Surtex 2012

This year I exhibited at Surtex. WOW!

It was a last minute decision, a decision born from an on-line course I was taking called www.HelloSoulHelloBusiness aka HSHB. When I requested information about the show, I thought I would be on the waiting list for the 2013 show, but within a couple days of emailing, I received a call that I was in. So the homework and studying began. I was taking a huge leap of Faith, but I knew it was right. So I studied booth displays on YouTube and read thru everything I could on the Surtex site. I also found Tara Reed's Blog called Art Licensing Blog where there's a plethora of information.

 And I painted.....I worked in my studio everyday creating new collections to show versatility. With the help of a friend, who re-built my web site, my banners were designed, new cards were printed, bookmarks were printed, little fans were made and art was printed for the portfolios.

It was a fabulous show. I took two friends/helpers with me which was a perfect balance of help. We got so many positive comments and compliments on everything from our display to our outfits. We dressed in colors pulled from my art so we complimented the colors. My booth was a partial corner, so when people walked by in one direction they made direct eye contact with one of two of the chickens. Some of the shoppers burst out laughing and completely fell in love with the chickens, which makes me happy, because that's what they are all about..".a simple prescription for a smile"
Now it's time for follow up.

More to come about the show, including a list of some of the wonderful artist and friends I met there.

Red Thread

When I was a little girl I loved to spend the night with my grandmother who lived in town. She didn't drive, so it was a treat to walk to town. We would shop at several tiny town shops and if I was lucky we would walk a little farther to the grocery store where I got to choose my favorite cereal. We always stopped at the local drug store where I would perch on a bar stool and order a grilled cheese sandwich and a bag of funyons.
I never knew my grandmother to be superstitious but she always told me "remember, you have a string attached to you, be careful where you walk because wherever you go it will always be there." That has been kept in the back of my mind my entire life. Sometimes I think about it but I thought of it as a literal string that could tangle with my steps. Tonight I saw a new show called "Touch" about a little boy with autism. Sometime during the show the explanation of the string is explained as I have never heard it before. I copied this from a google search.

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break." --An ancient Chinese belief" 

 

 

 

5 Step Dinner

Today I thought I would share a quick and easy recipe/meal with you.

When I was a little girl this is one of my favorite meals mom would make. 

Tuna Salad and Rice Pilaf

1. canned tuna in water
2. mayonaise
3. lettuce
4. onion
5. minute rice
6. no egg yolk noodles
7. chicken broth
8. olive oil
9. salt & pepper

 Step 1.
Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil to pan. Brown egg noodles. Careful not to use to much heat. Gently toss in oil until most have brown areas.

Step 2. Add 2 cups Chicken Broth.

Step 3. Add 2 cups Minute Rice.

Step 4. Turn heat up to medium. Cover and steam until rice is tender.

Step 5. In large bowl. Tear one head lettuce into bite size pieces. Drain tuna and add to bowl. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cups mayo, depending on taste. salt & pepper. Stir together.

And you have a meal!

Enjoy ;0)

Blog Party

Inspiration Card Swap

I'm working on a deck of cards for a card swap with a soul sister Jessica Brogan, in the e-course we are taking. www.hellosoulhellobusiness.com

 I discovered an artist whom I am very captivated by, Flora Bowley. So I decided to create this Inspiration Deck by intuitive painting. It can be thought provoking but I'm trying not to put to much thought in them and just make them beautiful.  Earlier I stopped by the thrift store to pick up a couple of books to use the pages in some art. Hadn't even thought about the cards today, but I found a book called "The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking". Wow how perfect is that, right? and all books were on sale for a quarter.

                               It's funny how things come together. The resources are always there.

 This is just the beginning of the deck. I have to add the words and the other finishing touches.Then I will send them off to Texas where they will be separated into other decks for all who participated in the swap.

From Old to New- My Studio

This is where we began.  I had art classes here for 7 years.  

You can see some boxes of art. Of course it didn't 

look like this, but notice the old walls and floor.

I had this shop so many different colors over the years. Do you see the bright green. At one time the entire shop was that color, with accents of purple and pink.

We found beautiful old paneling under the pegboard and painted a lovely old creamy white.

The very back wall is where the barn was built.

Construction begins.

                                         The left side is where my office was, it is now the coop.

                          I love the moss on the door. I'm hoping to keep it alive with a gentle mist.

 I think a woodpecker was saving some seeds. I have never seen a woodpecker hole up close. It isn't round, it's more like a wedge. Very interesting. This post is now the legs to a table.

 The barn wood for this half of the barn is from a barn which was over 100 years old. It was going to be torn down and burnt. Actually came from the family of the Hatfields and McCoys fued. This is from the McCoy's side.

Twelve Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking | The Creativity Post

Today in my Hello Soul Hello Business class we are talking about thinking out side of the box. One of my 'soul sisters' posted this and it is Phenomenal!!!! It says it all!!! Love, Love, Love.
I hope this takes you to the link. If it doesn't, google it. It is SO worth reading.


Twelve Things You Were Not Taught in School About Creative Thinking | The Creativity Post