Welcome 2011

What a fantastic way to start off the new year...an entire morning spent drawing at the Garrison Art Center (GAC). If you have never been there, you should go. It is a lovely place and they run lots of great classes. My favorite is their Drawing and Painting from Life...no surprise there. Today, they had the most amazing model, Tanya. My pieces do not do her justice and I cannot wait to attend the next class she models for.

So today, I did not have work and I was on the fence about taking the almost hour drive to the GAC to take their life drawing class. But after getting my favorite little artist off to school and my hubby heading back to bed since he is fighting a cold, I got myself together and headed out. This is a non-instructional class which allows you to open up and be creative. There is really no agenda except your own. It starts out with quick draws, a minute a piece then two then five. Barely enough time to get a line drawn on the paper. But then you find you are warmed up and you move into 10 minute poses, then 15, then 20 and at last...25. Then...poof...class is over and you are left wanting more. It is a glorious way to spend 3 hours!

I cannot wait to go back! Aside from these pieces I have a number of lovely little gems just waiting to be turned into larger pieces.

Wishing you all a fabulous 2011 and happy creating!

Winter Angel

WOW! What a difference a new camera makes. It has been awhile since I've posted a new piece of art. Today's piece is called "Winter Angel", acrylic, 6"x"9". She was the perfect item to work on during a winter snow storm. The other reason, an angel was the subject of the day is because I finally gave the other angels to my cousin so a new one is needed for greeting cards.

But about the new camera...Santa (aka my hubby) gave me a new camera for Christmas. It is amazing the difference in the pictures. Now we are working on getting the missing piece to the tripod and I will be in business...literally in business WOO HOO.

It felt great to be back in the studio yesterday. It had been so long since I painted. I am thinking maybe more painting today...

Well that is the short update for today. Stay warm, be safe and happy creating!

I Believe

The holidays are wonderful and yet, the holidays are so hard. A very wonderful friend of my mom and dad lost her husband 17 months ago to cancer. At the beginning of their journey in dealing with this disease she started a blog. The intent was to keep everyone updated on how they were doing; it was easier than trying to e-mail everyone. However, over the months as they battled together to overcome this obstacle in their lives the blog turned into something more. It became a testament of their love and commitment to each other. It is a beautiful and sad story of a journey that did not end in happily ever after.

I don't visit the blog very often, I jump in periodically to see how this lovely lady is doing. Mostly, I find the rawness of her writing overwhelming and beautiful. I read her entry late last night and it stayed with me. I thought about it throughout my morning routine and throughout my day. And then again as I began to write my blog entry.

So here is what I believe this holiday season...Life is too short to argue over gifts and who's house you should have Christmas dinner at. Spend time with those you love since you never know when they will be gone. Above all...celebrate the lives that touched yours.

And I wish for my parents' dear friend to have a wonderful holiday season and may it be filled with all the individuals in her life talking about her husband with love and laughter.

So...

I believe, I believe,
I believe in wishing wells,
But I also believe in a lot of things,
Things the daisy tells,
I believe, I believe that a four-leaf clover brings,
Lots of luck, lots of joy, lots of happiness,
I believe those things.
And when it's christmas time I believe in santa claus,
Why do I believe, I guess that I believe because
I believe, I believe,
I believe that dreams come true,
If you wish for a dream by a wishing well,
Don't tell your wish or you'll break the spell,
It may sound naive, but that's what I believe.

And when it's christmas,
I try to believe in santa claus,
Why do I believe,
I guess that I believe because
I believe, I believe,
I do believe that dreams come true,
And if you wish for a dream by the wishing well,
Don't you tell the wish or you'll break the spell,
It may sound naive,
But that's what I happen to believe.

Sang by Frank Sinatra

Happy creating!

Thanksgiving Excitement

My favorite little artist and I are once again in Lake Placid for Thanksgiving. We had a smooth drive up...no traffic and only two pit stops.

Last year, when we were up here the fire alarm went off in the hotel and we were evacuated until the fire marshall gave the all clear. This year, we once again got to see the firemen.

Our morning started out uneventful...we took a drive over to visit the Sugar Shack (totally yummy goodies, I highly recommend stopping there) then headed to my cousin #1's house. My favorite little artist and I headed in with my cousin #2's two girls in tow. No sooner did we have our shoes and coats off that my cousin #1 yelled "Everyone out of the house!" Out the door I pushed the three girls, no shoes and no coats, and to my car where they did put on their shoes and coats. Cousin #3 called 911 as cousin #1 called "the stove is on FIRE!"

By the time the firemen arrived the fire was out; however, they checked everything out to make sure that we wouldn't have any more issues. Let me tell you these firemen arrived fast but it was a small grease(?) fire that flared and fizzed out pretty quickly. Unfortunately though, not quite fast enough...it lasted just long enough to give my poor cousins #1 and #3 heart failure.

The rest of our day has been busy but uneventful. Now we are just relaxing until we get to eat and eat and eat. Thankfully, it was not the turkey that caught fire :-)

I am hoping to do a drawing or two while I am in Placid...it normally inspires me!

Happy Thanksgiving and happy creating!

Let It Snow

My favorite little artist and I had a lovely painting day on Sunday. It felt wonderful to be back in the studio. While I painted, my little one worked with clay. She experimented a bit with it to see how it worked and molded, then she created leaves.

It was so interesting to watch her work as she tried out this new medium. So like and yet so unlike play-doh. It took her a bit to figure out what she wanted to make but once she started there was no stopping her. She cannot wait for another day in the art room, so she can paint her creations.

As for me, it felt great to break out the paints and to dabble a bit in pencil. When I was an undergrad I loved working in pencil but then as time when on and I discovered paint well the poor pencils where all but forgotten about. So Sunday, I dusted off the box (the same one from undergrad and the same pencils), sharpened a few and had some fun. I may do a few more snowman cards in pencil since I liked it so much. But I also realized that they are easy to bring with me when I do one of the 3f's.

So, I asked my favorite little artist if I should do another fair and without hesitation she voiced her opinion. A resounding "NO!". Then she told I should do a home fair which is interesting since I will be doing. On December 5th, I will be hosting The Sunday Soiree, featuring art and jewelry. It should be a fun event, watch for the invite.

Well, that is all for now my friends. I promise to try and post more often and not let the "real world" derail me too much. Happy creating!

Thoughts

So, I did another craft fair yesterday and have another coming up in early December. However, the more fairs, festivals and flea markets (hahaha could just call them the 3 f's) I do, the more it is becoming clear that these are not the right venue for me. They offer good exposure but you can't really live on "oh, these are lovely". Perhaps I need something more retail...

But I just found another fair that takes place next weekend and is local. If they respond to my inquiry and the price is right I might do it.

Today, however is a painting day. My favorite little artist and I will be spending some quality time in the art room. Cleaning, cooking, shopping will have to wait for another day.

Enjoy this lovely Sunday and happy creating!

Reality

My poor, neglected GarnetOriginals...being back to work at a real job and all my art projects become second class citizens. I don't necessarily want it to be that way but I am just unable to create after working. My tired brain does not focus and I am lucky I can string two words together. It has even been ages since I posted to my lovely blog. But really who wants to read about open enrollment and carrier renewals!

But all is not lost, I will be at a craft fair this weekend. I'll post the invite to my facebook page. However, if I am to be completely honest, I am not prepared. I have some items but I don't know if I will be able to sell enough to make back the entrance fee.

Well, that is all for now since the last thing I want is for this to feel forced. My blog should flow freely but tonight I just think it is dammed up...

All my love and happy creating!