Morning Dew

Vision Board

2012-02-14T09:33:00.000-05:00

Son's doggies

2012-02-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

isn't he a beauty. Black Jack

and this is little girl - Ellie. she is about 4mos old. PitBull/Lab. she has the sweetest disposition. she loves chasing her big brother all around the yard.

Who Bought You

2012-02-07T07:58:00.000-05:00

a friend sent this to me - interesting - who has the most money wins.
One America

Doggie Sitting

2012-02-06T15:40:00.000-05:00

house is quiet after a weekend of watching son's doggies too. little girl is so active, such a cute little puppy an black jack is a great big brother to her. he loves her chasing him and them playing together.

can't wait to begin a new class with flora tomorrow. wish i could find a great place to buy in bulk canvases for painting.

New Blogger Setup - journaling

2012-02-03T11:42:00.000-05:00

since playing around with the new set up i have been getting spam through comments. what a pain! never mess with a good thing to begin with.

love this simple way to create a new journal. working on the blank pages to get texture and color.

But A Dream

2012-01-31T15:40:00.001-05:00

i am playing with the new blogger updates to see how easy it is. susan has a blog sharing all the info. this inside/out sweat shirt heart is going to be for my DIL2B. lovin' it so far, its soft.

STITCHED lutradur journal

2012-01-31T14:57:00.001-05:00

handmad beads on my lutradur journal.

Dale Potter's journal landscape class on STITCHED by Alma Stoller. i'm getting the hand of handstitching. lori would be proud.

Son's Doggies

2012-01-28T16:10:00.000-05:00

we all took a walk to the park today, our oldest, his fiancee, our middle son, his two dogs, our dog and us.little man was home studying. the day is beautiful, the sun shining. what a day!

Inspired

2012-01-27T08:38:00.000-05:00

a painter from Deep posted this vid and i just loved it. so enjoy and go create.
http://vimeo.com/20876606 don't get attached to the outcome, love that quote!

Junkin It While CLeaning

2012-01-23T11:12:00.000-05:00

i created this little junk hanging for outside on my fence, created from bottom of heart tins and three blind slats filled with shredded paper. maybe the birds will be a nest with it.

Donna Downey 12month Canvas Class

2012-01-20T11:47:00.000-05:00

my first layers of a canvas - happy accident as donna calls it - when i kept turning it - it looks like running water to me with lush vegatation on sides. i want to paint a swan on the water.

quote by Winston Churchill - 'we make a living by what we get
we make a life by what we give.'

Anonymous: ' a diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure.' how are you doing?

STITCHED

2012-01-18T21:43:00.000-05:00

Alma's STITCHED ning group classes. My first 5-petal flower made of fabric and center button. i've made three more thanks to Annie Hutchings.

Empty

2012-01-17T13:40:00.000-05:00

my house was empty this morning when i awake - my little man had already reported for duty - his first day in the academy. i headed to my acct'ant and michael's to treat myself for a job well-done. today its been 64 degrees in January in Va. what an amazing day. now that my year-end stuff is pretty much done and i can concentrate on art and more art.

i celebrate a wonderful son who will bring all his dirty laundry home for the weekend until he moves into his permanent residence in February.

The Backside

2012-01-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

something about watching my youngest walk out the door and seeing his tall, straight back as he was leaving for his first new job after graduating college. it made me cry - i didn't think i would cry but that scene triggered a memory from his childhood and a letter he wrote me last Christmas that i read last night.

he touched my heart and i'm all the better for it - his final move won't really be until mid February when he moves into his apt at the beach. then everything from his room goes, that will be different.

i love you little man, forever mom.

learning to iron

2012-01-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

its never too late to learn something new. even though son graduated from college he needs to learn how to iron those military creases for his uniform. of course he could take them to the cleaners but he still needs to learn how to iron. i remember not knowing how to do that, probably couldn't even boil water when i got married BUT i learned bc it was important to me.

Orientation

2012-01-12T03:33:00.000-05:00

last night was orientation and family night for the academy. i think my son was in overload. but the group are already working on schedules for studying together and ways to encourage one another. how awesome is that! i've been reading a few sites on staying aways from the grocery store to buy food, very interesting, buying local from farmers. and 'the artist within' book and creatively fit. some wonderful blogs.

one thing i am thinking of doing after youngest moves to the beach - disconnecting all my electrical gadgets everyday to see just what kind of impact that would make on my electrical bill. have a wonderful life.

Great 3 Weeks

2012-01-07T19:28:00.000-05:00

hubby has been off for three weeks and it has been fabulous time spent together. we've walked three dogs usually twice a day, talked, prayed as we've walked and enjoyed the unusual warm weather. mid 60's today so he played golf with two sons and his best friend.

i watched the Green Lantern three times in two days. that is really a great movie and very spiritual more than you probably could imagine.

letting go

2012-01-03T09:59:00.000-05:00

my hubby is having a very hard time of letting go of the last child. his graduation was long earned, his move to the beach not far away, hubby will miss his sweet, mischievous smile and his quiet demeanor, so will i. BUT i know my son needs to lift those wings and soar into his own life. establish family traditions that will lead him into his future life. he's a great son!
today they travel to the beach to get his benefit pkg and decide on one; he picks up his uniforms for the academy and tries to settle his temporary living arrangements until his permanent home is ready.
i am excited for him, i am excited to see what God does to expand my hubby, i am excited to see and feel and express my love for him through so many different ways.

there will be challenges, blessings, trials, decisions - but - that is life. he comes out of the shadows of two older brothers and the safe wings of his parents to test his wings on his own. i am proud of him.

He Reigns Rain

2012-01-02T05:04:00.000-05:00

2012 New Year

2011-12-31T21:30:00.000-05:00

will be arriving here soon. i have the most wonderful year in my art with connie's classes, my writing class with 'tasha and meeting many new artisans along the way.

let your light shine in 2012 for someone else to follow. we all need encouragement.

my heavenly daddy gave me two roses in december and a daffodil. how amazing are you Lord!!

Truth Shadow

2011-12-17T08:30:00.000-05:00

i find great joyin playing with shadows and my painted backgrounds thanks to natasha, my writing coach.

son graudation VCU

2011-12-13T10:35:00.001-05:00

of course he had to make a statement by

wearing his sunglasses during his walk.

Wild Shadows

2011-12-07T14:33:00.000-05:00

sunsets come in all shades and colors.

Sunset Shadows

across the sundial the royal shadow flickers.
hawaiian pink and purple shadows peep
out from the rushing waves.
nearby roots so shallow lay over.
wispy mauve shadows watching guard
as a lean ash-violet shadow remains silent
in the gentle breath of night.

purple passionate shadows tease one another in delight.
a lone periwinkle companion shadow trails behind
the gothic deep-orchid caped shadow.
good night wild-thistle shadow
buried beneath the fading sunset.
good night wild-thistle shadow
until the break-of-day shadow appears.
good night.

More Green

2011-12-01T09:26:00.000-05:00

i'm really enjoying painting tropical, who said water has to be blue or sky blue. it's called

Creation By Imaginationand i really love it.

taking the pic i played with my hand shadow to create the effect of 'being created'.

Constantly Changing

2011-11-29T16:03:00.001-05:00

Look Up - Tropical Wishes

i love that i played with color - imagine purple water and a green sky with creature clouds? Use your imagination and create something wonderful. my creature clouds are a lion and lamb. when blogging about this on DEEP i realized those are two of the names Jesus is referred to in the Bible. how God to place those in my painting. i've been thinking of heaven more and more - eternity.
before vacation i was browsing the book store for a book to carry on the cruise. in the clearance section was a book tucked underneath other books - funny it wasn't on sale. BUT i believe someone wanted me to find this particular book and read it - Heaven Is So Real. for some reason it was not a book i could breeze through - i had to chew on it, meditate in the visions and let it vegetate in my soul - deep within my very Being - Deep. and then the Creator spoke to me about taking clouds pics while on vaca. just beautiful!!

Adventure on High Seas

2011-11-28T11:55:00.000-05:00

watermelon carvings on Princess Cay.

coconut carvings, something to drink?!

sweet face

2011-11-13T13:19:00.000-05:00

i love this sweet little face, can't get enough of just looking at him.

he was created from DEEP chat challenge to connect the dots and here he is in his entirety.

Passion Fruit

2011-11-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

one of Deep's invitations this week - to paint two paintings side-by-side like siblings. i used my sponge again and the purple, green/yellowish colors. loving those rightnow. anyways after i finished i kept thinking of passion fruit. what are you passionate about that is producing fruit in your life everyday?

Devotion 2 Deep

2011-11-05T13:48:00.001-04:00

the second week of DEEP

this little fishy popped out, no matter how i tried to go in another direction it just wouldn't hear of it. i love the colors.

and the second one was to continue in a series with the first painting we created. so out popped GloBalN2MeC. i love how i played with a sponge swirling paint, splattering out color with a straw, a glob of blue paint at top, spritzed and spritzed til it ran and i rolled it around on the paper where ever i wanted it to go. its fascinating to me.

Living Water

2011-10-29T11:46:00.000-04:00

DEEP just started this past week. Connie's first week was about devotion and what that is to us as artists. this deep longing to create living water just kept flowing through me and when i had finished my painting i could see this faint image in the center flowing into the pool of water.

i know my relationship with Jesus Christ, spending time in the Word Of God is deepening. many people have grown up being in religion but never had experienced a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ allowing the Holy Spirit to reign in their lives. i grew up in religion until about 12 and from there on out religion was left behind for a relationship. it was life changing and continue to be.

Beauty

2011-10-27T10:16:00.001-04:00

Which Way To Go

2011-10-25T12:44:00.000-04:00

our lives bring so many twists and turns - so many choices to choose from. what if .... this is not the way, what if .... i make a mistake, what if .... what if...... what if...... How about letting go of the 'what if's' and enjoying life. take the turn - don't be afraid to see where it leads, stop and enjoy the scenery, life is worth the living, there will be ups and downs - so what. It's what you make of them that counts - don't think too much, don't try to figure it all out - just BE and enjoy the moment.

Hidden Deep

2011-10-21T08:19:00.000-04:00

i did this face and then painted all over it.i actually like it better hidden. and then i lightened it for you to see what's underneath. this is my profile pic for DEEP. everywhere i look to read the word "DEEP" keeps popping up.

Diving into the Deep

2011-10-17T17:31:00.000-04:00

shell we see where this adventure in DEEP will be heading?! Spiritually i am reading Deeper, Richer, Fuller - discovering the spiritual life you long for by Tom Paterson and am excited to connect the dots together. shells found from previous adventures.

Faces

2011-10-13T15:41:00.000-04:00

i cleaned up all of the mess you see underneath my large wall painting. turned around my desk and organized everything. now on to the next section of the room for cleanout.

have you ever thought about the many faces you wear? so many feelings, thoughts, attitudes, emotions deeply hidden inside. This past week we lost a sweet, vibrant, full-of-life young girl that my youngest attended school with. She was longboarding an hit her head on a rock. Massive brain damage. i am feeling this loss and my son who is very quiet, has grown even quieter. His dad and i prayed with him when he first shared it with us. i can't believe she's gone.
and
on the flip side he shared a beautiful story about a friend at college. He took her to Wave on Wed night - a celebration of life through Jesus Christ and she accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord. How awesome! that Friday her parents called her to say her dad who had only a few months according to doctors to live had been totally healed from cancer. Now he is planning on coming here to visit her from Oregon.
i don't pretend to understand the Sovereign God but i do know after years and years of searching that for me He is The Only Way to find - peace, joy, love, confidence, empowerment in this crazy world.

Waitless

2011-10-09T18:23:00.000-04:00

you carry no weights/burderns when they are butterflies - they just lift up and off. lighten your load, let go of stuff that doesn't matter anymore. i loved creating this painting totally inspired by tami on IB. its going over my bed in my studio area.

Hidden

2011-10-03T13:52:00.000-04:00

paint over paint - not because i hated it but bc it was meant to one day be concealed.

GoatHead

2011-09-26T13:05:00.000-04:00

finally the last thing added was the goat head - why a goat head i have no idea. that's just where the painting wanted to head, lol. Inner Breath has been interesting and challenging. thought of Sound of Music the song The Lonely Goatherd. yodeling as i go.

Inner Breath Challenge

2011-09-20T12:47:00.000-04:00

to use only warm colors for my painting. i decided to lay on my exercise ball and paint using my art journal on the floor. it started out as a tree with portals below.

and finished as a She releasing the black birds from one portal. She holds the keys to Release.

i didn't feel restricted at all using only warm colors. the three keys each represent my sons. black birds come through in Spring and Fall landing in our trees - for only a short time they fill the trees with their flutter, flurry and chatter.

BIGGEST Blind Contour Painting

2011-09-16T10:19:00.001-04:00

this is my BIGGEST painting ever - Blind Contours is going on my studio wall. i really love these and so does my doggie.

love this closeup of what i call 'the bull'

and the guy at the bottom - he is so classical and very well educated and talented too, but not snobby.

Pecking

2011-09-13T09:49:00.000-04:00

what an amazing gift i heard this morning then discovered where it was coming from. Five little baby bluejays were on my front porch pecking at my beautiful, huge, blue pot. we had seen their evidence earlier in the year when my red and yellow ceramic disappeared off a smaller pot on the porch.
God has created so many amazing creatures for us to enjoy. IF ONLY we will listen. What are you missing bc you are "too busy" to stop?!

BIG WIP

2011-09-12T10:57:00.000-04:00

this royal gentleman came out in a painting, but he's not finished yet. i love the oil pastels and smushing with my fingers still.

I'm at War-HeArt Big

2011-09-10T08:56:00.000-04:00

i'm not sure where this came from within me, well i sorta do. lovin' the whimsy of it all. to scan my body from feet up, do a painting then another painting opposite. this was the feet up scan. it all started with painting BIG feet and then the body up to the head. i painted a helmet on her head, purpled up her military-style pants, added a face mask. then the real whimsy came after painting a sign that read "i'm at war" on her helmet i gave her a blow dryers as her weapon. why did i do that? i don't know but it was just a fun painting to a heavy day.

What does it feel like to BE me

2011-09-08T07:29:00.000-04:00

in BIG week 5 question was: what does it feel like to be me?

i wrote the question on paper and kept it before me as i painted - the result - aloe vera plants.

there is so much meaning in this painting for me - the aloe vera plant is a wonderful natural healer.
not sure if it needs more highlights - when wait, look, observe and let it speak to me. one thing is for certain - i feel very compelled to buy a few aloe plants.

Bahamian Artist

2011-09-07T21:10:00.000-04:00

one of my favorite artists shared a quote by Amos Ferguson, a wonderful painter who has passed on. http://harbourislandgallery.com/artists/ferguson.htm he said, "he paints by faith, not by sight."

She Burns

2011-09-06T20:29:00.000-04:00

this is my energy - new oil pastels smushed around with my fingers produced her and the borders are acrylic paints. the flower shapes were intended to be an atom shape. thanks tracie for that!

i named her "She Burns". i love how the gown looks like marbling. the first painting has stalled, it began like a seed, turned upside side may end up being a flamenco dancer, who knows! just this.

The Seed

2011-09-04T18:16:00.000-04:00

i came across this book two days ago in B&N, started reading it and had to go back today to finish the read. Inner Breath class started today and so funny everything she was saying i had been saying to my hubby this week, even last night at dinner ask him if we could just live in NOW, not the past or the future, just NOW. synchronicity?!?!?!?! anywho The Seed had a line in it that said 'the baby girl was named Koa which mean 'fearless'. that got my attention - names are important and very meaningful.

Blind Contour Personalities

2011-09-03T10:27:00.000-04:00

so we were to experience blind contour - mine became a collection of little personalities.

Bearded Lady

George the Trainer

and the cutest one by far Pink Curlers, Leopard Pants and Tiger Stripes.

BIG contour

2011-08-31T06:42:00.000-04:00

i'm loving contour on BIG, i think i am working a series. and the fun part its unfolding with a story about each one. they are all familiar to me - people from the past so far. so funny, but i'm lovin' where its going!

ICU

2011-08-30T10:29:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Irene is coming! i read Deanna and Jill's blog post on Saturday - felt so raw, vulnerable - so had to paint - chose blues. swirls like hurricane. where ever i wanted it on paper -then wanted to feel my fingers in paint - i placed all the tips of my fingers in the blue paint and rubbed and rubbed just to see how far paint would go. i knew i had to cover the corners up, i didn't want them white, then i didn't want borders left white - switched to purple and drippage but who said drippage always had to start at top - i just wildly let it drip where ever - i was really moved by the two blog posts - i had to paint i noticed an eye in blue off the side of the page - so didn't touch that area but everything else had to be covered - NO WHITE - none! when i was finishing i started to cry - the feeling of just peeping out from behind - would that feeling ever go away - what was that eye thinking, feeling, seeing, tasting, touching, expressing - piercing eye. and then a memory came to me of a peeping tom in our neighborhood when i was a little girl - not feeling safe in my bedroom bc i had a window.

Open Door

2011-08-26T13:15:00.000-04:00

two nights ago i felt like painting this green door and inviting you in. i really loved working with the different greens. i thought of my sister and her desire to visit Ireland. then i returned to BooksMillions to buy a Panpipe music cd all Irish melodies. one was titled 40 shades of green. you know since i'm into green right now i had to bring it home - listening to it as i paint.

Earthquake Today

2011-08-23T14:18:00.001-04:00

while sitting on my couch having a late lunch the house began to rumble. my doggies went crazy barking, they knew something was up. even after it stopped my body was still moving and felt weird. it was a 5.8 earthquake and we are on a fault line.

and my portal, beam me up scotty.

Kandinsky and Ireland

2011-08-21T08:17:00.001-04:00

natasha sent me an inspiration art pic from this artist. i had looked at his work before but now i'm looking through a different pair of eyes. i see so much thanks to tasha's challenges. i just may have to travel to BnN to check out a few art books. and here is a blog that just happened up on my kandinsky art page, i love her blog, marking as fav to go back http://lisadoradesigns.blogspot.com/

BTW happy birthday sis. i know, i know you will always be younger than me. don't rub it in. love to you. and funny Ireland is beginning to pop up all over around me. it reminded me my sis would love to visit Ireland and you know what i really have a deep desire to take her - we never do sista' time together. she's now a grandma and lovin' that little one with another on the way.

i Wept

2011-08-19T11:21:00.002-04:00

and wept and wept and wept some more, my heart was aching, it seemed my chest was being torn to shreds and ............................
http://amokarts.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/responding-to-controversial-art-part-2/

True 2 Color and Stinky

2011-08-18T09:37:00.000-04:00

the stinky part - the dismal swamp is burning. the haze here and the smell of rubber tires burning is strong - i'm sure no one wants to venture outside for long.

and here is my Memory True 2 Color

i learned so much from week 2 in BIG.

More Than A Memory

2011-08-17T19:35:00.000-04:00

in my BIG class i had this memory - a broken robin's egg in my front yard, a blown down nest and a Christmas with my new doll. of course i'm nesting.

the little 5 year old in me could not wait for good light to take this add-on of one more memory - painting Easter eggs and the baby chick my mom gave me. once upon a time they use to dye the little chicks at Easter for children. anyway this egg is much brighter blue.

Breaker Wave

2011-08-16T22:05:00.000-04:00

i just started painting with blue and kept building until i created this breaker wave and then the next day i was reminded my son surfs and he attends The Wave Church. but that didn't occur to me while i was painting. it still needs work but i was so amazed i created this during my time at the retreat.

Diamonds on the Lake

2011-08-15T23:14:00.001-04:00

i had the most amazing artist retreat this weekend in Georgia at Diamonds on the Lake.

i entered my bedroom named The Tree Of Life and found this beautiful artist card awaiting my arrival. its titled "Wings To Fly" the little card reads "only through instinctive determination and perseverance will a butterfly emerge from its cocoon with wings strong enough to fly in breathtaking beauty. God has promised that as we persevere in our trials and struggles we, too, will emerge in brilliant beauty, clothed in His joy and peace."

thank you so much janice!

our group enjoyed our bonding time so much we named ourselves Love Dove.

Really i do

2011-08-11T08:47:00.000-04:00

this pic is a continuation it seems of my feelings from time-2-time. the word in middle attitudal "really" and now its "really i love you, i really do". lovin' BIG 7 Tribe with Connie.

today is my hubby's birthday and i am scheduled to fly out in another hour to Georgia for a class. i hated leaving him on his b-day, but he's working all day until about 10:30 tonight. My family gave me a great art class in GA for my birthday all orchestrated by my DIL2B. i love her, she's so thoughtful.

BIG 7

2011-08-09T11:20:00.000-04:00

this is the culmination of all my skeleton paintings from Total Alignment for BIG 7 Tribe. how funny that there are 7 flowers on this painting and that was not planned. i wish my teeth were that white, lol.

Big7 Tribe Begins

2011-08-07T15:06:00.000-04:00

scribbles - friends
not sure why 2 blues and black chose me but scribble they did and i loved it. became friends

line - purple tulip

looking at my cally lily painting i observed lines so from there my lines formed

Total Alignment Day 5 Grounding

2011-08-06T13:10:00.001-04:00

my camera is acting up - some reason didn't take the whole body pic and upload, maybe is suppose to be two parts, lol. every Day of Dead i usually see revolves around some flowers, every funeral usually has many flowers. so i added flowers. Connie spoke of roots going deep into the ground and of course the seeds produce vines/flowers. my skeletal remains is intertwined in growing vines.

and

here is the bottom half of Skeletal Remains-Grounding. i may add more flowers until the entire painting is full of overgrown flowers.

i finally was able to get the entire pic uploaded.

dia de los muertos

Total Alignment Day 4 Self Expression

2011-08-05T07:33:00.000-04:00

let it begin in the throat and reverb on down into every part of my body - shake it off girlie.

Happy Feet

2011-08-04T20:53:00.001-04:00

i had the best time this morning after watching Connie's Total Alignment Self-Expression class dancing all round to the Beach Boys song Good Vibrations. happy feet dancing in the sunlight coming through my window blinds.
ps - forgot to say my son and his friend came in while i was dancing and singing - they thought i lost my marbles. danced on!

BIG-TotalAlignment Day 3- Energy

2011-08-03T21:06:00.000-04:00

Skeleton Boy Hoop Dancer

i will have a skeleton family group of mascots for my BIG Total Alignment when this week is over. i never do death symbols of any kind in my art. but for some reason i keep thinking of Freda Kahlo and the Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead culture. today's day began with music My Heads Spinning, i loved dancing and moving to this song and a few others while painting Energizing in Connie's Alignment class.

BIG-Total Alignment Day 2 - Balance

2011-08-02T12:05:00.000-04:00

Fearless 7BIG Tribal Mascot

connie's day 2 - Balance brought out the tribal skeleton man again. and here he is. his chest cavity has changed slight shape into a sacred dance shawl. can you see it - he has perfect inner balance. connie's Total Alignment class is free for 5 days - so check out her blog.

Going BIG - Member of 7th Tribe

2011-08-01T21:35:00.001-04:00

connie over at Dirty Footprints has a Total Alignment class for free this week and she's getting the 7th Tribe psyched up to begin next week. after watching her heart creation this is mine. i think i am going to name him Skeletal Remains. i love the serendipitous moment one color side began to bleed down and the other remained controlled, fitted into the rib cage. i won't remain a split personality on butcher paper

and she wants us to pick a new journal for BIG. i went searching through mine and here is what i came up with - a gift from one son last Christmas. genuine italian leather and boy does it smell the part. Now i am ready to begin BIG!

Clothes Line Fresh

2011-07-31T14:19:00.001-04:00

my son hangs all his clothes, never drying bc they would shrink - eegads - i have on occasion forgotten and put youngest son's shirts in dryer - being 6'3" he needs all the length he can get.

and here is my sketch of my backyard with carved family initials in the tree. the feather another find from a little birdies' fight with our local hawks. sketch named Tender Lovin' Care. my sons played basketball for hours in the backyard when they were younger, now its kickin' soccer ball for doggie to chase.

one of my assignments for my class in GA this month is to sketch/draw every day. i thought it would be hard but its enjoyable and interesting the things i am sketching and watercolor painting.

Basket Nest

2011-07-30T08:02:00.000-04:00

i found this little basket nest had fallen from a tree in my son's backyard.

really i don't think a human could make a more beautiful basket. wonder what kind of bird was nesting?

Intense Sunset

2011-07-28T21:43:00.000-04:00

last night hubby and i drove down the Colonial Parkway as the sun was setting behind the Smith Farm. the colors were so intense. loved it - as hard as i might try to create a beautiful piece of art nothing tops the Creator's display.

Pouring Rain

2011-07-27T04:44:00.000-04:00

i loved the heat storm we experienced monday night. fabulous. thunder, lightening, pounding rain full of excitement.

Man of Thunder

he's fierce and powerful
the thunder roars his great name
rumbling deep within

Water Fountain

2011-07-25T12:21:00.000-04:00

Sound In Nature

2011-07-22T09:33:00.001-04:00

this week's project - Senses Hearing. this was another serendipitous moment for me as i had just pulled my instructions off the computer for my sound class. i walked outside to sit in the sun without looking at the instructions and yet God just opened up such beautiful moments for me to capture this bumblebee. i could hear his wings buzzing but my camera sound is not powerful enough to pick it up.

Watercolor

2011-07-18T15:10:00.000-04:00

shapes, blocks, wine & goblet

color

my sweet DIL2B purchased a great little container of watercolors, luscious colors, so i'm playing.
if all works out great, they are sending me to an artist class i've wanted to attend for 2 years now.
she is so attentive to my passions and hearing me. she is a breath of fresh air.

Catch Me If You Can

2011-07-15T11:28:00.000-04:00

i read Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale a few weeks back in two days. great read and intriguing, very interesting how he conned so many people at such a young age.

probably my favorite flower - the gardenia
when my hubby and i began dating he would pick them for me when we visited his home. i love the smell and the delicate petals. i have two gardenia bushes in my front yard. one is now in bloom.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

Its amazing

two people

so far from each other

in this world

never knowing of each existence

until

by chance

the passions we share

cause us to meet

unexpectedly

gradually

a friendship blossoms

like a flower

and to celebrate

this blessing of fate

and to celebrate your birthday

I give you

a field full of flowers

Happy Birthday

Morning Dove

I hope you have the most wonderful day

Love

Christine xx

My Gift

2011-07-13T06:32:00.001-04:00

created by artist Christine Barnes

this beautiful painting is a gift from Christine to moi as the Stories class is coming to an end. she is very talented in creating her poetry too. i have so enjoyed meeting her. Her homeland is beautiful and full of adventure, her town filled with artist's groups and inspiration, her love of life intoxicating. i am so glad i met her.

Masquerade Painting

2011-07-10T21:41:00.000-04:00

i painted blade of grass, orange juice and fireworks while at my masquerade party for OTSYT with Natasha.

AJ Secrets

2011-07-10T11:48:00.000-04:00

well connie ask what our aj secrets are

i am addicted, there i admitted it!

i have tons of books and journals of all types

i have all kinds of tools for arting, quilting, playing

i have more art tools and fun stuff - i'm just addicted

i have all types of pens, markers, writing utensils- i'm addicted but i need more! lol

Mystical Early Morning

2011-07-09T00:24:00.001-04:00

early this morning the rain was pouring down, my backyard side view - mystical.

Three Hawks

My Body The Land

2011-07-07T22:06:00.000-04:00

from lisa's yoga + art class this is my mountain pose - foundation. a quote from Seminole Native American - 'the land i stand on is my body'.

The Shroud - Ring Not Yet Worn

2011-07-05T13:20:00.001-04:00

my poem i wrote to accompany this video for natasha's class. its about my dad's wedding ring. when i was three he was killed in a car accident - went off a bridge and ended up submerged in the water.
my mother gave birth to my brother the day after my dads's death on my oldest brother's birthday 5 years apart.

when i planned to marry i asked my fiancee if he would mind my sizing down my father's ring for my wedding band and that ring is still worn by me today 31 years in marriage. here is the poem:

Ring Not Yet Worn by Me

the ring not yet worn
now sunken below the water
shrouded in death had come to rest

when they pulled him out
no breath, no pulse, no life
what would become of his wife

giving birth to a son in grief
a name sake now to bear
at her heart strings he did tear

this little one a sudden reminder
alone at last no one could find her
why this puzzled look - a longing

he being buried in the ground cold
she picking up knowing to be bold
the children so young to feel the loss

until the ring not yet worn
placed on her hand brought new life
for on this day she became his wife.
Dec 20, 1980

natasha you have stretched me and stretched me, i love you for that! its kind of a play on words - with ring not worn (my dad did not have it long enough to become worn and it lay in my mother's jewelry box for a little daughter to gaze upon when she was allowed to go through her mother's jewelry until twenty-two years later when i put it on my finger taking my vows in marriage.)

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T10:47:00.000-04:00

the wind was blowing it seemed so gently
but just enough for the flag to unfurl

2011-07-03T16:29:00.002-04:00

we purchased this lovely art piece from kirkland's because it reminded my hubby of his home place. after hanging it in our bathroom it fell off the wall and cracked, hubby wanted to throw it away. i couldn't bring myself to discard it.

there is a crack in everything. that's how the light gets in." leonard cohen

are you cracked? let God's light shine in you.

With Love Christine

2011-07-02T12:16:00.000-04:00

fairies in my garden

you inspired me to do this abstractercise painting this morning after reading your story and seeing your beautiful aj page of your flowers and butterflies. all the background music are birds and insects in my yard. maybe natasha will teach us how to put music to our vids.

Cate-Pillar Hello

2011-06-30T20:30:00.000-04:00

i loved watching this little guy move today. so where's the butterfly?

survival of the fittest

2011-06-29T00:58:00.000-04:00

hawk family in our trees - only the strong survive. fledglings must eat, not sure if this is mom or dad.

Gaggle

2011-06-27T12:07:00.000-04:00

took an enjoyable ride on parkway with hubby friday evening. these little beauties were busy chatting with each other. wonder what they had to say? i believe it is a mommy with her two babies.

Worn By Him

2011-06-25T14:27:00.000-04:00

i love these old pair of working bibs worn by my FIL and then he passed them on to me. i was brought into remembrance of him yesterday as tasha challenged us in our writing. she is moving me beyond where i thought i could go. write on!! right on!!

kiss

2011-06-24T13:11:00.000-04:00

i had to post an amazing woman's blog here for anyone to read. all i can say is she made me realize just how much my heavenly Father loves me. i needed that reminder.

and oh what a treat last night - girl time with my future DIL. she is another amazing young woman. we enjoyed breaking bread together, then walking in new town, listening to the band in the park, sitting and sharing our hearts with one another.

i am a blessed woman.

Jane's Challenge

2011-06-21T20:17:00.000-04:00

with Happy Drawing - i loved sketching this simple little girl - actually looks alot like me as a child. except i have brown eyes. i am enjoying simple sketching and now getting back into my writing with natasha's class.

happy drawing

2011-06-15T22:14:00.000-04:00

practice shading,sketching and watercolor paints

Hummingbird Feeding and Sparklebluefarey GiveAway

2011-06-11T13:06:00.001-04:00

from this practice drawing with both hands at same time to

this sketched hummingbird painted with watercolor; all the flowers painted with my finger using cheap almost-dried out acyrlic paints. Happy Drawing from Jane on 21 Secrets. i love it!!

and Sparklebluefarey is having a give away of one of her handmade books. hurry over, leave a comment, maybe you will win it.

Tenacity and Fearfully and Wonderfully

2011-06-07T09:07:00.000-04:00

Urban Layer Cake - molding paste and acyrlic paints, lovin' the colors, paper butterflies

this little guy-Tenacity-is part of a bigger painting called Graceful Warrior for my friend Susan.

Dance Of Butterflies

2011-05-28T14:14:00.000-04:00

made a butterfly stencil and filled with metallic paints, very creamy butterflies. added my doodle version of flowers and a black/white border all around for Happy Drawing.

Out of Yips

2011-05-25T12:16:00.000-04:00

an aj page for sketching happy. you know what they say, "don't judge a book by its cover".

A Blog GiveAway

2011-05-19T11:50:00.000-04:00

here by Green Isles for creating a rust AJ. run on over and take a look.

i actually worked in pinks and green.

Bold

2011-05-17T09:51:00.000-04:00

my Strathmore class with Linda Blinn showed us how to make stencils, so i made this poppy stencil.

since returning from our cruise i have not had too much time to create - but - i am abstractercising again.
i'll show you what i did tomorrow.

Grenada

2011-05-06T08:18:00.000-04:00

something happen to me spiritually as i was disembarking for our excursion on Grenada. and God was so good He gave me a rainbow across the sky. It was so beautiful.

Home Again

2011-05-06T08:16:00.000-04:00

we returned home from our 8th cruise in the Caribbean. each time different and of course so enjoyable bc i have hubby all to myself. lovin' that! i love writing so been practicing different techniques to go in my art journals.

'puter heaven

2011-04-09T08:11:00.000-04:00

i can type a post, my little 'puter has been so good and lasted and lasted, he's hung forever but soon very soon he will be put to rest. another will hopefully replace him but for now the printer doesn't work, can't upload a pic but i can still write.

it looks like rain here, so i'll enjoy a walk to the park now with hubby and doggie. lovin' all my abstractercise classes.
have a great day in life.