May Is Always Special

My Bleeding Heart

 Sometimes we miss the small details. Sometimes we miss the beauty and wonder that each day provides, while we hurry along with our daily obligations. I try to not take each day for granted. Each and everyday for me is a blessing. I am reminded of that on a daily basis...and especially in May..... I want to remind everyone that May is Stroke Awareness Month. This month always means more than the beauty of spring to me....it means the beauty of life.....and all the God given blessings that I see each day in my life and surroundings. I am a Stroke survivor [See my story on my Tuesday, May 6, 2008 blog post.] and proud of it. So when life gets too busy and full of details, I really like to take the proverbial time to smell the roses...in this case the Bleeding Hearts....and look what I saw!! A little guy who is way busier than I!

Busy Bee

 May is also special for me this year because I have a painting in the 57^TH Annual Exhibit of the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic [ I am a member.] that will be hanging in the prestigious Salmagundi Club of New York City! The show opens today May 23, 2011 and hangs

through June 10^th, when their Awards night will take place. I am so honored to be included in this show ….!!!  And it is one of the only national exhibits that have a medium category for casein. This is wonderful! 

"Shades Of Black #9"  casein on board        12 x 12"

 That being said….Here is my latest ‘oil’, a small 8 x 6” painting of our JRT that I have titled ”Boogie Eyes”. Our Nellie often lays and looks at us with these eyes….big and dark…Boogie eyes! 

"Boogie Eyes"      oil on board     8 x 6"

 With rain still coming down, gray skies surround the farm…..I am headed down to the studio to finish a new casein…and work on another I have just started. I also need to start making notes about my method for painting in casein for a demonstration I will be giving in August in Saratoga Springs for Equidea Gallery.

I am busy….but what else is new?

A Lot Of Crock

Cleaned up!




The studio had arrived at the point that it REALLY needed some help. I couldn't find paintings,  my supplies or any space to work in. So I took charge and went shopping. I bought a shelf to store framed paintings and supplies on. The building of the shelf  was a testament of how solid my husband's and my marriage is! Yes ,we got it up and working, through mutual agreement, and much holding of tongues....yes, a labor of love! It stands strong and  tall, and is already helping me to get my space back.

The Shelf of a thousand usages.

I moved some furniture around and gained some more space...I can actually get to my cupboard for supplies.What an novel concept! Brilliant!!

Space!

But I still have a huge sauerkraut crock, that my brother gifted me with, taking up space beside my  studio table...the spot where I like to sit and read...I am trying to come up with some constructive use for this mammoth pickling crock!! Ideas?!! No.. I will not be making sauerkraut.

Nellie and the "lotta crock!"

I am painting, in between other artist type chores and farm duty. My days are a bit easier, being down to the three horses now. And it is the season of more shows and changing out art works with galleries and shipping of new work.

AND I received the exciting news that the painting I sent to the National Society of Painters In Casein and Acrylic annual show was juried in! I am excited about this, as the painting will be hanging in their 57th annual show May 23 through June 10th , in New York City at the prestigious Salmagundi Club on Fifth Ave. The painting juried in is  "Shades Of Black # 9" , one of the paintings in my 'Shades of Black' series. I am so honored to be part of this show.

But I am painting....and here is one of my works in progress.....see? 

It is not a bunch of crock!!!    ;-)

Casein work in progress.