Butterfly Lady

This drawing, this very detailed drawing has so much pencil work in it, that light actually reflects off of the lead (hence, no flash). The colors are from Hana Mori markers and prisma colored pencils. You have all seen people pull out their knitting, or crocheting while visiting you for tea, or on the subway, or sitting in a park. Well, this is what I did with this particular drawing. I just took it with me where ever I went, pulled it out and carefully worked on it, until I reached that all important moment, where as an artist, you have to know when to stop. There is no right or wrong in that decision, it's personal. So, this is where I stopped.

Wordless Wednesday

NYC Ducks

Battery Park City

A Glimpse of Battery Park City, Lower Manhattan, NYC

We just came back from NYC...yes, another visit to the Island of Manhattan. We had a FABULOUS time. There is nothing better than knowing that you can find your way from way downtown, almost the very lower tip of Manhattan, to the front of Bloomingdales, see 2 very special friends, eat lunch, get across town and way back down to the lower part of Manhattan, still have enough energy to go out to dinner and then take a long walk by the Battery Park City Promenade! The photos are all from Battery Park City. This whole area is landfill, much of it from the 'dirt' that was displaced when building the World Trade Center. It is an amazing part of New York., bustling with children, growing families, fierce basketball games, tennis, 'green' buildings going up in every un-used square foot, waterfalls, ducks and fish, rock walls, Whole Foods, restaurants galore, and magnificent view of NY Harbor. Today, we are all exhausted, glad to be back home to our cozy house and the QUIET!!! A great time had by all, with continued love and gratitude to my Mom, for being such a great sport, for letting us camp out in her living room and for her great Spirit. She can't see very well, but she gets around Manhattan like a teenager!!!

I must add, that the top photo, is of the Winter Garden. My husband and I had the privilege of living in Battery Park City for 2 years. This was where we lived when Edward was an infant. His first escalator ride was in the World Trade Center when he was 16 months old...I'll never forget the expression of WONDER on his face! The Winter Garden was connected to the World Trade Center with an enclosed bridge which allowed people to cross over the very busy West Side Highway. When the dust had barely settled after 9/11, and I saw photos of a very broken Winter Garden, that's when I fell apart. We had spent so much time there, going to concerts, giving Edward some great space to roam during the winter months, window shopping, noshing along the way. It was like a big, broken jewelry box. But, somehow, with the great resolve that all New Yorkers have, it was 'put back together'. A jewel itself, with millions of facets, it sparkles once again!

It all about 'That Look'

Well, I've decided to stick with the felines for the moment. Some of you have seen this photo of Girl Whirl in my Etsy Shop. This photo speaks volumes about this cat. The face, the eyes, THAT LOOK. Big Kitty politely, for the most, has come to 'share space' with Girl Whirl. Even as loopy as she can be at times, when she pulls this face out of her bag, I'm lost. She and Big Kitty are so different...well, yes, she is FEMALE, and there's no question that she is wired in a different manner. She Insists on nuzzling in with me, especially during the Winter months (I learned that she was weaned too soon). I mean, she's finding a way no matter what. She cuddles when she wants, not when I want...WHAT! She grooms Big Kitty and then jumps him, and he falls for it every time...WHAT! Like I said, it's 'that look', it even works on Big Kitty!

Wordless Wednesday

Central Park, NYC
Bridge at 72nd Street, Detail

Creativity Recognition

Creativity

'Creativity has been attributed variously to divine intervention, cognitive processes, the social environment, personality traits, and chance ("accident", "serendipity"). It has been associated with genius, mental illness and humour. Some say it is a trait we are born with; others say it can be taught with the application of simple techniques.

Although popularly associated with art and literature, it is also an essential part of innovation and invention and is important in professions such as business, economics, architecture, industrial design, science and engineering.'

Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia

I have met, and continue to meet some of the most wonderful artists, bead weavers, craftspeople, writers, poets, photographers, computer 'wiz' kids & grown ups, stay at home Moms, healthy people, people trying to get healthy, cat lovers, sports crazy people, internet business phenoms, funny people ( the list goes on and on)... in the wild west of the blogosphere. It is an amazing phenomenon, I think. I have formed some true friendships of mutual admiration with a few of you gals and guys. For this Creative Artists Award, which was created by Kim, (who is freezing right now in Australia...) of Laketrees, I am truly honored that you have taken the time to acknowledge so many of us, as we continue to lift one another with encouragement and recognition. I give this award right back to YOU dear Kim! Many thanks!!

Big Kitty

I have been spending alot of time in the blogosphere, looking at everybody's beautiful pets, and I have posted Girl Whirl many times over.... so, in all fairness to my Big Kitty, here he is (again). I love this picture of him. It is not easy taking pictures of black/very dark brown cats. When the flash goes off in the camera, it reflects on their fur and they look like cat aliens and it can be VERY SCARY (I know, I know, I can turn off the flash...)...but in this picture, the light hit him in all the right places...isn't he gorgeous? He is such a good guy as well...got to love him...

Etsy Treasury of Cows...My Gal...

Many thanks to Irene Design for this WONDERFUL Treasury of COWS and for including my Gal, (second row, middle) in this fun and diverse show of our love for this gentle giant!
The Treasury will be running until Saturday around 2:30PM. All of the photos of my Dairy Cows are listed in my Etsy Shop.
(special thank you to Triz)

Wordless Wednesday

Dairy Farm Cows, West Kingston, R.I.
August, 2008

Swirly Weeds & Mixed Media, Part Deux

Thank you to Kim, from Laketrees, for suggesting that I photograph the swirly weeds in black and white! WOW...this is abstract nature at it's finest. This is child-like abandon that can only be inspired by the real deal. Be free children, draw outside the lines, express yourselves! These weeds surround a Lilac bush that we planted earlier in the Spring, and when they came up instead of fragrant Lilacs, I was not especially disappointed, because of how complex they are. I have never seen anything like them! So, maybe, next year, I'll be taking photographs of Lilac buds, but, hey, swirly weeds, not so shabby!

Vintage Beaded Purses

I have in my possession two extraordinary handmade beaded purses. Both are well over 50 years old. One was made in Paris and was handed down to me via my Great-Aunt, who traveled alot. The other bag, which I recently acquired, was given to me directly by my Aunt Sue. Here's what makes Aunt Sues' bag so special...my Mother made it for her a good 50 years ago! My Aunt just moved, to be closer to her one of her daughters (hi Rita!), and while going through all of her things, she happened upon the bag that Mom made for her, and thought I might want it!! WELL YES!!! Having met some of the most gifted 'bead weavers' over the recent months, I thought that you gals would appreciate some of the old handiwork. You may have guessed, that the bag from Paris, is the black one with the beautiful embroidered flowers. However, I was so impressed with the bag that Mom made, and how well it has held up, I just had to share. They are both small, but functional for an event. I have used the purse from Paris , many, many times and it is kind of 'frail' on the underside, but I love it. Mom's bag, hopefully, will get it's share of good use, say over the next 50 years. So, cheers to you Mom, for doing such an excellent job, and a big thank you to Aunt Sue for thinking of me!

Wordless Wednesday

Swirly Weeds and Mixed Media

Looks Like a Dove to Me...

Ah, the lazy days of Summer...childhood memories of laying in the grass with your friends, looking up at the sky and naming the clouds, finding images that you are certain look like someone or something. Well, sure enough, Beach Week gifted us with more than just beautiful weather, sand and surf, but a DOVE in the clouds...hmmmm...could it be a sign?

Another Award!

A very big THANK YOU to Dragonfly Cottage for giving me the Brilliante Weblog Premio-2008 award. Maitri has been a great supporter of my blog and I am touched that she has been so inspired and moved to place me in such high esteem.

Beach Week, (cont'd)...

Our time at the beach is winding down...as have we! It is so relaxing being at the shore as your body seems to take on the natural rhythm of the the waves, the rising and falling of the tide, the loveliness of being there at dusk. I have taken some very long walks with my husband toward Point Judith, where the Block Island Ferry makes her entrance and exit for the 50 minute ride. We love to wave to the people on the boat as we critique all the other boats (lobster boats, sail boats, and boats of many sizes and shapes...we compare them to cars), coming and going. I have also had a couple of really good hauls of new rocks and I'll need to purchase a new glass vase to house them. Tonight we will treat our selves to dinner by the ocean at Point Judith and with great gratitude in our hearts, we cheer the end of a FABULOUS week, and the start of something new!