A FULL LIFE...

OK, I DID get this picture up, our mermaid Peyton! That's my girl! She loved her dress..... 16x20 in progress collage... like my house... unfinished! A woman on a mission!! That's how I feel .... but with the children in tow! That is a wicked little purse ... but it has some money in it .... YAY! My art studio mess .... I love the metal letters in the window ...A R T Mushed paint, rolled a pointed roller thing over it and wallah.... I saw a jar with a flower.....this was fun. Used oil pastels over acrylic ... new for me. Loving those colors from the pastels.... gotta have more! Finished page for the GUT ART JOURNAL.... An idea coming from one of the field trips .... these were old photos (copies) of us when young and more shapely!....or I guess I should say LESS shapely! My Mother sewed my "Vogue" pattern dress...my whole wedding with cake, reception and four bridesmaids cost $500.00! Yes, the dot is in the right place! Collaged tissue around him in his flight suit (1967).... this is NOT Michael Jackson, (with the great lips and black glove, chuckle) but it is my honey ....I want to pursue doing something with these..... it will come to me. A quick line drawing with color pencil wash from a woman on the TV.... quickly done. Good practice.... These two (of five) beautiful children (after church) are awaiting the finished home they will have .... little by little they work on it ....it was a condemned house that got to be saved and done for a family! All their saved money and efforts and prayer! Many of you know or remember Elizama, my sort of adopted child.... known her since she was nine (now 21) .... this is her precious baby girl, a happy child, and Mom and Dad are so proud of her! She laughs a lot! Here, she has on a dress that MY MOTHER made me from feed sacks in 1947!! I still have it.... my Mother embroidered little flowers on it. We had to try it out for a photo! These are some of Pilar's ART (age 6 to 7) she would do this all day long!! We need to loosen up like the kids do with their art! And YES, SHE is a WINNER! I tried to post a picture of my grand daughter in the Mermaid dress I made her and couldn't get it off the email...will try another way later.... she is my heart! Hello to all .... I know I have not posted in a while. Here are photos and art projects ( unfinished) of what is going on in my life at the moment. Just too much to write about. However the art of mine is from some of the reflections of field trips taken on the GUT ART CLASS.... I'm very behind ....but I have taken a ton of notes and have drawings that will go in my GUT ART JOURNAL......behind?..... well, because I was blessed with an opportunity to do nine pieces of work with a deadline of three weeks, which is ending tomorrow. I can't show them and will tell about it when it all comes together ..... since it is only my work for another group. So with that I have had my head swirling in the studio ....painting nights and sleeping days.... as there are no interruptions at night. And it is probably my body clock anyway! Sleeping from 7AM to 3PM, then doing regular life...and then painting from 7PM to 7AM in heaven ... I must say. This project came as a result of much prayer and soul searching and direction that the Lord wanted me to go in my life, plus a few other things. WELL, He is MAKING it happen .... WHY am I surprised!!? Also, you will see little precious children in my life, one of the Mom's lived with me for four months when she was fifteen (now 21).... the other children are from church and a favorite family.... and then Pilar's Art.... my little artist! I keep her in sketch pads and markers...and she will draw or paint all day long! We have four full note books (sketch pads ...9x12 thick from Wal-Mart) that she has filled. Some day when she is grown I will give them to her.... so they won't get thrown away. Any who..... as you can see, I am behind in my class, but live a FULL life! And thank goodness the Lord motivated my hubby to take care of me with food during all this!! ENJOY HIS BLESSINGS!!! I AM.....

JUST A LIST OF PRACTICE FROM GUT ART CLASSES

Some things look better upside down.... I will try to keep you posted on the practice art and new expressions in art after seeing videos or going on a field trip with Mystele in the GUT ART Classes.....I have realized two things....ONE: I DO love the freedom to create and play freely (not perform!) with the art....and TWO: I'm way too busy to be able to do all I need to do....especially in my art. It is something I have to do and will begin to dedicate more time to it. I'm working on some commissions and also trying to find my authentic voice in my soul of who I am through my art expression..... I have loved the play...I already said that!! Anyway, here are a few drawings done quickly after seeing a video on the Omo people....although my girl has way more hair than they do.....she was fun and want to continue to strike out in new directions, stretching myself and using different mediums...etc...etc....enjoy! I feel blessed to get to do this class with Mystele!!! Thank you girl!!!

I HAVE BEGUN!!

Every joy in my life is a Gift! The COVER for MY Gut Art Book.... The figure is from previous pulled art I did..... One of my favorite scriptures...He started the ART in me....from a depression... A dedication page to our teacher Mystele..... you think I'll get an "A"? ha... This one gives me a giggle....yes, it is US...... having been addicted to "approval"...and trying to find my authentic self could be frightening! He is wrapped in gold..a favorite T-shirt the color of his Cub ...and the words for this was... two eyes, one mouth...the rest is art! A Dr Pepper box with handle opening.... See the texture? Delicate like the silk threads seen on a video in class... The back of the Dr Pepper box ..... Then what I saw and developed it , but it told the story.... I'm playing catch up with my Gut Art Class by Mystele. I have totally enjoyed it even though I start late at night when I have no interruptions ....I was up til 5AM last night in heaven! So shorter sleeping hours for now....thanks to a good husband I got to sleep really late! SOOO here are some pages we have done after seeing a video of other artist's work or story of fine silk woven by hand on an ancient loom and putting down quickly what we felt or something.....? Becoming our authentic self ... could be scary! I'm going to get the hang of it hopefully by just doing it even if I don't totally get it yet.... I AM GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH NO MATTER WHAT! It is kind of like playing in the mud .....so soothing to just let go and have fun....let it squish through your toes so to speak! It is fun to go through your trash and pull paper boxes bits of scraps to use for the pages for this book .... I am determined not to buy a thing! The cover pages which are folded to make the cover are from my Epson Art paper box, just cut down. Then the paper used for the "AH HA!" and portrait of Dick and I is a Dr Pepper box with the handle opening..... the more delicate piece was plain thin cardboard with gesso and when I pulled the wet side up off the surface I was laying it...it created this texture (hard to see) that resembled leaves and flowers .... so I went with it and used derwent inktense water based pencils and graphite pencil then washed the dark with water..... ANYWAY ..... not fabulous but sure was fun! The perplexed girl came out of the background but sure describes how I felt..... but in total fun. I get a kick out of what developed into Dick and I .... it says... "I love him even if he loves airplanes more than me!" Notice the big mouth, big hair.... can you see a strong personality? It bites me every once in a while .... and sweet little hubby, consistently there, maybe silent... but there! We are both studying Revelation at CBS on Mondays and boy the descriptive visuals that John described when he saw heaven. He only had earthly things to describe in comparison to..... like precious jewels, earthly animals but with six wings and eyes all around.... anyway ... it paints a picture in your mind! We can't even imagine.... well, enough said....Blessings to you all! Enjoy!

GUT ART IS HERE!!!

I opened the first videos on Mystele's GUT ART classes..... and she is a natural at teaching. She can really get you inspired to strike out and try new things in a free way.... We are going to make a book to remember all the classes and learning by.....and as I was preparing and cleaning my art space in the studio, I came across a pile of papers, some art notes from last year and a magazine I had torn collage material out of. Well, I was flipping through the magazine and came across this ad of a child eating her food.... and I got the idea to just paint on top of it and make it what "I" saw! It is a "Thank You" to Mystele for giving these classes to help us find or discover... "Ourselves" and our true style ....I think I said that right!? So here is my first FUN to just PLAY....oil pastels on top of magazine ad.....and a HEARTY THANK YOU MYSTELE.....!! Enjoy... and Blessings! ..... to be continued!! Click on picture to enlarge.

I'M READY FOR A VACATION!!!

Sorry guys.....I have been so busy with work and company for this antique weeks that I have had NO TIME to post and no time to take pictures of new art or the 21 newly framed pictures of my art I hung in the gallery day before yesterday.....yes, my feet STILL hurt, but I'm on medication for two weeks to help me through. I have the most wonderful women stay in my house, a new group of two, Linda and Perry, sent by Debbie of "Toodle Lou" baby clothes.....are like my new best friends!! So creative and fun.....we went to Fayetteville to eat at Joe's...YUM!......and shop late on the square....that was fun!! The new tennis shoes and medication gave me relief! I wish I had something new to show in photos, but no time.....so here is one of my grand daughters....in the tub last summer....cool....and right where I wish I was!! And a piece of art I didn't get finished! And big sister pushing little sister in the buggy that belonged to my daughter ...their Mother! Love that picture....wish someone would push me around to shop! Blessings to you all.....and again, sorry for no blogging....one person can just do so much!! But I am blessed....so no complaints......and THANKFUL for the people that the Lord puts in my paths!!

OH! MY HEART...I HAVE BUTTERFLIES!...TAKE FLIGHT AND FIND GOD'S GLORY!

What more can I say than what the photos already say? Our glorious creation ..... by His hand. Enjoy!! These are from this morning in the garden after needed rain yesterday .... and a needed "mind" rest for me ..... too busy these days, but love all that I have to do .... that I "want" to do. Thank you Lord for the extra energy! ....I'm so thankful that I don't have to perform for Him, that He knows me better than I do, and that He loves me in spite of myself.....that makes working for Him a lot more fun! This one's for you and Ted, Jo....we love you both for helping us be free and are praying for you! ....no more felt pincushions for a while, but will show more later.

MORE FELT CUPCAKE PIN CUSHIONS....WHILE FOOT HEALS!

More rolling the foot on a bottle of FROZEN WATER (wonderful).... and stretching excersizes ..... seems to be working for plantar faciatis ... if that is in fact what I have!? This sitting to rest the foot has been boring accept for the hand sewing of the pin cushions and some good reading. So here are a few more pin cushions I created. The angular one is a copy of an antique one I have and it consists of five squares of each fabric design. My squares were almost three inches and that makes a really big pin cushion.... so you may want to make them two inches or one and a half! The red heart with old buttons is one I had started at least fifteen years ago, so I finished it. And that is what we made in Girl's Club last week. We had to sit in the sanctuary of the church because the A/C is broken in our bigger fellowship room, so the heart pin cushion was the easiest thing to make sitting on pews. Next week hopefully the A/C will be fixed because we have all those mermaid outfits to make for our Groovy Girl Dolls ... and believe me ... they are all excited about that one!! The "Oh Solo Mio" pin cushion was inspired by a friend who loves music and is an artist, the girl that has done some barrel racing in Texas and has a famous brother in California....TEEHEE! These cup cake pin cushions have been a hit in the shop! Two are gone in one week .... so at least sitting I have produced SOMETHING ..... a teenage girl had to have one for her room!! She loves cupcakes.... it was the orange topped one on the previous post and the one with the leaves is gone as well. I may not have to put them on Etsy after all! There just isn't enough time in the day to do all I have lined up to create and paint ... boohoo! I have been going through stuff to sell at the Barn/Estate SALE that we are going to have in Round Top, Tx the weekend of Aug 28th, Fri and Sat...all day. I have gleaned things that don't mean much to me, like my Roseville collection, a chair or two, windows, doors,dishes, Raggedy Ann Dolls, antique stuff, old Needlework Magazines from 1923, etc. So come to the sale if you want some treasures from the past..... we'll have a small tent in the yard and maybe some lemonade!! Heal foot, heal foot..... thank you, Jesus!!

ANOTHER FELT CUPCAKE PIN CUSHION....

Here is number five .... these are addicting to do ..... on this one I tried to duplicate a zinnia type flower..... I never knew how much fun and pretty felt can be. I always thought of it as more of a children's craft material. So now I'm hunting more colors etc ..... and a place to purchase embroidery floss .... not much around here accept in Brenham, Texas at Stitch Haven ..... a wonderful fabric and quilt shop! I hate to keep mentioning my feet, but I am having so much pain and problems with one foot that I am forced to sit a lot ...... not good!!! BUT I can sew my pincushions ..... I MUST create!! The A/C is broken at church where the Girl's Club meets, so we sat in the cool Sanctuary and sewed a blanket stitched heart pincushion...... for each girl to have of their own. They have been soooo much fun! The Mom's are learning things too and continue to come .... as they are requesting "one for me too"! So I have a lot of girls, big and small. What a wonderful world we have for a few hours with all the girls!! I'll post pictures towards the end..... we start the mermaid doll outfit next week ...... BLESSINGS!!!!

MORE PLAY ...

Finishing touches on two pieces started a while back ..... using some color and medium I have never tried together, in this manner anyway. ..... but I like the vibrant colors of the stick colors I used. A friend calls it waking the color up and it does seem to wake the picture up. These are so different from what I used to do, but I will continue to experiment .... as it so much fun and spontaneous. The TREE OF LIFE ..... a tree with scripture leaves.... or clumps which are above the empty tomb.... that is what came out of a bunch of collaged paper and fingerprint texture ..... not sure about this one, but here it is anyway. It was done on a piece of wood and these are the prints of the finished work..... the little dress is tissue paper molded and dried and enhanced with color. Just trying different stuff .... but fun!! Enjoy!! OH!! The last picture is of my sweetheart when he was a fighter pilot in Viet Nam in 1967...... cute little bugar!

CUPCAKES and GROOVY GIRLS...

Little pin cushion from Deb that I bought at the Antique Show in June..... I bought three and gave two to my little grand daughters..... A practice dress..... A dress with a Tutu for special occasions..... A practice mermaid out fit... each girl will make one at the girl's club on sewing nite for their Groovy Girl Doll....I bought shimmery much more sparkly material for them..... Next week!! A happy girl with her dolls..... The Dress the girls will make on the third class ..... What do you do when you can't paint or go out and have to sit with painful feet propped up!? Well, you have some cupcakes with the Groovy Girls!!! OK, I'll explain.... it all started when we bought the first "Groovy Girl" Doll for Pilar and one for my Grand-daughters, Olivia, Peyton and Elena .... and a little precious pin cushion (the little tiny one) from the Antique Show in June ....... and some little girls at church bored with hot summer life with not much to do ....... SOOOO.... after not being able to sleep one nite, I was "GIVEN" this idea to have a Girl's Club at Church once a week learning the basics of sewing. They (18 to 20 girls) have pinned and cut fabric to sew on a bag and sewn buttons on a felt bracelet for practice, using felt for simplicity..... then they will start to cut and hand stitch their first little doll dress this week..... like the pink one with dots around it. The other dresses came about just for fun at home. NOW.... where did the pin cushions come in?!.......well, I've had to prop my feet up for some days and that is how the pin cushions got made..... sitting and doing nothing.... I HAD to do something!! Well, they got bigger and wider, so I decided they would be cupcakes!!! The colors were fun and the stitching which came back to me from childhood sewing...... inspired by the little pin cushion I bought from Deb. I decided I would make as many as I can while I have to rest my foot and then sell them Antique week for purchasing more felt and goodies for the God's Girls Club. Five to seven Mom's have come to the Girls Club to help and we have had such a fun time for two hours with a snack at the end. I am thankful for such enthusiastic little girls!! They are preparing to be God's Women "....she makes coverings for herself and her clothing is fine linen and purple...."......like in Proverbs 31....where it describes the woman, buying land, sewing, "making" her home. Now the boys want to do something..... I'm tempting Dick to do the Paper Airplanes with the boys. He is hoping to start that next week for around six weeks. A good time to sit and converse and just have fun building the airplanes from Fiddlersgreen.net. In the meantime.... right about now I'm wishing one of those pincushion cupcakes was real cake and icing!! ENJOY!!