Surroundings

Cold and snowy outside.

Warm and colorful at my board.

Back to work!

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! 

Shhhhhhhhh...

Shhhhhhhhhhh...

Can you hear that?

Listen.

 Carefully.

 

It's quiet...

 Back to work.

Back to work.

Bad Mommy Moment Number 1,498,256,003

While driving in the car with my daughter I said, "This has been a long winter break--- I thought you went back to school on Monday, but not until Wednesday?"

My daughter, "Yep, Wednesday".

Me, "Wow.... Wednesday?".

"Yep".

"Wednesday? Uch".

"Uch?????!"

"I didn't mean "Uch"".

"But you said, "Uch"! You meant "Uch!"

"No, no I didn't mean "Uch"... um... I didn't... really... ?"

"Uch."

A word of advice to all over- stressed moms who have had meals, and laundry, and company, 

 and santa, and, and, and...

choose your gutteral sounds wisely.

 Happy New Year!

Peace!

This Busy Time...

Oh aren't we all just crazy busy?

Decking the halls and fa-la-la-la-la-ing?

I have artwork due and have been spending a lot of time in my studio. At least I'm not alone. Here's a picture of my assistant. It is his job to follow me to the studio, curl up like a large, puffy kitten, and sleep on his bed under my board. After all, he's very tired after a long morning of resting.

More soon, but for now I'm trying to...

Slow down.

Remember.

Enjoy.

It is what it is.

Studio Shots #3

Feeling a bit of sensory overload lately. Every thing seems so much...

So much color outside.

So much color inside.

So much to do.

So much to be grateful for.

So much.

Back to Work, Studio Shots #2

My parents just left after a wonderful visit. I miss them.

They're off on a big adventure. Taking the train and traveling west to Yellowstone Park.  They are truly inspirational. 

So, I said goodbye this morning.

 Wiped the little tears from my eyes and looked around my studio.

 Back to work.