Excitment in the air

Yes everyone is excited with the beginning of another school year, new cloths, new friends and seeing old friends and teachers. As well swim goggles have been put away for the winter and art brushes and smocks ready for fresh paint. Here are a couple photos of two of my girls who have been learning how to rug hook, in my previous blog writing you can see these two creative young ladies while working on their projects and here they are with their finished table mats and a wonderful job they did. They were very patient considering something like this does not happen over night. I have plans to teach all my students rug hooking but we will all be working on the same project thanks to one of my Moms giving me an unfinished project of hers which is big enough for everyone to have a hand in and the plan is when finished to hopefully sell this piece and to donate the money made to our local SPCA animal shelter /rescue, this way they learn the craft and sharing at the same time. Last Christmas we did a craft show at our local fire dept. and we will be there again this November, date and time will be announced closer to the show. The kids will be working on special projects just for the show, they are excited about selling their art and making some money for themselves or if in the case that they don't sell all of their work they then will have special pieces of art to give as gifts to their friends and families. Last year they painted mussel shells like Santa's and sold them to raise money for the SPCA with over $90.00 donated. great job guys, very kind of you to think of animals in need. Below is a picture of "The Boys" who were back from a summer of fun. They finished their paintings and asked if they could take a moment and visit the "Bird House" which is a small guest cottage we have here, the kids love this magical little building with maps from all over the world plastered all over the walls , fun books to read and even a ukulele to play as you can see in in the picture. Then here below is a picture of a few of the girls showing off their wonderful art and smiles! There is no stopping these young minds, they have no fear when it comes to creating ,there is no right, there is no wrong in art. Art is created from the heart of the artist and enjoyed by those who see and feel the love of what lies before them.  

A picture pretty well says it all, "Fun in Art"

As the title says "Fun in Art" Let me first explain the mask on this fine young man, we were doing copper repose and when finishing the piece we wear a mask because we work with steel wool and Kiefer wanted to keep his on. That too can be fun. As you look through these pictures you will see a lot of smiles. As well take note of the concentration

and dedication these fine young people have with all they create . I believe we all have these abilities and as we grow into adulthood we forget and are way too quick to say"I can't do that" for, yes you can, your work may not look like everyone else's because it is yours , so take a moment and find your young at heart and say"yes I can do that". This Summer has flown by so quickly and I have been tardy at writing here in my blog. So this morning I thought I would sit and share these wonderful photos of some great kids with you all and I again have a busy day ahead so let me leave you with one thought"Yes you can!"

And How I could have forgotten to upload this wonderful picture taken just yesterday. I know ,I was so rushed this morning I skipped over this great shot. Then it seems that I had one of those ,well, you know "senior moments"I thought I had a private lesson today but discovered that indeed that I had mis-scheduled and written down the wrong date, so am taking a moment to update today's posting and then ready for dinner with our old friend who is home for a visit ,we shall break bread together. Until next time.

Meet " Buddy"

Meet "Buddy" he is my latest commission for one of my art students. Buddy was her pet who no longer is with her but at least she can remember him with this little guy.
Things have been so busy, hot and sad since Privateer days. We had a dear friend pass and with this news ,life has been hard to pick up pieces ,trying to appreciate our good times and remember the fun and laughter we had with such a wonderful person. To always give thanks for having them in our lives. Life goes on and we will make the best of it ,in her memory. So I was a bit slow getting this project started but as I worked and got to that point where it all comes together and I could see the Raccoon coming out from the wool I can say I am happy with Buddy and am thankful for the reason to take my mind elsewhere. I took what needle felted characters i had left after Privateer days down to Fort Point Lighthouse and even though I love to meet the people who buy them , they are better there then here, I sometimes think of them as my babies, I do know that some of you out there get what I am saying.
I remember many years ago now when we were making our Sea People figurines on a regular basis there was a news paper article written about us and the Sea people. That Christmas with every purchase of a Sea People which were usually being bought for gifts we gave a copy of the article to go with it. I remember actually feeling the energy on Christmas morning thinking and imagining all those who were reading that article and how special it was. It's always a great feeling to receive a phone call note or email and sometimes in some cases a photo of the person who received something that I made as a gift from someone they love. And when it's a commission of something that means so much to that person, well I am thankful for what I do and thank others for feeling the love.
I have been collecting some interesting props for future needle felting ,such as rocking chairs, bicycles and even a spinning wheel and by this Christmas God willing I will have some fun characters to share with you. Remember I do commissions of people and pets , all i need is a photo to work from .
Well that's about it for now, I have been trying to write for days and was having a hard time to be positive ,but I now have broken the ice and my next writing will be more up beat, I will share some pictures of young people and their art with you here.
Blesses to all,keep strong, be happy and be nice, for life is way too short!

Worthwhile volunteering?

Yes it is!

We all can't do everything and there is much we can't do ,but there is also much we can do. One needs to look and weigh out what works for you. Some people enjoy being on boards and doing meetings and solving many issues which need solved. Others offer their time at hospitals, nursing homes and other like places. Fire Departments,Auxiliaries the list is endless and so are these important jobs. While we lived in the country we worked for our local fire dept. and local elementary school for 27 years. When we moved to town instead of jumping into any particular organization we decided to look into what our aging bodies would allow us to do. Not being the vibrant young people we were in the past we knew that our time and energy  had to fit our today life style. After being approached by two friends who knew our passions and talents we  began volunteering at what has become more then rewarding but healing  and satisfying as well with doing what we can for our local Theatre company "The Winds of Change" and working with the Elderly in local nursing homes and the very young at The Dr. John C. Wickwire school where we are reading mentors as well help with their breakfast program and drum and craft workshops in the past. Don't ever think that whatever task so small that one does isn't noticed or appreciated for it is, ten fold! Last week we were honored by having a young volunteer himself take pictures of us at the school and then to arrive  today to find pictures ,writeup and great thanks given for what we do in one of the foray showcase windows. What a wonderful feeling to be thanked for doing something that makes you feel so good. We need to thank all of you for giving us this opportunity. 

Hopefully with the joining of the Milton School into the Wickwire next Fall that more people won't step up and help to relieve some of the burden on the teachers in the so many different  programs that need help. All you need is a simple back ground check of course and other then that get ready to smile.

So again thank you Dr. John C. Wickwire School for recognizing us for doing something we truly enjoy. Lets all try and step up to whatever plate fits . simple back ground check of course ,other then that ,     hospitals

Young enthusiasm!

 Well there is so much I could and can say about these enthusiastic young artists and then again their satisfied smiles are worth a million words.They have been working for weeks on these paintings in the style of Claude Monet. The paint was flying week after week as they developed their own style of impressionism while learning about "Claude Monet" his life and work. To the point that a couple of them are doing school projects on him.

 I  find working with these children so rewarding and looking at these photos again says it all. You did a wonderful job guys.
I had to laugh ,last week a couple of my students were out sick with the flu and one Mom told me that one young man said, "I can go to art class if I take a gravol." Needless to say he didn't come to art that day and just as well , I have been fighting something off myself. But this week the boys will be back and again paint will fly, to again produce some wonderful works of art! That I will share here when they are done. Sadly last week I had a couple of paintings that left before I had  a chance to take pictures. But they were wonderful as well! I can only hope to inspire and fuel the spark that already exists within them.

Happy Easter!

I was going to wait and add these pictures on Easter Sunday but decided why not do it now. These may put an Easter smile on some faces which need just that. I have been doing this for years and have roped Chuck into joining me. I use to work for the Bridgewater Mall back a few years ago as you can see in some of the pictures for the Shriner's and Kinsmen and between Bunny sessions I would visit the Bridgewater hospital and nursing homes instead of driving back to Mill Village. Or would go shopping and stay in costume, rather then be half dressed as a Rabbit . If I had a penny for all the looks and smiles I got. The most heart felt moment was one day when I was visiting the hospital and a gentleman came from one of the rooms and took my paw and said "You are just what my Mom needs right now" God Bless her she was near the end and she smiled and laughed with me that day. I thank God for those moments I shared with her while in costume. So today after after doing this since at least 1990 I still find great rewards in trying to hop down the Bunny trail with the help of Chuck who had no choice but to hop on board. Sometimes it just makes sense to join in then try to ignore the fact your wife grows ears and tail once a year. Happy Easter everyone, Life is way too short not to have a good laugh every once in a while.I have outgrown many of my bunny outfits but the ears ,tail and feet always seem to fit. Don't forget this weekend March 30 ,Easter Egg hunt at Pine Grove Park for the kids 11 AM.