Rainy Day May 5

Slow start as it poured buckets of rain today. After lunch I went to Art Haus to work awhile. Making slow progress on several but getting close to a final embellishment on one. It has a lot of hand sewing . Hopefully the rest turns out well. It started as an elf clown but I couldn't make bright colors work for costuming so got the idea of a B&W color scheme but that back fired on me. 

I'm also working on a gourd figure here at kitchen table as I have better lighting. Some days at Art Haus it seems I can't see to work especially black on black . I lose my thread & needle fast. Sculptying in paint room hasn't been going well so back to kitchen table here at home. Legs are shaping well even tho it's slow drying clay it does well with the gourd & doesn't separate like polyclay does when baked on the gourd.

Got some new books:

1. The crafting of Narnia, the Art, Creatures, and Weapons from the WETA workshop

2. Action Anatomy for gamers, animators and digital artists. 

3. Modeling the figure in Clay

These are for reference as I read & study each which promotes progress in my ability to sculpt figures. One I have read thru partially as it reminds me of what Richard Creager taught us when sculpturing legs , torso, arms, layering muscles etc. Good review for me to study again & remember that trip to Arizona via car. Studying anatomy is an element that all critics look at when jurying a figure...... what works versus what doesn't when changing the rules as an artist often does. 

Last weekend

Last weekend was our automata workshop with NIADA artist Kathy Walmsely. It was wonderful & inspiring even though I have not finished mine as yet. It was very tiring with driving in the traffic on Friday. That along with a sleepless night took a mighty toll. 

The highlight was the fabulous birthday dinner & party arranged by my adopted daughters: Susan, Mary, Neva, and Trudi. They had this gathering at an Italian place nearby. They ordered PIZZA which I had never had at a birthday party. Mary baked a cake with the tallest, skinniest candle I've seen. Yep, managed to blow it out. : ) They had me wear this funny hat shaped like a cake with candles on top. It was hilariously funny as it was too small for my big head.LOL... 

There were cards & gifts, all of which overwhelmed me with their "generosity and love". What a warm surprise which brought forth tears of joy . I can never repay those involved for making my 75th day so memorable. 

Fabulous News!!!!!

Guess me insides are a bursting & hope that this doesn't burst my bubble of delight by posting it here! A letter arrived in a plain brown envelope like a paper sack brown which I happen to love! In this plain brown wrapper was a letter that invited me to attend the third & last stage of full artist membership in ODACA. WOWeeee ! U know at first it really didn't sink in but now after several days the impact has suddenly hit home base in this crazy noggin! Yes, I'm honored , excited, and wondering how I can manage the days til July 26 without having a heart attack!  : )

 Also am working on my latest gallery offering for the Artful Corner. They desire a Gourd figure so have it almost ready.... due next week. 

Then there is this 3 day workshop ahead starting Fri. EEEK ! Am I ready ? Hardly & yes , who knows? Is that confusing? Ok ,Ok, will post a pic soon if I remember how to get it into this machine!

Fantastic Day!

April 5th was one of those days filled to the brim. It started with a broken wrist here for "Dreamer" as he was in his suitcase to go to Art at the GALVEZ. "Devious" stepped in & took his place. We arrived about 10:30 without any other mishaps. The registration went smoothly but GAL had goofed & ran out of tables for the categories so they were one category short but didnot affect what I registered for.Powers in charge opted to lump D with F which made an impressive TAODA showing.

Since our help was not needed Joyce P. and I opted to kill a little time til presentation of awards. I wasn't expecting any at this show since these characters had been there before without any ribbons bestowed on them. They were chatting with the other entries when we left to drive & explore the seawall changes. OH MY GOSH! Hard to imagine what used to be there as I remember walking under Murdocks, using the bath houses when a child.

Joyce & I opted to eat lunch at Guido's .That wonderful eatery with the blue crab on the roof. The lunch was absolutely devine with much laughter from us as we ate, chatted & viewed the surf. Joyce saw heads bobbing in the distance. For the life of me I never saw any heads but surely they were there??? This was the most enjoyable lunch I have ever experienced as we spent a couple of hours digesting our morsels & thoughts. Thanks to Joyce as she treated me to this as my 75th celebration of life! What a wonderful gift!The very best is eating with friends as this is a life gift that does not compare with anything else in the world. Again, many thanks.

Return to the GALVEZ and awards. Marsha greeted me at the door with a hug & CONGRATULATIONS! WHAT is this? Unbelievable! Ambling to the back where the entries are all grinning & leering at me I spot the ribbons. Joyce has a green which in reality would have been a third, Marsha's new E.J TAYLOR influence a red, then here's Hamadryad with a blue with First, & "DEVIOUS" wickedly playing with another blue for BEST OF CATEGORY. I think he must have had a high time playing jokes while we were gone. OH , yes, at the awards I received cash for Devious which will be his & others taxi fare costs.LOL

The juror critiqued the sculptures last with glowing remarks , hopefully with insights on what makes a sculpture inviting to the eye. Personality characterized along with elements of design?

About 5 , we were finally ready to pack. Next stop TEXAS CITY. 3 characters there were hob nobbing with the viewers, musicians, and food attendees. I met old art friends and was introduced to many new art patrons. Food was available but I was still stuffed from lunch so consumed sparingly of all. Competition is stiff as they only have 4 divisions. Sculpture is mostly fired arts. "Suspicious of Mischief" was happy watching the band , food, and John Campbell . CASH Awards presentation began about 8:30. Two of my friends received cash in our shared category so we were all happy to receive ours. Suspicious received a gorgeous third place ribbon earning top dollars.

Finally , time to make tracks home. Tired from the day but very happy & slept soundly . Today, have filled out the entry form for those two to be added to the Lone Star Art Guild Convention in May. That is now 5 entries.

This week the kids in TX CITY will come home. Art League in Baytown has their spring show also so will juggle time to help & register 4 more different characters from the fantasy community in the Art Haus. They say they are ready . We'll let u know how they behave by next weekend.

I've been tagged

This is new for me to be tagged except when as a child we played TAG, YOU'RE IT. The requirement here is we are supposed to tell 5 things about ourselves thus:

1.I Love to laugh & joke .

2.I 'm not a youngster in age but in spirit think I can do almost anything if I try which may be a downfall. Still have great aspirations for life.

3.Art in any medium is my love & being creative.

4.Next priority in my life is NATURE & being outdoors as I don't function well restricted to  a cave.

5. I DREAM,Imagine wildly,create as my muse dictates, learn new things often, renew the spirits, and compete artistically.I'm not obssessive with the competitiveness but do it as a means of reviving the art spirits.

Latest happenings that I forgot

Last weekend was an art show so I entered three. Victoria, Suspicious of Mischief, and Gourd Lifer. Two of these are pictured on this page below. First Second, and Third place in Professional division. Haven't taken a pic of them so maybe later.

Sprung Forward

Another season has passed me while flitting about with the March winds that arrived in late Feb. Think I flew out of the landscape cause for the life of me I can't seem to get to blog as one should!

Pictured here is moi & her ex student & ex co worker! Gee, how many times does a teacher get to teach a child ,then see that child grown & eventually work with that child? Well I feel fortunate for having" influenced" her so much that she remains a friend thru all these years. Over 30 yrs. ago , a safe estimate but probably more. She's retired now as well . Two years to be exact. I put in 37 years & she put in 31. Amazing isn't it?