Hamster Wheels on the Spin

I was just reading Neil Hollingsworth's blog and was just in awe of this video...



I hope that worked...

At any rate, a bit off the beaten track for my usual types of posts, I suppose, but I just found this video so oddly haunting, a bit scary indeed...Not because of the people who created it, but more because as intelligent as I have a tendency to think I am (teehee), I am in awe of those men and women who have minds such as the men who created this video. Too, Stephen Hawking is just an amazing man. To have that brain trapped within a body that doesn't really work as well as it should...I cannot imagine the potential for inner unrest that might cause. At the same time, this man is a true genius, a constant source of amazement and wonder and awe to my mind. He has accomplished so much and he must surely feel so accepting of who he is, warts and all, so to speak, to be able to accomplish all that he has. I am having trouble articulating, methinks. Let me try to rephrase this...If his body was whole, would Stephen Hawking be who he is? Somehow, I am not so sure.

As to the message of the video itself...Being a Christian, I am definitely a creationist. I also think that science can and does go too far at times, that some things aren't meant to be known and that man is more than capable of getting a God-complex. Still and yet, I am truly awed by the brainpower and the levels of understanding that men such as Hawking having obtained and attained in their lifetimes. In just as many incidents, I think the things that have been discovered, that have been figured out, are necessary and awe-inspiring. I supposed I cannot give you a defined line on which I walk on this subject. I wish I could explain it better, but I just had to say that this video was both awesome in its visuals, its message and words, and for getting my thoughts chugging to life this morning after Christmas. I hope you enjoy it as I did. Thank you Neil!

Speaking of Neil, you might enjoy checking out his blog. His artwork is phenomenal and he has that shocking ability to paint what looks like a photograph in the end. For some reason, this was always my idea of perfect art. I can see it will never happen for me, but interesting to know someone could accomplish my artistic ideal. (And no offense meant to any other artistic style as I love all of your works!)

Another blog you might enjoy visiting is my personal friend Darian Moone's blog. She recently told me via another site she and I share (my previously mentioned hair board) that I had inspired her to blog. With the holiday season, her schooling (she is a semester away from graduating! Wahoo!), and some family things happening, she hasn't had much chance to blog yet, but I hope you will stop by and give her some encouragement. She too is a wonderful artist (and she just posted two of her pieces) and I am loving that she is beginning to be inspired to draw and work on her art again. It is so nice to know that I've inspired somebody in something! (If my kids were to read my blog, that would be my martyred mommy moment! LOLOL)

Ok...I am off to see if I can find a copy of The Art Spirit by Robert Henri (roll those French 'aaarrrrs' my friends) so I can participate in Michelle Burnett's (Following the Masters) book discussion beginning on the 1st of January!

Back to work tomorrow so today will find me working on my Archie Smith gift! Love you all, truly!

Merry Christmas to All of My Blogging Buddies and Fellow Artists

I will humbly and thankfully consider myself a minor player among you. I wish for all of you a most joyous Christmas and an even better 2010 than 2009.



This is a part of a wee little project I have undertaken for my own joy and for learning to play my bowed psaltery. I am hoping to do enough of these to make a small book to gift Archie Smith and of course, for myself and Michael. I am in a Christmas mood so Christmas songs first. Other melodies as I find time...Of course, this project will take quite awhile, considering how quickly I get things done. Hope you enjoy this. Thank you Nicole for my lovely colored pencils, my medium of choice for this little fun project!

Fa la la la la la la la la...

I think I got enough "las" in there, yes?

Must say that I was so disturbed to read of the passing of Brittany Murphy when I woke up this a.m. Truly feel so sad about it. She was only 32 and I don't think I've read much of the traditional Hollywood tabloid smack on this lady. I saw her in a couple of movies and thought she was enchanting, truly. I was struck by how much like regular people so many of the Hollywood crowd really is and how this could be any one of us. A bit of a shadow passing over my grave, I suppose.

I am working on my art program through Penn-Foster, though I am finding it slow going since I am also working what seems to be alot (but in actuality is about 31 hours, usually slightly over) in a week. Fatigue has set in as well. The good news? I've lost 20 pounds since I stopped taking Paxil back in the spring. Nice! I suppose getting off my fat butt and working helps a bit too.

My point is that I have one in-progress piece, one I want to do for Archie Smith, plus the school exercises (one of which I am already not happy with, though it was just an exercise to do at home and not something to be turned in). I hope I can still manage the challenges (I participate in three of them) too. The first exercise was to cut 1-inch squares from black paper and arrange them within an 8 x 8 inch piece of paper in such a way as to give the sensation or to imply motion. I did not want to copy the examples in the book, of course, and had in mind a water fountain type of effect. Mine looks kind of like a tree! With falling leaves. Appropriate considering and I suppose falling leaves can look like they have motion, right? RIGHT??? LOLOLOL Sigh...here we go...

Seems I was going to say something else, but much eludes me. (Maybe I need a nap before heading off to work this early evening? And I wonder why I can't stay on top of the things I want to do!)

Oh yes...we did get a 9 week old female Bloodhound puppy yesterday. Her name is Tessa and she is a sweetheart. No crying or wincing when the hips are touched. No growling at us when we try to move her, she loves the big boys already and wants to sleep with them while in the car (she loves going bye bye already too). She just came home yesterday with us and had no adjustment problems whatsoever. That surprised me as she (and all her littermates) seemed so skittish around people yesterday! We attempted to crate her for bedtime but boy! She can sure howl already! LOLOL Daddy slept on the floor with her. We'd have let her sleep with us until we get her a bit more house trained, but she already peed on the bed once right after we gave her a bath yesterday. Fortunately, I have a mattress pad, two sheets and a bedspread on the bed and it all went in the wash immediately. The pee didn't even make it through to the mattress pad, thankfully. Still...didn't want to risk that during the middle of the night in case I didn't wake up if she moved. She's doing pretty well though. We love her already. Course, I may gripe about this in the future. Just remember that I do love them all so much. We're certifiable really.

I keep having a recurring daydream of opening a small gallery/studio space...Wish I had the money and a bit more know-how on how galleries work, financially, and how they recruit their artists. Of course, I could read up on it, couldn't I? LOLOL

Enough out of me. In case I come up with nothing to post in the next few days, I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas! Candy, I will post a photo or three of Tessa for you soon. I need the energy to upload the pics out of the camera. Sigh...

Oh yes; I've decided that I really do like the portrait I painted of my DSfDF guy. My paintings usually do grow on me, even when I can see the flaws...

This poor man!!! Oh dear; please forgive me!

You would think I would make an effort to do this again, wouldn't you? But as always, my patience just doesn't allow me to do this again once I pass a certain point in the process. Let's see...the problems? The skin tones. Also had a hard time figuring out how to get that 5 o'clock shadow on his face. I ultimately chose to rub charcoal on it, though maybe not enough. It rather looks a tad dirty, n'est-ce pas? Sigh... I came quite close to overworking the paper on the skin tones. I just couldn't get them right. GAH!!!!!!!!!!! Pulling my hair out, I tell you.

Unless I have drastic improvement, I am not doing this next year! As much as I love the idea and how fun it is, I can't bear to hurt someone's feelings like I undoubtedly did this time around. Ei yi yi.





Oh yes...I do like the trees/leaves in the backgrounds. Sigh...

12.13.09 Regrets? Nah...

I just posted the following on my hair board (yes, I do belong to a long hair community forum) and wanted to share with you what I just posted/wrote on that board. I've always wanted long hair and now at 50 years of age, I've quit coloring 2+ years ago and have grown from super short as I'd cut away all of the old dye. I'm going to have that long hair now if it kills me! LOL My post is a bit different, but still, words from the heart. A couple of things first before I copy and paste...

1. I am currently working on my portrait for the Different Strokes Challenge. I hope to finish it by tomorrow night as I have today and tomorrow off of work (yay! I am tired out!)

2. In the second set of photos below, I haven't yet mentioned here that I was gifted this beautiful art work and master craftsmanship by none other than the world reknowned luthier Archie Smith. We met Archie when we attended a couple of Illinois art shows this past summer. I've since given Archie a couple of ideas for new pieces and we just so much enjoyed learning about this beautiful instrument - the bowed psaltery - and hearing its haunting music. We bought two of Archie's CDs and wished and hoped we could buy a psaltery. You can find them cheaper elsewhere, but I can attest to the beauty and the quality of Archie's fine craftsmanship. His pieces carry such a lovely sound, truly. Archie knew how much I loved this piece and he shares the history of the wood and other materials used to create his beautiful works of art. We had every intention of buying this instrument, however, with health woes, children moving back home with grandchildren and only one income until this past week, life kind of has gotten away from us. It is my goal and intent to continue our friendship with Archie, hopefully meet his wife, and enjoy a wonderful friendship with this brilliant man. Such a gentle spirit he has, and a heart full of love. Thank you again Archie.

Archie's gift to me:





Look around the internet to hear what this instrument can do!

This morning's hair...


I shampooed and conditioned last night with the Sam's Club gold and black bottled shampoos and conditioners, then applied the Olive Oil Lotion that I've used in the past. Couldn't stand my own head anymore (frizzy and unkempt) so decided to do it last night, even though it isn't my normal "time" to do my hair. I usually do it in the a.m. for drying reasons. This photo was taken this a.m. I've not touched it, but must say that I was surprised to see more curl than frizz in the photo. I also am surprised to see how short it looks as pulled straight, it is about 2" below BSL. Which it has been at for months now. Please no that it is terminal length, for goodness sake!

I've been thinking alot about how so many of us have regrets and wishes as we get older. I've done the same thing. But you know what? Of late I've come to the realization that by and large I am doing exactly what I want to do in this life. Other than foolish mistakes that I've made, I have few regrets about where I am today.

I guess I've always had such a huge variety of interests in this world, education and learning probably being the topmost. To that end, I've become basically a student of life. I read - and read what I enjoy (oy...murder/suspense genre novels), artist bios, artists' blogs, etc. I take courses when I can and when it grabs my attention and I have a husband who supports me in all of my interests. I try and do that for him as well (he is into astronomy and pipes and pipe collecting and folk music - now - used to be collecting CDs and albums of the rock era).

I laze in front of the tv when I want to, I get out and about a bit when it is nice out and we drive and see and visit art shops, antique shops, nature in its glory...I love my daughters (even though they can be quite selfish and share looks with each other that I am weird or senile), my grandchildren with every ounce of my being. I love some of the traditions that our family keeps...I love my morning LHC time, my time visiting with artists, my building art collection, my books, and the ability to attempt to craft and create when the spirit moves me.

I love my friends, some that take the time to call me and we chat and cackle for quite awhile a times (I talk to Big George, Tessa, Justy, and Carolyn occasionally on the phone). I love that my husband accepts my friends and welcomes them into my life, that he accepts my children and grandchildren and they him. I love our goofy animals (though I could easily live without their particular "odors" and hairs and sometimes icky messes)...

My real regrets come with the realization that I didn't get as close to or know enough or hear enough stories from my dad, from my grandparents and they are no longer with us. I wish I hadn't had some of my less finer moments of mommying, but meh...The kids often get chuckles out of rehashing my more ridiculous moments and they share a small bond over them.

I'm not using my degree in a job, but I am working - which is more than many can say. I think at this point in my life, it may well be enough. I want to give my head over to the things I really want to learn to do and to enjoy - such as the art world.

I am not smugly self-satisfied and my mind never stops. I worry and fret over the kids and grandkids...I wish I'd done this, that or the other better...I wish I had the passion for my husband that I envision many marriages as having, but I am glad that I love him and that grows deeper as we not quite so gracefully grow old together. We respect the other's likes and dislikes and encourage the exploration of new interests, even if not necessarily sharing the same ones...

Right now? Life is good, despite not having enough money, not having nearby friends to share with on occasion...I'm not happy with my home's status (I've lost control and get tired of fighting LeAnn over it..and the girls)...but I have a home and one day it will be my own again. I am glad that they are here where I know that they are safe. I love that Darren crawled up in my lap yesterday and we could chat a bit. I just love them all and am thankful for a life that enables me to love, laugh, and enjoy so very much that this world has to offer. I don't think I will die having regrets about things that I wish I had done. If I want to do them, I do them. The only thing that sometimes stands in the way is lack of money. But most of the things I enjoy really do not require much money. There is always more than one way to skin a cat (so to speak)...

Maybe the secret is in liking who you are and being able to accept yourself flaws and all...Do you think?

...the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, with hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there!

Can you see what I finally finished making yesterday? I've been working on the names part of the stockings for almost a year! Counted cross-stitch (my eyes, my eyes!!!). Picked up the fabric to finish making these a couple of months ago, including some white kind of fuzzy stuff (thermalon, I think it was called) to make the cuffs - which I sewed the cross-stitch pieces to...

These are for my grandchildren

Darren, 5 years old, 3 months older than his cousin, Jordan (Jessie's son)


Jordan, 5 years old (LeAnn's daughter)


Jayda, 3 years old (LeAnn's daughter)


and one day will go to them so they can have a keepsake of a tradition made for them by their Mimi. While not a hoarder nor a packrat, I still have the stocking my dad glitter glued my name on when I was a really young kid...So yes, that stocking is at least 40 years old now! I hope these will be fondly cherished by those grandchildren (and my daughters) one day. I am not doing this again! LOL Had to draw my own stocking pattern, which lost a tad bit of foot area - and calf area - in the sewing process. I'm rather thinking the ribbons will not hold if these are hung with stocking stuffers, but that is ok too. I'll just set them up against a chair back once they are filled. I so love Christmas!!!

Oh yes, I also replaced the zipper on the blanket coat I made for Oscar (our Greyhound) last year. My husband somehow managed to break the one on there. Anyway, Oscar loves his coat. I used two layers of a blanket that I cut apart. I had no pattern for this either; just winged it. But it keeps him much warmer than the fleece coat I bought for him on line a couple of years previous. That one had velcro straps that went under the belly. Not only was the belly exposed, but the hook and loop just didn't hold up to a dog's life. Plus he was always managing to get it off of himself in the car (he and Gio go to work with daddy every day that they can) and it just gets too cold here for that. It was 1 degree yesterday morning! 10 this morning! Wind chills below zero!! YIKES!

What else did I do yesterday? Oh yes...I fixed a seam fault in one of Jordan's shirts too. If that sewing machine (which is older than my oldest daughter now; I bought it while pregnant with her, about 26 years ago!) comes out again in the near future, be very afraid. One day a year is enough for me! LOLOL

Now the only real thing that I have to do is my Different Strokes portrait. I had hoped to get started on it yesterday, but nope. All day on sewing stuff...well, after I got off the computer in the morning, that is. Ah well; back to work today.

Speaking of work, one of the women that started the same time I did got let go already. She sounded so upset on the phone, more in a worried about their finances kind of way, though a bit jangled about being let go for that whole business itself and the blow to ego, pride or whatever. I've been feeling that my time there will be over soon as well, so I can well relate. How sad is that? Her husband has been out of work now for quite awhile and she said they have absolutely no food in the house at all. I know how that is and I am worried for her too. Things get tight around here and now I have a car payment to boot and the deferred school loans have kicked back into high gear. So we now have an extra $650 that needs to go out each month. If I can keep with this job, that will easily take care of that. If not, I will once again step up the pace with applying for jobs. In a state with unemployment levels having reached 11%, it will not be easy to find a job. I've been trying for two years and I have a BBA and a medical coding and billing designation. Sigh...Tough times. And of course, I am not getting any younger so that doesn't help matters. What the heck ever, right?

Also enrolled for the art program I've been mentioning. Did the first exam online already but it was not art related. The usual of how to study and how to use the course materials, etc. Did not read it at all (I've done quite a few courses through this school), but should have. Missed one. Sigh...

Here is our Oscar in his new coat (new last year) that I made him.


Then there is a photo of my baby, Gio.


Both are rather mama's boys. And Gio will protect his mommy at all costs, I think. Then, just for grins, I'm also including photos of Seamus (my orange kitty and another mama's boy), Misty (Seamus and Misty will be 5 at the end of April; where do the years go?), and Shadow (an extremely young rescue my mom made and foisted off on me; she's quite a little character and actually loves to play fetch - brings the little wads of receipts (her favorite sound in the world is mommy wadding up a receipt) and tosses them right back at you to throw them for her again!)...

We no longer have the bird; he was quite persistent in his attachment to me and he was quite into pooping everywhere. Not a favorite thing of mine...LOL No worries; we found him a good home.

Next up should be my DSfDF portrait of a man.

Exasperation Abounds

Well, you can probably see why I am exasperated. I chose this street view for the Virtual Paintout challenge, which is in Mexico City this month. I liked the view because of the colors in the street view image, because of the variety of geometric shapes included...because of the hangers. I paid no attention whatsoever to the colors in the photo, largely because I could see that I could do whatever I wanted to do with color in this one; they were just so prolific that it didn't really matter what went where. Unfortunately as this piece came together, I began to lose my enthusiasm...fast. I was halfway pleased with the hangers. I liked the colors. I definitely did not put as many plastic pieces in the painting as were in the original image. I do not think my scale is off...I don't think...and maybe it is just because I didn't keep piling up the plastic...but I am definitely not happy with the result. I also wanted to try this painting by not going to the edges of the paper, which I've seen others do so beautifully. I do like that, a bit. Why am I suddenly reminded of Caillou???? (Those with little ones or grandchildren like I have will recognize what I mean! LOLOL)

Anyway, big sigh...another painting failure. But again, a bit of growth in the process. I love my skies, almost always. I'm getting better and better with perspective. I really like the bricks in the building on the left (though for some reason they look more garish in this scan than they do to my eyes in reality). This is watercolor (of course), inktense pencils. The white in the banner was simply kept paint free with liquid frisket (not as sharply defined as I had hoped).

Ah well...Onto the DSfDF challenge. I got my artist's photo and I haven't a clue as to who he is. I'd really like to know because if it comes out even halfway decent, I'd like to send it on to him. I mean otherwise it will be added to my stash of paintings and put in the closet. I am not much of one for portraits of people that I do not know. LOLOL I am, however, none too happy that he is wearing sunglasses in his photo. I think the eyes always seem to make the person. Of course, knowing my limited abilities this could be a good thing. Poor guy.

And in the true spirit of my sense of humor, which is not usually that of a 12 year old boy - but it occasionally happens that way, I had one of those security words for posting comments this morning. It actually stopped me in my tracks during my usual having to actually say the words: peturine Yep; that was the CAPTCHA word (I think one of you told me those are called CAPTCHAs).

Oh yes. I was doing my usual round of blog reading this morning, with my coffee, of course, and got to Gary's blog. You have to take a look at his latest painting. It is just simply wonderful, with many areas to look and take warmth and delight in the viewing. Apparently I've inspired Gary to take part in the Following the Masters challenge. That made me happy too. Isn't Gary's wife lovely? I really love that tablecloth and that map on the wall. Such a cozy picture!