blogging challenge day 20 - what i did today

I made two new pillow covers today.  

The old ones did not match, but they were very nice and down filled.  I hated to throw them out. Solution...new pillow covers so downstairs to the stash I went.  Of course, I had something that would suffice, a navy polka dot pattern. Two envelope pillow covers made in two hours.  Voila!

 ...making progress on my secret cozy hideway...

blogging challenge day 19 - day in pics

today in pics.  photography as art

blogging challenge day 17 - my day in pics

a quick look at my day:

 ansel adams nature photography with preschoolers

signs of spring everywhere you look

a beautiful hydrangea never dead-headed

rhododendron bud starting to form

 mama wren waiting patiently for the playground to clear...

and after a long day of work, at home relaxing on my porch

among the colors

and patterns I love so much

something I found this winter in my forsythia bush

(bringing this to school to show my enrichment class next week)

and dixie always standing guard, she is a very hard worker dog!

blogging challenge day 16 - ahhh...the internet and what it takes!

No, I did not skip out on the blogging challenge.  I've had problems with my internet connection.  I haven't been able to connect wirelessly for a few days.  My hubby's computer is hardwired to the router and to get a tech to straighten every thing out...well, all i can say is i love technology while hating it!  

We are at their mercy.  After quite a few phone calls and zapping this and that, trying one thing and another, it was determined we needed a new modem/router.  Now of course, they tried to tell me I needed the "new" faster, better connection at an additional $30/month.  I told them no thank you.  I was perfectly fine with the speed of the old connection I JUST WANT TO CONNECT!!!  After another two phone calls it was determined I needed a new modem/router (this is the 3rd one for us) and the 'new' faster, better connection will be free for us for two years!  Imagine that?  Funny.
I am now on the 'new' connection with the new modem/router.  Time will tell if it is truly better. 

In the meantime, I have lots of things going on in the studio.  Had a nice visit with my best friend and goddaughter yesterday who helped me add finishing touches to the overhaul I'm giving my 3 season porch.  I will post about that later with pics.

Blogging challenge day 10 - portfolio time

It's that time of year again. The school year is coming to a close and it's time for me to put all the portfolios together showcasing the children's' work. This time of year is bittersweet for me. Most of the pre-k children are moving up and out of our school to various kindergarten classes. A handful will stay and continue at the school.
But it is so nice to look back at the projects and see what was a hit and what was a miss.

I love to look at one child's body of work and see how much they've grown and improved since September. I love to look at all the self portraits and see if I can guess who it is without looking at the name. I gather up the Matisse patterned hands that the pre-k so diligently worked on and marvel at their ability at such a young age. So another year comes to an end. I have one more lesson next month with the K-1 class and I'll send them home with their work, give them a hug and hope that in a small way I've made art fun while introducing them to the wonderful world of art history.

Blogging challenge day 9 - day In pics

Subbing at school
Progress on painting

blogging challenge day 8 - i dodged a bullet

I dodged a bullet.  That's what my hand surgeon said.  It turns out I don't need surgery on my hand.  He said it happens to a small percentage of people.  My carpal tunnel seems to have subsided.  Of course, if it flares up again then I'll just go in and have the surgery, but for now NO SURGERY FOR ME!! YaY!! So when your doctor tells you to go live your life, have fun and enjoy, that's exactly what I'm going to do!  First up...a new painting. 

 I started working on it today with a much greater appreciation for the talent I've been given and the hand which performs it.

blogging challenge day 7 - spring is finally here!

spring is finally here...

my perennials are coming up

waking from their winter hibernation

first yellow

then purple

and Dixie is back at work guarding the yard from squirrel intruders

blogging challenge day 6 - it really does take a village

Today was the dropping off for the Dermot Gale award show at the library.  I love being a part of the New Rochelle Art Association.  We take in the work and hang all in one afternoon.  The veterans of the group really have the whole thing down to a science.  Today we ended up with 107 pieces in total.  More than our space can hold comfortably.  It is so hard to turn pieces away, but that is exactly what happened today.  So the question becomes, how do you hang so many pieces in such limited space?

First they are sorted by media.  Then you look at them and try to find some kind of cohesiveness.  Sometimes it is color or style, others it is subject matter or just whatever seems to 'look right'.  It is an arduous task, but so worth it. For me, the best part is watching everyone work together and seeing how one person views the hanging while another sees it from a totally different perspective.

It's a big show in a limited space, but all in all it looks nice.  There is a lot to take in.  I have two pieces there.  The reception in next Sunday April 14, 2013 from 5:15 - 6:30pm.  There will be refreshments and awards.

Blogging challenge day 5 - There's an intruder in my space!

Today i had a punch list of so many things to do. All those saturday mundane errands...bank, dry cleaning, shopping etc. Then I came home to find the big black dog invading my space! I just cleaned up my 3 season porch and opened it up for the new season. I got a new couch at Ikea and with Baby A's help, put it together. I've deemed it my space and for lack of better term, a woman cave. So, imagine my surprise to find a male in my space on my brand new couch! Nothing is sacred...LOL!

blogging challenge day 4 - Tranquility

Last night I attended an art show.  It was the first solo show for a former student of mine.

Her name is Sarra .  

 She is a senior in high school heading out to study art in the fall at Penn State.  She titled her show Tranquility. 

She not only created the art, but also planned and hung her own show.

  Several family members, friends, teachers and friends of friends were in attendance.  I've known Sarra since she was my student at 3 years old in preschool.  She's grown in so many ways and I couldn't be prouder.

As I was leaving, I saw a piece of art by another former student, Carly.  It was in a little case just outside the door.  It is a beautiful vessel, executed very nicely.

I remember when these two were running around camp coloring pictures with markers, I am suddenly feeling older...

blogging challenge day 3 - Hardware Store to the rescue!

I'm working on a new piece of art for an upcoming show.  It is made out of individual pieces of lumber scraps put together to create a unified piece.  I finished painting it yesterday and proceeded to glue it all together.  Of course, being scraps, no two pieces are the same.  They vary in height, width and depth.  All in all though, I managed to piece it together in a pleasing composition. 

 I used E-6000 glue which, when set, is very strong.  Well it just didn't feel strong enough.  So off to Home Depot I go.  Traditionally, our local Home Depot does not have the support staff I require.  I generally know as much if not more than a big percentage of the staff.  I kid you not, and that is scary.  (side-note: if it wasn't so late I would have gone to our local Mom and Pop hardware store in town...they are VERY knowledgeable, helpful and all in all wonderful!) 

I knew what I needed.  I needed some kind of connector to screw on the back to brace the pieces. The problem is that they are all too big!  I found some that were about 2" long in the fencing aisle, but they were heavy, pricey and only 4 came in a pack.  I would need at least 5 packs!  The whole idea behind this project is to recycle as much material as possible.  This was not feasible.  I couldn't find anyone to help me.  Up and down the aisles I went.  

Finally, I found a very nice gentleman helping another woman.  I waited patiently for my turn.  I'm so glad I brought to sample pieces of wood with me and a photo of my project.  After assessing the situation, he exclaimed, "I have an idea! What do you think about using plumbing strapping?  It comes in a roll and is easy to cut.  Let's go see how much it is."  So off we went to the plumbing aisle.  Imagine my shock.  I found a guy who could help me at Home Depot!!!  I have never been so happy there.  Then he got a phone call and passed me off to another employee.  Right away...red flag!  But no, I explained to him what I was doing and he found me a small package of what I needed and the tool to cut it also!!!  I am going to go to Home Depot late at night more often.  Seems our local one employees the knowledgeable staff for the night shift!!

30 day blogging challenge day 2 - ode to easter

tulips unfurl bright

 i'm in a sugar coma

 spring inspiration

taking on a challenge - day one

I admit it, I'm VERY lax when it comes to blogging.  I do not see myself as a writer and prefer visual blogging.  Flora Bowley, an artist I admire, is challenging herself to a 30 day blogging challenge.  I've heard it takes 21 days to create a habit.  Following Flora's lead, I will try the challenge. 

It is spring and in my house that means it's time to purge and organize.  This week I'm working on the studio. I've accumulated a lot of things, stuff, junk.  This is what my studio looks like today:

And out of all this chaos comes order!

So it's back down to the studio today, cleaning, organizing and purging.