Jordan

The camera is a little blurry...or should I say the photographer is sleepy? I wasn't expecting the model to be fully clothed in costume. But it was a nice pose, music was great. I thought halfway there to bring soundtrack from Frida Kahlo, when Ellen, a new acquaintance had brought it! Really one of my favorites. So my first week back to life was costumed...with margaritas and a little guacamole and chips. I lost Jordan's face right away and decided, that yes it is more saleable when less depictive and I certainly have a more discreet nude to exhibit around less open minds.

Go Figure!

Go Figure

The Figurative Drawing Group is having its own show the weekend of April 19th, with a reception from 1-4 pm on Sunday, at Naperville Art League. Today I was able to frame up these two sketches of Gerry for the exhibit. More to come.

Man From Dyrehaven

Another piece I had in jury entries at La Grange Art League. Returned it back to Black Iris Gallery today, in Sandwich IL where it is currently on consignment for sale at $100.00.

Sunhawk

I stopped and watched Sunhawk gliding today, with her outstretched wings like a kite in the wind. She seemed so peaceful, I wanted to soar on up into the sky and have a try at those wind currents!The photo again was taken last fall when she casually observed my daily walks and often commented.
The embossing "Hunter's Flight" I dropped off at Imagine on Main in Oswego for The Good Life Auction next weekend for the Kendall Arts Guild. This year the auction will be held at the Paramount Arts Center in downtown Aurora on April 4th. Tickets are still available at Imagine on Main.

Great Blue Heron

My relief print here had also been entered in jury for exhibiting. It will be on display at LaGrange League Fine Art Gallery's "Think Green" exhibit in April. The photo I took last fall when out on my lunch walk. No telephoto lens and as close as my friend here likes me to be. He has finally returned from his winter haven and we watched each other in remembrance. A little bit of syncronicity or maybe promise or even hope.

Wisdom

"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside awakens."

I had been accepted as member in art league and this drawing had been one of several I chose for jurying to exhibit. I did receive wonderful reviews but as may have been expected, I was asked to be more discreet in my subject matter. It was suggested that it was not suitable for children entering the gallery or for classes held there. I create a stir don't I? I could just leave well enough alone. Some others considered my subject matter suitable. We are forging a new trail!

Darien Harbingers!

"The question is not what you look at but what you see." ~Henry David Thoreau

I'd been waiting ever so patiently for emerging bulbs, but these little gems are in Laura's front yard. Had a great day traveling out to La Grange Art Jam. Certainly got more time in on my art than I would have made for at home!

Spring Arrives!

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." ~Anne Bradstreet

Maybe not, but I certainly have been fully blessed with adversity and it loads up my schedule so that I've not time left to consider prosperity. I keep waiting for hours to pick back up at all my jobs. Fortunately I missed up a couple weeks winter laid up after surgery...but I've been out in search of these early blossoms and I almost missed them. Should be taller tomorrow! My camera will blur any closer shot but this seems suitable to show winters darkness and new life emerging with a new season.

Harbingers

I set out into the yard this afternoon in search of some crocus and snowdrop and stars of Bethlehem. Something promising spring. My pussy willow is behind the garage and was a sight for sore eyes. (I also didn't find my eyeglass lens.)Taking off my shoes to feel the cool mud under my feet. Nutrients for body and soul.

Rapt in Awe

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed." ~Albert Einstein

The right word...

"The right word may be effective,but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause." ~Mark Twain

Waiting.

The camera is not cooperating. I really must pull out the handbook. Numerous pictures taken trying to show the minute details of handpainted bunnies. This selection of bunnies are egg painters, busy with their work.
Time ebbs on and slowly I heal, externally I'm doing great with returning to Tai Chi and daily walks. My heel is sore but not as tough as it had been. Internally, even with the Tai Chi the healing seems much slower. Slight indigestion is exagerated. Holding to healthy eating is extremely necessary or I can count on feeling it.
I keep hoping for those spring bulbs to arrive, with the sunny day today I went out in search of an open bulb to photo. Soon. There is a green tone under the dead grasses now. Bulbs are emerging and anxiously I await for them to open. For some bizarre reason, those without understanding are looking at taking what I don't have. I choose to look at job possibilities and see nothing that will support and grow life. Certainly there is a job out there that will cover living expenses. Affirmations. It will eventually reveal itself and I will be able to live without fear. I've survived on faith for many years now, recession just pulls the rest of the population into my reality. There is a very thin line and it is easily broken.

Brakes+

I've been diligently focusing on the positive although life is still handing me lemons. My brakes on my car are now repaired. I'd been waiting till I could afford to fix the rear brakes when the front brake caliper froze up. On my way last Friday to memorial service for my Dad's ash burial. I suspected an issue and scheduled an appointment for this afternoon. Driving in the brakes began to smoke and I wasn't the only one concerned at the cemetary. Arriving at memorial it was suggested that I do the readings for the service and I chose Psalm 23 and the prayer of St Francis. It was hard not to choke on the words with chards of pain at the loss of my father mixed with alongside anxiety of another unaffordable car repair. I managed to get the car through bad traffic to my brother's shop and pick up a loaner vehicle for the weekend. More stress as traffic was heavy for the weekend amid accident that locked up an intersection for 10 lights! But it's done, I can breath easy again as the car is once again safe. Now to find a way to pay out yet more on a budget that allows for no extras. This evening I drove my newly safe vehicle in for teacher's meeting. Back to class tomorrow, looking forward to the students and their desire to learn. Was able to pull in an sub position for another Yorkville class. Filling up any open pages in my schedules. No time to think, too much to do.

Colorado Bound

If only Ojo could go too! Randell came out to see me today before he leaves...he intends to find work and be a CO resident, complete school and teach English. If he doesn't find work in a month he will come back. It's very difficult to have your children so distant, especially when your finances don't stretch to offer help. Ojo was so pleased with a visit...he lived for his boys, now he's a slowing senior and he's here with a puppy grin again. Ojo pulled Randell out of a collapsed snow tunnel almost ten years back. I was at work and likely wouldn't have my Randell if it wasn't for our best friend guardian. He certainly enjoyed the winter weather this year...of course he wasn't shoveling!

Easter Decor

All the bunnies that have inspired Easter crafts! The mantel blends a nice array of Easter ornaments that once hung on a fig tree with well wishes from friends and flowers I brought home from the hospital. Another assortment of eggs and bunnies I enjoyed painting as Easter approached, and yarn crafts stitched through plastic webbing that seem to weather the years well. Hope Captain doesn't find them! I'm mending well and back on full schedule...making sure I get full nights sleep cutting into my logged on time. I am practicing my Tai Chi...started before doctor's approval as I was only told not to do anything aerobic...I've got 8 miles in this week walking and they started out so cold and end with a mini burst of spring. One more day of antibiotics...the pain killers had rendered me stupid. I couldn't draw...it was hard enough to recline...so my week at home passed without hoped vacation/art time. Life changes and certainly what we think we know changes ad once again we wonder why? Tomorrow we bury my father's ashes. My son leaves for Colorado Tuesday and may not be coming back. I'm working at not only mending from surgery but healing the foot that has plagued me since August. I see winter ending and I've not been out hiking in the woods reasoned by my faulty foot and broken van door. I intended to get icy winter photos at Silver Springs. Winter will come again...I'm now ready for crocus and stars of Bethlehem and snowdrops!