A dreary beginning to the week

But, we were rewarded late Wednesday with a beautiful sunset and a cool breeze, tempting us to open all the windows, and sleep a night without the air conditioning. I am ALWAYS hot, but a chill hung in the air last night, prompting me to cover up with the quilt on our bed.

Wednesday was much like any ordinary day, however I woke with a restlessness. I decided to mail some letters, and treat myself to lunch over the noon hour. So, I jumped in the car and drove over to the local grocery store. After paying for postage, I found myself drawn to the flower counter. As I reviewed the selection of flowers in the self-serve bins, I spied a bouquet of large sunflowers. They made me smile, and they looked incredible, so I new they were fresh. I could not resist!

After returning home from my errands, I promptly arranged my beautiful bouquet in a warm yellow pitcher I keep for decoration. They looked perfect!

I suddenly longed for the fragrance of a spiced pumpkin candle. So, I rumaged through my over flowing candle drawer to find the perfect scent. Every time I walked into the kitchen, I smiled when I saw my sunflower bouquet. After work, I decided to dig out some other autumn accessories. Before I realized it, Fall had arrived at my home.

Today, I have opened all the windows to let the cool breeze back in, and I dream of colored leaves, pumpkins, and warm clothes.


Oh... how I wish the trees were changing colors, but it is too early. So for now,I will just have to enjoy my sunflowers.

Home Matters Art Show - Opening Reception

Dear Friends.... Thank You SO MUCH for your encouraging comments. The opening night reception for my first one woman art show was a success! I had a wonderful crowd of over 100 people for my debut.

Monica's Bundt Cake Company is an ideal setting for showing art. This VERY! fun whimsical decor accompanied by the heavenly scent of fresh baked bundt cake was a delightful backdrop, and the perfect compliment for my artwork.

Below is a photo collage of visitors, both friends and strangers, enjoying an evening of art, bundt cake bites, wine, and good conversation.


I leave you, dear readers, with a medley of "Home" art to enjoy. These particular pieces are currently being displayed at the store. Thanks so much to Monica Schlegel, the owner, for inviting me be a part of her wonderful world of bundt cakes!

My FIRST One Woman Art Show

I am so nervous and excited because TONIGHT is the opening reception for my FIRST one woman art show!

For my debut, I even bought a FUN and FUNKY outfit to wear with some beautiful silver shoes that lace up around my legs.

Wish Me Luck!!!!

Longing

"Today
is a day
like any other: twenty-four hours,
a little sunshine,
a little rain.

Listen,
says ambition, nervously shifting her weight
from one boot to another -
why don't you get going?


For there I am, in the mossy shadows, under the trees.
And to tell the truth, I don't want to let go of the wrists of idleness,
I don't want to sell my life for money,
I don't even want to come in out of the rain."

- Mary Oliver


I returned home on Friday night from being away several days. During my trip, I had managed to make copious notes scheduling every minute, every second of my Saturday. Not a moment could I afford to waste. It was going to be a very productive day, and a lengthy detailed to-do list would keep me on track.

Although I did manage to cross off a few tasks, most of the day turned out quite different. My mind was unable to focus, and my body ached from jet lag, coupled with sleep deprivation caused by my travels. So, I decided to take the afternoon off from my mostly self-imposed obligations.

Late Saturday afternoon, cloudy skies, a gentle rain, and cool breezes arrived in Kansas which drew me outside. A welcomed relief from the 100+ degrees of heat that this state has been experiencing. I sat on the back porch enjoying this gift from Mother Nature.

I did not want to let go of these moments....I did not even want to come in out of the rain.

Just pour a cup of tea.

For me, having a cup tea is very soothing. Slowly sipping this hot beverage is a calming experience. It helps me put a fast pace world on hold, even if it lasts for only a brief moment.

I have not always been such an adamant tea drinker. Over three years ago, I had the pleasure of participating in the relaxing afternoon tradition of "High Tea" hosted by the Fairmont Empress Hotel in beautiful Victoria, Canada.

Since 1908, the Fairmont has upheld the high standards of the enjoyable ritual of "Afternoon Tea", and specializes in showcasing it in the traditional Victorian and Edwardian manner.

During our tea party, my friends and I were lavished with incredible finger foods: tiny sandwiches, fruit scones, biscuits, delectable jams, mouth-watering tea cakes, and elegant pastries. Of course we washed all these edibles down with the hotel's signature tea blend. Since this experience, I have been captivated by the practice of drinking tea.

So, dear friends, whatever the day has brought of care while seeking for a fuller life, share in such pleasures as these, and simply pour yourself a cup of tea.....

August is an Exciting Month!

My favorite season, autumn, is right around the corner. And the new Artfest brochure is available to view on-line.

Once the new workshops are posted, a flurry of messages begin to pop up on the Artfest Yahoo group. There are numerous email questions and discussions covering topics such as class selections, travel arrangements, trading art, and must-have items to bring with you to the retreat. I especially love reading the responses from veteran Artfesters with advice for Newbies.

There is one piece of advise I would like to share with both old and new Artfest attendees. Make sure to tuck a journal somewhere in your suitcase, and DON'T FORGET TO USE IT!

I have to admit... my journaling habit is sporadic. I find myself journaling based on events rather than daily. However, I classify events as more than just a holiday, birthday, or vacation. I have journaled about the first snowfall, or the day I decorated my whole house for autumn. I even have pages and pages dedicated to spending time in nature. Although it might be days or weeks before I feel compelled to record my thoughts again, Artfest is the one event I have journaled about faithfully.

For each Artfest, I have recorded my thoughts, feelings, and art in a new 6x6 Li Lama book. Every year, I try to choose a different color for the cover. I like the 6x6 size because it is compact but not too small. And, I enjoy Li Lama journals because of their handmade paper pages.

I actually start each Artfest journal a day or two before leaving on my trip. This allows me to to capture the excitment and anticipation of my upcoming journey. Most of my journal entries consist of writing about the day, a particular incident, thought, idea, or feeling. However, I dedicate almost 1/4 of the journal to art.

The first year I attended Artfest, back in 2001, I was a sophomore art student in college. Looking back in book #1 and then looking forward at book #6, I can see how my technical skills as an artist had improved, and how my art had matured. As I moved along in my college education, I became more focused in the area of illustration. These journals inadvertently reflected that concentrated focus.

If I browse through book #2 (Artfest 2002), I am reminded about my feelings regarding 911. That Artfest would be the first time I would fly after this tragic event. I expressed my fears and anxieties regarding planes and even being in the airport.

I proudly display my treasures on the top shelf of a bookcase in my studio. From time to time, I pull a book down off the shelf to reflect on my experiences. Each journal is uniquely different, just like each Artfest. These six books are my most cherished souvenirs from my trips.

Scattered within this post are pictures of my favorite journal covers and pages. Most of the book covers consist of a collage of trades and/or goodies I received from other attendees. The inside pages, however, are mainly my illustrations.

I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I love sharing them with you!

The Gift

Although my birthday occurred in the middle part of April, I spent the last weekend of July enjoying the gift I received 3 1/2 months ago.

My adorable husband is always extremely thoughtful, and diligent about finding the most wonderful presents to commemorate all the special occasions in my life. For my 39th birthday, he purchased the opportunity for me to attend a two-day jewelry workshop with Nina Bagley at The Valley Ridge Art Studio.

Kathy Malkasian, pictured on the left, is the proprietor of this enchanting place located in the rural country side near Madison, Wisconsin. She and her husband, Bill, provided a weekend of inspiring scenery and delectable gourmet lunches served on an outdoor veranda. I also had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with some incredible, talented, and accomplished artists. And Nina shared her expert knowledge of jewelry making, and entertained us with her wit and gracious southern charm.

Our class focused on basic jewelry techniques with an emphasis on exploring different ways to incorporate natural findings into lovely jewelry pieces using simple handdrilling, wiring, hammering and collage. Each student created a miniature shadowbox to combine with our natural ephemera. The necklace pictured on the right is the result of my two days of play and experimentation.

Valley Ridge Studio is truly a divine creative retreat. And if you have ever taken a workshop with Nina, you will know how VERY kind, open, and giving she is, and this weekend was no exception.

My Wisconsin weekend was the PERFECT gift!

*(I encourage you to check out the workshops and happenings of the EXTRAORDINARY Nina Bagley!!!!)

I am very excited to share some news with you. I will be teaching a workshop at Artfest 2007.

Not only will I have the chance to spend a day sharing techniques with my fellow artists, I have the great privilege of team teaching this class with someone I truly admire and dearly love, my mother-in-law, Marylin Huskamp!

Marylin and I have been close friends for over fifteen years. We not only have family ties in common, but we also share a passion for art. This will be our seventh year attending Artfest, and words can not express how excited, thrilled, and honored we both are that Teesha and Tracy Moore, our magnificent hosts, are giving us this opportunity.

Our workshop, Fused Fragments Extended Journal, is an exciting exploration of a no-sew fusion process that bonds even the tiniest scraps of papers and/or fibers to create beautiful and textural pieces of art. The banner at the top of this blog post is actually a small sample of this unique technique.

We will be using landscapes and nature as our inspiration for creating a very wide or extended journal. Marylin and I have already been very busy gathering, drying, and pressing some beautiful botanicals to give to our students. These botanicals, along with some other surprises/goodies, are a small way of saying, "Thank You for spending the day with us." As you can see from the picture to the left, we will have some WONDERFUL Queen Anne's Lace to share with our class.

The Artfest Experience is an opportunity to spend three incredible days sharing, creating, learning, feeling inspired by the people around you, and being swept away by some of the most breathtaking scenery. For anyone that has not ever attended Artfest, I have to warn you. This is a life altering event. It has changed me in ways I could have NEVER imaged! Sometimes, I did not realized how much I had grown from the experience until many months after attending.


Dear Reader, I definitely encourage you to check it out for yourself, and COME... Join Us, won't you!