We Have a Gallery!

It would seem that the world creeps into the most desolate places, even here in Nowhere California. Last week, they opened a real art gallery here! Sometimes, the invasion is a good thing. There are actually quite a few decent artists here in this place, so finally having a venue to display our wares is lovely. And it puts to mind the inspiration that I need to get my act together and set up to show my work... At last! Everyone needs that jumping off point, eh, and I am no exception. I find it rather intimidating, though, because there is so much more to going professional than simply creating the art. There is the business of pricing, setting up websites and with it a professional looking logo, etc. And then there are those little annoying details like printing Business Cards ~~~ OMG, business cards!! Makes me wonder if I am truly out of my mind after all.

Well, dear friends, if you can think of any creative logo names, I would really appreciate hearing them. Thanks very much in advance. Happy weekend.

Amanda

Been busting my butt all week (Mondays are my Sundays) trying to get all my assignments in for class. This week we did portraits and facial studies, and I took complete advantage of my poor daughter, Amanda. She posed for all kinds of pictures while she was just absolutely miserable with the flu. Don't know what I'd do without either of my kids! Eric posed for some too, but Amanda went out of her way to let me do whatever needed to be done to finish my homework. The picture here is my finished final assignment. It's a bit stylized, but it is finished. All I can say, is that the professor had better be kind... This is only the 4th portrait I have ever drawn, and the others weren't very good! Hideous would be a better word. Anyway, here is a toast to all artist's muses, wherever they may be!

Thought I would check in and say hello!

Thought I should check in and let the world know that I haven't fallen off yet. School is very busy as usual, but since I promised I wouldn't show off my nudes any more, I can't post them. My son is a Senior this year, and my daughter just started driving back in August, so needless to say the kids have had me running in three directions to Sunday. All good things, though, and aren't I lucky to be able to say that! A kid in college and one on the way, where DID the time go?!... I had a lovely time at my 30 year class reunion in September, saw lots of old friends and a couple of cousins I hadn't seen in many years, so it was a good time. It was tempered with a tragedy, though. The day after, one of my friends from the reunion passed away. Her husband came home to find her~~ turned out to be complications from diabetes. So sad!
And about a week ago, my uncle also passed away after a long bout with illness. He died the way he wanted to, though, out in the woods on a camping trip. We suspect he knew his time was near. When I have to leave this world, I truly hope I can go the way I want to go as well!
So, that is my life for the last short while. Did you miss me?! wink, I missed you too!!!

Ahh, the Fall really is on the way, isn't it?

Today, there was a definite chill in the air, and the wind kicked up later in the afternoon. It was plainly a sign that the Fall was upon this area! I had homemade chicken stock in the fridge that I made yesterday, and it quickly became a perfect dinner. I have been downloading school media all day, how boring!!! But my classes are on the horizon, too, and if I hadn't started to do them yesterday, I wouldn't have had them all done in time for the first day on the 3rd. It really puts a strain on my old computer to do all these downloads ~~ can't imagine what I would've done if I still had dial-up! I am looking forward to some honest rain soon. That sounds so funny considering once it starts it won't stop for about 5 months! But that is the way it is around here. I couldn't live in an area with really hot Summers any more. My fruit trees are about to start dropping fruit, and that will keep me busy for several weeks as well. I love Fall! I hope you all had good weekends as well.

To Friends...

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. The world has kept me busy with opening a probate, and more recently with getting ready for my 30 year High School reunion. I have been immersed in nostalgia, and fond memories. Nostalgia does funny things to your recollections of the past! I was also very fortunate that I got a chance to get together with an old friend I haven't seen in 18 years this week, and that was the most wonderful of all. It was so good to see him! We had a couple of awkward moments the first night at dinner, but then it was as if we had never missed a day together in all that time. I guess it is possible to renew and rekindle old friendships! It made me very happy.

Good evening all!

I Hope that the world is treating you well this fine evening! It has been unseasonably warm today here and the house was full of teenagers, being happy and boisterous. So the air just seemed energized! While they were busy doing whatever it is that teens do, I enjoyed a bit of practice time. The kitten was snoozing on my leg, so I drew him while he slept. It is a bit of a stylized drawing, to be sure, but I like it. Hope it makes you smile! Have a pleasant weekend!

A Traditional Scottish Blessing

I was reading through some of my favorite sites, and came across this lovely piece. Thanks to CARE2.com for this. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Traditional Scottish Blessing

If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
So let it be.
—Scottish Blessing