My Invisible Muse

Pinterest---Love ya!

2012-01-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

Wow! I think I have found the perfect tool for surfing the web and saving trees (because I will never buy another magazine). It's name is Pinterest (pinterest.com). You create boards for different topics of interest. Just about everyone I know has a food board...funny how we all gravitate towards food. Anyhow, you create your boards and download the PinMarklet which is a button on your browser bar. So now as you are surfing the web and find an beautiful photograph or a great recipe you can "pin" it to your board. What's even more fun? Looking at other people's boards and pin stuff from those. You can follow people or just certain boards you like.

It's so much fun to see all the amazing things out there. The fabulously creative and inspiring people. And when I'm down and feeling blue I go to the humor category and it never fails before long I'm busting out laughing at the ridulous and hilarious things people have posted. I've noticed many from the Zentangle community are on Pinterest so it's another great way to stay connected to fellow tanglers.

What's really amazing it that it allows you to connect with people you would never have met in person or may have even met and had no idea you had so much in common. I have come across people with the exact same sense of humor, it sounds so minor but that feeling of "Hey someone out there really gets me...and they don't even know me!" is pretty amazing. Especially, when sadly we probably all have people who have been in our lives a very long time that never really get us.

I will warn you that Pinterest is very addictive and you can possibly lose hours of time to pinning. So you may want to set limits for yourself! But I can also tell you that you will be inspired by the art you see and the community you will build. And if you're like me you will save a bundle on magazines because it's all out there on the web! When you get on look me up, I'll follow you!

Jumping on and jumping off

2011-10-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

I know I need to spend more time with my blog. But unfortunately life has tripped me up lately. I have worked on a few things and I'm always tangling. Here is a journal cover I did for a friend.

I look with longing at my studio some days, wishing I could while away the hours. I'm working two jobs, looking after a teenager who can't drive yet, and doing stuff with the volunteer organization I belong to...busy life. I have spent time in my studio putting things back where they belong after a water leak and repair. But that's about it, no paint covered hands or glue on my elbows. Someday soon, I promise myself.

Back to Zentangle

2011-06-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been a hectic couple of months in our household! Lots of time on the road since the FIRST Robotics team (2363) that my kids are on won the Palmetto regional! Next was a flurry of fundraising so we could go to the National Championship in St. Louis. What an experience! Then there was the grad class in order to keep my teaching license. Then soccer finals and championship games. Then before I know it, my "baby" boy Chris is moving his tassle to the other side of his cap and walking across the stage to become a high school graduate! Deep breath!

Through it all Zentangle has been my constant companion. The mini kit Rick and Maria gave us at the October CZT training is tattered and worn but I can't bring myself to change it to a new box...it's like an old friend. On every plane ride (four weekends in a row in a plane or in a car!), waiting in lines, even sitting in the stands between matches I had my kit with me tangling at every opportunity. I've been catching up on reading the blogs and looking at all the lovely work from the challenges. I'm so excited to be scheduling classes for this summer and next fall. I can't wait to order some of the new things...those black tiles look amazing.

I just wanted to share with you a piece of art my daughter did for an art assignment at the end of this school year. They were asked to make a mandala. She incorporated several tangle like patterns in some of the spaces in the piece. I really love the inverted Betweed that looks like bananas. I think she did a great job so I thought I'd share it with you.

Charleston = Inspiration

2011-04-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

We had the chance to visit Charleston a week or so ago. Beautiful place! I loved the houses and the shopping. We ate at a really great BBQ place called Sticky Fingers. The only thing better than the food was the service. HIGHLY recommend it. We also stopped by the Moon Pie General Store. It was so much fun. For those of you non-southerners out there...RC and Moon Pie is what they call the champagne and caviar of the south.

The houses were just incredible and the ironwork was beautiful. I kept making my husband stop so I could take pictures. So much inspiration at every turn. There were several patterns that seemed to be repeated in many gates and fences. Here are a few pictures.

Loved this gate!

But I think I love the shadow it casts even more!

Charleston is definitely a Zentangle kind of town. I think that we need to do a Master class in Charleston and our homework can be to find patterns on the streets, break them down and teach them to each other! Lovely place. If you ever have a chance, go.

Challenge #11 Monotangle

2011-03-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

Here is my tile for this week's challenge. The challenge was to use one tangle to make a tile. It's a betwixt betweed.

Kids and Zentangle

2011-02-27T16:18:00.000-08:00

Wow! Zentangle has been a huge success with the students at the elementary school where I work. I have a group of third graders and a group of 4th graders going already. And in two weeks I'll do two weeks of classes with each of the fifth grade classrooms. I love the enthusiasm they bring to Zentangle. They just LOVE it.

The other day one of the third graders who has been tangling for several months now, and is proudly the best at remembering all the tangle names, stopped me in the hallway and pulled me into his class because he just had to show me something. Out of his desk he pulls a black and white composition notebook. He holds it up to me and says "Look Mrs. Garrity, my notebook has Keeko ALL over it!" Instead of the random spackle look of a regular composition notebook, sure enough the design was Keeko!

In the fourth grade class I've worked with we were learning two new tangles to practice. I love Ahh!. It's really fun to teach in elementary school because you can connect it to the Social Studies curriculum. When I teach it I say the cardinal directions for each line as I draw, and the kids know them from map skills so it helps them to understand where the lines go. Once I get them started I walk around the room checking out their work. One of the boys stopped me and said "Mrs. Garrity, Ahh is ahhsome!".

I love the fact that this art form gives everyone young or old the opportunity to be an artist!

Weekly Challenge #9

2011-02-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

Using Artoo tangle:

Two New Kindred Spirits and a Coffee Cup

2011-02-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

Today I met with two lovely ladies and taught them how to create Zentangle tiles. They did a fabulous job. I had a wonderful time and the 3 hours just flew by. They both seemed to really enjoy the experience and said they would continue to tangle (I warned them at the start that it could be very addictive). They also wanted to know if I could do another class with some more patterns and maybe some additional ideas. We talked about other art that we do and found common ground. Seriously, I have found so many kindred spirits through my art. It's amazing to find people that you can be comfortable with in just minutes, people drawn to each other by a common interest.

Zentangle itself has created so many connections for me. Some I've connected with face to face and others through the magic of the internet. For a group spread out all over the world it is an amazingly tight knit group. I find inspiration and new patterns all throughout the many blogs and discussion groups I now follow. I always wished for a community of artists to hang out with and now I have it!

Real quick I wanted to share my latest work with you. A story of serendipity, I was thinking I should get a clear travel mug that you can insert a picture into and had even looked them up on the web for prices. I was thinking I'd tangle on the insert and I'd have myself a Zentangle coffee cup and a conversation starter rolled into one. Well as luck would have it I found one of those travel mugs at the swap I went to in Richmond! I just finished the last pattern today. I love it! I think I will do several sheets so I can switch it out for a new look.

The Crafter's Anonymous Swap

2011-02-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday my daughter Meghan and I headed up to Richmond to the Art Works gallery for the Crafter's Anonymous Swap. The weekend before I cleaned and reorganized my studio and put things I felt I wouldn't need or use into a shopping bag.

Here is how it works. People bring in bags of things that they no longer need or use. Paper, fabric, art supplies, jewelry making things, etc. The items get sorted out on to tables. Then you shop and anything you can fit in your bag is up for grabs. This is a great way to clean out AND stock up!

We got there just as it was starting, traded in my bag of stuff which gave me a $5 discount on the $6 fee. Meghan brought her own bag to shop with so she got a dollar off her total. So for both of us to get in was a total of $6 dollars. We meandered on over to the paper table and started digging through. I found some really cool stuff! Press board shapes that I could tangle on, great papers with lots of interest, some press board accordion things that will be great to put Zentangle tiles on to display them. We made several trips around the room picking up this and that. Sometimes we would pick up something and know right away what we would do with it. Other things were just weird or cool or whatever, those we put in our bags and decided we would figure out the why later.

Meghan shopping away!

This swap was such a great experience and an AWESOME idea. I always enjoy hanging out with my kids so this was a nice opportunity for Meghan and I to do something fun and artsy. You may want to check to see if you have a similar thing in your area.

Here is a list of some of the great things we got:
wooden balls and eggs
cardboard christmas trees, flowers and frames
a six plug wall adapter

Good Stuff!

fibered tissue papers

fabric

contact paper in clear and chalkboard

a cigar box of colored pencils

funky little snowmen heads

a measuring tape

papers
liquid flux
a box full of old buttons

a Mr Potato Head (just the head)

pipe cleaners

metallic crayons

ribbon
and so much more!

We also visited the gallery to see all the lovely work. I saw this studio space was for rent. For second I was moving to Richmond renting that space and becoming a full time artist. Reality called me back rather quickly...but really that floor was MEANT for a Zentangle studio!

Godzilla rides again!

Remember to take time out today to see the exceptional in the ordinary! It's all around you!

A Paradox at the Drugstore

2011-01-28T05:32:00.000-08:00

Pantene changes their labels too much for me. I'm a visual shopper, change the label and I'm lost! But I have to say I do like this new design...

Pantene Paradox

It would have been funny if the product had been a detangler. So it's true what they say about Zentangle, once you start you see patterns everywhere you go....even at Walgreens!

Weekly Challenge #6

2011-01-27T05:59:00.000-08:00

Shining a Light on Zentangle

2011-01-26T07:40:00.000-08:00

I love interior design, enough that several years ago I got my certification as an interior decorator. I've never done any work on a professional level, only on a friend level. I love when my friends ask for help picking out paint and deciding on furniture. I have redecorated my own home several times since we moved in and am always looking for new ideas. I enjoy looking at modern design, though it isn't something I use much in my own home. I do love the simple, clean lines of the style. I'm a big fan of Thomaspaul, his graphic designs on dishes and other home decor is just wonderful.

Anyhow, I really like this one site called 2modern. I know it's weird, but I can't get enough of the out of the ordinary chair and lighting designs. Stig Hanson designs lights that are made out of interlocking shapes cut from plastic. You have to assemble the pieces and there are different configurations you can do. As I'm looking at this light thinking how I'd love to have one... it hits me. It's a three dimensional Zentangle! Each plastic piece looks sort of like an inverted Cadent.

Then I remembered finding a lighting company online a couple of years ago, before discovering Zentangle, that designs lights that cast shadows on the wall. The company is called Sha-Do. They really are the neatest lights I've seen. The shadows are very "tangley" in nature. Be sure to look through all the different sections including Virus and Tripes.

How much fun would it be to have lights in your home like these. Just imagine if you could draw out a design for them to cut for you! Which tangle(s) would you choose?

Zentangle Rug

2011-01-23T12:24:00.000-08:00

Look at this fabulous rug made by Linda Campbell.

Linda was in my first Zentangle class which I taught at the Rawls Museum. She went home and made this rug using canvas, gesso, acrylic, and black paint pens. Look at the Shattuck all around the border. Amazing work! Another person from the class made one too, but I haven't seen hers yet.

I am so impressed with her work. I think I may have to make one of them for myself. I will probably use left over linoleum like I did with the floor cloth in front of my dryer. I've written about that rug in this post. It's an cheap and easy way to make an accent rug. Obviously not meant to be warm and fuzzy...but it sure is easy to clean! This is such a great idea, Linda, thanks for sharing it with us!

Sketchbook 2011

2011-01-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

This is my first year participating in the Sketchbook Project. I have to say I have really enjoyed the process. The deadline was actually a good thing for me to deal with, it made me dig in and try harder. I combined some different types of media including photo editing and paint and sharpies. My favorite page is made with acrylic paint and black pen tangles in the shape of a hand. I'm hoping that we can go to the traveling exhibit when it's in Washington DC which is an easy drive from where I live. I have been looking at other sketchbooks on the website and the work is phenomenal. If you are interested in checking it out: http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

I love the way the Moleskine expands as you add to it. The edges of the pages become so irregular.

Here is my barcode! If you visit the exhibit you can look me up! Number 42119.

I don't know if all artist get attached to their work, but I have had a hard time letting this journal go. I finally got it packed up in the envelope and it's off to the post office tomorrow. It's very exciting to think it will travel all over the country and will hopefully be viewed by lots of people. I have it set up so that everytime some looks at it I get a text on my phone. This is gonna be fun!

My First Zentangle Class

2011-01-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I taught my first adult Zentangle class. I have to say I was nervous in the days leading up to it. Preparing my kits and practicing on my chart paper and making sure I had all my supplies. Come Saturday morning I felt like I was really prepared. What I wasn't prepared for was the icey roads and the accident on Rt. 58! I could remember Maria saying make sure you get there with enough time to relax and not feel rushed before you start. Well that wasn't going to happen! In fact I got there late! But instead of my normal frustration and anxiety when I was sitting in the car, I decided to take some deep breaths. I thought to myself "There are things that are beyond my control. What can I do to change this situation? Nothing!". I sent out the hope that the people involved in the accident were okay, because certainly their problems at that moment were much bigger than being late getting somewhere. So I waited, breathed and slowly went through the steps for all the tangles I planned to teach. The result of that was when I finally did arrive I was calm and ready to start teaching.

I have had a dream of teaching others art for many years. I honestly could not have asked for a more wonderful group of ladies to be in my first class. They were equal parts fun, enthusiastic, eager, helpful and talented! Look at the work they did on their very first tiles:

FABULOUS!

I hope to work with these ladies again soon. I learned a lot and they gave me some helpful suggestions that I will definitely be using in future classes. Teaching my first class was a lot like making my first tile...hey look at that I CAN do this!

Silence is Golden, Duct Tape is Silver

2011-01-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes my inner critic just won't shut up! "Who are you to think you can do that? Who would ever think you are good at this or that?" Blah, blah, blah. I just want to cover my ears and say "LaLaLaLa".

I've thought of creating a "shut up the inner critic" amulet made with duct tape of course. Something to touch that will remind me to ignore that droning voice and pay attention to the sounds of hope and the lovely noise that dreams make as they come true.

It dawned on me that I rarely hear the inner critic when I am working on a Zentangle tile. There are several reasons why I believe this is the case. First off, when I start a tile there is NO expectation. I have no idea how it will look when it's done. If there is no expectation, no "something" it's supposed to look like, then there is nothing to criticize. Ha! I also think that the relaxed focus creates a protective bubble around you as you work on a tile. There is no space in your brain to let his voice be heard.

At any rate I have been thinking about the fact he can't be heard when I tangle and have been practicing what I am calling being present in the moment of creativity. So today as I was monoprinting some papers to restock my supply I was carefully attending to the process. The way the paint was dripping and splashing on the plexiglass. The look of the colors as they combined slightly under the brayer. I didn't over think the results or analyze what to do next, I became present in the moment of creating. I let the paint flow and just did what felt good without worrying if it would look okay when I was done.

The result? Some of the best background papers I've ever done! And way more important? I enjoyed it every step of the way. I never felt anxious or worried about the results. A fabulous way to function and the critic was SILENT!

Putting the Zen in Zentangle

2010-11-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

Big conversations going on in the world of Zentangle. I recently posted to our CZT discussion group asking for a ready reply to a situation I had encountered. Twice in so many weeks when I shared my Zentangle art with someone and they knocked it down with "That's not art that's just doodling." I wanted to draw on the experiences and the expertise of the wonderful CZT group. I got some really awesome replies. Lots of really good information that has prepared me for the next time.

At the same time Rick and Maria posted a similiar discussion on their own blog, which you can see here http://zentangle.blogspot.com/2010/11/conversation.html . I just have to say the email sent by that person was in turns hurtful, insulting and annoying. I wonder why people take the time...if you don't like tangling, ignore it, no one is forcing a Micron pen and lovely Italian paper into your hand.

For some reason I had never thought to look up the actual definition of the word doodle. Here is what I found on three different web dictionaries.
A doodle is a type of sketch, an unfocused drawing made while a person's attention is otherwise occupied.
make a doodle; draw aimlessly
doodle - scribble: an aimless drawing

Zentangle is the opposite of every red word you see above. It is focused, purposeful, and intentional drawing. As you create, it will draw you in and center you. It's breaking patterns down and reinventing them. It is relaxing and fun.

What I gained from all of the comments and discussions is a greater understanding and even more enthusiasm for this art. The bottom line for me is Zentangle is a philosophy, a method of drawing patterns that can be taught in many variations. I can also say with certainty that had I sent a question out to the universe about the process of doodling, I would never have been wrapped in the supportive arms of community or encouraged with words of wisdom as I was by my fellow CZTs when I posted my Zentangle question.

I'll close with one of my favorite comments, one by Nancy Ubin: There is room for all perspectives, turn your tile. Not only important in tangling, but also in life!

See Something Different

2010-11-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

I've always loved looking at things a different way. Like the cloud game most of us played as kids. In fact, just recently my daughter and I saw a really awesome rabbit in the clouds.

I found a great site which has a collection of animals seen by people as they looked at the map for the Underground subway system in London. It's really amazing what people see! I love the snail. http://www.animalsontheunderground.com/the_animals.html

Take time everyday to look at the ordinary and see the exceptional.

2010-10-28T17:25:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

More on Zentangle

2010-10-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

I really had to think hard about this, but I just couldn't change the name of my blog. My Invisible Muse has so much meaning in my life. It's the inner voice I ignored for so many years. The voice that my inner critic drowned out everytime I tried something new or even leaned towards calling myself an artist. My Invisible Muse is what led me to Zentangle and is the voice that now encourages me and tells me that I can do or be whatever I want.

I have added a new tag line though. Because my blog will be shifting slightly towards my new love of tangling and the art of Zentangle. I will of course continue to talk about any art adventures just because it's fun to share these experiences.

As you read in my last post I recently became a CZT or Certified Zentangle Trainer. I read the best description on Jane Monk's blog about our training she wrote "Going to Rick and Maria's is almost like a pilgrimage, it has certainly changed my outlook and ideas about Zentangle." Such a great description Jane! I can't imagine taking this class anywhere else. So I came up with the following list...if you know me you know I love a good list!

Reasons Why We Tangle in Whitinsville

1. Rick and Maria. Okay they are portable but their house isn't! I thought I took good pictures but they just don't capture the warm, friendly, welcoming feeling of visiting their home and studio. Gracious, loving, wonderful, creative, funny, kind, and generous...I could go on.
2. Oakhurst. Wow. Let's see...history, wood work, huge, gorgeous, lovely, open, patterns, patterns, and patterns! And don't even get me started on the food...more on this later.
3. Terry and Ed. Also portable, but they can't bring Oakhurst with them! They are the ingredient that makes what could be just a huge, empty Victorian mansion feel like home. And speaking of ingredients man can they cook! Delicious food morning, noon and night...and coffee all day long. They were over the top helpful with anything we needed. Wonderful people.
4.Atmosphere. This one is harder to describe. Can I just say that I have been to many conferences and stayed in many hotels where conferences are held...I have never experienced the atmosphere of creativity, shared joy, enthusiasm, and focus like I experienced in Whitinsville. I was sad to leave because I didn't want that feeling to end.
5. Family. Now this one might sound a bit strange. But there was something that made the experience seem more personal. Rick and Maria surround themselves with family. We all met members of their family, talked with them, learned from them, heard stories about them and were helped by them. It creates a feeling of trust and acceptance that can't be replaced and can not be found anywhere else but Whitinsville.

So there's my list. Traveling to Whitinsville is one of the most wonderful art experiences I've ever had and probably ever will. Thank you Rick and Maria for making it possible.

Want to see my Zentangles?

2010-10-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

I just had an AMAZING experience in a small town called Whitinsville, MA. Of course I can’t even write the word “amazing” without hearing Kass Hall say it with her lovely Australian accent.

I really can't wait to see where this takes me. I like the idea that it is art for everyone, artist and non-artist alike!

I learned so much about the art of Zentangle and I can't wait to start teaching everyone I know. So you may see me carrying around Micron pens and smallish sheets of paper. If you are interested in learning more about Zentangle let me know!

Here are a few pieces of the work I did while I was there.

What's on your windowsill?

2010-07-27T12:43:00.000-07:00

I sometimes think you can learn a lot about a person based on what is on the windowsill in their kitchen. Is it crammed with whatever? Decorated? Empty? Think about it. Does your windowsill have the same things on it your mom's windowsill did? Did you learn that was what people keep there by her example or did her windowsill drive you crazy so now you do something totally different.

I'm not sure what it says about me, but mine is a combination of utilitarian and decorative. I have a collection of old glass bottles that I love. So I keep them on the windowsill organizing them in pleasing arrangements and using them by turns as flower containers or a place to dry my brushes. I happen to like the look of the brushes in the window. It's kind of decorative and at the same time reminds me that I have recently found time in my busy schedule to do the thing I love...art.

One of the jars always contains loose change. You can pretty much tell the financial tides of the month with this jar. The rest of the sill is kind of messy with the collected clutter of the season...a smooth stone I like to pick up and hold in my hand sometimes just because it reminds me that time changes things as much as it keeps things the same. Right now a small collection of shells also sits on the sill. A sign that it's summer and that Meghan hasn't put them away in whatever nook in her room that is, by now, overflowing with shells from many beaches. There is also a tomato sitting there....this was definitely something my mom did. It has something to do with letting them ripen I think. But anytime a get a tomato from someone it goes on the sill.

Feel free to post links to pictures of your windowsills here...I'd love to see what your windowsill says about you!

To Market, To Market

2010-07-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

Manteo's Waterfront Farmer's Market...fresh produce, baked goods and art. Hello, does it get any better?

I did not purchase any of the fresh produce even though it looked fabulous. However, the baked goods and art are another matter. Life is an adventure so why not try the weird foods, the stuff you never heard of before. So at a baked goods stand Meghan and I bought some lemon and lavender cookies. I know! Sounds strange...I mean isn't lavendar something you stick in your closet and drawers so your clothes smell nice? Or spray on your pillow so you get a good nights sleep? Well, apparently you can also eat it in a cookie! I have to admit I was expecting it to taste like a mouthful of potpourri...but it was delicious!

Lots of great art. Sea glass jewelry, bags, beaded jewelry, wrist/ankle bands and some cool stuff by the art guild. One of the really neat things we saw were journals made from board games and old books. I was thinking of making some with watercolor paper inside so I could art journal with them. We saw some really pretty and unique items.

I did buy some joint support herbal salve from my favorite herbal remedy shop called Sea Willow Herbs. I year ago I purchased some muscle salve from them and it was the only thing that worked on my shoulder and arm pain. It feels marvelous, smell fabulous and works on the pain!! She has an Etsy shop now so you can check these products out at http://www.etsy.com/shop/seawillowherbs .

I have to say, I love a farmer's market. The stuff is unique, the people are friendly and there is lots of free air to breathe. If you are headed to OBX this summer check out the Manteo Waterfront market, it's worth the short drive. And if you are planning a staycation instead...do a search on Google for farmer's markets in your area!

Sidenote:I came to realize on our trip to Manteo why I can't eat the tomatos we buy in the store. I'm convinced they are cardboard replicas of the real thing. Three tomatos out of my dad's backyard and I was transported back in time to when my mom grew tomatoes in our yard. Red, juicy, full of flavor slices of lycopene heaven. Slice them and top with a sprinkle of sea salt and fresh pepper....yum. Do not spoil the flavor with mayo or bread (although I ate my share of those delicious sandwiches my mom made). I'm thinking next year we will be growing some maters in our yard!

Life Really Is a Beach!

2010-05-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

On Mother's Day the choice was mine. Where should we go and what should we do? I decided I wanted to go for a walk on Grandview Beach to look for sea glass. I wanted to find some nice pieces for a Sea Glass Transfer class I'm taking this month at Art and Soul. The weather was absolutely beautiful and although it's a bit of a hike to get to the beach it's well worth it! I have never been on a beach with such variety of fun stuff to look at and collect. Smooth stones, sea shells, interesting sponges, colorful corals, and of course sea glass.

When you first get to the beach it's a little rough looking. You can't get to the water because of the stumps and growth near the water line. You have to keep walking to get to the good stuff. But really even the stumpy growth was neat to look at, just not to walk on!

We kept walking and got to the part where we could walk down to the water with ease. So the hunt began. Steve and Chris took off at a brisk walk and soon we couldn't see them any more. Meghan and I meandered in a zig zag down the beach. Sometimes at the waters edge and sometimes high up in the soft sand near the sea grass. With our heads down in search of glass. We found beautiful shell linings that look like mica, sheer and gold in color. We found smooth round flat stones great for stacking. And lots of sea glass.

We had the best time just finding things and looking around at the scenery. We saw stone patterns in the sand. This one looked like the wings I draw on my signature! We couldn't figure out if they were man made or if the tide just carried them up and left them in that pattern. I like to think the water left them there.

I was thinking about our day and how Meghan and I took so long to make our way along the beach. Most of the time we were looking straight down, looking at the small details in the sand and focusing on one thing at a time, glass or rocks. We almost walked past a small rock island a short distance off shore without seeing it because we were focused and looking down. I realized a lot of the time that's how I live my life. Always looking at the small details and never taking enough time to look up at the big picture. If we hadn't stopped occasionally to look up and look around, we would have missed some beautiful scenery...the big picture. I really should take more time in my day to reflect on the bigger issues and events in my life. Like most things in life it's all about balance. There is no way to avoid the small details of everyday life. I just need to find a better balance. Take a step back to see the big picture and enjoy the scenery or it will all pass me by.

Sometimes it seems just a blink of an eye between my kids being babies and being teenagers now. The small details fill up each day in a frenzy and before you know it the time is gone. I'm setting a goal for myself to slow it down and enjoy the view. Our day at Grandview was one of those occasions...time with my family, slow it down, soak it up and enjoy the view. Enjoy those conversations in the car and at the dinner table. Because in the next blink they will be gone...adults with families of their own.

As far as a beach walk is concerned, there is something to be said for looking down at what's right in front of you from time to time...there are jewels just waiting to be found.

For more wonderful pictures of Grandview view this Slide file. http://www.slide.com/r/fPqg7am8zz8pNfoYJqmKx385mtSC2u6S?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

All photos on this page were taken by Meghan Garrity.

Beautiful Lampwork

2010-04-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

Headed over to d'Art Center, which had moved and with the light rail constuction was a nightmare to find. Anyhoo, on this trip I met a lampwork artist by the name of Cathy Jo Ramsey. Truly one of the loveliest people I have ever met. Her space at d'Art is filled with her beautiful glasswork, thousands of glass rods stored in and on antique furniture pieces and her work station. She worked as a PE teacher for 30 years. Retired now, she is following her artist heart to working with glass. She began as a glass blower and has now moved into lampwork. I have to say she was so much fun to watch and speak with. She demonstrated how she makes her signature piece, a glass oyster on the half shell. Take a look at her work here http://www.glass-imaginings.com/index.html . The way she blends the glass color and curls the edges was truly fascinating. She was very encouraging when I spoke with her about trying lampwork myself. I had to say though I would probably end up with a blob of ugly glass! I guess as with any art it takes a lot of practice to become good at what you do. I told her she would be a great vendor at Art and Soul. I'm sure her items would sell like hotcakes. If you are ever at d'Art Center make sure you stop by to see this wonderful lady and stay awhile to watch and chat.

Not much else was open in the d'Art center on a Sunday afternoon but with all glass fronts you could see the work of other artists. Normally they are there working and sell their art. Apparently, during the week they have lunch events with music. It is definitely a place to visit again, perhaps on a Saturday when more artists are around. Check out their website http://www.d-artcenter.org/splash.html. If you park at MacAuthor mall it's just a two block walk. Directions, hours and parking suggestions are listed on the website.

As usual another art adventure leads to lovely things and lovely people!

An April Ramble

2010-04-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took off to explore. I headed out to Hampton to Queens Way. This shopping/restaurant area consists of small shops all in a row with brick sidewalks and housed in old buildings. Great ambience. I wish there were more stores to peruse because the ones that are there are great! I started off in a cottage store called Shabby Chic (47 E Queens Way). Wonderful paint flaked windows, sea glass, and all other sorts of old stuff. They have these wonderful mermaids cut from old wood then embellished with sea glass and sea shells. One of those would look so nice in my new bathroom!

At the back of the store you walk through an open area and up some stairs and find yourself in another store, Modernlux. Great retro stuff! Loved the kitschy zippered pouches and shopping bags. A bonus for the green me, they are made from 90% reclaimed materials. If you are lookinig for something mid-century this store is the place to hit. You can become a fan/friend on their Facebook page, Modernlux Hampton.

My next stop was Something Different (19 E Queens Way). Great combination of architectural elements, signs, and garden items interspersed with antiques. I saw several architectural elements I would have loved to hang in my studio. I'll be back for another visit once I get my studio reorganized and figure out what to do with my walls that aren't being used for storage!

Just walking through this area on a beautiful Spring day was a joy. I cut through to W. Queens Way, passing by one of the best tea rooms in the area, The Grey Goose. The menu offers a lot of variety. For those of you not vegetarian, this is one of the places you can get a bowl of Brunswick Stew and Virginia Ham biscuits...two VA treats. Not only great food, but they offer music and dinner theater events which they have dubbed Dinnertainment. One of my favorite director/actors Roxanne Whitmore Kohlman performs at the Grey Goose. By eating here you would also support 3/50 Projects "Eat down the street" initative! (More on this later.)

As I looped back around to my car I meandered through the Blue Skies Gallery. This art gallery contains work from many local artists all for sale. A couple of my favorite picks: The pottery by David Fletcher which is fired in an actual open flame fire instead of a kiln. The markings on the pieces are gorgeous. The assemblage art by Susan Bastinelli. I'm usually not an assemblage fan, due to the fact it often frightens me in a Sid Phillips tortured toys sort of way. However, the piece she has at the Blue Sky Galleries is great. Normal everyday objects and a clock casing used to create a quirky and fun face with a tuft of broom hair. And of course all of the jewelry! I love art jewelry and have gotten to the point where that's about all I wear anymore. I could have dropped big dollars on jewelry here but I was really trying to be good!

Speaking of spending money, if you aren't aware of the 3/50 project click on the link to the right on my blog and find out more. In a nutshell it's about spending your money locally to save the small privately owned business in your community. You pick three and spend a total of $50 dollars each month. Something you might not know is that for every $100 dollars spent at locally owned independent stores $68 stays in the community through taxes, wages and other expenditures. If you spend it at a national chain only $43 stays here. They have created another promotion on their site called "Eat down the street." It's the same kind of concept only it involves eating once a week at one of the local, privately owned restaurants instead of a big chain restaurants. One of my favorite locally owned restaurants is Papou George's. The food is great and the atmosphere is fun. If you go get the homemade potato chips! So, if you are planning to spend the day shopping and maybe stop for a bite to eat...support our local businesses!

Spring is Here!

2010-04-08T16:18:00.001-07:00

Spring has arrived. She came to my studio just this week. Yes, I know Spring started on March 20th. But her representative, also named Spring, found me at Tuesday Morning and came home with me. She looks great with one of my background pieces behind her, doesn't she? She now resides on my desk and reminds me of all things spring-ish.

This is my favorite season. I love the weather and the feeling of new beginnings. It's like everything is in a refresh mode. Trees are greening, flowers are blooming, and everyone is sprucing up their homes. The only thing I don't like is the pollen. It's on everything, in my eyes and making my sinuses go crazy. It rises from the streets in plums as cars drive by.

I'm excited to say I have completed a piece for a friend who just moved into a new place. I was inspired by an article in Cloth, Paper, Scissors by Jenn Mason (she is also a CPS editor). So I went to work yesterday and completed it today. I'm happy to have my hands in the paint again. It's been a long dry spell with little creativity except for the theater sort. I was one of the chairwomen for the Dinner Theater production held by the Junior Women's Club of Hilton Village. So I got to reconnect with my theater background which was a lot of fun. But I really found I was missing my art and working in my studio to create. I have been so busy with all the other things in my life and have made little time for my art. But it's Spring Break and I found the time! Yay!

I was so busy I missed an issue of CPS! I can't believe it, I never do that! Also, in this current issue of CPS is a reader challenge called "Fly Your Creative Flag". I will definitely be participating in that challenge!

I'm also in the count down stage for Art and Soul which is May 20-24. I haven't even started making trades. I have some ideas and may have to scale back some in order to get them done. The theme this year is Wonderland so the trades will be fun I'm sure. I'm not taking as many classes, I wish I could take more. But the ones I'm taking sound so good.

I hope this re-birth of art in my life stays around for longer than just Spring!

There is art in everything...

2009-12-08T12:13:00.001-08:00

I love glass ornaments. The old fashion, molded, hand painted kind. For awhile they were hard to find but now I see them everywhere. One of our Christmas traditions is to purchase a glass ornament that represents something about each person's life for that year. I still have all of mine from my childhood. My favorite is the lady with the violin. I got that one when I was 4 or 5 and was learning to play the violin. There is something about the shine, the delicacy of the glass, the sound they make when they brush against the needles of the tree, that just means Christmas like nothing else.

Last week I went through my mom's Chrismas decorations that had been left up in the attic. Something I wasn't ready to do, until this year. She has been physically gone for 17 years, but she lives on every day in my heart. I miss her so, especially at Christmas, which was her favorite holiday. Going through those boxes was more than I could handle, until this year. For some reason I felt ready this time...and what treasures I found! Lovely old glass ball ornaments and lots of felt! My mom was the queen of felt! She made her own tree skirt out of felt. She decorated the decoys all over our house with felt hats and scarves, they looked as if they belonged on a Charles Dickens pond! Our advent calendar...made out of felt of course. I had forgotten about the felt. So many memories. It also made me think about where I get my need to create, my ability to look at something and and see many uses for it, my eye for design...I definitely owe her my gratitude for showing me how to think outside of the box, that there is art in everything and that everything we do with a loving heart is art. She was never published, never had an art show with her name on it...but she was an artist in so many ways. She decorated our lives with drawings on lunch bags, dapper felt hats on geese, and daily laughter. I think I will include some felt in my next mixed media piece and my swan decoy is currently wearing her felt hat and scarf...it's good to carry on traditions!

It'a been too long

2009-11-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

I'm actually embarrassed by the amount of time that has passed since my last post. Everyday life has taken over and there is little time for the creative pursuits. I continue to work on my soul journal when I have snipets of time, but I haven't worked on my else lately. A couple of weeks ago I did get up early on a Saturday and got a piece done an framed. That is the most I have accomplished. Now that soccer is done for the season I may be able to have some time to do some art!

Since I haven't had much time to go anywhere to experience any new art, I have been depending on the internet for my art fixes! This site it awesome, not only for drawing but for the sketches done by other artists. I really like one artist Julie in the Wild. She does some spectaclar drawings especially of birds. The site is really nice because you see how the artist drew the pictures from start to finish. For someone like me who doesn't have a lot of experience with drawing it's like a lesson in every piece! Check it out at http://sketch.odopod.com/.

This one is a lot of fun! It makes symmetrical lines for the ones you draw. Becareful it can be addictive! http://www.myoats.com. Check out some of the art work done by other people, it's truly incredible.

I was able to enroll in two classes this year at Art and Soul and I'm really looking forward to it! Hope to see some of you there!

The Exuburant Chaos of Art Journaling

2009-05-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

Art and Soul has been awesome again this year. My classes have been wonderful. I'll have to write whole other post just to talk about them all! I just have to talk about the journal gathering hosted by the wonderful Diana Trout in this post.

Diana sent an email out several weeks before the retreat and invited anyone who journals to meet her to talk and share ideas about art journals. Maria the owner of collage, another wonderful person, offered the Make and Take space for meeting. I immediately wrote back and said I would be there. Now, I have to say this was not without trepidation. This would mean taking my art journal with me and showing it to other people! Scary!

So I sat down at a table of 12 strangers, with the exception of Takeabreak :), and began to talk and share ideas. Diana demonstrated a bubble blowing technique using ink and bubble liquid. Everyone got to share (except for the straws ;) and try the technique. We shared journals and looked for ideas within each others pages. Everyone was very supportive and complementary of my journal. But I have to say I was blown away by everyones journals! Diana even passed hers around for us to see. Wow, here were the original pages I had only seen pictured in publications! Very exciting!

We shared sources for supplies, ideas for how to journal with time constraints, we each journaled a page using a prompt we picked out of a basket, and talked about making space in our homes for a studio. Diana gave us some quotes to use with our journals. People who were in classes stopped by to visit and share. A gentleman shared with us a site his fiance, Sarah Whitmore, has called Soul Journaling. At one point someone asked if anyone had trades and everyone started pulling out trades and started swapping. It was loud, chaotic and so much fun! It reminded me of a Thanksgiving dinner with family all around the table passing stuff back and forth, everyone talking and having a good time.

Before I knew it everyone was packing up to leave. The table of 12 strangers had become a table of 12 new friends and I hated for the evening to end. I felt energized and full of new ideas for journaling. Once again I had taken a chance to step to the edge of my comfort zone with positive results. I hope that I will be able to stay in touch with these new friends because the connections with other artists are so important to me.

I saw Diana at Vendor Night and thanked her again for a wonderful evening. I asked her to please do another gathering next year! So just 360 some days to go until the next Art and Soul!

The Salvage Trip

2009-04-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

How great is it to have a friend who loves architectural salvage as much as I do and is willing to load up the water bottles and wet ones, hit the road and find some salvage? It's pretty awesome! So this past Thursday we took off for Richmond with directions in hand to seek out and find Caravati's Salvage warehouse http://www.caravatis.com/index.html. After some circling around and misturns we finally found it!

We couldn't believe how huge it was and how much really awesome stuff we found. We love to walk around and come up with stuff that things could be used for in our homes or just in general. I love looking at the old doors and windows but my favorite is usually the ironworks. There were no disappointments in any of these areas at this place...wow! This is the window section, or at least part of it.

I was just blown away by the sheer size of the place and the amount of salvage. I went in search of some cabinet doors for a class I'm taking at Art and Soul at the end of the month. I found a few that were the right size and type that I was looking for and set them aside. Then rounded a corner and found a dream come true wooden three section cabinet. I had glass front barrister doors in three sections a the top with three drawers at the bottom. It was painted this aged out lavender color that was almost gray. It was a weak moment for me...when my brain starting vacillating back and forth between college tuition or cabinet...of course my childs education comes first but boy it was hard to walk away. It was priced at $2400, but they could give it to me for $2000 since it had been there awhile. So then I wanted to know if it stayed there for another 6 months would they consider $1000? The guy chuckled...but I'll be calling to check! I opened one of the drawers and found all sorts of Miller and Roads papers. The cabinet had come from the Miller and Roads in downtown Richmond! A huge part of my childhood, with the annual trip to Richmond at Christmas to see the "real" Santa. So not only a great cabinet but one with childhood memories attached, hard to resist. It was really one of those pieces I dream of having in a studio some day. Ah well.

We also walked out in the courtyard area and I took some pictures of some of the salvage out there. I love the way the paint peels and crackles when left outside. House facades, carriage doors, a great claw foot tub with a spectacular rust spot...I'm weird about this stuff!

We ended up making a side trip to an awesome art warehouse called Art Works. It's a renovated warehouse where artists live and work. The front portion is working studio and gallery spaces that you can roam through and check out the artists working and see the art work they have for sale. Great find. I would like to go back again, and since it's just a couple blocks over from Caravati's I could go visit my cabinet!

Kathy and I took one other side trip to the biggest Habitat Restore I've ever seen. We found some more cabinet doors here, success! We had a great time exploring parts of Richmond I had never seen. I will definitely make this trip again...I always wonder why I don't go more often since it's only an hour away!

On Creativity

2009-04-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

This may seem like a strange post. But as an educator I have seen some changes in our educational system that really worry me. High stakes testing the biggest among them. I think these tests have created a system where thinking for yourself and thinking outside the box is not seen as important. Put these two things together and we will end up with a nation of adults who can't think their way OUT of a box! Scary. Creativity should be honored, prized, encouraged and "taught" in every classroom in America. Sadly, in many school systems (thankfully not my own) the classes that teach the arts (commonly known as resource classes) are often the first to go when budgets are cut. How sad this makes me feel. I love this video of Sir Ken Robinson, not only is it funny, but profound and thought provoking. Because creativity has always been a big part of my life and education is the way I pay the bills, I have always made connections between the two. So that is why, strange and out of place as it may seem, I wanted to include this video clip on my blog. And by the way, go to the TED site and watch other videos that interest you, the greatest minds in our society speak at TED...it truly is amazing!

Great class

2009-03-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

I took a class this past Saturday at the PFAC on creativity. I met four wonderful women and had a great time. We did exercises in relaxation, improv, movement and creative work. I learned some really good techniques for getting my mind ready for creative endeavors. One of the things that really struck a cord with me was a list of behaviors that help us through the creative process.

Being present and really paying attention
Personalizing
Imaging
Serious play
Collaborative Inquiry
Crafting

That last one really hit me hard. I am good at coming up with the ideas but I rarely find my way to the actual work that has to be done. Crafting is the part where you sit down and bring your ideas, your art into fruition. You actual practice your craft, whethers it's oils, pastels, water colors, mixed media...whatever. I have a shed full of architectual salvage that will attest to the fact that I don't craft as much as I imagine. I have all these great ideas for what to repurpose those pieces into and never get to the part where I actually work on the ideas. Bad habit. I need to follow through on my ideas and if they fail accept the experience as a learning one.

My favorite activity of the day was making soul cards. I liked the fact that you are only given so much time to get each phase done. I found I was able to jump into the process because I didn't need the idea up front. You first just gather images at random, things that stick out in a positive or negative way. Then you trim them and lay them out to view them. I found my were ending up in loose categories of sorts. Then you choose the images you want to use and you have a certain amount of time to get them collaged together on your 5x8 card. When your done you look at what you have created and you give it a statement starting with "I am". It was incredible how the images came together and formed a statement without any preconcieved idea.

My statement for this was "I am the action that causes change." I really liked this activity and plan to make more cards. I think the process would work well with my art journal too.

The instructor for the class was awesome. She is the Creative Director for Alternatives Inc. , Linda Hansen. She is teaching another class during the Spring sessions on collage and I plan on taking it. Great experience, great day, I really felt I grew as an artist!

Okay, real quick this is a proud mom moment I can't help but include. A piece of my daughters art was chosen for a Newport News art show. The show features art from all the area schools. Here is her piece...

Meghan's Art

2009-03-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is from a series of picture that my daughter Meghan did when she was little. I love them!

What to swap?

2009-03-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

As Art and Soul approaches I'm starting to feel a bit anxious about the fact that I have not made anything to swap. I'm back the same place again...questioning if I'm good enough, will my work be worthy of a swap. I've been on the forum for the retreat several times and felt overwhelmed when I saw posts discussing bad swap experiences...can I face that kind of rejection when my artist soul is still so tender? I'm not sure, but I do plan to test it out. I have an idea for charms to make and swap, I had to place an order online to get some of the parts, so hopefully they will arrive soon. I also need to make my small collages for the soldering class and I need to send my photos to the instructor for the door class. It's getting close and I am getting excited! I can't wait to shop at collage....though secretly I'm scared Michaels will find out what I said about them...and never let me shop there again...they are all I have!

So onward to practicing my art. My latest project came about as a complete surprise. I read an article in CPS awhile back about mixed media on silver spoons. I've had my eye out for some spoons and hadn't had the luck to find any so far...until I went to work this past week where a teacher was selling some old things in the teachers lounge. Guess what I found?! Spoons and a few other utensils...all silver! Oh my goodness I was so excited, I never have that kind luck finding something. So I got a whole hand full of silver utensils and a cool crock bowl that I will use for my water when I'm painting. I dug out that magazine and my alcohol inks and went to town on those spoons. I even broke out the Dremel which I haven't used in a while. I think the spoons came out great and I gave the first ones I made to the teacher who sold them to me. She was thrilled, which did a lot to boost my confidence in what I do. I will be making several more sets of them, possibly to give away or maybe even to sell! (Am I that brave?)

I have also made a notebook for my friend Chris which I collaged with a Hattera/OuterBanks theme. She loved it. Which made me happy. She is one of muses that supports me in what I do. I love making stuff for my friends to use and enjoying.

So I guess I've made some progress. I'm attending an all day work shop at the PFAC on creativity. I'm looking forward to the class, which is being taught by someone I have wanted to meet since last years Art and Soul. She runs the Monart studio in Hampton. Anyhow, I think I will enjoy the class and perhaps it will help me to erase some of this self doubt I've felt lately.

Last thing...found this cool site where the artist makes bracelets from old gift cards, especially from Starbucks (yum). I should get it in a couple of days, can't wait to show it to my Starbucks addicted friends at Yates. Here is her Etsy shop link...sorry you can't get a bracelet just like mine...it was the last one! www.jupita.etsy.com

OBX Art

2009-02-22T05:24:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been girls weekend in Nags Head. Loads of laughs and lots of shopping. I finally was able to catch the Art Council in Manteo open. I added another piece to my Art O Mat collection. The Art O Mat is a refurbished cigarette machine that depenses art instead of cigarettes. They are located all over the place. The link for the website is included in my list of favorite sites on this blog.

I was inspired by the work I saw at the Art Council. They have a very nice collection of pieces there, including some assemblage work which you don't normally see. Of course I couldn't escape without opening my wallet. I bought two lovely glass pieces by a bead artist. I got a necklace and a pair of earrings. The art of making those glass beads is really amazing. It is something I would like to try but it looks so hard to do. I just don't get how they keep if from turning into a ugly blob of glass. Here is the artists website. Her work is great. http://www.janepulley.com/.

I brought my art journal with me to work on if the mood struck (and of course it did). I completed just one page and doodled on a second page. It really is fun to work in an art journal because it will never be published. It's a great place for me to work on my need for perfection and to try to let it go and just let it be.

So here we are early on Sunday morning, with rain drops dripping from the sky, and the beach is still a beautiful place. I'm looking out the back door of the cottage where there is a small view of the ocean wondering what treasures I might find on the shore if I were to take a walk on the wet sand. But then again there is something to be said about the mystery of possibilities...and inside it's dry, the coffee is hot and the realities of daily life are just around the corner...I think I'll just stay put.

It's been a long time!

2008-12-21T17:09:00.001-08:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted to this blog! The year has flown by as it usually does. Once school starts the momentum just keeps building and before I know it, Christmas is here. Sad but not surprising that I have barely touched my art stuff in all this time. I get caught up in the trappings of working and life in general. Soccer season is over and Futsal hasn't started. Christmas shopping is done and gifts are wrapped. So guess what I did yesterday. I went to my sunroom studio, cranked the radio and three hours later I had a collage done and was covered in paint...I think I felt my spirit expand or atleast take it's first really deep breath in a long while. I've been doing some thinking lately about what to do next. I've looked into going back to school to take some classes and work towards my degree in art, who knows. I'm very excited that I got to enroll early in Art and Soul and got all my classes I wanted. Glenny is the best! I am so excited and can't wait for it to be here. As fast as the time is flying it will be here very soon!!!

And the Art Goes On

2008-09-16T16:25:00.001-07:00

I registered for Art and Soul this week. Oh my gosh I could have spent twice as much as I did and taken twice as many classes. As it is I feel guilty for spending that kind of money on myself. At the same time I can't imagine not going to the retreat. It feels like the only time I get to me my true self. I was excited because I was invited to rigister early and was able to get into both of the all day classes I really wanted to take. I'm so excited and counting the days!

A really good read, Taking Flight Inspiration and Techniques to give your Creative spirit wings by Kelly Rae Roberts. I picked it up at Barnes and Noble one day last week. I love this book. It really speaks to my artistic soul. She writes about the journey to finding your creative self. A while back I came up with the winged S as a way to sign my art. It symbolizes me finding my wings and taking flight to find the artist within. So when I saw the title of the book and the many wings in all the pictures I knew this book and I would connect...and I was right. Some of the things she speaks about I have experienced already and some made me think differently than I had before. Mixed in with the advice are some really cool techniques for mixed media art. I've already tried a few, great stuff! I also love her artwork you can see it at http://www.kellyraeroberts.com/index.html.html and at her etsy shop.

I discovered a group in Flickr called Collage Images. You have to join but once you do, you can download all kinds of ephemera. You can search the pool of pictures posted by the group. Great stuff!

So here is my latest ATC for the exchange. It's called Pumpkin Pi? I drew the pumpkins and vine with watercolor pencils. Then I scanned them into my computer and resized them. I created a background of the number pi to the 10th or so decimal, copy/pasted it over and over to fill the page. I then selected all the texted and changed it to a very pale gray. I ran the paper through again and printed the pumpkins on top. I used a maroon Sharpie to write in Pumpkin Pi? and inked the edges with an orange ink pad. I think they came out pretty good.

Camp memories

2008-08-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

My brother came by last week. We had a great chat about the camp we both went to as kids. The same camp my mom had attended as a teenager. I had missed a reunion and wanted to hear about all the folks I hadn't seen in so long. I realized as we were talking how important some of those memories were to me. I also realized my experiences were far different from his. He stayed on much longer than I did and moved into the mysterious realm of "counselor". I started when I was very young and my mom was camp nurse. I never had the experiences with the romances, parties and subculture of young adult friendships. Later when I sat down in my studio to work, instead of painting or some other project, I really felt like writing. I let the memories flow and as they started to manifest on paper, things long forgotten started to bubble to the surface. Here is what I wrote that night:

Camp Nimrod for Girls

White skorts, white shirts, white sandals, the strong smell of bug spray, the itch of grass on the back of my legs, the geode that was rumored to be a fallen star and a Sunday evening sunset….Vespars.

Dust, sweat, the smell of hay and horses, the creak of leather, the soft felt on my hat, a small white pony who owned my six year old heart~Paulette, the evil eye pendant on my neck, jodphers, boots and the Goshen show….riding lessons

A steep path down, clinging to the rail, tripping over roots, the smell of earth meeting crystal clear water, the clink of buddy tags hitting the board, the bang~clang~sway~dip walking down the floating docks, that first cold heavenly rush as you hit the water, the smooth curve of river rocks under your feet…the Cow Pasture River

A medicinal smell that can’t be described (perhaps a mixture of rubbing alcohol, just opened bandaids and cough syrup), metal cabinets filled with mysterious vials and cotton balls, orange Methialate drawings on scraped shins and knees, wasps nests in the closet on the back porch, and my home base…the infirmary

The slam of a wooden door, big green adirondack chairs on the porch, sitting on the railing, snacks and ice cold glass bottle sodas in the back room, an Eagle painted on a wooden plaque, grown ups laughing and talking…the office.

The wonderful smell of food, a letter home to get in on Sunday (and being a little confused why I had to do it when my mom was next door in the infirmary?!), long tables, surrounded by friends, laughter, a quick finger to the side of the nose or you run around the table pig, a napkin to tell the tale of a girl who could not pay the rent…daily meals in the nest

The walk from the rec hall with beams of flash lights swinging across the path, gathering at the flag pole, singing “Green trees around me….hearts beating true as Camp Nimrod says good night to you” arms crossed swaying, looking up from the circle of campers to see the circle of trees swaying as well, taps, jumping in your bunk ~no covers~ too hot, waking in the middle of the night curled in a ball freezing in the damp air…bedtime on a mountain

A complete and utter hush and stillness just before Revelry blasted out, the smell of toothpaste messages written on screens, the rush to get ready, the run to the flag pole to see whose underwear would be on display…the start of a another great day

Camping out at Pots Springs, floating candles down the river, being afraid of small snappish black and brown dogs, plastic lace braided lanyards, name tags sewn on all my clothing, an old trunk painted lavender, and memories of never wanting summer to end…Camp Nimrod for Girls

When I was done I realized how fortunate I was to have such memories, how many amazing people had influenced my life at an early age...and I felt that familiar ache for a mother I miss so dearly, the one who allowed me the freedom to run off and be a camper but was always there if I needed a quick hug or some methialate on a scraped knee. As far as I'm concerned I had the best of both worlds.

My First Swap and other stuff

2008-08-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

I participated in my first online ATC swap! So exciting! I love the cards I got back. The theme was water. It's so interesting to see all the different ways that people interpret a theme and the different look of the cards. I'm planning on participating in this month's swap too. The theme is fire, so of course my first idea was fireballs my favorite candy. Then I did some cards on hot flashes...not looking forward to those in my not too distant future. I have been coming home everyday and working atleast 15 to 30 minutes on cards. The ones for the swap are finished and I've worked on a few others as well. I've learned to be brave and experiment, but not to be too attached to the ones I'm working on...cause some experiments go badly. You won't know if you don't try! My new stamps from Stampotique came this week so I've had fun experimenting with those. The stamps they have are very different, like vintage pictures and things.

Another first and something to check off my list of things I wanted to try...I took an old piece of linoleum, flipped it over, primed it and painted it as a floor cloth. I had so much fun and it turned out really good. I put it out in the mud room in front of my washer and dryer...love it! I can sweep right over it, no rugs to wash, it's just lovely. So now I'm thinking of all the shapes I can cut out and paint and give as gifts. Fun for me and cheap to make. Oh la la that's a good combination.

So what next? Good grief I have so many unfinished projects and untried things, I could do this as a full time job...now wouldn't that be nice :)

Focus on the positive

2008-07-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

It has been a truly strange month for me. I won't go into all the negative details but it seems to be one thing after another. So I decided that on my blog I will only focus on the positive... so here are some positive things that have happened to me since my last post. I had an article published in Today's Creative HomeArts magazine. I even got paid for it! Very exciting in my little world. I have two newly renovated bathrooms in my house and some awesome built-in cabinets in my dining room. Love the new look, not so much the process, it was worth every minute of renovations. I had so much fun choosing fixtures, lights, and paint. Still not done with the accessories but I'm savoring the experience of decorating these two rooms. I have made several ATCs using new techniques I learned online and in some great books I recently bought. One new technique was really cool and completely on accident, I thought I was using water on tissue paper and it was rubbing alcohol instead. Came out great though. I even did a collage journal for my trip to the beach last week. Oh and my daughter and I went to this great art store in Manteo NC. I went to do fused glass and did a mosaic and made silver jewelry with silver clay instead. Two really great experiences and time spent with my twelve year old. We plan to go again. Here is the website to check out, if you are headed that way. http://www.artglassnfire.com/

I'm rereading a book I read awhile ago called The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard) by Jill Badonsky, M. Ed. Great read, really gets me thinking. What I find really interesting is that I enjoyed it before but this time the meaning is really hitting me and I feel I'm getting so much more out of it. I think some of my recent experiences have affected me more deeply than I thought. I am empowering myself and feel more comfortable calling myself an artist. There is art in every expression and though I may not paint like DaVinci, my ideas and expressions are just as valid. I find it easier each day to let go of my hesitations. I feel that I am finally on the journey that will lead me to myself.

So although July has been Murphy's Law incarnated...I still feel good about where I am.

Hummingbird Serendipity

2008-06-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is one of those strange serendipitous moments that seem to happen to me often.

First part of the story:
I know it's hard to believe but I have never seen a real hummingbird. I know they are all over my neighborhood and there were many in my yard when I was younger. But I was just never fast enough I guess to get my eye on them before they flitted off. I have wanted to see one for so long! I even went out a few years ago and bought a hummingbird feeder...nothing. Not a single bird was ever spotted by me, anyhow. Well, this past Wednesday I was standing at my kitchen sink and guess what I saw right beside my Hybiscus tree! My first hummingbird! And then to make it even better it flew right in front of the kitchen window and hovered for several seconds then flew over to the sliding glass door hovered a few more seconds then flew off. It was SO cool.
Second part of the story:
Today I go to one of my favorite blogs called Inspire Me Thursday http://www.inspiremethursday.com/. The inspiration this week? The hummingbird, of course! So there is no way I can not do this, right? I read the blog and am chicken to submit stuff. The signs are aligned...I must challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone once more, something good always happens when I do. More on this post later.

My Journey to Art and Soul

2008-05-21T14:27:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month I went to an AWESOME conference of artists called the Art and Soul Retreat. It was held in Hampton which is the town next to mine! I was so excited to find something like this so close to home. I signed up for three classes. I made collages, soldered houses and made a bracelet with beads, shells and beach glass. Oh my gosh I was in heaven and I had so much fun!
Vendor night was over the top. The coolest most unusual stuff, things you don't see everyday and art supplies that I normally have to order onlne. I can't wait to go again.

This is what I wrote as a thank you to Glenny, the organizer of the event. I was really excited when she wrote back and asked if she could art it up and share it with others! This stepping out of your comfort zone stuff has some pretty awesome payoffs.

Here are the things I discovered:

Kindness, friendship, connections, and community
Diamond glaze (can you buy it by the gallon?)
I am compelled to create & there are others that feel that way too
Cardboard cones with ribbons and stuff glued to them sounds really weird but look really cool.
Soldering isn’t so scary! And when Sally Jean (and Mr. Sally Jean) are teaching you how to solder, it’s just too awesome for words!
Wings on stamps (and perhaps a set of my own)
Collage with Traci Bautista is fast and fun.
Liquid water color spray stains your hands for at least three days (and your wedding band makes a nice stencil on those stained hands).
People can and do live their own authentic, artistic lives and for three days I did too.
I love brightly colored hair (I’m thinking aqua may just cover my gray better than the brown dye does….)
Having hands covered in paint and glue makes people wonder what the hell you’ve been doing.
I definitely want that tattoo I’ve been thinking about.
I would gladly trade all my 40% Michael’s coupons to have a store like Collage in my town.
Making yourself step out of your comfort zone to try new things leads to wonderful experiences.
I’m jealous of people who get to be creative for a living.
How to drill a shell and beach glass…oh & etch copper…and bead it all together for an awesome bracelet my friends covet.
Being able to say something like “So do you make ATCs?” and not have people say “What’s that?” is priceless.
Sharing is good (Okay original credit for that one goes to my mom, but it never hurts to reinforce those lessons)
There are other people on this planet that feel the way I do about Sharpie markers and have them in all the colors too.
No matter what anyone says to the contrary I am an artist…if for no other reason than my heart tells me so.
Oh and one more thing….going back to work is hell after a weekend in art heaven!

A Little Dab'll Do Ya!

2008-05-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

I am a dabbler. I like to dabble in lots of different creative things. The boxes stacked in my mudroom, furniture in my garden shed, the few things in my garage, and many things in my corner of the sunroom attest to the fact that I have my finger in WAY too many pies! But I just can't stop. Besides it's fun so why would I stop. But I can honestly say that I have learned so many skills from all these forays into different arts, crafts and hobbies that have served me well in life.

One of my favorite dabbles was fusing glass with my friends Ann and Kathy. I don't know that it was the glass fusing so much as the chance to share a creative time with some dear friends. I had seen fused glass online and HAD to try it, so before I sunk myself $500 in debt with no place to put the kiln, I took a class. In the lobby of the studio there were these awesome pieces of art. Tiles, bowls, abstract forms all layered with beautiful colors and textures in glass cases. I couldn't wait to make my own. We picked out these pieces of colored glass and stacked them like Jenga tiles while the instructor tried her best to help us understand what the heck we were doing. The end product for me was anticlimatic. Kathy and Ann ended up with lovely pendants, while mine looked rather ugly. The color combinations were uninspired and one even had a strange blob on the end of it...sort of like a weird appendage. The outcome was a couple of hours spent with friends making some really ugly art. And all that with a savings of $435 dollars! Yeah I spent $65 on the class to find out it wasn't for me. I would try it again someday..maybe make a tile or a bowl. Check out this beautiful stuff http://www.sandfire.ca/fused.htm and if you Google fused glass you'll get 1,180,000 hits to cruise through in your spare time.

Oh and then this past winter my friend Chris caught the soap making bug, so nothing to do but buy a bunch of stuff online, drive to her house (with Kathy and Ann in tow) and make soap all day long. The outcome to this was much more positive, having made soap before I had a better idea of what I was doing. We ended up with lots of soaps to give as gifts, a bunch to donate to a charity craft fair and we had tons of laughter. In searching for supplies we found some really good resources. I found a great site for fragrances called Natures Garden.(http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/) Any company that has a fragrance called Monkey Farts is okay with me! Great site for containers on the cheap, http://www.sks-bottle.com/.
And for molds in all shapes and sizes, Google soap molds for 648,ooo hits or visit one of my favorites, http://www.goplanetearth.com/index.html. Melt and pour is the easiest method for some good clean fun!

Of course the soap making lead me to the idea of candle making, so I purchased a kit. Well, that one never made it out of the bag. I guess I'm saving it for a rainy day, I'm sure I'll put a call in to my friends to see if they are up for something new!

Blog = Conversation with Self

2008-05-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

Trying to think of something profound I have to share with the world...okay I got nothing. When I try to think of something to write about in my first ever blog, a rush of ideas flood my brain. But since I can't write about all of them at once I need to choose just one...okay nothing again. I think the problem is that this is supposed to be a journal online kind of thing, but I'm starting in the middle (of my life) and there is so much that came before. What I would really like to do is just share the things I see that inspire me. The ideas I see that I think are cool, online and off. And perhaps connect with some Kindred Spirits (gotta love Anne of Green Gables). So what if I ramble from one idea or thought to the next? No one will probably read this thing but me. What is that saying "Every journey begins with just one step" so I guess every blog begins with just one word. So I'm guessing my blog will be a sort of modge podge of rambling reflections about everything and nothing, which is pretty much how my thoughts run anyhow.