Poodle Love

Have a very happy one!!!!

xoxoxo

Illustrated Me

I just hung my "illustrated me" doorknob hanger on the door to my studio.

This week, fellow illustrator Claudia McGehee and I did a presentation at the Iowa City Public Library. We spoke about what it's like to be freelance illustrators and did this craft with the kids. 

There were an awful lot of talented young illustrators in attendance!

This is Oliver, our big poodle. He wasn't at the Library, but he's often in my studio. 

A Happy Holiday and Grant Wood's Studio

What a merry Christmas we have had!

As always, the tree was adorned with what might now be termed 'vintage' ornaments.

By that I mean, ornaments that were mine when I was little.

A dear friend added to my Connie Roberts carved Santa whistle collection.

And my parents drove from Pennsylvania on Christmas Day.

Saturday was a gloriously frozen day to go to Cedar Rapids and visit Grant Wood's studio.

I found it astounding to stand in the exact spot, 

on the exact floor,

in the exact tiny house, 

that such spectacular artistic masterpieces were painted.

I thought about how much artwork I (gratefully) have to do right now, and how I find it

 nearly impossible to work when the kids are on break and home in the house.

So how is it that Grant Wood managed to work,

to paint, 

to create,

to concentrate,

in this tiny one room loft----

With his mother and sister living right there with him?

Did they peer over his shoulder at what he was painting?

Did they ask where the cereal was?

And to explain why that grumpy man was holding a pitchfork?

It was a spectacular experience. 

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has done a beautiful job of preserving and presenting

 the legacy of Grant Wood.

My parents left this morning, which always makes me sad.

But I'm grateful, for the warm memories of a wonderful visit.

Happy New Year! 

Not How I Envisioned It.

I stood in the doorway early this morning and snapped this picture. He was so close. In hindsight I wonder if he was thinking... 

it's time.

As I took several steps forward to let Oliver out for his 'morning routine', I was nearly struck in the head by a flapping, flailing, screeching, ruckus! I was so startled and taken aback by the chaos which immediately ensued that it took me a few seconds to realize that the little bird had flipped out of the nest and was cartwheeling across the patio. Oliver thought he would be a delightful toy and set out to catch him. Meanwhile, I, in my pajamas, leapt about trying to simultaneously corral the curious poodle, and avoid the baby's swooping, screaming, hysterical parents.

They ushered their little one across the yard. He didn't fly, but he tried. An ungraceful duck-like lurch and lunge and then he was gone into the bushes. The parents cried for a bit and then... 

quiet.

Papa robin began pecking for breakfast. Mom resumed her perch on the tree branch. And their baby went off to fend for himself.

I had envisioned two teen robins standing at the edge of their nest. Testing their wings. Flapping and feeling the air lift from below. Gaining the courage and confidence to fly off into the sky. 

But it's never quite how we think it's going to be. It's not usually when we think it's going to happen. 

And most often, it's rather unexpected.

I can't help this time of year to see my morning adventure as a metaphor. Graduations, families, illness, life. 

Never quite how we envision it. 

Embroidered Oliver

This is Oliver. 

He is our big, goofy, white, Standard Poodle.

  This is his portrait which looks just like him, done in fabric and stitchery by the very talented artists at Home ec. in Iowa City.

 

Not only does it look like him, they've really captured his personality. 

Love it!!!!!!!!

 

Thank-full

What a beautiful, beautiful Thanksgiving we have had here. These dusky prairie pics were taken on Thanksgiving eve at a state park. 

No need to adjust the 'contrast' on the camera. Nature provided the perfect juxtaposition of colors and textures.

 I'm a little late, but Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Diversity

We're just back from a wonderful family vacation. When I downloaded our pictures, I was struck by the diversity of the things we saw and did.

We were awed by the magnificent Sculpture garden in Washington D.C.

In New York we were the only ones at the Old Bethpage Living History Museum.

It was a misty, dreary day, but the lighting was beautiful.

This is a very old, carved meerschaum religious picture. I've used small ones as pendants in necklaces. The detail is stunning.

This is the tailor's house. I learned that it was commonplace to sit on the table to cut and pin the fabric.

Although my niece plugged her nose and thought he was smelly, I thought smelly or not,  he looked pretty darn happy!

.

Kayaking in Pennsylvania. 

And the Griswold finale?...

 Someone got a little confused.

: )

Shhhhhhhhh...

Shhhhhhhhhhh...

Can you hear that?

Listen.

 Carefully.

 

It's quiet...

 Back to work.

Back to work.