 Yes...I am aware...I have been MIA...off the grid somewhat. I haven't updated this blog or posted any finished pieces. I got a little distracted...by moving...traveling...sparkly thangs...wedding-related happenings, just to name a few. Wait, just keep reading. Here is what went down... Moving...The major event that has impacted the past few weeks has been the move farther south. I obsessively packed and organized for this move, through things away, gave things to Goodwill, cleaned…but moving is never easy. Our move took all in all a couple of trips back and forth, a little over an hour each way. We are in our new place now, still getting used to living in a more metropolitan area and a smaller space…but so far so good. But boy let me tell ya...MOVING STINKS! Boo! Hiss! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to our friends and family for all of your help! We are slowly getting it all unpacked....it's a slow process!  ...Mackie was happy to supervise the packing and moving process...at first we were excited...but by the end of the 'big move' day we were beat! John fell asleep on the couch about ten minutes after everyone left! Dawg tired boss. Creative Space...I am still working on my creative space(s) in our new place...so far the dining room table has been my main spot. I like to look out the window, and I love the natural light. Before my trip to NC I did manage to start to carve out a small studio corner in the second bedroom...so much more work to do with this area but I will get to it. I have been doing so much running around that my studio space really a bag I carry around with me. All in due time...  ...my old studio area in the kitchen, stripped down and bare...view from the kitchen table in the new place...and finally, a little motivation to keep me going in the new studio area, still very much under construction. Chentelly’s Quinceañera...One project that I can now share that I was working on the week that I moved are some decorations I made for one of my former cheerleaders. Chentelly’s mom had asked me way back during basketball season about doing some decorations for a beach/shell-themed Quinceañera. I agreed and we met earlier this summer for planning and a to pick up a few materials. I was originally supposed to go the event and actually help set up…but that fell through when we had to change our ‘big move’ date. However, I still made some decor for her event, listed and pictured below.
 A view of some of the things I made for the Quinceañera as I worked on them, and then set up in the venue. Thank you, Doris for sending me pics- Chentelly looks so beautiful! I am glad I could be a part of this milestone event! Maria’s Wedding Shower...The most recent happening was my trip to North Carolina for Maria’s bridal shower. I was one of the hostesses for the shower in Southern Pines, along with the other MOH, her aunts and her cousin. Prior to event I had painted a small watercolor that I scanned and used for the invitations. The day of the event Audrey and I decorated, mainly flower arrangements from flowers we picked up at the grocery store, which we placed in measuring cups to keep with the kitchen theme. Everything turned out great! Aunt Jan, Aunt Sandra, Audrey and Alessandra- we did it! Special thanks to Ironwood and the Bakehouse, the food was great...and of course thank you to our family at Vito's Southern Pines for the venue.  Yep, I have my own wedding to-do list. And then some...Originally I was going to go back to North Carolina with Maria's aunt and cousin via car, but Maria wanted me to stay and help with the huge list of to-do’s that she had been trying to tackle. So…I did, and we accomplished SO MUCH. I cannot even begin to list everything that we were able to check off that list in less than a forty-eight hour period…but among the items were visiting the venue, her bridal fitting, finding shoes and bridal jewelry, deciding on tuxes, finalizing flower girl and ring bearer attire, working on the music list, organizing the ‘wedding closet’, making some gifts, deciding on flowers and making centerpiece mock-ups…and so…much…more. Wow. Makes me tired just thinking about it. I can’t post pictures of most of this now, but once the wedding happens in November I will post pictures of all of my ‘artsy’ touches. It is going to be such a beautiful day, I can’t wait! July Series...My July series stayed unfinished for basically the last two weeks of the month due to traveling to VA, DE, Washington DC, moving and the trip to NC. I faithfully started my pieces each day with the intentions to finish them, only to get bombarded with…well…life. I am the hardest on myself, and after some major soul-searching I decided to be at peace with the fact that I at least started my daily pieces, which I just kept packing and unpacking as I moved from place to place. I did simplify the series to just the sunglasses with eyes during this period, mainly to help me get them finished and not drive myself crazy. A few more tweaks and I will post these last pieces.  Taking over the kitchen table at my father-in-law's house...unfinished pieces as far as the eye can see...oh my...  ...traveling art studio... August Series...Something that hasn’t been posted are my August pieces, another group of works I have been schlepping to and fro. The suggested theme for August is ‘Cycles’…which left me scratching my head. Maybe it is the stress, the fact that I am having a hard time focusing on any one thing…all of this…but I really had a hard time coming up with an idea for this. I kept looking at the word ‘cycle’ and thinking of things going around…cyclic…then I thought of circles….and finally I decided to work with a circle motif in my pieces this month. Someway…somehow…a circle. For the initial pieces have started off by tracing a circle with my charcoal pencil onto toned gray paper…starting with a single eye…and only trying to render the area inside the circle...anything outside the area can just be line, unfinished. I think for me the eyes are not only a favorite subject/theme in my work, but an area where I feel safe and secure…which I kind of need right now with my chaotic life. Also, giving myself that area inside the circle helps me focus on developing just one area, a ‘star’ as Mr. Elmore used to call it. Per usual…we’ll see where this goes...I just...I just need to finish these pieces! Aughhh!!!  Oh summer vacation, how I love thee. Lastly...
I am in my last minutes of summer vacation. Tomorrow is my first day of work at my new job and I am too excited and nervous to sleep...which is why I am updating this here blog. Today when John picked me up from the airport we went home, walked to the beach, had a slice of pizza and some frozen yogurt and took in the view and the ocean breeze. I waved goodbye to summer. (but not the beach, are you crazy?!) I will miss you summer vacation...but time to go back to work! |
AuthorArtist and Art Teacher 
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