LIFE HAPPENS...

OK. ITS NOT BEEN SINCE CHRISTMAS THAT I UPDATED THIS BLOG...HAS IT???

WELL LIFE HAPPENS...LIKE................

MOM WILL BE 99 THIS MONTH...I THINK THIS PICTURE IS ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO..
YES..SHE GETS PRETTIED UP EVERY MORNING..EVEN THO SHE HAS NO IDEA
WHO...IS DOING THE HAIRBRUSHING ETC...BUT SHE ALWAYS SAYS ' THANK YOU..

WE HEARD OF THIS PLACE..CALLED..FLAPJACKS..AND SINCE..WE HAVE A ' FLAPJACK'....EXCEPT HE DOESN'T COOK..HE JUST BARKS..HA...SO WE TOOK HIM UP THERE TO MEET THE OTHER 'FLAPJACK'   THE OWNER AND WAITRESS GOT A KICK OUT OF ALL THIS!!!

THEN I DABBLED IN ENCAUSTICS AGAIN. LOVE THIS MEDIUM. ITS EXPENSIVE SO YOU NEED TO BE SURE WHAT YOU WANT TO  CREATE.  BUT USUALLY I USE A SURFACE BOARD..BUT TRIED THE MEDIUM ON METAL.  TOOK AN OLD CANDLESTICK..THIS IS THE TOP OF THE STICK...DONT' YOU LOVE THOSE COLORS!!!!!

SO GUESS I WILL TRY MORE METAL!  I NEED TO JUST LOOK ROUND THE HOUSE!

I READ WHERE THEY ARE PUTTING EAR PHONES ON THOSE WITH DEMENTIA..THE MUSIC CALMS THEM..SO..HERE WE ARE..MOM WITH EARPHONES.  SHE DOES LOOK VERY CONTENT..EXCEPT WHEN I SAID..' MOM DO YOU LIKE THE MUSIC?"  SHE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID ' WHAT MUSIC"!!

GOT AWAY FOR A WEEK AND WENT BACK TO VENTURA CALIFORNIA.  OUR TIMESHARE IS NEAR THE MARINA..VERY RELAXING.  SO WHEN MY FRIENDS ASK..WHAT DID YOU DO FOR 5 DAYS..I SHOW THEM THIS PICTURE..IT SAYS IT ALL!

I THINK THE BOOK IS ' 7TH STORY MOUNTAIN' BY TOMAS MERTON..EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT....

 DAN SENT ME A BIG BOX FOR MOTHERS DAY..OPENING IT..WOW...JUST WHAT I LOVE..
OLD OLD STUFF..HE FOUND MOST BY THE CREEK...AND THESE TWIGS..WELL THEY GAVE..GIVE..ME SO MANY IDEAS..I ASKED HIM FOR MORE.  CAN YOU PICTURE THESE ON A CANVAS..PAINTED IN A SO MANY COLORS....WELL LETS SEE WHAT I DO WITH THEM.....COMING UP...

HERE IS THE OLD STUDIO..ACTUALLY YOU CAN'T SEE ALL OF IT..THERE IS ANOTHER TABLE..A LOW 75 INCH DRESSER AND OTHER 'STUFF'.  DECIDED TO FINALLY GIVE ME A ' CHAIR'...A ART-CAVE...SO...I BIT THE BULLET..EVERYTHING HAD TO COME OUT..ALL THOSE SHELVES..AND OTHER SHELVES ON OTHER WALLS...EVERY TABLE..EVERYTHING!!!!!!!  REPAINTED THE ROOM..AND SET UP THE STUDIO IN THE GARAGE SINCE WE AIR CONDITIONED THE GARAGE I COULD NOW AFFORD TO USE IT!!  WELL ONE SINGLE CAR ANYWAY...WILL SHOW YOU THE 

"TREEHOUSE'  WHICH I CALL MY NEW STUDIO IN THIS SAME ROOM...JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT..NO...MUCH MUCH DIFFERENT!!!  I HAVE MY CHAIR.  I WILL SHOW YOU THE NEW STUDIOS..GARAGE AND INDOOR LATER...ALL I CAN SAY IS NOW I CAN SIT...READ SOME OF MY ART BOOKS..MAKE NOTES..TRY TECHNIQUES ON A SMALL TABLE...AND DESIGN..RATHER THEN JUST CREATE.  LOVE IT!!!

AND WHAT IS THIS?  WELL WE WENT TO SAN DIEGO AND HAD PLANNED TO PUT ABBY AT THE VET..THEN I FOUND OUT SHE WOUDL BE IN A CAGE FOR 7 DAYS..SO DANNY..SAVED HER...ON HIS WAY TO SANDIEGO FROM SANTE FE..HE PUT HER IN THE CAR!!!!  NOW...SHE REALLY DID LOVE HER NEW HOME...CAN YOU FIND HER???????  OF COURSE SHE CAME BACK 5 DAYS LATER IN THE CAR WITH JOHN..FLAPJACK AND MYSELF.  SHE IS ACTUALLY A
GOOD PASSENGER!!

SO UNTIL NEXT TIME. THIS TIME I AM USING MY NEW POWER BOOK AND DID NOT HAVE ALL MY PICTURES DOWNLOADED..SO NEXT TIME WILL SHOW YOU SOME OF MY NEW WORK.   I AM HAPPY WITH IT..AT LEAST I AM HAPPY I AM TRYING NEW TECHNIQUES..I KEEP SAYING MY NEXT WILL BE MY BEST.....NEXT....
AND PROMISE IT WON'T BE 6 MONTHS...
WHOOPS..FORGOT TO ADD MY LATEST FROM MY ARTUNRAVELED CLASS..ACTUALLY I THINK I DID BETTER INT HE METAL/MEDIA..BUT DIDN'T TAKE A PICTURE OF THAT.  ANYWAY..THIS WAS THE TREE CLASS..AND I AM HOPING TO USE SOME OF THESE NEW TECHNIQUES WHEN WORKING WITH THE TWIGS DAN GAVE ME..I THINK THERE IS A WAY TO MIX BOTH...WILL SEE..

THANKS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!   STARTED THE NEW YEAR OUT WITH FIXING SOME OLD!

THE BIRD AS IT WAS BEFORE...WELL IT JUST DIDN'T WORK..SO I TORE IT OFF THE CANVAS..AND REPLACED IT ON ANOTHER.THIS TIME WITH A 'SKY' BACKGROUND AND SINCE ITS CALLED ' BIRD WITHIN MY HEART'..I NEED TO PUT IT ' WITHIN'..SO CAME UP WITH IDEA OF CUTTING APIECE OF PLEXIGLASS IN SHAPE OF A HEART..AND ATTACHING IT ( THE PLEXIGLASS) 3 INCHES ABOVE THE BIRD USING A SCREW THAT I EMBELLISHED..SO YOUR LOOKING THRU A PLEXIGLASS HEART...TO THE BIRD...ITS GORGEOUS AND NOW...ALL I WANT TO DO IS FIND MORE IDEAS FOR USING PLEXIGLASS...SO I CREATED 2 BOXES WITH PLEXIGLASS TOPS..NONE OF WHICH I HAVE DOWNLOADED PICTURES OF...(DAH)..SO WILL SHOW NEXT TIME..INFACT..THE PICTURE WITH THE PLEXIGLASS HEART OVER THIS BIRD...HAS YET TO BE DOWNLOADED..I JUST THOUGHT I BETTER DO THIS BLOG WHILE I HAVE TIME SINCE ITS BEEN MONTHS SINCE MY LAST UPDATE!

 AND I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED ENCAUSTICS.  WAX.  LOVE BLENDING THE COLORS BUT TOOK THE PALLET AND WAX OUT OF THE STUDIO BECAUSE IT TOOK UP SO MUCH ROOM..AND THE WAX WAS SO EXPENSIVE..BUT THEN IN NOVEMBER I VISITED A STUDIO OF A PROFESSIONAL ENCAUSTIC ARTIST AND SHE SHOWED ME HOW TO MAKE WAX ALOT CHEAPER...MIXING OIL PAINTS WITH BEESWAX.  SO FOR SURE 2014 IS GOING TO BE THE YEAR OF ENCAUSTICS!

BUT.  I REALLY ENJOY CREATING THE BOXES FROM CARDBOARD, PLASTER AND JOINT COMPOUND..HERE IS MY BLUE BIRD BOX..( TOP)...I AM SO PROUD OF MY BLUE BIRD..I HAVE YET TO TRY THIS AGAIN!  WHAT A POOR SPORT I AM..I JUST NOT PREPARED FOR THE NEXT TRY TO COME OUT AS GOOD..BUT THIS BOX IS REALLY PRETTY...WAITING FOR A HOME!  MY OTHER BOX I DROPPED OFF AT AN AA MEETING...AUCTION FOR COFFEE MONIES I SAID!!!

 DURING ALL THIS..MOM LOVES HER HAT!  ITS BEEN VERY WARM THIS YEAR AN MOM GOES FOR LOTS OF WALKS.  TROUBLE IS WHEN SHE COMES INSIDE..SHE WON'T GIVE UP THE HAT!  SHE STILL..HAS A MIND OF HER OWN!

 WHO'S UP ON THE LADDER? NOT ME!!!  ITS DANNY. THANKS DANNY!
POOR GUY COMES HOME FOR THANKSGIVING ( SURPRISING ME) AND ENDS UP
PUTTING UP CHRISTMAS DECORATIOINS.  ONE MORE REASON I GUESS HE STAYS SINGLE AND VISITS FOR CHRISTMAS RATHER THEN STAY HOME AND DECORATE.

 MOMS HEARING IS SO BAD.  I WANTED HER TO HEAR SOME CHRISTMAS MUSIC
SO I PUT ON THESE EARPHONES.  IT LOOKS LIKE SHE IS REALLY ENJOYING THE
MUSIC..UNTIL I ASKED HER ' DO YOU WANT TO LISTEN MORE OR SHOULD I TAKE
THEM OFF'?  SHE SAYS ' LISTEN TO WHAT???????????????

 CHRISTMAS EVE..MOM STILL UP UNTIL AFTER 10PM!!!  IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE
SHE IS AWAKE..BUT SHE IS..DRESSED IN HER RED CHRISTMAS APRON FROM KIRSTIE...A FORMER CAREGIVER AND MY HAIRDRESSER'S DAUGHTER.

 MY NEXT BOX.  THIS GUY IS SOMETHING ELSE.  I GET THE BEST EMBELLISHMENTS FROM MY FRIEND WANDA..AND IT JUST INSPIRES ME TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEM...SO I GUESS WE HAVE A THEME HERE SOMEWHERE..YOU WILL SEE....

 OH MY GOSH..LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!!   JOHN..LOOK!!!  WENT TO MERCHANT
SQUARE FOR THEIR ANTIQUE SALE..AND THERE HE WAS!!  HE SAID ' JUDY PICK ME UP AND TAKE ME HOME"!!!  I SAID.." WELL I THINK MY BROTHER KENNY..WHO LOVES SNOOPY ALSO..WILL FOR SURE WANT YOU..WILL MAKE A GOOD BIRTHDAY PRESENT'...........HOWEVER...HE FITS SO WELL..AND IS ENJOYING SITTING IN MY
STUDIO..SO WE HAVE UNTIL MARCH TO SEE WHO WILL HAVE SNOOPY!!!!

 ONE OF MY ENCAUSTIC VENTURES!  I JUST LOVE MIXING THIS WAX UP..
BUT THIS IS WHY I PLAN TO DO MORE WHEN I START MAKING MY OWN
WAX...THIS PIECE TOOK ABOUT 3 BARS OF WAX AT ABOUT 17.00 EACH.
LUCKILY I USE COUPONS!!....WELL UNTIL NEXT TIME...I WILL HAVE MORE OF MY PLASTER BOXES..AND MORE ART..AND MORE ENCAUSTIC..SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THE STUDIO MORE IN 2014 THEN LAST 3 MONTHS...I MADE A PLACE FOR MOMS WHEEL CHAIR TO FIT SO SHE CAN SEE ME..RATHER THEN MY BACK TO HER..AND IT IS WORKING GREAT!!!!    CHEERS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM.  TODAY IS MOMS 98TH BIRTHDAY.  RIGHT NOW SHE IS SITTING IN THE KITCHEN CALLING RUDY ' WHERE DID MY RUDY GO'.!

AND I DECIDED TO UPDATE HER BLOG TODAY..AND THEN..THOUGHT..WELL MIGHT AS WELL DO MINE...IF ANYTHING ITS A JOURNAL FOR ME! HA!

 THIS IS BIRDIE.  SHE IS OBVIOUSLY VERY VERY PRETTY BUT TOO BIG FOR THE HARD SURFACE BOARD I PUT HER ON...ITS BURLAP WITH PLASTER ON IT..AND I LIKE IT..BUT NOW BIRDIE IS TOO BIG FOR IT..SOOOOOO THAT MEANS I AM NOT FINISHED.  GEEZ.  I HAVE LEFT IT OUT..SITTING ON A LARGER CANVAS...DECIDING HOW TO DO THE BACKGROUND...SEEING AS I HAVE ALL THESE COLORS ALREADY IN IT..SO WILL GET BACK TO YOU WHEN ITS FINISHED. BUT LOOK CLOSELY AT HER BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES..I REALLY DO ENJOY PUTTING THEM ON HER!

 SO MOVED ON TO TRYING INKS.  NEVER DID INKS.  JILL GAVE ME A WHOLE BUNCH SO I TRIED ' POURING' OVER A TEXTURED PAPER...I ACTUALLY LIKED IT..I ALSO DID SOME PASTELS ON IT AND SOME GOLD FLAKES...NICE BUT NOT REALLY WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH MY MIXED MEDIA SKILLS..BUT GOOD TO KNOW ABOUT INKS...

SO WHILE DECIDING JUST WHAT TO DO IN THIS STUDIO..WE WENT TO SAN DIEGO...LAGUANA , SEDONA AND THEN ON TO VENTURA CALIFORNIA. NOT ALL AT ONE TIME.  WE DECIDED TO GET OUT AT LEAST 5 DAYS EACH MONTH..FOR OUR SANITY.  LUCKILY DANNY JOINS US ON SOME VISITS...WE JUST REALLY ENJOY THAT..AND OF COURSE FLAPJACK.

 SEDONA WAS THE BEST.  NEVER WENT TO THE SHOPS.  STAYED RIGHT HERE ON THE CREEK IN LABERGE..GORGEOUS.  THE TABLES ARE SET RIGHT ALONG THE WATER..AND THERE IS JOHN READING THE PAPER..AND OF COURSE HIS TRUST SIDE-KICK..FLAPJACK.  IT WAS SOOO RELAXING WE WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK.

 BUT WHEN I CAME BACK..I CREATED A BOX..AND SAID..THIS STILL ISN'T WHAT I WANT TO CONCENTRATE ON.  JUST WHAT WAS A DOING BEFORE I QUIT...I SEE SOME NICE ART HANGING ON THE WALLS HERE AND WONDER ' HOW DID I CREATE THAT'.  BECAUSE..RIGHT NOW..I DONT' EVEN HAVE A CLUE WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO..OR HOW TO DO IT...

 SO BACK TO CALIFORNIA. THIS TIME VENTURA AND WE LOVED THIS PLACE THE BEST.  SO DID FLAPJACK.  OUR ROOM OVERLOOKED THE MARINA..AND WE WALKED THE BEACH AND FJ RAN THE BEACH..EVERY DAY.  I THINK WHEN WE GOT HOME..HE WOKE UP ON MONDAY MORNING AND SAID  ' WAS THAT ALL A DREAM'.  WHERE DID ITGO............

 SO WHAT IS THIS YOU ASK.  GOOD QUESTION.  ALL I KNOW IS..I HAD THIS PIECE HANGING AROUND..AND I KEPT LOOKING AT IT AND DIDN'T LIKE IT..SO I GOT OUT THE AIRBRUSH PAINTS AND DECIDED TO  ' POUR' THEM OVER..BUT..FOR SOME REASON MOST WERE DRY..SO I HAD TO POUND THE BOTTLE ON THE TABLE AND THEN SEE WHAT WOULD COME OUT..AND EVENTUALLY I JUST STARTED POURING IT OUT OF THE BOTTLE..SHAKING IT OUT OF THE BOTTLE..WHATEVER..AND HERE IS WHAT WE ENDED UP WITH.  LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING YOU SEE IN AN EXPENSIVE GALLERY...AND WONDER..'HOW DID THEY DO THAT'.  WELL..THATS HOW.
AGAIN, NOTHING I THINK I WANT TO SPEND MY TIME DOING..........LUCKILY

 THEN I GOT OUT MY ENCAUSTICS AGAIN.  GOT OUT THE BOOK.  I HAVE 3..AND SAID..WOW..THERE ARE MANY THINGS I CAN DO WITH THIS...SO DECIDED TO EXPERIMENT SO I COULD GET A GRASP ON THIS AND REALLY DO A NICE PIECE OF ART.  SO THIS EXPERIMENT WAS THE HEART WHICH IS THIN FENCING...WITH SOME GOLD..THEN I TRANSFERRED THE LADY..WITH THE BUTTERFLY ON HER HEAD..WHAT YOU DONT' SEE IS THE WORD   "YOU" ABOVE HER HEAD..ANYWAY. IT WAS FUN..BUT I WANT TO DO MORE THEN THIS....

 BUT TOOK A BREAK TO HAND MOMS BIRTHDAY BANNER ON THE FRONT GATE!
SHE IS RIGHT NOW..ALL DRESSED IN HER NEW DRESS AND SOCKS AND WILL BE OPENING SOME BIRTHDAY CARDS..BUT FRIDAY WE ARE CELEBRATING WITH THE KIDS AND HOPING..SHE HANG IN THERE AT THE RESTAURANT...

BUT WITH ALL THIS TRYING AND EXPERIMENTING..ALONG COMES SANDY AND CREATES THIS FOR ME...AND MAKES IT ALL LOOK SO EASY..ITS JUST LOVELY.  WE JUST REPAINTED OUR WALLS IN THE FOYER AND SO HUNG IT THERE AND THE COLOR OF THE WALLS REALLY BRINGS OUT THE COLOR IN THIS PIECE...SANDY ALWAYS MAKES IT LOOK SO EASY!!!

SO RIGHT NOW..I HAVE 3 PROJECTS AND PROMISE NOT TO WAIT 3 MONTHS TO PUT THEM UP.   1. I HAVE TO UPDATE MY WEB SITE WHICH DANNY CREATED FOR ME..AND WHICH I LOVE..AND DONT' UNDERSTAND WHY I CAN'T KEEP IT UP!!
2 I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BOX..THIS ONE I REALLY LIKE..CREATED FROM AIRBRUSH POURING METHOD..WITH PLEXIGLASS COVER AND I PLAN TO FINISH THIS
3. I AGREED TO DONANTE A PAINTING TO AUDREY'S ANGELS DINNER AND AUCTION..SOOOOOOOOO NOW I HAVE TO GET MOVING...AND I WILL PUT ALL THIS UP ON THE SITE NEXT TIME.

HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY WEEK END.  ENJOY WHAT EVER YOU DO AND REMEMBER...YOU ARE ALWAYS NUMBER ONE  BEING YOURSELF..THEN TRYING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE AND COMING IN SECOND.  CAN'T REMEMBER JUST HOW THAT
REALLY GOES, BUT I AM TRYING TO TELL MYSELF THAT EVERY DAY WITH MY ART...ENJOY WHAT I LOVE DOING...CREATE WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY...AND LET EVERYONE ELSE DO THEIR OWN THING...THEN WE ARE ALL HAPPY CREATORS!

Decisions Decisions

WELL Sandy and I made 10 journals to send to Boston Victims in Rehab hospital and received a nice note from the nurse ' when I unpacked these journals..they just made my day".  we didnt' ask for a Thank you only that they get them to the right patients!

 When creating the journals we not only cover the front and back of the journals but also the
inside of the covers...each has a different theme..we just had a great time...dining rooms were a mess of embellishments etc..but fun!

 I learned when creating journals for Phx childrens hospital that patients that are there for long periods of time..do enjoy writing, even if they have never tried it before..now they have time..and they have visitors..and they have thoughts to write...

 Now after dragging out my paper and glues which i had put away in the garage to make room for the paint and easel etc that I wanted to move forward with........I found I still enjoy the journals..
and the boxes ( my favorite bird box below)...

I also enjoy trying new techniques.  The instructions for this piece BELOW  were to...

1. find textured paper.  2. RUN..acrylic inks down the paper and spray with water. 3. get alcohol inks and spray and then spray with alcohol...I loved the results and i added some pastels here and there...so now what?   well..maybe try it on canvas..which is where I need to make some decisions.

I cannot really keep supplies in my small studio to do all ..boxes, journals and painting on canvas..So...which do I choose....I thought I was tired of journals and boxes..but I see an embellishment in my stash from wanda..and it gives me ideas...so ..that is something I need to work on..one thing I know for sure  JOHN IS NOT ALLOCATING ANY MORE ROOM IN THIS HOUSE FOR MY CREATIVE IDEAS!!!

NOW HERE IS JOHNS FAVORITE PASTIME.  FLAPJACK.  WE ARE IN SAN DIEGO..AND JUST ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE...JOHN HAS FLAP..I HAVE BOTH OF THEM.  DANNY JOINED US FOR 3 DAYS AS A SURPRISE FOR FATHERS DAY!!

OH..WHOOPS..FORGOT. I ALSO LIKE TO CREATE WITH EMBELLISHMENTS..LIKE THIS BIRD.  I ACTUALLY STARTED OUT TO PAINT..ON BURLAP WITH PLASTER ON CANVAS...AND THEN...SOMEHOW THIS LITTLE BIRDIE CAME OUT...AGAIN, MORE CHOICES IN ART..I THINK YOU NEED TO CLICK ON THIS LITTLE GUY TO REALLY SEE THE SMALL EMBELLISHMENTS..IN PERSON..IS STILL THE WAY TO ENJOY ART..

THIS PIECE IS CALLED RAZZLE DAZZLE BECAUSE...IN MY HURRY BECAUSE I WAS ' RATTLED'...I JUST PAINTED THIS ON SURFACE BOARD AND UNWOUND A PRETTY GOLD BRACELET WITH PINK BEADS ON IT...I HAD AN IDEA..BUT NO TIME..SO THREW IT TOGETHER..I DON'T THINK THE PICTURE DOES IT JUSTICE BECAUSE I LOVE ALL THE COLORS IN THERE..THE BLUES AND GOLDS...

SO WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?  WELL A NEIGHBORS GRANDDAUGHERS FRIEND WAS HERE AND LIKED IT..SO I GAVE IT TO HER.  I WILL GIVE ANY OF MY PAINTINGS TO WHOMEVER SAYS ' OH I LIKE THAT'.  I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER PLACE FOR THEM TO GO THEN TO SOMEONE WHO LIKES THEM..AND FOR SURE I HAVE A WALL FULL...SO COME ON OVER!

Life Happens

well its been a while since i have updated this..and obviously I have forgotten exactly how to do this...so some of my pictures etc...are probably on the next blog ( they aren't here...???)

but...look at that beautiful grandson..standing so perfect..as crown carrier for the May Crowning at our church...great job Brandon

oh no.  what has john found!  well these two little doggies found us!  wandered into the courtyard..the little lady has just had puppies so we needed to find her owner...john did his best..called..even took to the vet...finally a knock on the door..young 13 year old looking for ' my babies'.

these little doggies were so cute...hardly barked..we took them inside due to heat...they just cuddled up in the old crate we had...but no john...we cannot keep them!!!

ONE  of our fondest memories will be driving to LaGuna  beach..where Danny's  music was played at the radio station and dan talked with radio jock.....and then...he played for 2 hours live..at the wine bar downstairs while...it was also aired live on the radio station.  so exciting.

It was a quick trip...drive down...next day at radio station until 10pm..and then..following day drove home...but wow was it fun!!!   Good Music Dan!

 And...as the months have flown by since last blog...there are days that are just way too much fun...
going out with the girls...Sandy found this play at Scottsdale theater..and so lunch and play..I mean it just doesn't get any better...then...debbie off to London and Michigan..Cheryl off to California..and Sandy and I off to..home..with hubbies..who support our adventures  and our little playpens ( studios).  

now..to go and find all those pictures i downloaded..that did not appear here..i am sure i will find them for you!!!   I have not updated my blog since April..and its July..well life happens.

BEEN BUSY

CREATING AN EASTER BUNNY WITH ENCAUSTICS.

 THIS WAS SO EASY AS I LOOK BACK AT MY BEGINNING CLASSES WITH ENCAUSTIC AND NOW ITS SO FUN...WOODEN BUNNY JUST SITTING IN MY JUNK PILE!

SADLY THIS IS ONLY PICTURE I HAVE OF THE HOLIDAY..DIDN'T TAKE ANY AT SONS HOUSE WITH GRANDSONS OR PITCHING PENNIES...NEED TO STOP AND REMEMBER THESE  IMPORTANT DATES!

 ANOTHER GREAT TIME..AT NICKS BIRTHDAY PARTY..BORN ON ST PATRICKS DAY
I THINK HE IS REALLY AN IRISH LEPRICON DRESSED UP LIKE NICK.
MY IRISH DICTIONARY SAYS..THIS IS HOW YOU SPELL LEPRICON..BUT MY 'CHECK SPELL" STILL SAYS ITS WRONG............SO WHAT!

 SO STARTED ON A FEW BOXES..CHANGE IS GOOD. AFTER A CANVAS AND SOME AIRBRUSH DECIDED TO DO A FEW BOXES.  HERE IS MY ' MEMORY' BOX WITH
THE BABY BOXES AND TIGER ON TOP.  I HAD THIS BIG BOX AND ALWAYS WANTED TO DO A MEMORY BOX FOR THOSE NEW  BABY ITEMS...LIKE NAME TAG ETC.

 AND..WE NEEDED A PIGGIE...

 THEN..MY FAVORITE..BIRDS.  THIS BEAUTY IS SITTING ON A BEAUTIFUL GREEN
BRACELET ..I HAVE SO MANY NICE EMBELLISHMENTS I HAVE DECIDED TO USE THEM!!!  THE KNOB IS A BUTTERFLY.AND MY NEIGHBOR KEN DID A PERFECT
DRILL TO GET IT EXACTLY IN THE CENTER OF THE SMALL TILE TOP. LOVE IT!

 MY FIRST REAL BIG CANVAS. SO MANY LAYERS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS ALL UNDER THIS. I NEVER COULD UNDERSTAND ARTIST THAT WOULD SAY ' THERE ARE SO MANY LAYERS'.  I WOULD THINK WHAT A WASTE OF PAINT, CAN'T YOU GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME........NO...YOU CAN'T...YOU JUST KEEP PLAYING AND PLAYING...I DONT' THINK THIS PICTURE DOES THE CANVAS JUSTICE..THE HEART IS HARDLY VISIBLE SINCE I NAMED IT ' HIDDEN HEART'...

SINCE DOING THIS I HAVE BEEN TO 3 ART SHOWS AND NOTICE 99 PERCENT OF THE ART FOR SALE..IS SMALL..SOME ARE EVEN 5 X 5!!!  OK. I AM LEARNING.

MY FRIEND WANDA GAVE ME THIS OLD OLD OLD TOOL BOX.  THE HANDLE IS IRON.IT WILL LAST AS LONG AS IT ALREADY HAS..WHICH IS YEARS.  I HAD TO SAND IT SINCE MANY SPLINTERS IN IT...AND COULD NOT DECIDE WHAT COLORS TO PAINT IT.  SHOULD IT BE BRIGHT..I COULD USE IT FOR SOME OF MY ENCAUSTIC SUPPLIES.......THEN I THOUGHT OF MY GRANDSON NATHANIEL WHO LOVES WORKING AND FIXING STUFF WITH HIS DAD...AND ONCE I DECIDED THIS WAS PERFECT FOR HIM..THE COLORS CAME NATURALLY..BLACK, PURPLE..GREEN!!
I PLAN TO HAVE HIM ' WRITE HIS NAME AND THE NAME OF HIS BOX"  HIMSELF WHEN HE COMES OVER...WILL SEEM MORE LIKE IT BELONGS TO HIM.   WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT I HAVE PAINTED SO FAR!!!!

WHERE HAVE I BEEN..ITS END OF FEBRUARY...I HAVE NO IDEA...JUST HERE,
THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.MOSTLY HERE! BUT. JOHN AND I DID GET OUT TO THE
RITZ AND SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS...THIS IS A  HALLWAY...NOT A MIRROR...
WITH EACH ARCHWAY LIT..LOVED IT.

AND WE DID GET TO SEDONA FOR 5 DAYS...COLD..BUT I WAS ALL BUNDLED UP..AND WE HAD A REALLY NICE PLACE WITH KITCHEN ETC...WENT SHOPPING AT THE LOCAL ART STORE ( OF COURSE) AND MY SON DANNY ACTUALLY CALLED AND ORDERED A GIFT CARD THERE FOR ME...GREAT IDEA DANNY!!

AND HAD A BIRTHDAY WITH MY FRIENDS.  NOW HOW CAN  YOU BEAT THAT..WELL YOU COULD IF YOU TOOK A PICTURES WILL ALL OF THEM AND NOT JUST YOURSELF!!!  THAT WAS MY ' OH I THINK I WILL BUY THIS' SHIRT WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE PERFECT FOR ME!!

 I RECEIVED SO MANY WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY PRESENTS ..ANGELS EVERYWHERE, AND THIS LITTLE GUY...IS SO ADORABLE...FROM MY FRIEND JAN IN DENVER..IF ANYONE HAS A CREATIVE BRAIN FOR PURCHASING GIFTS..SHE HAS IT...BUT THEN SO DID ALL THE GIFTS I RECEIVE.  ACTUALLY WE DECIDED NO MORE GIFTS IN 2013 BECAUSE WE JUST HAVE SO MUCH FUN GETTING TOGETHER, WE DONT' NEED THEM!

 THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE MY GARAGE ( I RECEIVED THE SINGLE CAR GARAGE FROM JOHN..HA) FOR MY AIRBRUSH AND MY PLASTER BOXES.  I SET THIS UP AND IT LASTED FOR A DAY. ..THEN I HAD TO START STORING ALL THE STUFF FROM MY STUDIO THAT I HAD DECIDED TO PART WITH AND THE ROOM ENDED UP LOOKING LIKE.........

 THIS.........STUFF EVERYWHERE. I ENDED UP WITH OVER 10 BOXES OF ITEMS TO SELL..ALL EMBELLISHMENTS.  NO PAINT OR CANVAS. AFTER TOURING THE STUDIOS OF ARTISTS IN THE HIDDEN HILLS GROUP...I DECIDED I DIDNT' NEED ALL THIS..THAT IT WAS TAKING UP SPACE AND I WOULD RATHER HAVE AN EASEL. THIS IS WHEN I KNEW WHAT I WANTED TO DO WHEN I GROW UP...FINALLY!! THANK YOU LORD!

 THRU ALL THIS...WE STILL TAKE CARE OF MOM.  HERE IS JOHN PUTTING SOME MUSIC UP TO HER EAR HOPING SHE CAN HEAR IT...BUT SHE COULD NOT...WE GIVE HIM AN 'A' FOR TRYING...THE WEATHER WAS SO WARM THIS WINTER WE COULD ACTUALLY TAKE HER OUTSIDE FOR A WALK..MOM IS NOW 97 AND 1/2

 SO WHAT ELSE DID I GET FOR MY BIRTHDAY?  A LAMP..THAT HOOKS ON TO A POLE..THAT CAN BE MOVED EVERYWHERE..AND SO I FINALLY HAVE SOME GOOD GOOD LIGHT.  JOHNNY MY SON CREATED AN UNUSUAL PIECE BY PUTTING THE POLE IN A UMBRELLA STAND.  I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS KIND OF LIGHTING AT THE HIDDEN HILLS ARTIST TOUR...NOW..NOW I CAN SEE WHAT I PAINT AND ACTUALLY SEE THE TEXTURE...SO AT 9PM ONE NIGHT..I DECIDED WITH THE LIGHT I COULD PAINT ABOVE THE CLOSE...SO I COULD FINISH THE REDONE STUDIO.
I THOUGHT I WOULD PAINT IT RED..AND THEN......

 I BROUGHT OVER THE LIGHT..AND THE LADDER AND AS TIME WENT ON...SO DID THE PAINT..AND MORE AND MORE..AND TEXTURE ..AND MORE AND MORE..AND I HAD TO KEEP CLIMBING UP THE LADDER..DOWN THE LADDER ..UP THE LADDER ...DOWN THE LADDER AND JUST DIDNT' KNOW WHEN TO QUIT.  SO FUN!
SO HERE IT IS..AND ITS ON THE WALL SO CAN'T REALLY TAKE IT DOWN AND GIVE IT TO GOODWILL!!! HA!

I 

 FOR MY BIRTHDAY I ASKED FOR A ENCAUSTIC PALLET.  AND OF COURSE...I RECEIVED ONE.  ' ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE'.  SO I DECIDED TO START WITH
EACH TECHNIQUE IN MY ENCAUSTIC BOOK..AND I MADE SMALL ART FOR EACH OF MY GRANDSONS..THIS ONE WAS BRANDONS.  EACH HAD A VARIETY OF TECHNIQUES SO I COULD IMPROVE THEM...I REALLY LIKE THIS..IT HAS PAPER ON THE BOTTOM...A MIX OF ENCAUSTIC PAINTS AND THE SPLATTER.  THE SPLATTER I JUST COULD NOT SEEM TO GET...SO I WROTE TO THE ARTIST AND SHE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST TO TRY AND TRY AND TRY..SO...HEY ..LOOK AT MY SPLATTER!!!

 VALENTINES DAY THE KIDS CAME TO OUR HOME BECAUSE JOHN HAD JUST HAD HIS NEW KNEE PUT IN AND COULD NOT TRAVEL...SO JOHNNY AND GERI BROUGHT THE KIDS TO US...I BOUGHT A ' DECORATE YOUR OWN COOKIE' KIT AND HERE IS
BRANDON..MAKING ONE FOR NANA.  AND BELIEVE ME..THEY ALL CAME OUT REALLY REALLY NICE!  LOTS OF SUGAR FOR THOSE GRANDBOYS!!!

 OK. HERE IS M Y REAL TRY AT ENCAUSTIC.  I JUST LOVE LOVE TO SWIRL THIS
WAX AROUND...BUT THE HEART IS A STENCIL.  THAT ALONE IS A TECHNIQUE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HEAT OR FUZE EACH LAYER OF WAX OVER THE NEXT AND WHEN YOU ADD A STENCIL..YOU HAVE TO FUZE..SO TO KEEP THE WAX FROM MOVING AROUND...IS JUST SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO LEARN..AND WHEN I FOUND THE HEART..DIDNT' MOVE AFTER FUZING..I WAS VERY VERY HAPPY!!!

 SO THIS WAS..AND I SAY WAS..MY STUDIO AFTER 4 SOLID WEEKS OF TAKING OUT STUFF..MOVING TWO LARGE 96 INCH STORAGE UNITS TO THE GARAGE...HAVING A GARAGE SALE OF ALL THE EMBELLISHMENTS..AND THEN..FINALLY GETTING THE STUDIO TO WHERE I COULD PUT IN THE EASEL..AND YOU CAN SEE THE LIGHT ABOUVE THE EASEL...I THOUGHT...WOW..I AM FINISHED.

 OH NO. THAT WAS NOT ME...OF COURSE NOT...MY LIFE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. INSTEAD I FOUND THIS CABINET AT MERCHANT SQ AND HAD TO HAVE IT FOR MY PAINTS..WHICH AT THAT TIME WERE IN BOXES.  BUT I MIS MEASURED..ALOT.
SEEMS THE CABINET STOOD OUT FROM THE CLOSET..BUT THE REAL MISTAKE WAS..THERE WAS A SLIDING DOOR TO THE LEFT..AND AFTER GETTING THE NEW
CASE IN PLACE..I REALIZED...THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN!!!  WELL..NO PLACE TO SLIDE!  SO HAD TO TAKE THE DOOR OFF..SLIPPING INTO A VERY SMALL SPACE BETWEEN THE NEW SHELVING AND THE SMALL OPENING TO THE DOOR I UNSCREWED THE DOOR BUT THEN HAD TO CALL JOHN TO HELP ME LIFT THE DOOR OFF THE TRACK.  THIS WAS REALLY FUNNY BECAUSE..JOHN ..HAVING HAD KNEE SURGERY AND NOT WALKING ALOT...DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A CLUE I BOUGHT THE DARN THING..OR WHAT I WAS DOING IN THERE........OH WELL

BUT THIS IS A CLOSE UP OF THE REVOLVING SHELF.  AND YES..IT REVOLVES...THATS WHAT MAKES IT SO WONDERFUL AND NOW I HAVE ALL MY PAINTS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM..............GEEZ
SO NOW...STUDIO IS DONE.  I PROMISED NO MORE SHELVES...AND THE GARAGE STUDIO IS FINALLY GOING TO BE FINISHED AFTER 2 WEEKS ENDS OF GARAGE SALES TO SELL THE EMBELLISHMENTS AND NOW I AWAIT OUR HANDYMAN TO
HELP PUT DOWN CARPETING IN THE GARAGE AND SOME DIVIDERS...AND
I PROMISE NOW..I WILL START DOING SOME ART WITH ALL THIS!!! I MEAN..DONT' YOU WONDER WHAT ALL THIS IS FOR.....JOHN DOES!!!

BUT I DO HAVE A WEB SITE..THANKS TO MY SON DANNY.  SO I WILL DOWNLOAD MOST OF MY ART ON THE NEW WEBSITE...JUDYSTIH.COM  ....THATS ALL THERE IS TO IT..AND UP COMES JUDYS FINE ART!  I MEAN IS THAT GREAT OR WHAT!!!!
NO EXCUSES NOW TO NOT TRY MY HAND AT CREATING SOMETHING...WORTH LOOKING AT!

SO THANKS FOR CHECKING IN...PROMISE NOT TO WAIT 3 MONTHS UNTIL THE NEXT UPDATE..AND I ALSO HAVE A SEPARATE BLOG FOR MOM...WHICH ALSO NEEDS UPDATING, BUT MOM IS ALIVE AND KICKING, ...JUST DOEN'T KNOW IT!
ALZHEIMERS IS A TERRIBLE DESEASE!