Art Tribe meeting tonight at Cheryl's

I'm tired.... it's been a long week of wonderful eventful things happening with some outside family stuff that always wrecks a little havoc on the spirit.. So we move on and into a new week. I've got a meeting tonight that Honestly I don't want to go to but I'm going to. I know these ladies will have wonderful information to pass along and I'm excited to hear of all there venues their working in and on. But I have to say I'm tired.... Seeking the Cave of creativity is what this gal would most like...
I did get a chance to work on my #5 piece of 13 and I'm glad about that the copper piece where made and sewed on with copper thread last night and the shading is in the process so also happy about that.

I will need to get packed up for my last class tomorrow at Naperville Art League till after the first of the year... My thoughts about taking a year of teaching seem to come while I teach isn't that funny but I'm wondering why this keeps coming up. I know I'd be a lost soul if I did that... I all ready spend lots of time by myself and if I wasn't teaching a hermit... Well one with the day and with much gratitude for all great events that have passed.

Recap from the Class Reunion DGN 30years

I'm really glad the hubby changed his mind and decided to come with me to the 30 year class reunion. Franny was there and so was Carrie Jo with your boyfriend. I saw lots of people like I use to in the hallways of the High school. I didn't get tochummy with a lot of people back then. Bit of a misfit and shy bird... But felt so comfortable in my place in the art rooms. It made me think... I have no memory of a lot of things which I'm not too proud of, you see there were days that I wasn't to nice to my body.. Let say nasty is more like it and because of that I have flashes of images... Nothing complete at all. Heck, Franny was sharing our times together and that's upsetting that she remembers major details. What I do remember most and didn't shared at all was my time in the art rooms with the teachers and I'm so grateful I had them, I still see Mr. Jakes and Ron the one student a couple years older who would man the kilns and all. That was my element and I personally remember sitting at the tables creating pieces of art work. I do feel a bit out of place there with everyone talking about their memories and I had nothing to share. So I'm grateful for the Hubby's company... you know he came out on his birthday with me so that was so sweet, he could have stayed home and worked on his motorcycle and the rebuilding process but didn't.
Oh they didn't even have a picture of me cause I never like the image of me that was taken so the image that they used was from freshmen year... scary that was. Well it was all good to see the people and how they have changed and some not and how some are still fitting into the clicks as always... And the ones that were lushes and are still lushes... some never change.

The reception for the Best of Best show is today and that is from 2-4pm and I will be attending that so I can see the winners and to pick up my piece. Tomorrow is Art Tribe meeting and that should be interesting. I hope to get to the studio today, My #5 piece is ready for the copper piece to be stitched in and the acrylic shadowing I do then that one will be done. I was able to have the other four piece digitally shot and seen artist proof of them that really are great. I'm so excited about that. On to a new day and grateful all events and functions are working out so well.

How can one fall in love with an old truck?

Here's the hubby sitting in Lucille, it's a name I gave her when we bought her a while back. We've seen sold her to a nice gentle that said he would like to keep her the same color she is. You see the old girl came for North Dakota and was owned by this 91 year old man before this young kid bought her then I saw her up for sale when I was coming back from a class at Artful Gatherings in Lemont. My second oldest Maddie is framing up a photo of this 16 x 20 for a wall in man cave-garage, for her father's Birthday tomorrow. Old Trucks have been a thing for us all our married lives. Some love a cheap toys and folks like us are into the older and more solid things. Thought I post early as I have to head out tomorrow morning to Chicago to do the Open House at Columbia College with our Maddie....we are taking the train in. Happy Birthday Honey!

What a grand time it was~ ILL Art Ed. Assoc.

As you can see I had a full house, what a great time it was to see all these art teacher there eager to learn. And me on the other said eager to share. As always not enough time to do it all and I feel that I'm short changing but it was shy of 2 hours, and I'm just glad we were able to cut off the tape and some where able to add the hot foil and an image transfer too. It went very well. It was nice too I had a helpers which is odd on my part I'm so use to working alone and here I had Nancy Staszak and a soon to be art teacher Sarah. She was helping me take picture and the clean up detail. Then I was able to have my stuff hauled up and I had to drive up and it was loaded. I felt like a queen with all that help. Deep breath and can't believe the anxiety that goes on in side my body but it's needed for energy later when you need to put on the show. Not to sound piggish but when you in your element and you know you medium that part you don't have to practice it's the preparing so that it can look simple and run smoothly. And I hear good reports so I may be asked to come again. It would be nice. So thankful now I don't have time to think about anything else but pick up the homestead for the birthday party tonight.

Collage Mini Workshop Today, ILL. Art ED. Assoc.

I'm packed and ready to go for the mini workshop today with 20 art teachers... Im ready as can be and then some...

So Today also is my 2nd oldest birthday, she is 22 years old and she wants Pumpkin pie,(store bought) and pizza for her dinner birthday. Which is so fine with me that means I just pick up the homestead and use the phone to call for the pizza's. I picked up the Pumpkin pies and whip cream already yesterday after my walk. Tomorrow morning we are to head out to Columbia College to do an open house with her, she wants to be a Photography Teacher, so w're checking into the best college close to us.

I managed to complete all my task and chores on the list even getting my four pieces picked out and exhibit forms filled out and they will be in the mail on time today for the Midwest Collage Society's Exhibit in Jan 2010. Busy time of year and more to come. Loving it all.

I did make it to the woods for an wonderful sun filled walk. Swinging my arms out wide I carried my body all the way around. Pass a very nice couple and ask if they came out there often and they said every day if they can. I to shared that I usually come out in the morning hours but lately work and life hasn't allow it and I'm slipping it in any time I can. I remarked to them that this is the best Health club around isn't it??? they chuckled and agreed.

Off I go and I say I'll bring the camera and I will but if I get the picture is a different story as I get myself stuck in the moment and it's all over when I remember...

Peace all

Preparing for the Mini Workshop today

I will be presenting a mini workshop in less then 105mins., tomorrow at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle Il. for the Illinois Art Education Association I will need to pack up the supplies and the packet for the teachers. This will be a great opportunity to meet a wonderful group of supportive art teachers. Nervous as usual, but understand it's more about the awareness of presenting then anything else, cause if you know me once I get my hands a bit sticking with the glue and some paper in my hands I'm in my element and off I go. The hardest part is the handout to write it all down so that the teach can take from it and use it as they see fit. Sharing the experience and techniques. So out of one weekend into another one and Tomorrow is my 21 year old daughters birthday she will be 22 and the hubby' is the next day with a 30 year class reunion Saturday night and On Sunday a few art opens.... way to much going on.... but all great things. Juggling and trying to keep balance. Planning on a good afternoon walk in the sun this day too.

Class today and the sandhill cranes

Yesterday I spent the day in the homestead and regaining balance and enjoying the quiet and creating more quiet in my head....there was such a frenzy going on this weekend I needed to regain my personal balance. I manage to take a walk in the woods and I brought my sketch book along and did do some quick sketch in pencil of the entrance to the woods and the bridge. there was a moment when I was frozen in my tracks with the sound of the sand hill cranes coming over and heading south. What beautiful sound and amazement in their flight. I had to call my daughter at that moment and tell her they were gliding over... You see in our family we do this things and watch for them to come over in the spring and fall. And I had been afraid I missed them with the rains or cloudy days but it seems yesterday was the beginning of the trip. Late this year but they have a way of knowing. There was a lot of rain, winds that would have disrupted their flight. I continued my walk around the path and happened upon the poke weed berries hang there so blump and juicy. I think you can eat them but I was doing a little sketch and the one just burst in my hands and left a nice shade of purple all over. So I decided to mush up the rest on the stem to my page in the sketch book... who knows what I turn that into later. (this sketch book is the one that has to go to Georgia soon so I'm grabbing what every to fill it and will work on the theme danger danger later on.
Well time to get the body off the stool and head out to class this morning will be good to see the students in class.

Day after the retreat weekend

Future home~

Future Home~

Fort that was about 3/4's a mile around the lake, quite high and it's a windy day and it felt so great to be out in the elements and observing the surrounding.

special place for some major quiet time.

Looking out the window from the lower level where all the creating went on.

Front of the Becker lodge

I had such a great time there that I want to go back in the spring but will have to wait till the fall of 2010 so if anyone would like to do this you have time to save up. We will be going for four days and three night meals included. I am still reflection on this experience. Lets say when you have free time to create and your only interruption is to be called to a meal you get a little goofy with your time and what your working on. I think I was multi-tasking to the max... I was able to complete three medium size abstract landscape, three smaller collages and working on #5-13 moons piece, I have one more image transfer to put on and then put the copper pieces.

Everyone had a great time creating there was mini demo's going on all through weekend. I personally was being non sociable, because I had one things on my agenda and that was to create my butt off and I think I did... I even played in my sketch book and my art journals.

My table mates were so much fun, Ann and I razed each other the whole time. Darn woman didn't bring all her supplies and I packed for the last day on earth and what could I take... which was everything. But I do have to say Annette beat me by a good truck load. I would suggest an art retreat to anyone of any kind of medium to get away and have the fun to create at whim. Even if your a writer it would have been a great time. The small lake was a bit choppy with the winds the first night and then it calmed down. The small lake is called Waubee which means Turtle and it's an Pottawatomie, Ojibwa and Ottawa Indiana area. I was really neat to find that out. Waubesa stands for swan which they had four there on the lake too. So if any one is looking for a place to do a retreat and lives close by this is the place. Camp Mack 2010 dates are Oct 28, 29, 30,31

Road Trip to Camp Mack, Collage Retreat

So the supplies are packed and the list is still growing... I think I need help...no really I think I need help and someone to pull the packing reins in on me. How can a collage artist really know what they will need in advance and only pack that???? the way I work is very intuitive and I'm always searching and looking for things to put in to my pieces as of the right colors, shape and papers. Then I said I would bring the small traveling copier I have and a few other things so packing for the group but it's all good in the end, "it's all good" as Martha Stewart would say..

I had Eve call and let me know she can't make the weekend, her business computer crashed, and she needs to be with her techie guy to help retrieve all the data... darn it. I was thinking of my cousin Doris if she would be able to fill in at the last minute but it might be just too hard to do...
Well the bus/van is leaving at about 10;30 as I need to stop into LaGrange art league to pick up some gesso and polymer bottles I have there and then swing around and pick up Mary Beth and we hit the road, about 2 1/2 hour ride should be good. Mary Beth and I have a lot in common and I'm sure we will know each other better after the ride. Hope I don't babble my fool head off and bore her to death.

So will pack the bed roll, clothes and other stuff and be ready to go...tidy up a bit around the homestead and then off I go... I was amazing to see the studio after I packed things up yesterday did a little sweep and you know what? it's actually clean and looks so great for when I come back from this weekend, probably the only part that will be clean as My family is so wonderful and loving but cleaning up after themselves has not been a big importance for them. Doesn't matter as long as their happy and doing what the like it's all good.

Excited can you tell?