Tuesday Afternoon

I feel I should be singing a really grand Moody Blues song. NOT! Well, things here are status quo. Guess that is a good thing.
The creative processes have been kind to me lately. I seem to be ever evolving into I don't know what. Hope that is a good thing!
Seems like when the phone rings these days it is not good news. A dear friend of ours has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I will never understand why terrible things happen to good people. But the world seems to keep turning, regardless.
All my life, I have been the undying optimist but it seems some of the ooomph has gone out of me lately which probably shows in my latest art works. Maybe life is telling me that a blend of pessimism in with that eternal optimist is the way it is.....who knows?
Remember those each day in your life that matter......tomorrow is a new day! And thankfully, we all wake up anew. xoxoxo

Friday's Frolics

It is hot here in Georgia, guess summer has arrived. Things are blooming like crazy and I am sneezing my pea brains out! LOL
The art workshop in Detroit was a huge success. I met so many talented, kind fellow artists. It was over entirely too quickly.
I wait with baited breath on the gallery call. Should hear something by Monday. Waiting is the hardest part! To be selected for a juried call would be quite an honor at my early stage of selling my art.
So I am off to the studio to finish my abstract (very abstract) blueberries for an Artist and Poets project. Having never met a blueberry bush in person, I kinda winged it! LOL Hey, that is why there is artistic license!!!
Have a grand weekend.

Memorial Day Thanks!

To all of you courageous men and women, past and present, who believe in fighting for our country and our freedom, my heartfelt thanks to you all. I had two Uncles who both served in the Korean War. I still remember after almost 50 years the tears in my Grandfather's eyes as he sent his two sons off to war so far away. My father's Father was a Navy diver in the old bell style diving suit during World War I. My father-in-law and his brother both served in World War II. The bravery of our troops should be something we think of every day, not just on their special day.
So as we all prepare to enjoy an extra day off from our workweek and our barbecues, take time to remember the real reason you are having a holiday. God Bless our Troops!

Grand Photographer!

Greetings all, I want to take an opportunity to introduce you to a very wonderful nature photographer, Kelley Swinney. His patience in getting the perfect shot as well as his wonderful eye for the unusual really sets his work a cut above.
Check him out if you get a chance. I am providing a link to his cool site with my other links at left.
Things are quiet in Georgia for the moment. My art conference is coming up soon and I am thrilled to be attending.
Life is good! Hug those you love....

Sunday's Musings

This has been an interesting week. I entered 7 pieces in an open art call for a gallery in California. It will be juried by July 1st, so I am trying to wait patiently.
(NOT!!)
I have discovered a new technique thanks to my dear friend, Joyce. Tissue paper, glue and paint are right up my alley. More fun than making mud pies!
Things here have been quiet lately which makes me think the other shoe is gonna drop soon. Things never seem to stay quiet for long but Hubby dear and I are enjoying the hockey playoffs and that is never silent in this house. My Dallas Stars are hanging in and I am glued to the tube when they play.
I pray that you are all enjoying the springtime flowers and fun. Peace to all.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you fabulous ladies out there. I must tell a funny story on my granddaughter, Jesseka. She is 3 1/2 and quit a pip. I was talking to her Mom the other night and she was cutting up in the background and my son told her to behave and be a little quieter. She asked her Mom if it was Jesse's Mom on the phone still. (Jesse is my son) She gets back on the phone and says, My MiMi, your son is being mean to me. Tell him to stop it now! She then hands the phone to Jesse and says YOUR Mom wants to talk to you. I almost choked laughing. Guess she thought he was gonna be in big trouble!
I am posting a piece of a portrait that I did for them recently of Jesseka and Cece.
Also, a new painting I finished last night. For now I am calling it Smokey Eyes. I tried a new process courtesy of the supplies from my ZNE friend, Stacey. This is done with D'Uva litho coal. It is a charcoal based product that is cured with heat. It is a blast to work with on a textured canvas. Thank you, Stacey!
So enjoy your special day all you grand Mothers out there. I hope this day brings you much love. Peace to all....

Tribute to Terri

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. A very dear friend passed away earlier this month after a 6 year battle with breast cancer. She was only 54. Ladies, please, please do your self exams and all you can to learn the signs to watch for to stop this dread disease. I am sure most of you know someone who have been affected by cancer. Terri was a vivacious, lovely woman who raised her natural children to adulthood, then adopted another child later in life. Her courage will be remembered by all those who knew her. Her laugh was melodic and her steel blue eyes piercing when she thought you were off track. I will miss her dearly.
I painted a very angry painting of her at the end. She may have lost her hair, but not her dignity nor those beautiful eyes. I will be painting a tribute picture of her for her family when some of the anger dies down.
Here also is my newest piece which was an experiment. I am pleased with the results.
As always, my work is for sale. Leave me a comment and I will get back to you.
Peace to all....tell those you love what they mean to you!

The Lizard King Poet!

Here is my next in a seeming series of some of my music heroes. I didn't start out to do this but seem to be on a roll! There are so many talented musicians,some passed on and many still playing strong that I think it would take a lifetime to paint them all! Yahooo!!
So here is my small tribute to Morrison who seemed to live a life on the edge and just could not find his happiness. You cannot see them in this small thumbnail but there are 8 hidden faces in this painting.
Morrison had many visions in his life he felt were real and they revolved around Indians and dreams. May he rest in peace.
Hope you enjoy my piece. It was more difficult than I had imagined to complete.
Peace to all, Cath

Steve Vai Tribute

Hope this beautiful Sunday finds you all well and enjoying your weekend. I recently did a piece in tribute to my guitar hero, Steve Vai. I have admired his talents, ability to entertain and his focus on making the world a better place for many years.
So I pulled out some cd photos and went to town painting him. He has a wonderful angular face with very expressive eyes. I did my best to capture his aloof look here.
Hope you enjoy seeing it.
Ebay seems to have become more fickle than ever so I am musing with loading my paintings into my Etsy shop. More on that later.
Have a grand day and remember those who make you laugh!
Peace, Cath

Reflections on friends

I must say to all that I have been so blessed with the most incredible bunch of friends. To all of you, many thanks for your support, kindness and listening ear when I am bouncing off my ideas. I realize now that I paint with so much inspiration from my friendships. To Mindy, you make my day always. Stacey, who shares my artistic intuition more than I could ever know. And Shirley, my art mentor who always listens to my rantings....to Laura who loves me no matter what. Doreen, who can make me laugh when I need it most. Barbara, who keeps gently reminding me that the beauty in art is in the eye of the beholder when I think I am off the planet. And Carol, who views my art, offers encouragement and gives me new art mediums to try.(I still poke my fingers when I needle felt. LOL) Bernice, who encourages my strange explorations, laughs with me and still loves me. And to Mamma Joyce who was my model for Kiss the Rain....my muse, my friend and my role model who encourages me to constantly kiss the rain.... I owe you all more than words can say. And my glorious family who supports and encourages me....I am humbly honored to be able to share my work. I thank the Good Lord above each night for you all and look forward to a new day dawning.
Thank you all for sharing your hearts and your time with me.
xoxoxo