Angel Message

We need help sometimes saying yes

to the shoulds and no to the should nots.

We need help sometimes saying no

to the good and yes to the best.

Angels help us.

And though they whisper in our ears,

it is up to us to make the choice.

-author unknown

This is my latest painting. I just finished her and thought I'd post her with a powerful message. I have to paint two pieces for my acrylic painting class this week. One could be subject of choice, and the other must be one of a dog. So, this is my subject of choice, since I am all about angels. I have been collecting them for years.

We are supposed to use texture and just have fun, experiment and play with the medium. This angel is on an 8" x 10" canvas board. I thought she would go well the other angel I posted a few days ago! I got two beautiful matching frames with gold in them...and they really make the paintings. I just bought a fabulous garden statue of a cherub that is pretty big and distressed. It is in my house, not outside!!! It will look great on a distressed piece of furniture in my home with the angels framed and on the wall above it. I will have to take a pic of that and post it!

Catching Flowers

This painting is a large one for me, 16" x 20". I used old sewing pattern paper for her dress that I painted over and made a pattern with a stamp. I cut out paper flowers for her waist, hair and the red ones floating to her hand. The background has some tissue paper in a few areas for texture. There are glazes of colors and stamps used for the floating flowers. It is finished with a gloss varnish. The area around her waist flower shows a shiny reflection, my photographic skills aren't so hot...sorry about that! I envision her with a vintage type of cocktail dress on with the full skirt, I absolutely love vintage everything!!!

I Turned Fifty Today...

Gee, you think when you hit a milestone like a 50th b-Day is to me, there would be something to acknowledge it. Well, pomp and circumstance isn't all it is cracked up to be. But my Mom ended up saving the day...

I spent a quiet day with my 83 yr old Mom and her dog, Scooter, my boy, too!!!.... Then I came home to find a bouquet of fresh flowers from a dear friend and then when I got on my computer, I had lots of b-day wishes. Then on my phone, my Mom had sung Happy B-day to me around the time I was born , 50 years ago!

I am Blessed! Much Love to all my friends and family!!!

Today's Angel

Keep your eyes on the road you travel.

That is the only one you have the power to change.

That is the only one your angels will be walking today.

author unknown

This angel was created using some new techniques I am trying. Over the next 4 weeks I will be experimenting a lot and posting what I am doing. I am taking an acrylic painting class and it is all about what can be down with acrylics and trying all sorts of things. I need to create six painting this week outside of class, each painting uses different techniques we tried in class Wednesday evening. Everyone is really excited about this class and it should be pretty special! I had to buy a ton of supplies yesterday and felt like a kid in a giant toy store. I have not tried all the mediums that can be used, so this will be a magical experience for me...one that I will continue after class is over.

I've Been Tagged!!!

This is how the tag works:
1. Name and link back to person who tagged you.
2.List 6 things that make you happy.
3.Tag six bloggers and let them know they're it by leaving a comment.
I was tagged by Art From The Heart Thank you!!!!

My six picks:
Prim's by Kim and other needful things
Folk Art by Campbell Jane
Sacred Artist
Musings from Behind the Easel
second studio
Metamorphosis


6 Things That Make Me Happy!!!
1. My family
2. My babies, the four legged and furry ones
3. My art
4. My friends
5. A great mystery that I can't put down with a glass of wine
6. Vintage and flea market jaunts with my gal pal Pam

"I" is for Ivey and Her Hat

This little gal is named Ivey. She is dressed in her finest black and white polka dot attire. I believe she is meeting friends in the city for tea and sweet cakes!

For All My Cat Loving Friends...

This greeting card made me crack up! And I just had to share the laughter with everyone. Even if you aren't a cat person, this is still good for a chuckle. Have a great weekend and I hope to post some new things I have been working on in a day or two.

Very Powerful...

What in your life is calling you?

When all the noise is silenced,

the meetings adjourned,

the lists set aside,

and the wild iris blooms by itself in the dark forest,

What still pulls on your soul?

In the silence between our heartbeats

hides a summons.

Do you hear it?

Name it, if you must,

or leave it forever nameless,

but why pretend it is not there?

-The Terma Collective, "The Box: Remembering the Gift"

Honored at School Banquet

I am still stunned! Last Friday evening, I was invited to attend the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Student Award Banquet because I was an honoree!!! Well, I saved that letter! And went to the banquet not knowing what I did to get an award. The awards were presented to students for the academic year for their achievements and help in the community.
My Graphic Design instructor presented me with the Journalism Eye for Design Award! She also stated to the room full of people and honorees that I had not been in school for 30 years and let go from my sculpting job due to foreign importing and that I caught on and was so deserving of this award! Bless you, Tori!
Gosh! I needed that. Sometimes I wonder if I am being selfish returning to school. I am turning 50 on Memorial Day, and want to continue to get my Bachelor's and maybe even a Master's Degree in fine art. I know what I want to be when I grow up, it took 50 years to find this mystery out, I want to be an artist and teach art! (Of course the artist gig was always there!) I want to see students grow and develop their skills and move them to be creative souls that nurture each other and give the world beauty. It will probably take 2 years to get the Bachelor's Degree, I already have my Associates. I am having too much fun with school and it makes me feel guilty....Maybe losing my job was a blessing, but paying the bills is pure hell at this point. I feel like the juggler at a carnival...what can I pay this week! I have no other skills than art, I was fortunate to always work in my field. I feel very scared and also ready for the journey into the unknown!!! Ugh! If I think about it too long, I get sick in my stomach...

"H" is for Hattie and Her Hat!

Hattie is posing with her favorite hat. She picked up this little number on one of her treasure hunting jaunts to her favorite second hand shop. It goes well with her eyes, don't you think? She has gold highlights in her blackest black hair, as well as on her lips and in her green eyes. The funky flower and swirls are made of paper. You can't see how pretty the colors and design are in the swirls. I have green eyes with gold flecks too, but not as special as Hattie's!

Great Advice!

"If you obey

All the rules,

You miss

All the fun!"

-Katharine Hepburn

The Magic of Angels

We do not speak the Language of Angels,

We do not see through their eyes.

Where we see the Impossible

They see the Miraculous.

Where we see the Unlovable,

They see an Opportunity to Love.

I love Angels and have collected Angels and Angel "things" for years! This verse is very powerful and I wanted to share it. My little painting is on a thin piece of wood I bought at the craft store. Her halo is torn bible pages that I painted over. I used some gold paint for highlighting her hair, wings, and halo.

May Flowers

I was inspired by the arrival of May. It is not only when things start to bloom, but the month of my birthday. And this year is special...the big 50! This painting could be of me in that field, contemplating my past and thinking, even dreaming, of the future. I do have regrets, I wish I had created more personal art. I always worked in the art field, but for a company of one sort or another. Everything had limitations and was creatively challenging. But losing my last gig was a blow, financially, and at a rough period in my life. I have been stumbling along since... back in school and trying to start up my art business. I have tried selling at a local shop, but not with much success. So, now I will try Etsy and maybe some other things. I am scared, but I have to try.

I have decided to clear out my stuff, including what is in my head, and try to focus and do what I want and need to do. I could never have children and sometimes, if I let myself go there, I can become quite sad. But God must have had other ideas for me, I just wish he'd give me a hint!

This is an acrylic with some paper flowers. The sides are painted all around with the scene. She is gathering a lovely bouquet to set her table for one with her finest china! Maybe she stopped to listen to the lovely bird melodies!

"G" for Gladys and Her Hat

Meet Gladys! The new addition to my Alphabet Hat Series! I like her little pout. She is all dressed in peachy orange colors for the Kentucky Derby today! I think she is waiting on her Mint Julep cocktail.

My Paternal GrandMa's name was Gladys. My GrandPa (Pappy) gave me her silver vanity mirror and her jewelry. She was a great country cook. And she made the best baked pies, cookies, and muffins. She cooked on a coal stove, it heated half the house, but in the summer, we would sweat while enjoying her dishes! I will tell you, that the food cooked in that oven was absolutely the best. My Pap heated the house with a coal stove that sat in a corner in their living room. They lived a peaceful and gentle life.