SICL art class

I snapped this of some of the work in the SICL art class. The watercolor on the left is Jean's. The center is Gloria's, and the one on the right was done by Francis. It seemed like we had the seasons covered here with the spring showery effect on Jean's - the very chilly center picture and the hot summer sun in Francis' painting. Here they are girls!

Orchids

Rosemary has an orchid plant in her back yard, nestled up against the house. That's probably the only reason it survives the winter frosts and cold snaps. Over a week ago she brought me a stem of the first ones to open, and because they sat in the car in the sun for a couple hours while we were in class - by the time I got them home and in some water, they were looking pretty bedraggled. I could not bear to toss them, so kept them because a few blooms looked not too bad. Well, now they have perked up and look so lovely I need to share them. Some of you are still in snow storms. I hope you enjoy some fresh flowers.

New painting

Months ago I did a painting depicting a back ache. People responded very well to it, so I want to do another one to enter in a local art show. Here is the very early beginning. I'll post more pics as it progresses. I know it's a bit hard to see where I'm going with it now - but hopefully soon it will come to life.

Sunday in Sac

Mixed Media Artists met in Sacramento today for our monthly meeting. We had a Golden's paints artist/rep give a demo of their products. We had a good lively group of about 25 people, with lots of questions. The demonstrator was informative, imaginative, and humorous.

While I was gone, Nikki got the door open into the living room, kitchen and bathroom areas. I don't know exactly what she was up to while I was gone, but some sparkly yarn that she always sneaks peeks at, was wound around one of her feet when she met me at the gate. Hmmmmm..... I thought to myself. Now, where did she find that? Well, besides being attached to her foot, she had dragged it up over my computer, monitor, kitchen counter, wrapped it around the cake stand with the glass top, then jumped down over my sewing machine, went around the footstool a couple of times and - well it look like a house that had been TP'd. Only my room was Yarned. And the cake dish was upside down on the floor with the lid next to it - both unbroken (lucky for her). That was not all - she also emptied the waste baskets in the bathroom, and in the computer area. She was a busy little girl - a naughty little girl. We had a few harsh words about it all and she tried to convince me that Buddy had something to do with it to, but I know better.

Next time I leave the house I'd better put a chair in front of that door to keep her out. Maybe the trainers who use crates know what they are doing.

Fluffy stuff turned to slush

The red markers point at my place down the road.

Mushroom book

The mushroom poem from a few posts back is in this little fabric and paper covered (altered) board book I just finished. Here are a few pics. I'll upload the rest on the picturetrail site later.

Another old friend is found.

It was great to reconnect a friendship with high school friend Bill T. Bill was one of the ones who knew who he was and where he was going - right from the get-go. The rest of us just kind of drifted, looking for a direction, but he was right on track with his music. We all thought he was brilliant, and seems like we were right! He has had a distinguished career and is now retired - but he has not given up his music! This makes four classmates this year that I haven't heard from for years - that can now connect via the internet. It's an amazing world.

Winter Wonderland

Here's a pic of campground in Sierras today. I'm not there, I'm home where it's warmer. I sure wouldn't want to be sitting on that bench today.

Ode to a Mushroom

Ode to a Mushroom
Original poem by Janene Ford
2009, all rights reserved.

Have you met the lowly mushroom
At the foot of the big oak tree?
With only leaves and dirt and bugs
To keep him company?

You should get to know the mushroom
He's someone you would like.
He'll never pull the puppy's tail,
or knock you off your bike.

Have you ever talked to a mushroom?
Heard what it has to say?
Ever called one on the phone
To ask "what did you do today?"

Does a mushroom have a family?
A mother and a dad?
Are mushrooms always happy?
Or are they sometimes sad?

Has a mushroom ever walked right up
and slapped you in the face?
No, they are meek and mild
And always know their place.

Did you ever see a mushroom fly,
Or drive a flashy red sports car?
Mushrooms don't have passports,
They don't travel very far.

A mushroom stays just where it started,
it doesn't go running away.
Wherever it was planted
is where it's meant to stay.

A mushroom makes a wonderful friend.
You know where it will be,
when you might need a friend the most,
it's there beneath the tree.

Nikki's been a bad dog

While I was out of town yesterday, Nik tore something apart and left a mountain of acrylic fluff on top of my bed. For the life of me I can't find anything "unstuffed". Perhaps she ate it? Or hid it? The search continues. I don't know how mad to be until I know what it was.

Wednesday?

Here we are, mid way through another busy week. Art class was yesterday. Today our bookie art critique group flocked to Sac for our monthly meeting. J had finished her black and white journal/altered book. Holding herself to a limited palette made it a challenge that she conquered beautifully. S, S, and W are working on book constructions that will contain a lot of symbolism. Very interesting projects - and all very different one from another. Almost assemblages. All in very early stages of development. P was there with the decos and fat books she will share at the Sac Book Collectors Club next month. Her good news is that she is interning as a librarian, has only two courses left to take, and she will be a REAL librarian. I'm excited for her and know it has been hard to learn all the new ways of doing everything in the new century. Next month we will meet somewhere else, as W has kitchen remodeling coming up soon.

Play day at Rosemary's - Wacko retreat

Rosemary invited us all to her place for a Valentine's play day. We arrived with our tools and toys and food to share. It took us a long time to settle down to any art projects as we had lots of show and tell and then the food! Good stuff. Finally we got down to business and played with the Cuddlebug machine to make textured papers. Most made cards today. We also gave each other Valentines. One picture here shows some of what I got. We also officially indoctrinated Pat into the Wacko circle. Yea, Pat. Other pics are before we started the day, one mid-day working, and finally, at the end of the day. Thanks Rosemary for a fun day.

Valentines

I needed to make 8 Valentines for tomorrow with the Wackos. Here's the first batch.

Now, I need to make chicken spread for sandwiches and cut up some fresh fruit. It's a pot-luck! My chicken spread is really delicious. I chop the cooked chicken up finely, add honey mustard and mayonnaise, whipped cream cheese, then toss in things like cranberries, fresh dill, green onions, maybe some celery, maybe some nuts. The point of this recipe is to have a nice rich protein based spread with as little salt as possible and still have it really tasty. Yummmy. And what is really good is to layer it with fresh spinach leaves on some baguettes or low sodium crackers - or even a rice cake. Try it.

SICL GARDENING CLASS

A new class was added this semester and it was standing room only. We must all be in the mood to get on with spring planting. It's rainy today, and we really need it, but the pansies I bought yesterday after the class are not in the ground yet. I hoped to plant today.

SICL art class

The Spring semester began today at Delta's Senior program. I returned to the art class, which I really missed last semester. It was good to be among old friends and we are off to a good start.

California Art Girls at the Art Bungalow

After a quick trip to the mts yesterday with Candis and the dogs, I settled back into my art life. Sally picked me up this a.m. and we took off to the West for the first meeting of the California Art Girls (an online group of women artists who have attended Art and Soul). We had a play day at one of the artists' Art Bungalow. It was a lovely way to spend the day. Here are some pics that Roberta took. By the way - if you want a real treat, visit Roberta's blog. Her artwork is really something very special. She is beginning to find her own voice - and believe me - it's stellar. You are going to want to watch her progress. http://rcscreations.wordpress.com