Moonlighting

identical

School is back in session.

This means more daylight studio time is in my future.

Until then I can draw by the light of the moon and electric lights, not too late though.

I've got to get those kids on the bus in the morning.

Endless Summer

freeze

I've heard a lot of complaints about our record hot Summer here in the U.S.

I'm not ready to give up Summer.

I'm not done swimming in the ocean.

I haven't gone out for ice cream enough.

I haven't been to P'town yet.

I haven't had enough company or cookouts.

I wish those who are suffering the drought and high temperatures a break.  How about temps in the low eighties with occasional rain?

Doesn't that sound good?

Please, for just a while longer.

Get Out the Map

lost

Happy Summer!

It has been a couple of weeks since I've posted.

That's because it is Summer!

In our neck of the woods this is the time for more of everything.

More work.

More play.

More food.

More family.

More friends.

More drink.

More sunshine.

More swimming.

More ice cream.

The only thing there is not more of is time in the art studio.

However, arty things have been popping up like flowers that I planted in the Spring.

I was a featured illustrator over at the fabulous Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast Blog.

I donated a painting for a fundraiser at my local library.

Another painting got the interest of a local magazine.

I added some more images to Fine Art America.

I updated my website.

And I did some watercolor painting with my five-year-old niece.

Here's to more.

Tis the Season

separated

I presently have four lists in my back pocket, six in my pocketbook, two in my coat, three on the kitchen island and an unknown amount on or near my desk.

I have a rule about the holiday season; If it makes me stressed out, I don't do it.

Freaking out over money, gifts, relatives and food ruins the whole deal for me.

This is not to say that I don't ever stress about those things. When I start to (or after I have already lost it), I stop what I am doing.

I ask myself if this is something I really want to do.

If the answer is "no" I cut it out (baking anything, for example).

If the answer is "yes", then I stop complaining and figure out how to do it in a joyful way (ask someone else to bake or buy baked goods, for example).

Sounds like I am just tricking myself into having a Merry Christmas?

Correct.

The mind trick and the lists, works every time.

Sow?

scattered

My family and I went to New York City last weekend.

We were overdue for a visit. 

We spent the first day circumnavigating the Borough of Queens in an attempt to visit all of my in-laws in one day. We lucked out with sunny and warm weather. It was great to see our country kids bonding with their city cousins on the playground.

The next day we went to the Met. 

That place is nuts. 

There is soooooo much to see.

We did our best to cram in as much viewing as we could.

ancientegyptsuitsofarmorislamicartvangoghmonetgreekstatuesrodinwarholpollock

I had been there many times before, but I had never taken my kids. It was like seeing it all new again. Due to the unseasonably warm weather we had the treat of going up to the roof garden, which has a beautiful view of Central Park and the city.

We headed back to my brother and sister-in-law's in time for the Patriots game.

Even though I love the Pat's, I didn't come all the way to NYC to sit and watch a regular season game when I can do that on any given Sunday on my couch at home.

So, I took the girl on a long (Sunday schedule plus construction) subway ride downtown.

We went to Zuccotti Park.

I figured we should check out the protest while we were in town. The best thing about that was having to get my thoughts together enough to explain to my almost ten-year-old what the people were protesting.

On our way back to the subway, we caught a glimpse of the setting sun reflecting off the new World Trade Center tower.

For a moment I thought of making a left turn and heading towards the memorial.  My head was already swirling from an overstimulating weekend and the second-hand smoke at the protest.  I knew I wasn't ready to go there.

I don't know if I ever will be.

Apples and Oranges

contraption

I heard a clip of Steve Jobs' now famous commencement speech on Fresh Air the other day.  His words  about doing what you love reminded me of a grocery clerk that I had met when I was a college student.

I was working at a grocery store for the summer. I was getting trained along with a bunch of other college and high school kids. The woman who was training us was probably in her late forties. I don't remember her name but she was very kind and patient with us. She showed us how to use the cash register and scanner. We watched a video on how to bag groceries and we were given instructions on how to enter coupons and food stamps.

At the end of our training she gave a short speech, wishing us luck and letting us know that she would be around if we needed any help. Then she ended the talk by telling us how much she loved her job.

She explained how she loved working with people and being a part of the community. She felt very lucky to be doing something that she loved and wished the same for all of us.

Her little talk didn't have anything to do with our training and seemed unlikely to have much effect on a bunch of kids that probably weren't going to be working at the store past Labor Day.

But, her words have always stuck with me in my pursuit to do what I love.

Eat Your Books

hibernate

I do not have a hard time saying, "No" to my children.

I am a thrifty gal who comes from a long line of people who make do with what they have. "Redigo, Reuse, Redivius" has been our family's motto for centuries.  Loosely translated means, "You don't need that".

However, there are two expensive items that I always say, "Yes." to.

Vegetables and Books.

"May I have more broccoli?"  "Yes!"

"Can I get two books instead of one at the Book Fair?  Please?"  "Yes!"

I am a sucker every time and they know it. Thankfully, the library and their small stomachs keep us from going broke.

Self-Portrait

It is September.

Mid-September.

Possibly, late September.

Time for the fall plan.

Time to take the body boards and beach chairs out of the trunk.

Time to take a look around and decide my next step.

No more time to mourn the end of summer.

I must try to remember how much I love fresh apples and pumpkin beer and how good I look in tweed.

Must make some new goals and learn some new stuff.

Must get down to brass tacks, because it is after all, September.

Illustration Friday-mysterious

Illustration Friday-disguise