tada!

Finally I acquired enough odd and end plates to finish the birdbath just yesterday, just in time for winter! Will leave it out for a few days just to enjoy the finished project. To be on the safe side, will put the birdbath up for winter as I am sure that a winter storm would cause damage to the broken plate tile finish.I really feel sympathy for those that got slammed by the recent October snow storm.Totally too soon for snow!

After William Blake Poems

The Fly

And then the

Sick Rose

These were done while on a trip last month.

Book of Kells Documentary: The Work of Angels?

Birdbath In Progress

As promised, here's the start of the birdbath mosaic. It's still in planning stages. Working with what I have and seeing what ideas will sprout. The temperature went to 95 today so I'm not mixing the tile cement. There is a working limit of 30 minutes and at 95 degrees, that shortens to about half or fifteen minutes.  I'll try not to post too many photos. Remember this is only my second time at mosaics. I don't know if these products will hold up. I researched as best I could to find what I thought would hold up. But I don't know if these products are winter proof, freezing weather proof, if they will work for sure under water. I plan to store the birdbath before freezing weather. The bench, I will just cover it.

This bag is about the size of two shoe boxes but weights 25 pounds. When I open it, I plan to keep it in a plastic box to try and prevent moisture from getting in the bag.

This is the grout sealer I bought and used on the bench. It's the penetrating type.

This mortar is the one I use to glue down the tile. It's says ok to use under water. Dries in 30 minutes unless it's 95 degrees.  You will need a spatula, this one is the cheap plastic kind from the hardware. The 3-n-1 oil is for the tile nippers, they  were the least expensive, carbon steel, and they rust, the oil stops it. I read someplace on someones blog about using the plastic containers, sorry I don't remember the blog, but use the fruit plastic containers to store and organize your broken tiles. Works really good.

Here's planning in progress. I do actually have a plan, it's just making what I have work into the plan is the tricky part. 

Now can you see were this is going? :O)

Looking Out Windows

You are probably expecting an update on the tile birdbath. You most likely would be right except for the fact I lost the tile nippers and safety glasses. So finally found them this morning in my gardener tool bag. Why there you ask? I'm not allowed to break plates inside. However careful I am, plates fly through-out the air, landing here, there, everywhere. Soon, soon I promise.

In the meantime my friend Janet has a window project over at wetcanvas. Bravo putting forth the program. Back about November, the time of year I went through a rather dark period I painted my version of the Egyptian Curtian, Matisse*. What was I thinking at the time? So much black. I felt as though I was sinking into a black hole. But still I was ever drawn to the reds, blue, yellows that wouldn't let me forever be sucked into the never ending void. For another time, maybe, there is some belief that on the other end of a back hole there is rebirth, life anew. So? Well for now this.

I've spent most of the day cleaning, moving, arranging, inventorying art supplies. It's either sell the supplies or go back to work painting. I offered to flip a coin with heads sell the supplies or tails, get off mine. It was gently suggested I not sell the supplies.  If others can start over, or move ahead, I should be able to do it too.

One thing I should do and I'm trying, is get the easel out of the closet. So depressing painting in a closet.

*So I sat the painting aside for weeks to dry. Black is about the slowest color I know to dry. I find that studies like this help me to cross over bridges and walls (ie. artist block) find understanding for different styles, realism it's not so it's rather enlightenment.

Breaking Bad

Folks, Just turn your sound down and just watch the show. :-) I love a good commercial!



Have started the birdbath. More later.

Fig & Strawberry Preserves

Last Sunday made fig preserves.  My first time. It's true. Only had 31 figs, my tree, a brown turkey. Friend came by and split what I made with her. Mine lasted three days, hers, she finished the next morning. ;-)

These are new figs. Brown turkey figs are small figs. I've picked these just a little before hang-down ripe. Trying to beat the ants and birds so I can enjoy these juicy jewels.

And since the fig preserves turned out eatable, honey said, make some preserves with strawberries. Ok. 

The whole house smelled so wonderfully sweet and strawberry. I'm looking forward to breakfast to try it out on toast.

So my warning, it is addictive to make preserves. May or most likely will cause sugar overload.

Basic Recipe

for 2 cups of fruit

use 1 cup superfine cane sugar

and 

1/2 cup water

heat sugar and water to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often.

add 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice

for figs, cut and remove stems and place in glass bowl, set aside,

 boil 4 cups of water, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and pour over figs in bowl,  let soak for one hour, afterwards, rinse in  running water, drain  

add figs to the sugar and water that cooked 10 minutes, cook 1 hour on low, stir occasionally. Let cool, eat! 

total time about 2 1/2 hours

for strawberries,  I sliced them with and egg slicer.  Add to cooked sugar and water, plan  about 30 -40 minutes over medium to low heat to reach a temperature of  220 degrees, remove foam that rises to top with spoon. Just wonderful. 

Let cool, eat!

Mosaic Garden Bench

Who knew I would like mosaics? Well for a long time I have wanted to fix a garden bench that seating area was destroyed in a hail storm. Finally got the urge to explore my ability to do a real mosaic and learn that it fairly easy  project. Beside gouging my self with cut pottery twice and three humongous blisters on my hand I learned to wear leather gloves. I was good in that I wore safety glasses. Ten dinner plates were purchased from the a variety of sources like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity. Never broke a plate on purpose but convinced myself it was OK since it was my source of raw materials. Stoneware plates seemed better to work with then porcelain china. Stoneware is a thicker plate. Sanded grout in antique white, it took six pounds for the bench. Wear rubber gloves to mix and apply grout. Preferably choose days that are not 90 degrees  Fahrenheit plus to work. Every day since the end of May has seemed to be over 90 degrees. Grout dries really quickly in hot weather. Work fast. Would I do it again, yes, have left overs so looking for the next project.

Raw materials, glove, tile nipper, broom, hammer, containers

bench finished

eight flowers total

left side up close

Two Days of Summer 2011

Right, already two days into summer and here in the rolling hills of the Piedmont, the days are hot! I love it. Can't complain because when it's cold, well I'm wishing for days like now. Warm, moist, with the smell of fresh air and I am happy.
So what is everyone up to? I have mostly worked in the yard/ garden. Killed yellow jackets this week that where to close for safety. I hate that the only alternative is killing a nest but don't want anyone to be stung.
Still dragging my feet back toward the studio. Not unfamiliar territory as most artists go through periods of creative searching. Creativity can't always be just paint and canvas. Agree? And below, a tapestry pincushion I worked for gee, maybe two weeks or more, one day I know at least eight hours and this baby is only 4 x 4 inches. What did I learn? I don't keep count of stitches.  It shows, but it's kind of cute, and it works perfect.

Drugs

Found this posted on ebay 

the other day someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and asked me a rhetorical question, " why didn't we have a drug problem when you and i grew up"?

i replied i had a drug problem when i was young: i was drug to church on sunday morning. i was drug to church for weddings and funerals. i was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. i was drug by my ears when i was disrespectful to adults, i was also drug to the woodshed when i disobeyed my parents or told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or i didn't put forth my best efforts in everything that was asked of me.

i was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if i uttered a profanity. i was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockeburs out of dad's fields. i was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood and if my mother had ever known i took a single dime as a tip for this kindness she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything i do, say, or think. they are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin: and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem america would be a better place. god bless the parents who drugged us.

"A Big Hunk o' Love"

Hehe, I'm all shook up! One and only courtesy source from Wikipedia media.

Did this some time ago. He still rocks me.  

Charcoal & pencil on paper

Just a Hunk of Burning Love

It's hotter than 109 degrees here in the old South! Join with me in declaring June, Elvis month! *Smile* It's gonna be hot baby, enjoy! 

Now go paint!

Hello Again

Hello old friends, it's been awhile since I've written you all. Getting back into the swing of blogging has not been easy. I have hemmed and hauled, dragged my feet, ran screaming away, well not that drastically but like a good painting, I've needed reflection time. There is an old Chinese saying, that it takes as long to appreciate a painting as it did for the artist to create it. In my own life, it has taken some time to appreciate the changes encountered this year. Life doesn't stand still and change affect us all. Some change we can brush off ourselves, like a leaf falling from a tree. Other changes in our life can leave a mark as deep and wide, forever ingrained on our being, as the Colorado River effects the Grand Canyon. Since I've been gone, I have had a few changes that have left marks. That is me. I'm back. Hello Again Old Friends. I trust I find you all again in good spirits.

Now is the time to get to work, get busy, get on with it. See you all around in the month of June with interesting tidbits to report from this corner of the world wide web. Yours Truly

Safe

How can a small, off-the-cuff comment about one's painting style weigh like a monkey on your back?
Little children are wonderful for these type of truthful, spur of the moment comments. I remember one time my daughter saying, "Your dress looks like the curtains." Wonderful enlightenment to hear right before you head out the door, giggle now, but quiet the opposite effect at the time. Every woman wants to look like a curtain or worse the sofa.
Now maybe, the best thing to do is not listen to these things. But, in fact, I don't know that these small type of comments are heard deeper in the mind than a direct conversation. I've no proof. It makes me wonder things I might have said to others that hang in their memories that were never ever meant to be anything other than a passing comment.
Maybe comments on ones actions are more personal?
The word that has bothered me is the word safe. I've been told I was safe and it really bothered me. Now I am a safe type person. You won't catch me walking on a tightrope.  My legs get wobbly just thinking about heights.
At the time I was told my paintings are safe. Maybe that's ok. Whats wrong with safe? Maybe they meant something other than safe? Maybe it was just a passing comment and nothing at all was meant by it. And I thought, I'm not safe, and, well yeah I am, and this back and forth in my mind. But today I accept the fact that if I am safe well it's fine. It's me.
Then last night readings revel this quote, "According to theoreticians of the late Baroque period, a painter should wield the brush like a swordsman fighting a duel, slashing, cutting and jabbing, so that the brush strokes acquired an energy and expression of their own, and became fascinating exhibitions of skill quite apart from the subject matter." So I should learn how to fight. Take up the sword. Maybe. Sounds interesting. Will keep you updated.

TIME 100 Persons Of The Century

TIME 100 Persons Of The Century

Always good to know who's who.

Always And Forever

I will be yours.

For J & D

Corbin Design

Corbin Design Helps People Find their Way in Museums

""Where do we go from here?” It’s a question everyone asks – and it has a number of answers."" It is a new way to find your way. Cool idea! Or at least it sounds cool. The proof is always in the pudding, so to speak. Do I want someone tapping into my state of mind? Not really. Not in a museum or any other place. Allowing tapping into how one thinks in a safe environment like a museum will also precipitate this tapping in other less safe environments people may happen to find themselves in like a prison or perhaps this mind tapping already occurs in very public places like grocery stores The question we might ask is how do we protect our decision making skills from those that would like to dictate our thought making processes. Wearing blinders or sticking ones head in the sand is not an option However one might fight to stay independent of mind altering suggestions, there will always be a hundereds of town people who will blindly follow the Piped Piper of Hamlet.

Every Tree Tells A Story

Way back when I was around 25, yes, a long, long time ago, I quit a pretty good job because the owner of the company ignored my request to not cut down an oak tree to build a parking lot. Did it make a difference to the tree? No, the merchant had the tree cut down and poured asphalt in it's place. I was broke afterwards, but my morals were intact.
Well, here's a story
Every tree tells a story. Not everything is replaceable.

Boring Winter Talk

Via my friend Janet's FB

NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report) - 

Tedious observations about the 

severe winter weather are expected to 

dominate the conversations of 

uninteresting people for the next 24 to 48 hours, 

boredom experts warned today.

Hilarious! Let me bore! ;O)

Christmas Night

Second Day of Christmas

Santa Resting After A Hard Day

Scottish Lemon Shortbread Before Baking 

Recipe from Laura at Our Scented Cottage

One Mega Extra Big Scottish Lemon Cookie

And if you really know me, well you know this was a big deal for me to cook a cookie from scratch! I didn't burn it either! 

Our pink (honeysuckle pink ;O)) tinsel Christmas Tree

Third Day of Christmas Morning

The Sun is Shining!

Do Remember this painting? No? Look Below ;O) Of Course You Remembered! 

So one more winter weather picture to bore haha, leave you with!

Have a great winter day! Enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas

Merry Christmas 2010

Toward the Making of Modern: Paris The Luminous Years

Watch the full episode. See more Paris The Luminous Years.

Back Problems

Who doesn't have back problems these days?  
Do you sit at the computer too long or stand in one place? Whether 


"Standing or sitting, the back needs to be in extension, not compression. 
Place the work above the eye-line and stretch toward it. 
Try not to bend over things."


Read the Robert Glenn newsletter Paint Smart.

Elizabeth Edwards: In memory

Video  on lesson's she learned. Life & Losses.

Leonard Cohen's Anthem

The birds they sang 
at the break of day 
Start again 
I heard them say 
Don't dwell on what 
has passed away 
or what is yet to be. 

Ah the wars they will 
be fought again 
The holy dove 
She will be caught again 
bought and sold 
and bought again 
the dove is never free. 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack in everything 
That's how the light gets in. 

We asked for signs 
the signs were sent: 
the birth betrayed 
the marriage spent 
Yeah the widowhood 
of every government -- 
signs for all to see. 

I can't run no more 
with that lawless crowd 
while the killers in high places 
say their prayers out loud. 

But they've summoned, they've summoned up 
a thundercloud 
and they're going to hear from me. 
Ring the bells that still can ring ... 
You can add up the parts 
but you won't have the sum 
You can strike up the march, 
there is no drum 
Every heart, every heart 
to love will come 
but like a refugee. 
Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That's how the light gets in. 
Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That's how the light gets in. 
That's how the light gets in. 
That's how the light gets in.

Snowman/ Dude! :O)

~Hi~

Wish You Were Here !!!!!