brianna. So it is always a month full of duplicity. A time for celebration and promise for new beginnings, coupled with sadness and loss. We have wonderful memories of holidays past, when the whole family was here, and those help us through these times. But some days are still filled with disbelief that someone so dear can be gone forever.

Trevor also heads back to college after a month-long break of holiday cheer and relaxation at home. It's hard letting him return to his other life on campus, some 10 hours drive away. When he leaves, the sense of loss is almost overwhelming.

That's my cue to hide away in my studio and get lost in my art. It truly does save. Above is one of my current works-in-progress.

So with cherished memories of the not-so-distant past of 2012 and the memories of when we all were together years ago, we carry on and look to a new year filled with art.

Take a Sneak Peek at My Online Paper Mache Workshop for this Summer!

 

I'm so excited for this summer workshop! Here's a sneak peek at what you'll see in my classroom!

Up, up and away!

Giveaways, Gardens and Glass

Last week, my husband and I jumped aboard a bus headed for Winter Park, Florida, to tour Leu Gardens, the Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens and the The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. What a treat it was!

Our traveling companions were 50 of my fellow St. Augustine Garden Club members, whom I recently joined officially last month. We learned much about what types of plants grow in the northern part of the state and what might work with what, we plan on creating, as a New Orleans courtyard in our backyard.

Afterward, we headed to lunch on our own and happened upon a delicious little restaurant, the Paris Bistro. We sat outside, had a glass of wine and quiche of the day. Then, we were awed by the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany. I just can't explain the beauty of the leaded-stained glass windows - many of which came from Tiffany's own house after it had burned, jewelry, paintings, art glass, and of course, gorgeous lamps. We had no idea what to expect, but I can tell you we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! On the way back, the bus load of us sipped wine and munched on cheese, crackers and cookies as the final capper to the day! I encourage you to take a local garden or museum tour. What creative inspiration it provides!

Speaking of tours....hop on over to the amazing:

Riki Schumacher
http://rikijewelry.blogspot.com/
 

(To Pick Up the Next Secret Word in the Artful Gathering Blog Hop)

All the details are below, so read on and take the blog tour!

   

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,

Open for Registration!

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the $25 e-card to Jerrys.

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

The Dawning of a New Year

The year 2011 is here and I can't believe another year has gone. Many of you know our family's story and the sadness we have in our hearts always. As each year passes, our broken hearts scar over. The wound becomes a part of us, shaping us into who we are now. Sometimes, our life before seems like a dream. Maybe that is what happens to all of us at one point or another.

But it is a time for rebirth and new beginnings too. I take extra care to enjoy my family and friends and "be in the moment." Recently, my love of cooking has been reawakened and I'm enjoying my time in the kitchen preparing fresh, healthy meals for my husband and son and on special occasions, creating adventurous delights for family and friends.

I find myself also getting back to basics in my art, sketching in my art book to hone my skills and enrolling in a local drawing exploration class to further my abilities. It also means a fresh start for my studio.

After years of collecting vintage finds and art supplies, I've realized that I've supplied myself out of a work space! My studio was too full for me! So I am shedding the extras. Thankfully, I am participating in a local Craft Tent Sale, in which several local artists will gather at our downtown antique shop and sell our overflows to other eager artists looking for embellishements for their work. The sidewalk and tent sale will be Saturday, January 29, 9 am - 3 pm, at Cottage Jewel Antiques, 100 East Prospect, Danville, CA. I will, however, have to control my temptation to buy from my fellow participating artisans!

  So it is with regret and eagerness that I welcome the new year. My wish for you all is that it is filled with peace, understanding and gratitude.

"This moment is unique in all my life and I will appreciate it fo itself." ~ Martha Whitmore Hickman

Discovering Precious Moments

Our son was leaving the house and noticed a bird fly out from our porch. He noticed that it came from the area where we keep a wicker chair and where I have hung a concrete owl. The sculptured owl's wings are spread and it has two glass marbles for eyes. It was made to hold a votive, and the eyes light up casting an eerie glow over the piece.

Here, I used the flash on my camera and you can see how the eyes glow. Well being a curious young man, Trevor wondered what the bird was doing. When we first moved into our home, the overhead porch light had been left partially open and a bird had nested inside it. Of course, we were careful not to turn the porch light on for fear we'd burn what little babies might be inside. 

But there was no open porch light this time. So after leaving the house several times through the front door and noticing the same behavior from this bird, our son decided to peek inside the owl. Lo and hehold, what do you think he found?!

You guessed it! A sweet little bird's nest complete with five dainty little eggs! You can't tell from the harsh light of my flash, but they are the loveliest shade of blue. Isn't it ironic that a small bird would choose to make a nest inside the sculpture of a carnivorous owl? I'll try to take pictures along the way, without disturbing the little darlings to be. What would be ideal is if I could snap a pic of the bird on the nest! It reminds me of our families and holding our loved ones close. Like the Mermaid Queen and her little mer-baby in the Under the Sea theater, I created and now have listed on eBay.

Precious moments like these happen everyday. All we need do is recognize and take a few minutes to enjoy them. Soon our son will be flying the coop on his way to college and our nest will be much quieter. I am cherishing the time we spend together. Remember, each day is a gift. 

Bathing Beauties Now Appearing

Several treasures from the seashore featuring sweet bathing beauties have now been listed in my etsy shop. Getting ready for grads and dads in the coming weeks. Happy summer!

My How Time Flies!

Preparing for Glitterfest Saturday, May 22, 10 am - 3 pm, at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge in Southern California. I am immersed in images of mermaids, bathing beauties and treasures from the deep. Stop by and say hello. And for all you Halloween lovers, I'll have a small display of my latest creations celebrating October 31. Hope to see you there!