The View is Black and White....Sometimes

Acrylic on 8x8 canvas

So, the game was what I expected, stressful, tough and unsure of the turnout. Sadly, a disappointing loss, oh well, onward! I finished this first attempt of painting in black and white, I really enjoyed it, maybe because it reminds me of working in pencil. Still in the process of painting the edges black, it's one of the deep canvases. Probably a name for it but don't ever expect me to know the correct name for almost anything......I do remember my children's names (usually).

Like I posted before, the open house at my friend's beautiful home on the side of the mountain was good. Wow, what a view, the entire back of her home is solid two story windows- and the view is breathtaking. Got a couple of shots with my cellphone....not trusty anymore cause the battery doesn't last worth doodly. (shopping for another)

I sold three pieces that day, have an order for a snow family and just this morning have a request for a personalized zentangle......better get my bum in gear!!! In addition, I have two more Christmas open house events to participate in as a result of this, the first one on Dec. 3rd, the following one is at my friend's home again (taking camera!) a week or two later. I want to have more things ready, perhaps some smaller items, paintings, drawings and maybe some tiny paintings to be used as ornaments. A girl can dream! Now all I need is a band of house cleaning fairies to clean around here to get ready for decorating. Once again....sometimes dreams come true.....let's hope. Each day on Facebook I am posting something to be thankful for, can never be overly thankful. Today I am thankful for my family's good health!

Horrific Day

Sadly, our little town is in the national news, we have been before, for being a good place to raise your kids, educated, young, diversified community, one of the fastest growing in our state. My uncle lived here when I was growing up, it was a little place, close to the airport...seems like it took forever to get out here from my hometown. It was a few places surrounded by cotton field. Then the interstate was built and the town has grown soooo much. The high school is the largest in the state now and they are finally planning to build another. Yesterday, at 1:45, at the middle school less than 2 miles from our house a freshman student was shot by another freshman student. I usually have the television on the news when I am around the house but didn't. Only when I passed the school on my way out yesterday seeing all the police, the entrances blocked off to the school, photographers snapping photos and all the news trucks did I know that something bad had to have happened. Didn't take long to find out on the radio what had happened. Called my best friend where I work and told them. Then my niece and sister-in-law started texting me. None of my really close friends have children there but many that I know do. I can imagine how frightened those poor students were, especially after reading our paper this morning. Fortunately, the school officials, the emergency workers, everyone did exactly what they should do and in a very timely manner. Still, nothing could help, last night the boy died and now the other will be charged with murder. One thing that makes me angry is that I am not shocked. Not because our schools here aren't doing all they can to be safe or that we have much crime. Just because it can happen anywhere, just like every other town feels when it happens to them, because sadly this is what happens in our society now. My heart aches for the families of both boys though and for all the kids that will be nervous when they return to school Monday. Bless all those that are affected by this horrible incident.

Art Exhibit!

Seems like weeks ago since the state volleyball tournament, the weekend is somewhat of a blur. Sunday evening till late and all day Monday till late with a little rush on Tuesday morning.....then put the display up at the coffeeshop! My first real showing! I am both excited and exhausted. My close friend went with me, which was very helpful and fun! Took longer than I thought because I had to put a loop on the back on a large amount of them for the hangers to fit on. Thankfully I brought the wire and cutters. I am still busy, trying to get a new blog or website up, sent out a mass email about it, wrote a "bio"...that was a thrill (not). Missed washing for 2 days and it looked like a week! Dealing with the news last week that my new friend from Chicago area is very ill and they moved back to have support and help of her family. Scanned in all my work before framing it, purchased frames! The kicker, have a job interview in the morning and I don't have a clue what I will wear cause stress/depression has me eating....vicious circle! No, it's not in art, it's auditing. Money is good, hours flexible, close here and will get the monkey off my back some to bring in some money. Keep your fingers crossed. Okay, there you go. That's why I've been MIA online. Haven't forgotten you, always thinking how I wanted to share things going on with my blog buddies. The first photo is inside the coffeehouse, it's so cozy, warm and comfortable inside!

Here is one of the latest color pencil pieces framed in a 11x14 with an 8x10 opening.

You've seen the pumpkins but this bronze frame really set them off.....may not can tell, I put a light apple green background in just before framing.

Just finished this zentangle Wednesday night. The photo does not do justice to the frame. It is a totally smooth surface of plexiglass, very sleek! Also a 11x14 frame with an 8x10 opening.

The portion of the wall with all my goodies, except for the last zentangle, it wasn't quite finished yet........why did we not save an opening for it that was easily reachable??? Duh. You will probably recognize all the pieces. Some were touched up a bit before framing.

Hills and Valleys

VolleyGirl's team won their sub-state match last night and are headed to state next Wednesday. The gym was packed with students, friends and faculty. Wow, for a change, we parents didn't have to do bear ALL the cheering! Hoarse today though....I was so excited.....I had a pom-pom to shake last night! This puts them in the top 8 teams in our state for their division.

Sadly, when I picked her up from school yesterday she was upset because one of her close friend's dad died suddenly yesterday of a heart attack and she had found out 7th period. I have been trying to find out arrangements today but I guess it's too early. She is learning how fragile life can be. Also, one of the top players ended up going to the ER by ambulance last night after the game where she stayed until after 4 in the morning. Vomiting, cramping.....they did an xray and ultrasound but diagnosed with a stomach virus. VG is freaking she will get it cause they are partners in warm-ups.

It Takes a "Beating"

My son described this drawing as disgusting and gross. Started not to show it to him because I knew he wouldn't get it and not like it much. I was right. I did this a few weeks ago. It was an illustration of my heart I suppose and frankly I don't remember what was eating away at me during that time. Stress, sadness, disappointment, whatever. I was thinking of a heart shape but sort of like the real heart at the same time.........it is suspended by a string faintly and I considered holding the string with fingers or a bow. Obviously, never did that. So it hangs by a thread. It is what it is, cracked, bleeding, melting, worn, whatever. I remembered of this drawing when thinking of Mim this morning as she mourns the loss of her father. I will try to draw something a bit more appealing later. My thoughts and prayers are with you Mim.