Summer to Autumn - away

It is time again for me to leave this studio of mine and venture out into the vast world. I will be traveling to Phoenix to teach two wonderful workshops, one on Friday and the second on Sunday.

On Saturday, I will be offering a table full of delightful treasures to purchase. All of these terrific happenings are taking place at the incredible Art Unraveled Retreat. If you are in the area, I invite you to come join in the fun!

I always feel both happy and sad before I leave on a trip. Happy and giddy with excitement because I will be going, doing, having such lovely experiences, sharing with friends old and new, and spending time reveling in the artistic endeavors I cherish so.

Sad because I miss home. Yes.. even though I am well into my adulthood, I feel an aching in my heart for home when I am away from this familiar place with its sweet smell of coffee scented candles burning, peach apricot tea steeping in my favorite mug, soft sheets on a comfy bed, my beloved pets, and my darling husband.

I will even miss Mr. Toad.

So to keep you company while I am abroad, I leave you with a most charming bit of art from my Season's Journal, inspired by my Summer house guest.

Summer to Autumn, a new chapter continues

It was a busy weekend entertaining my parents from Kentucky. The weather was perfect for their visit. Gentle rains on Saturday were the prelude to mild temperatures and an absolutely gorgeous day on Sunday with pleasant breezes. Definitely a rare jewel bestowed upon Kansas during what would normally be a scorching July.

Even with guests, I did manage to finish a few more pieces to tuck into my Summer to Autumn Journal that I wanted to share with you. I am hoping to find time to complete entire pages very soon. But for now, here is another peek at the lovely offerings of the season.

The large toad, seen above, has been lingering in the dirt of an antique pail filled with flowers and plants that sits on the front porch. It is an ideal location for him as this particular spot is lighted at night, attracting a plethora of winged insects for his dinnertime meal.

He has hopped out of his cozy burrow to greet me on more than one occasion. And, his always dramatic entrance leaves me a bit startled. However once I have recovered from the abrupt appearance, I truly enjoy following him about, as he makes his way around the garden.

The peaches have been another absolutely divine gift this summer. I have been keeping a large bowl in the kitchen very well stocked with this delectable fruit.

I love the fiery orange and yellow hues of their skin. I feel like a child when I eat them because I can never quite manage to keep from having the sweet juices running down my chin, pooling drops onto the plate in front of me.
Can't you just see a little chickadee sitting on the rim of my peach bowl. His feathers making such a wonderful contrast in color against the warm yellow bowl filled with such summer delights.

Summer to Autumn, a new chapter

I can hardly believe that I am already working on another wondrous chapter in this year's journaling adventure. Christening a new book, Summer to Autumn, with fresh works is very exciting!

So far everything is mostly bits and pieces, small paintings waiting with stories still to unfold from the heart, as I have yet to assemble the pages together. However, I thought I would share some of the little faces and sweet memories of a season that is in full swing.
"these gifts from marvelous sky, wondrous earth
like plucking a bright star from a field of dreams
or perhaps, it is the stem from wince it comes,
with roots deep and tangled about our thoughts."