Seasonal Love

Let me tell you about my lover. His name is Autumn, and we have just been reunited! I delight in gazing into his cloudless, blue-sky eyes as they entice me to come closer! And his sparkling mane of golden sun-rays makes my heart lurch! He arrived in a coat of many colors, shimmering in the light and constantly changing. With anticipation in every move, he slowly sheds his lovely garb. Day by day becoming more and more exposed to my wanting eyes. And then...just as he has not one stitch left...he is GONE! On a gusting WHOOSH of icy, cold air! Leaving me in the wickedly frigid arms of winter. A lover of an entirely different sort, indeed!!!

A Great New Book to Read!!!

A very good friend of mine has just written and published his very first book!  This is truly a dream come true for him.  I was honored to watch the process as he let his imagination roam freely,  and to watch the incredible personal growth he went through in becoming who he is meant to be.......a writer!!  Below is the link to his website.  Give yourself a wonderful gift and help out a fellow creative being!  Order a book!  You won't be disappointed!

http://www.cabin108book.com/

Love, Lust or Just Plain Lost?

Unloved, Gordon’s hungry heart yearns for life’s magic once more. Beautiful Laraine then enters his world and touches him like none before. Fireworks fly, emotions rollercoaster, and his spirit soars to new heights. Gordon has found his soul mate.

Or has he?

Packing away his low self-esteem and a learned distrust of others, Gordon steps into a world of cow pastures and kindness. His gentle ways, quirky humor, and mastery in the kitchen endear those in his new and safe surroundings, allowing him to hone his talents, self-worth, and aspirations. Exploring both love and lust, these relationships challenge his values as he struggles to rediscover, redefine, and reinvent himself. The path, crooked as llama teeth, leads to no straight answers as he searches to nourish his spirit with truth and tranquility. In the end, a new, stronger, more aware Gordon emerges as the adventure changes him, his morals, and his boundaries. 


Click here to order now.  http://www.cabin108book.com/order.html

Testimonials

Scrumptious words!
Lynn R., Janesville, Wisconsin

My stomach jumped and my heart sank as I read. Yes, I have a vested interested in the characters!
Anne L., Peru, Indiana

I started out totally shocked and outraged, thought it was unbelievable, but I ended up understanding something deeper.
Uta M., Panorama, South Australia

Glenn’s imagination knows no bounds.
Jan B., Clatskanie, Oregon
Love the sweet and tender and hot, hot, hot all combined! No wonder I love it … it’s like my dream come true!
Robin N., Orland Park, Illinois

There is a piece of all of us in this book, one you must read. Find yourself wanting to travel through life with these characters chapter by chapter. You won’t put it down.
Bob R., Adelaide, South Australia

I hate romantic books and yet Glenn has captured my interest with this story.
Elena C., Coal City, Illinois

Glenn’s words … I have to stop, let them sink in, and think before I can move on. That’s the sort of reading I love.
Glenda I., North Adelaide, South Australia

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Just a Little Different

This mandala is different from most of my others in that it has so many geometric shapes in it.  At one point I had the sun-shape in the center, two circles around it and lines shooting out in all different directions and of all different lengths.  And not perfectly symmetrical......HORRORS!  Lol!  I wasn't at all sure how I was going to make it work.  But somehow, it came together and I really like it!  And I had to finish off with more organic shapes  around the outside (of course!).  I just wish the colors would show up more "true".  They lack the intensity of the real thing.

This was done as an exercise.....one of the tasks at the back of Chapter 7 in "The Artist's Way".  It's always been one of my favorite ways to "play"......put on some music and doodle until it's done.  This was maybe 35 minutes or so.  I'm not sure what it's all about but, for some reason it makes me think I have been watching too much of the show "Vikings" on the History channel!

iHanna's Postcard Swap

For the second year in a row I decided to participate in iHanna's spring postcard swap.  I didn't originally intend to make mandalas for all my postcards but, was feeling pressed for time and figured I should do what I know best.

I like some a lot more than others.  They are all about 6" square.

The above is one of my favorites.  Sorry the photos are a bit "wonky".  I took the pictures in a bit of a hurry as I was anxious to get these in the mail today.

This one is my absolute favorite!  I kinda hated to give it away!  When I have received all my postcards from other people I will post them on here.  As well as last years since I didn't have a working camera at that time!

What I've been up to.....

My 6 week Mandala class recently ended and I feel like the students really enjoyed it.  But I'm not sure it's  suited to be an ongoing class.  It seems to me that, once they learn the basics, they just need to get out there and experiment and play and find their own style. 

The 3rd photo is a work in progress.  A large one I'm working on that, when finished, if I am happy with it, I plan to hang over my bed.  I have all these mandalas sitting around and hardly anything hanging on my walls!  Mostly because my "favorites" keep changing and I hate to commit.  I think the answer is going to be to get some of those "picture rails" or whatever you call them, that you can just rest art on on and not have to hang anything permanently.  I can change them out according to what appeals to me at the moment or according to the season!  Perfect for a commitment-phobe like myself!

The last one, with the Easter eggs was almost, but not quite finished when I photographed it.  Hence the guidelines are still on it.

I have so many ideas in my head for more......I wonder when.....or if.......I will ever tire of making these!  In the past I've had a habit of buying art supplies and then not using them.  Several years ago my husband bought me a set of 120 Prismacolor colored pencils.  I amazes me that some of them (my favorite colors of course!) are getting worn down to stubs!  It's a GREAT feeling.....knowing that I am putting them to good use!

Went A Bit Crazy....

I seem to be doing a lot of artwork lately that involves "have-to's" and self imposed deadlines......class samples and things like that.   So I was really feeling the need to sit down and do something just for fun.....no plan....no purpose......just do it and don't think about it too much.  This mandalas is the result.  I feel like I went a bit crazy!  I wasn't sure that it really worked at all.  In fact, I look at it and I sort of think to myself, "Who DID that?".  Because, honestly, sometimes I just don't know where they come from.  How they turn out is a BIG surprise to me.   I usually feel "in love" with the last one I did.......not so in this case.  But I DO seem to be falling in love with it a little more everyday!

A Mandala in Stages

I had taken these photos to help me go thru the making a mandala step by step for my class.  Thought I would post them here for anyone who is interested.  Sorry they ended up in reverse order!

Finding the Flow

I took about 4 or 5 weeks off from making any art.  Not really on purpose......just got busy with the holidays and I was enjoying my son's company while he was home from school.  BEFORE the holidays I seemed to have really gotten into a feeling of "flow" in regards to art making.  It almost seemed as if I could do no wrong while creating.  It was incredible to feel that way!!  Taking all that time off...........BIG mistake!  I have discovered how hard it is to get back into it after taking so much time off!!  I made several mandalas recently......none of them seemed to flow......they were like work, forced, awkward feeling.  It was very upsetting and frustrating!  Then I decided to try something a little bit different and make a larger mandala than I ever have before.  I had received an email from The Center where I take classes and where I am also doing a little teaching.  They are having a fundraiser later this month and were requesting artwork to be donated for a silent auction.  I thought that a nice BIG framed mandala would be a good thing to donate so I got to work.  I worked on the this for 7+ hours straight yesterday!!  I have never done that before!  I even forgot to eat!  And I believe I found my FLOW!!  I was afraid that it got a bit busy.......not being used to working this large I wish I had used more larger elements rather than so much small detailed stuff but......all in all, I am quite pleased!!  And ready to try another!!

The Centers fundraiser is called "A Night to Linger".  It is Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Hackney's in Palos Park, IL.  The are at 9550 W. 123rd St.  and it takes place from 7-10 pm.  Maybe I will see you there!  By the way, this fundraiser benefits the Farm and Ranch Camp scholarship fund.  It enables many kids to attend camp next summer that wouldn't otherwise be able to have this wonderful experience!

Featuring Magazine!

Latest backcover

The inchies on the backcover of Issue 3. click to enlarge

- Adrienne Knight – Carla  Persoon – Cindy Peterson – Hwee Ching – Isabella Bojda – Tanya Batrak – Lena Schreijenberg -  Lisa Morice – Madeleine de Kemp – Margaret Gammell – Nigel Roberts – Nigel Roberts – Tracey Fletcher King – Peg Englishman – Robin A. Neumann – robin cox walsh – Sigga Dís – Pam Parker – Angela Niman – Karen Isaacson – Terri Kinjo – Quinn McDonald – Quinn McDonald – Marit Barentsen -

Issue 3

About 6 months ago I received an email telling me that I had won an "inchie" on the back cover of "Featuring" magazine.  I forgot to submit a photo until the very last minute before the deadline so, I'm not sure I made the best choice.  I wish it showed up better.  But still........I'm just excited to be included!!  Mine is in the 4th row, 3rd from the left.  If you've never seen a copy, this is a really nice magazine with a lot of great artwork and inspiration!