Beautiful Exchange

Gosh it's been way too long, again, that I've sat down and wrote a blog entry.  I'm not sure why, maybe it's the fact that creating these days has been basically non-existent...at least on a canvas, although certainly not in my mind.  But....here's one happening that I am so excited to tell you about. 

(That's me below, extremely happy to be in the Wellsville Arts Center)

 

When I was in my old home town of Wellsville, NY, someone told me about this creative arts center, this place and time spent there became one of the highlights of my trip.  It had coffee, and art.  Who wouldn't love that!!  Well, as I meandered through the place, my eye was immediately drawn to this locally made pottery that was made by one of the people that are part of the center.  I fell in love.  But, there was only one beautiful, sea foam/blue green plate for sale...and I soooo badly wanted at least 4 to bless my table with.  One thing led to another, and after a few months of hoping to somehow, someway, obtain a few more plates, the potter contacted me with a brilliant plan...an art exchange!!  Now, I am frugal, probably to a fault, so this idea of trading my art for hers, sang a beautiful melody!!  

My hometown hasn't changed much.  The beautiful old buildings are still there, some have changed names, but most have kept their charm.  And of course, those cars are not the same ones that ran those streets.  

After a few weeks of patiently waiting, (ok, not so patient at times), my beautiful new pottery plates arrived on my doorstep, I opened the box with so much anticipation, shed a tear when I saw them and  then placed them on my cozy little barn wood table.  

They were home. I grow more in love with them everyday. 

And just look at those cute flowers...they are sooo me!!  

My dear art exchange friend blessed me 

beyond measure.

Now it was my turn to create a masterpiece (lol, I hardly do that, but I do try and paint something of beauty, and from my heart).  I pondered, knowing I wanted to do something calm, something that would would be pleasing to the beholder.  So after choosing, again, my favorite color for the background, I set to work, letting my hands and mind be led by the one who gave me this gift.  I thought about flowers, and vintage "ephemera" and strong stones (a similar idea I saw lovingly painted on another piece), 

and three simple words...

"I AM HOME"

Little did I know, but those three little words were what spoke volumes to my new friend, something that her soul desperately needed to hear.  I could go on about that, but I don't want to share too much of what was seemingly shared in confidence.  

But, this to me, was all worth this experience...

to have a recipient of my work say it spoke to them to the core.  

THIS is why I paint.  

This is why I love creating, to bring something to someone, something lovely.

"Wildflower Dance" was done on a pine cupboard door with paint, paper, ephemera, and bees wax...and created with much love.

Destination~Seagrove

A few times a year, my husband Dean and I along with our very closest friends,

 Scott and Amy, plan a weekend for the other couple,

 having the adventure be a surprise.  These weekends have proved to be ones that continually amaze us by the love that is shared, 

and the laughs that are in abundance. 

This beautiful spring weekend in April was planned by Scott and Amy.

Destination: Seagrove, NC, pottery capital of the south. 

 We stayed in lovely bed and breakfast, complete with samples of local pottery.  

Our hosts were so sweet and needless to say, the breakfast consisting of pineapple and cream cheese stuffed french toast, was AMAZING!

One of our first stops at the over 100 pottery houses in the area, was to Phil Morgan's place.  It just so happen, that this day was one of two thoughout the year, that he fired up his huge handmade kiln, to fire over 600 pieces of pottery.  He treated us like family and instisted we come back to a down-home BBQ which also included throwing salt into the 2,400 degree kiln.  That was a thrill!!

Nothing says NC country like eating smoked BBQ with an old John Deere as your table.

 Here the four of us are in front of Phil's kiln.  It takes 48 hours of constant wood feeding, to get it up to the maximum temperature of 2,400 degrees.  It was a bit toasty even standing there for this photo. 

I love this shot of the kiln holding it's 

extremely hot contents. 

Pottery 101

Amy and I try our hand at "throwing"

The highlight of our trip, was Amy and I getting to take a pottery lesson.  

Oh my gosh, I was so nervous, but our teacher was so patient.  I have always wanted to try making pottery, so finally, this dream came true!  

  

I loved the feel of the clay but quickly found out, that this was truely a lot of careful work.  There are 20 steps that go into making a work of art.  It takes placing your hands just so, applying pressure at just the right places, and much patience. 

I am a perfectionest, not the best quality to have when you create art.   

I was almost done with my piece, feeling pretty good about it, when I pulled up to quickly and BAM, the top came right off. Back to square one.

 With wet clay splattered on my face, and my piece successfully off the wheel with only a few fingerprints on my finished piece, I then adorned the bottom with the imprint of a little shell.  It is in the process now of being glazed and fired and should arrive on my doorstep...hopefully soon!!

I certainly have a new appreciation for people who make pottery.  

And, I am putting a wheel and kiln on my Christmas list!!!

Confessions of a Wood Hoarder

I'll admit it, I'm a wood hoarder.  Whew, felt good to get that off my chest!!

I am forever picking up old scraps of wood.

I believe my husband thinks I'm nuts, but always knows what's hiding behind my back as I try to sneak into the car,  another piece of old wood, sometimes very dirty, 

in a garbage bin, or the best...washed ashore. 

My pile at home is growing, but I know that they will come to life 

at just the right time. 

Hmmm...I think there's a life lesson there.  Anyway....

For me, to bring a piece of wood to life that was ready for 

the fire pit months ago, is a thrill.

So for these little guys, I gave them some fresh paint, 

cute little flowers that were on an 

outdated calendar, and some wonderful bees wax.

 Simple Beauty

The one on the left was done on a piece of wood I found washed up after a big storm hit Carolina Beach.  I just loved the two holes, so I left them exposed,

 as well as the rusted nails at the bottom.  

The one to the right, was randomly found in a 

parking lot.  You'll never know where you'll find a gem,

     so keep your eyes open! (and again, another life lesson!!) 

I like how these pieces can stand alone on a shelf, or be hung on a wall. 

I saw ones done like this on a website, so I can't take all the credit for them,

but they made me so happy and I wanted to try this for myself, 

knowing that mine would take on my own style and feel.  

I love how they flow into each other with what seems like blue water against the gray sky, 

with a single flower standing strong in the middle of life.

Birds of a Feather

 Even though I live in the south, right now I'm so ready for this cold winter to be over!!  To hear those birds and feel the warmth on my skin again, that can't come any quicker for me. 

  

These four little happy birds, sitting on flower covered branches, just seemed appropriate for my longing of the springtime season! 

Action Shot.  

I just love my art, music-filled, coffee drinking room!  

Natural light is abundant with windows that line every square inch of wall. 

When we were looking at this house to buy, this room is what sold me.  It even came complete with counters that are old doors covered in glass.
This is the perfect room for me!!  

My Playground.

What fun it is to mix and play around with colors!!  It makes me feel like a kid again.

Here, I was trying to get the "just right brown" color for the base of the two pieces.

We love "Junk"

 I did these two pieces on a couple of old desk drawers that my mom found for me at The Habitat for Humanity.  She came to my house, loaded with a trunk of these dusty relics.  My husband thought she is off her rocker, but some of the craziest old things have turned into some wonderful works of art, and now it's confirmed that I get my wacky impulses and adventurous tenancies her.  (thanks mom!!)  

I love Diptic (for all you iPhone people, you know what I'm talking about) 

I didn't want to bore you with a bunch of huge pictures of all my stages what went into these pieces.  So, I Dipticed these:  The two, taped-off drawers before I started, the "delicious brownie batter" of a nicely textured foundation, and lastly, the finished background colors. 

The fun stuff.

  I sketched some branches and flowers, them painted them on, giving those boring backgrounds some LIFE.  I'm feeling the warmth starting to flood my room already!

Even though this photo is a bit fuzzy, I wanted to show that...

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAINT IN THE LINES!!

Who made up that rule anyway??

For me, sometimes the messier the better.

Furry friends to grace the branches .

This one is called "To The Core".

It represents love, experienced to the "very core" of one's self.

And this one....I named "Tawny Blue"

My grandmother's favorite color was blue, and for some reason, the two birds below
reminded me of my grandparents, and the devoted love they shared even
in the midst of some very trying times throughout their lives.   

I hope you enjoyed this blog entry...and are awating spring as eagerly as I am.

If you love these paintings, and could see them hanging on your walls, just send me a note

in the little comment space below!  They are approximately 16x19 in size, 

and made with lots of love. 

Much thanks and PEACE to you all.... 

Chickens and Wood

What an exceptionally warm weekend we were treated to in this normally very chilly month of January!  We had put on our calendars months ago, to go antiquing with some longtime, dear friends of ours, so the delightful weather only heightened our happiness as we set out to two destinations: 

Gibson Mill in Concord and Cline's in Mt. Pleasant.

Our daughter Lizz was still with us, visiting from Hawaii, 

so this also made our excursion extra special!!

Our first stop was to Gibson Mill, where you will find miles of delicious old relics, some of which I had growing up.   Why did I get rid of those things??  But anyway, it's thrilling being there, and I always find some little ditty to bring back as I try to garnish my home with delights from the past.  

In a way, it brings me comfort.  

This was our fun little group at Gibson Mill...each holding a sign that depicted us 

to a "T".

                                    Amy                         Lizz                         Emily

                                    Scott & Dean                            Me

After spending a few hours at the mill, we now set off to the next place, which would be my very first visit there. Cline's is located in Mt. Pleasant, NC and has a plethora of stuff.  Now, one might call it junk, (yes Dean, I'm talking about you), but for the creative mind, it is a playground of delight, rummaging through dusty old items, most of which probably will never be bought, but once in awhile, you come across a gem.

Well, this pile of discarded old flooring was my gem.  I got all excited when I came across it out in a field littered with all sorts of discarded "junk".  

To the average mind, this might look like some very nice wood for their fire pit, 

but in my mind, it was a beautiful piece of art.

As I laid out the tattered pieces, full of mysterious history, my mind reeled with possibilities of what I could create with this musty yet beautiful wood.

So to work I went, picking out the perfect pieces, 

some of which still held their square nails.

Hauling them down that hill was quite the funny feat, but at last we made it to our gruff cashier who said, "That'll be $12".  Only $12 for those gems! I was overjoyed.  Now I can't wait to see what they will become.  I wonder if those hard working people, who walked on those creaky old boards each day, would ever have imagined that an artist girl would get so excited over them, one day becoming a piece of beautiful art.  

They probably would think I was crazy.    

I just had to include this photo.  

These bugged-eyed colorful chicks, so eager and full of life although a bit banged up, just made me so happy.

They kind of reminded me of someone...

Oh...it's me!