Gold and Silver

A short trip to Hamilton, Ohio brought me to a house I hadn't seen in over 30 years.  Standing there was a woman that I lost touch with over the years but who had been a dear friend way back in high school, pre George, and through my early marriage.  Although on the outside we both had changed with the passing years, inside we were still the two girls who enjoyed visiting art museums, making our own art, reading good books, laughing  and enjoying life in general.  

We spent the two days catching up with each other, eating some good food and enjoying wine from our own Kalamazoo wineries.  We visited a gallery, art stores, local craft stores and toured the Cincinatti area.  I remembered visiting there back in the 60s and seeing a wonderful Shakesperean production in the round.

She and I plan to stay in touch and visit again.  Perhaps in Florida and surely in Michigan and Ohio.  We will make paste paper, paint,  take walks, do collage and reconnect once again.  I am sad that we lost those years in between, but so very glad that we have found each other again.   What is that old Brownie Scout saying....Make new friends but keep the old..one is silver and one is gold.  I am so blessed to have a wealth of gold and silver friends!!

Bracelet Project in Progress

Dale and I recently took a class to learn how to make this bracelet called Cellini Spiral.  Although it looks complicated, it is actually the different size beads which make the interesting design.  Most difficult is keeping the rows correct.  The twist occurs as the beading continues.  I've not put the clasps on yet.  Two more are in the works.

A Beautiful Painting Day......

Last Saturday I joined the PAAWM group to paint at Pilgrim Haven Preserve on Lake Michigan near South Haven.  It was an absolutely beautiful day there with only a tiny breeze for most of the morning.  I set up my easel on the beach and enjoyed using my pastels to capture the lake shore vista.  This property is part of the SW Michigan Land Conservancy and to celebrate the recent acquisition they invited their members to visit and watch as the artists painted throughout the property.  High on the bluff the land is wooded with a stream meandering through and down to the lake.  Our group paints regularly on the conservancy properties and they then select a group of paintings to become the calendar for the year.  One day I hope to have one of mine chosen..but first I need to get them entered!!

I left about 1:30 but many of the artists continued happily painting away.  A bit too hot and windy on the beach by then for me!!!

A few more earrings.....

With the jewelry equipment ready and waiting I find myself working at odd hours to create just a few more earrings.  Using Dale's hammer I have bent and pounded wire to create some of the favorite styles.  Most of them are unique but a few have been repeated because they are favorites with the "girls".  Silver sells best.  A few "special orders" have been fun to make too.

 

Booked the flight to France for 2013 and busy practicing my French once more.  May be back to Italy in 2014 with the KIA.  Wonderful wonderful!!   I am very lucky!!!

A Hot and Happy 4th of July

Here in Portage we were roasting more than corn!  The temp hit 101 here at the lake!!  In spite of the heat the Getting for Prosecutor met on time for the parades both in Schoolcraft and Richland.  The float in Schoolcraft was huge with a big sign about 12' in the air.  We definately stood out from the crowd!!   Kids rode the float and waved flags and the rest of us walked along handing out candy bags (with logo on it of course), candy, and campaign material for Jeff.  At the end we were all hot, sweaty and in need of shade..and glad that the parade was over!!!

 

Back at the lake the boys swam and paddleboated, I piloted the pontoon around the lake..fast, to cool off.  We came back to the dock to find Kris in the water with Ranger.  A barbeque, tubing and watching the fireworks around the lake ended the day, before mosquitos made us take cover. 

 

Hope everyone had a glorious 4th...what a great country..aren't we lucky to live in the USA!!

Plein Air Kalamazoo

Today I spent time sitting on the sidewalk happily painting away with my watercolors.  This cute new cafe caught my eye with the flowers and bicycle looking so very French!  In the window a maniquin was dressed in a cupcake paper dress...very cute.

 

Although I broke my water spritzer, wrestled with the easel (which didn't work for watercolor), hated the paper I had chosen, and more excuses...the owner of the store loved it and bought the painting!!  So a very good day indeed.

I am also talking with her about doing an Art Hop show next summer displaying my landscape collages. 

 

Rain had been predicted, which was why I used watercolors,  and began to fall about 2..so I called it a day.

 

Our little group of painters met for refreshments and discussion at 3 and talked of next year's event, possibly more into evening.  Many ideas were tossed around but all of us agreed that it was a great way to spend the day!!

Painting at Walnut Hill Farm

Painting at the farm on Wednesday was a wonderful way to spend the day.  The farm itself has many vistas to paint as well as gardens.  Heirloom roses are ripe with blossoms and ready for their portraits.  I chose the barn and silo across the street with the flowers in the foreground to add color.  The painting is still in progress but will be posted once complete.

 

Joyce served us a gourmet lunch of cucumber/feta soup and spinach pie, mint lemonade and individual trifles with fruit and liquour for dessert.  This was served outside under the shade.  We can expect a new menu next week...mediterranean I think!