A Royal Visit

Last night, we received a princess into our home.  She was a-sparkled from head to toe:  glitter in her hair, glitter on her cheeks, shimmering fabric fashioned into a lovely dress ... and a wand.  She has to zap her loyal subjects from time to time by turning them into a pickle ... all to keep them in line.

The Queen Mum and the hand-maiden to the Princess came along as well. 

It's lovely having royalty in the family.



New Endeavor

I've been trying my hand at small, postcard size paintings.  They are a nice break from the larger paintings, finish up quickly and people seem to enjoy receiving them.

What do you think?

Haitian Mangoes

The lastest in the fruit series.

New Friends

Rare moments indeed.

Happiness Thought

"Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
     -- Joseph Addison

Home Away From Home

Here's my painting, listening to music, collage- and card-making space. 

It's big enough, light enough, quiet enough and comfortable enough for me to want to be here all the time.  The only thing that would be missing would be my sweetie.

Before Expansion:

After Expansion:

I rented two studio spaces at the beginning of this month, right next to one another.  I have lots of room to spread out: a separate painting area and a craft/card area with lots of storage.  In the painting area, I can work on three or four paintings simultaneously.  I have posted lots of other paintings around me for reference and inspiration.

I'm happy here.  I feel at home and productive.  It's a "Room of My Own."



Bikes and Books

As a child, I rode my bike everywhere: a pink, bananna-seated bike with streamers flowing from the handle bars and a white, plastic basket in front with pink plastic flowers permanently attached.  I felt so chique, so stylish.  My brothers and I rode to the shopping center, to school, to pick blackberries in the summer.  I even rode to the dentist.

My favorite outing was to the bookmobile that appeared every week in the parking lot of the local shopping center.  I got to know the librarians that sat amongst the air conditioned vehicle (I grew up in New Orleans where the springs, summers and autumns were long, hot and sticky).  They got to know me and my reading tastes and would set aside books for me or make suggestions.  I would proudly pull out my library card from my shorts' pocket and check out as many books as would fit into the basket.  Taking off on a fully loaded bike, I would teeter and sway until I got my balance. 

Next week is national "Bike, Walk, Ride to Work Week."  And I confess to some ambivalence towards my bicycle these days.  It's a great bike; I just don't know it really well.  It's loaded with all the accessories for comfort and convenience.  I love being outdoors and hearing the sounds of nature around me as I cycle.  I see things I would otherwise miss.

But I hate the bike seat.  Cycling friends tell me the only way to overcome saddle soreness is to bike more.  I'm skeptical.

So, I've been thinking...what would it take to get me back in the saddle and riding again.  What excuses do I have to eliminate?  I have every reason to ride to work, shopping, the studio and church:  I live only a short distance from all those places.  I have a good bike, albeit with a cobweb or two on it.  The cost is minimal to none and the maintenance is low. 

Perhaps I need a riding buddy.  Perhaps I need some encouragement.

Perhaps I just need to walk. 

Memorable Movies

Have you ever questioned your faith?  C'mon, be honest.  Doubt isn't a disease that can be transmitted if you admit to it. 

Over the course of time, therapy and living, I've come to learn that doubt is a part of faith.  A hard part, but perhaps a necessary part. 

Watch this movie.  Be moved.  Think about it.  Ask yourself how genuine your faith is or are you just going through the motions or simply believing what you were taught.  Watch this movie. 

A life devoted to art; a passionate life.  This is the life of Herb (a postal clerk) and Dorothy (a reference librarian) who lived on one salary so they could spend the remaining income on art.  They became world-class collectors of minimalist and conceptual art, and a friend to many new and upcoming artists.  This film is the story of a life lived with purpose.  Even if you don't like or understand what they collected, watch this film for its story of purpose, generosity, and devotion.