bullfight

I would never be able to watch a public spectacle such as a bullfight but I could look at the artwork of Jean Cocteau every day.  Look at the expression on the bullfighter's face, he looks as though he is sad over what has just taken place.  The bull in fact looks sad too, head down and ready to surrender.

During the month of May, I will be fighting my own sort of bull and working on a painting a day which I will post.  I was inspired by fellow River Towns Artist, Jennifer Orkin Lewis.  It's hard to fathom that we are about to close the door to April and welcome the month of May.

brave choices

 Indeed, life does take bravery.  When one thinks of all the choices one has to make with each step, it does require lots of give and take.  If you can narrow down your choices in life, then it seems a bit less scary.

At this time, I think of all the seniors who are waiting to hear on college acceptances, on Mother's waiting on births and on others who might be waiting on the job offer.  I think of my Father waiting for my Mother to come home.  Often there are choices that we cannot control and then we have to rely on bravery.

How do you stand tall as choices in life come your way.  Do you give up, give in, or give it all you've got.  I have a few choices coming my way and I intend to give it all I have got.  I hope that all the choices in your life give you strength, focus, clarity and a place to start with a renewed sense of bravery.

one new thing

Today is the first day of a brand new year.

Try one new thing every day this year.

Host a dinner party, Read that book, Light candles, Use cloth napkins, Hug someone, Say thank-you, Drink more water, wash your hands, Write that letter, Listen to music, Slow down, Exercise, Eat  more greens, learn a new skill, plant a garden, take more photos, give to someone in need, Try one new thing.  Laugh more.  Add more glitter to each day.  Meet a friend for a monthly lunch.  Love more.

What is one new thing you plan to try on this first day.  January One, Twenty-Thirteen.

budding art collectors

My client requested "butterflies."

One blue.

One orange.

A budding "pve" art collector!

I love knowing that my work has a young audience and I love that a gift of art will last a lifetime.

Do you have any budding pve collectors?

let's focus people

My twin son's are seniors and this is our mantra. They will more than likely be focusing on two very different future Universities. I keep telling them to reach for the stars, aim high. Just focus and pick one out of thousands of schools. I have been told that there is a "lid for every pot."

Inside I keep saying things like the title of this book.

Serious Drawings and humor help me to focus.

How do you find your focus people, in stressful situations, humor me?

heavy medal

Today, I award each of you a special medal for reading blogs, for taking time out to stop here for a visit. What would your medal look like and what sort of award do you deserve?

Now is your time to accept a heavy medal or two, and to leave an acceptance comment. Keep it brief as we have lots of awardees. If you are the humble type and feel the need to pass on your award, tell me who deserves an award? A fellow blogger or as you wish, pass it on.

I award;

The Zhush - (your medal will be gold with a purple ribbon.) You rock Summer style!

image of model Malgozia Bella

princess on board

Princess Grace, christening the Cunard Princess Ocean Liner.

The Queen Mary 2, docked at the Pier in New York.

I took this photo as I was about to board for a luncheon.

Princess Grace, the epitome of elegance and grace.

Truly, it was a royal treat and I felt like a Princess for an afternoon.

An Ocean Liner complete with a crowning ice sculpture and staff armed to serve bubbly as we arrived.

Artwork on board - near the Library on board.

I found this wonderful vintage postcard of the Cunard Line, "Aquitania" leaving New York.

On deck, taking a tour of the ocean liner with our wonderful guide "Graham Cracker." I decided to wear a vintage navy Tahari silk dress and vintage Bruce Oldfield clutch that my dear Mother-in-law gave to me and pearls. After a hectic week, it was nice to finish my friday with a lovely luncheon. Thank-you to my sister-in-law and to the Princess Grace Foundation and staff for a wonderful lunch and tour of the Queen Mary 2.

can do

On a recent trip, I snapped a shot of this cheeky pillow. Now, how great is that, words to gently provide just the right sort of confidence to your day. What sort of words would provide a "can do" sort of attitude to your pillow? My youngest has a series of school testing this week and how nice would it be to wake up to some incentives on your pillow.

This post automatically appeared shortly after my "change of face" post below. Please be so kind to read and leave a comment.

rain and rainbows

"Remember, you cannot have rainbows without the rain."

Rene Descartes -1596-1650 (French Philosopher and Mathmetician) -He writes:"Considering that this bow appears not only in the sky, but also in the air near us, whenever there are drops of water illuminated by the sun, as we can see in certain fountains, I readily decided that it arose only from the way in which the rays of light act on these drops and pass from them to our eyes. Further, knowing that the drops are round, as has been formerly proved, and seeing that whether they are larger or smaller, the appearance of the bow is not changed in any way, I had the idea of making a very large one, so that I could examine it better.

This weekend, lots of rain is forecasted and I was reminded by a dear friend that we must remember to look for the rainbows. My friend recently lost a close friend tragically and I think his reminder is in part, that he himself is trying to look for the rainbow. I was touched by his words. Thank-you Michael for your gentle and kind words.

Do you look for and follow rainbows?

12 days of peace

When asked to illustrate a button to promote peace, I jumped at the opportunity to do this for Deidra, from Jumping Tandem. During the holidays it is so important to find the peace, by making a list of all the things that you are grateful for. Simply visit her blog and grab the "peace" button and spread some peace.
I have always been drawn to those who have a positive attitude and a certain knack for spreading peace. Deidra is one of those gals, who was born to inspire, to push and to provide support.

neat eats

Over the weekend a sweet box arrived with some items I ordered from Rachel over at "Heart of Light" - I am in love with my new weekly meal plan. I had some custom made too. Monday is the day I plan the weekly menu.
I could not resist these cloth napkins. Who needs to waste paper when these will be our daily napkins for wiping our chinny chin chins and making whatever we eat ever so neat!

september morning

kate spade

Good morning September. I love Autumn in New York. I find myself falling head over heels for a bunch of orange flowers and bringing home a potted mum or a decorative cabbage makes me smile. Little signs of Autumn make me happy. Hope each of you are savoring your September morning.

patchy fog

Watercolor "chalkpaths" - work of E.Ravilious, thanks to a Bloomsbury life for the intro.

Autumn conjures up images of quilts, stone walls, country fields and a plethora of patchwork.

I have to dig a little deeper and find out exactly where this fascination of patchwork began.

Could it be my love for classic cozy things with an Anthropologie twist.

Suddenly, I want to make this patchy scarf from recycled thrift shop sweaters or sew some patches on my jeans...I love this look, how about you?

Am I the only one living in a patchy fog or is it me just trying to add a hipness to thy thrifty self? These would make wonderful gifts for the holidays.

It could be my farewell to Summer Madras and hello to a Fall Quilt that just went back on my bed for cooler nights to come.

Atlantis Home blog a Mom with major cool, scarf and jeans from Atlantis

a time to paint

A painting by Marie Villers 1801 ~ a self portrait

A time to paint and to take a lesson.  

A  time to have a bite to eat, 

A time to check my e-mails. 

A time to post this painting, portrait of Marie Villers 1801. (sent from this fine flower)

A time to sit and to paint.

A time to look up.

A time to see with eyes wide open.

A time to begin a new canvas.

A time to see the warmth of the shadow. ( see it on the left hand side of the canvas? )

A time to see the cool blue shadow on the right hand side of the canvas.

A time to look carefully and to feel complete.

A time to create.

A time for clarity.

A time to be open.

A time to receive and to express, and to realize they are one in the same.

Are you making time to receive and then express yourself?  What was the last thing you did that you felt was a clear expression of yourself?

just great

Wikepedia, Great wall of China

Ever think about the Great Wall of China, what if they just gave up, called it a day, and said, ok, "Good enough" - What distinguishes the great from the good? How do you keep on going, working, persevering towards something more than just "good" enough, but just great!

The Great Wall of China

Do you live with a good enough or just great outlook! I am going to give this "just great" outlook a try this weekend....headed up to the Catskills, (not China.)

one night-stand

Just could not help myself.  I just love this "one night-stand" that belongs to Summer.  

How would you like to be named after a warm and sunny season?  If you want to fall in love, feel like a camp counselor or be inspired to drum up a list of some happy things - then she is your go to gal.  She sent me this photo of one of her favorite things and I love the metal bowl on top with those pretty pears, looks like it was just pulled out of the fridge.  (My fridge died on Mother's day!) 

Give a shout out to Summer today where she loves to play show and tell -

right here.  Trust me, you will love what she shows and tells all about.

Give this gal a little praise or a little Summer love!