Oswego Cultural Arts~Spring Into the Arts

Wednesday, April 28th 6-9:00pm, Oswego Village Hall
I had set up a display of six framed pieces and four matted pieces at the Village Hall for the event, and then I enjoyed an evening splattered by the arts, with poetry of Dr. Patrick Dunn of Aurora University, classical guitar music by faculty of Fox River Academy faculty, local ballet and modern dance, a story presented by Toastmasters, and theatre by Oswego Playhouse...Who's on First? I jumped on the opportunity again to share my work locally in such a rich setting of culture. I missed some photo ops of the ballerinas, but caught those tiniest mermaids. Some wonderful art exhibited by Maureen Gasek, Jeannie Dennis, Natasha Lehrner and many other Kendall Art Guild members.
P.S. Isn't the harpist's skirt the most fabulous? Watch for some inspired figurative sketches.

Weekend In Waupaca,WI

Had a wonderful trip up to visit cousins I hadn't seen in many years. Left Saturday morning in carpool with brother in law Bob driving, sisters Debbie and Darlene and Mom. Stopped for lunch, skipped some great scenery photo ops as I needed to be certain I had full disc for the celebration. Hadn't seen Ed and Fran's children, cousins Ed, Fred, Ted and Frannie since I was a small child. Met Frannie for the first time at Aunt Lorraine's 50Th Anniversary Party a few years back. She hadn't even been born the last time I was at the dairy farm. With all the weekend rain, we didn't side trip to visit local relatives at home, but the scenery in the gray skies was phenomenal. Hopefully not so many years pass before I travel that way again. Much of my heart and soul reside in the rolling hills of sand and rock and pine.

Critique Time

This piece used to have three nudes down the length, took a razor blade to it, headed different direction. Just started the direction last night. But tossed it up here anyway.


This piece I have dabbled at for two plus months, making small changes and still feel the composition itself isn't strong enough. There were birds on the beach but I scratched them out too. I'm too close to really see.

More Danger

Started this page many months ago and had a phrase for it at the time. I guess it really doesn't need a phrase. It spoke to me a warning. I don't really eat chicken or fish anymore, but wine would be dangerous. Being a rather introspective person, a glass of wine is most suitable for social gatherings where I might remain a doorpost. But a content doorpost. I've always enjoyed watching the figure, move, breath, expressions...

Cherry Tree

One of the ideas generated in my spring thinking had always been to stop and draw the cherry tree. For 22 years. The tree has been through many storms and most of tree has come down but it still graces my yard with a spring shower of blossom. After lawn labors yesterday, I dragged a chair out and set for a few minutes with my sketchbook. As temps were not of sitting weather, I grabbed a branch and took it back inside with me. The nice neighbors were watching me, so I shared a carrot with them before heading in.

Another Strength Ditty

I do not define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my life. I define myself by the courage I've found to forge new roads. I do not define myself by how many disappointments I have faced. I define myself by the forgiveness and faith I have found to begin again. I do not define myself by how long a relationship lasted. I define myself by how much I have loved and been willing to love again. I do not define myself by how many times I have been knocked down. I define myself by how many times I have struggled to my feet. I am not my pain. I am not my past. I am that which has emerged from the fire. ~Unknown Author

St. Francis

Got home today with tight schedule to keep moving and saw a package on my sidewalk. I thought, oh crap forgot to return the book club form again. They ding you for shipping fees even if you refuse the delivery. When I approached the package it listed sender as Pack, Wrap and Send and I wondered did I order shipping materials? Sad to say that my memory is sluggish. I opened it and was stunned by treasure! The handcarved appearance and handpainted highlights and oops there's a notecard too! A very kind and dear new acquaintence was thinking of me. Thanks Barb! I love it! Oh and that is a little dog at his side... bad camera angle.

Life with Lynn

Back to life tonight. Was hesitant to go, an overpacked schedule this week, but great to meet the new model. Not new, but new to group, she's a regular at College of DuPage and Dupage Art League. A bird lady... interesting chat, hope to cross her path again soon. Large lengthier pix done in pastels, pale smaller pix in color pencil. More interested in values and form than features tonight and still exploratory in direction of pastels. Out late and tomorrow another full day.

I've lived through things I would never thought I was capable of. And I'm much less afraid than I used to be. The process of wounding awakens us to our strength...
It shuffles out our values, and the top priority is never what you thought it would be. It's never about perfection or power. It always turns out to be about love.
Knowing ourselves to be vulnerable and our time here to be limited, we're freed to live more passionately and fully than we have before, to discover what's worth fighting for and who we are...
real strength lies burned at the depths of any wound we have survived.
~Author Unknown

Soft pastel and Sarah

Set out to play tonight. New pastel set, had to break them in and see what they would behave like. New model to our group, Sarah. Bright art student at DePaul. Met her through Val at Flat Iron Building, looking forward to working with her again. It was really good to be out again... even with deadlines looming in upcoming weekend again. Even traveling on bald tires. Scheduled a pair of new tires on Friday, hope they make it till then. Is a month without major new debt too much to ask? I need to buy more pastels and a couple frames. And maybe some new paper...

Sunshine on a Rainy April Day!

I came home from work to a new gift in a box painted as bright as my favorite daffodils! Thank you Elena, I'm back in business! Now I need to create some new work to photoshoot! Yah!

LaGrange Art League Sap Green Exhibit

Here I am again. Are you still listening? Works in progress are waiting for completion on the backburner while life commitments consume my time. But I'm down at the La Grange Art League watching over the months Sap Green Show. Well, my eyes are green. Maybe even sap green. Put in some volunteer time yesterday and even added a couple sketches to the "Make Your Mark" art journal starting a spark of interest there. Maybe, they'll scan them there.