One year ago....

One year ago I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and my life was altered in a way I never expected. I don't think anyone can ever be prepared for a cancer diagnosis and for me it has taken months to wrap my head around it. But you quickly learn you are stronger then you think and God (or Godess or whatever higher being you trust in) never gives you more then you can handle.

So my post today is to share with all my loved ones and friends so they can share with all their loved ones and friends information on the symptoms of ovarian cancer since there are symptoms.

From Teal Ribbon Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation:

Symptoms are often vague and easily confused with other diseases. However, new studies indicate that ovarian cancer has recognizable symptoms, even early stages of the disease. Knowing those symptoms can help save women's lives. Early recognition of symptoms is the best way to save women's lives. Symptoms include:

• Bloating or discomfort
• Feeling of fullness
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Menstrual disorders, pain during intercourse
• Backaches
• Abdominal pressure
• Indigestion and Gas
• Nausea
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath

Take action if any symptoms last more than 2-3 weeks. Early detection is key to saving women's lives If ovarian cancer is suspected, ask to see a gynecologic oncologist.

Please take care an be healthy and happy creating! And lots of art in 2013.

Memories

I remember where and what I was doing on this day 10 years ago. I remember thinking "this is not funny" at the radio station I was listening to thinking it was one of their "jokes". I remember my tears when realized it was no joke. I remember going into work without things registering properly in my brain. I remember calling my husband's job to find out where he was on assignment that day. I remember overwhelming relief to know he was not working downtown. I remember calling my mother and being concerned over the whereabouts of my brother-in-law....he was working downtown. I remember watching the events unfold on TV. I remember sister's anxiety over not knowing if her husband made it out of the city. I remember relief when we found out he was ok. I remember reaching out to friends who worked downtown. I remember relief when hearing they were ok.

I remember tears...I remember strength...I remember a spirit that could not be broken.

And today, I remember all those we lost and all those we love both here and gone.

May all of you find peace on this saddest of days.

Go with the "Flow"

Finally, some time in the studio. It wasn't a lot of time and the result is not all that great but...It was still time creating. And well, I did promise to post the picture good, bad or otherwise. This piece is really an "otherwise"...LOL

So here is "Flow", mixed media on paper. An experiment using pastels and watercolor pencils. The two media didn't really create an amazing effect but it is interesting to see what happens when you combine different flavors.

I hope you are spending some quality time in your studio and remember don't be afraid to experiment. Each supposed failure is a success...you now know how to not do something. And a lot of those lead to the best way to do something.

Till next time...happy creating!

Playdate Picnic

Studio time has been built into today's schedule. A few things to do around the house and then I am hoping my favorite little artist will join me in the art room. I promise to post whatever it is we create...good, bad or ugly for your viewing pleasure.

I had hoped to spend a little time drawing yesterday but we had a super busy morning which called for a relaxing afternoon. My sister, Joey, is a columnist and social media networking guru. She writes, she tweets, she facebooks ...she knows how to link them all up. Her pages are fun and informative and periodically we get to share in a unique experience with her.

Yesterday was Joey's littlest guy's 4th birthday and we were all invited to celebrate down at Pier 40. Why Pier 40? Well, we were guests at Playdate Picnic. It was a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday and also to get tips and ideas for future playdates and birthdays....of which my favorite little artist will be 6 in less then a week!

So for my mommy friends...check it out if you have a chance.

And now back to our regularly scheduled program...art! Stay tuned for a new piece to be posted shortly.

Happy creating!

Making Potatoes

It has been ages since I have posted anything and my poor GO (garnetoriginals) is quite neglected. I am hoping to spend some time in my studio this weekend but it seems the best laid plans...well you know how it goes.

Anyway, this post has nothing to do with art. It has to do with a story I just shared with my favorite little artist about my maternal grandparents, affectionately known as Mama and Papa. Their "real" names were Joe and Dawn. (yes, the quotes are intentional but that is a different story). This story is about about making potatoes in the oven. In our family, Mama made the best potatoes in the oven and this is how they were made:

Mama in the living room calling to Papa who is in the kitchen.

Mama: Joe, please wash and cut the potatoes for me.

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

Papa: Dawn, the potatoes are ready.

Mama: Ok, Joe, please put them in the baking pan for me. Oh, can you turn the oven on?

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

Mama: I'll be right in to season them.

Mama enters the kitchen and adds her seasonings to the cut potatoes.

Mama: Joe, please put my potatoes in the oven once it has warmed up.

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

Mama goes back to the living room and in a few minutes calls to Papa.

Mama: Joe, did you put my potatoes in the oven?

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

Mama: Ok, thank you.

Sometime passes and Mama calls from the living room.

Mama: Joe, please check my potatoes. They need to be turned.

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

A couple minutes pass...

Mama: Joe, did you turn my potatoes?

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

Some more time passes and Mama calls once again from the living room

Mama: Joe, I think the potatoes should be almost done, please check on them.

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

Mama: Are they done? Let me come check.

Mama enters the kitchen and tastes a potato.

Mama: Yes, they are done. Joe, please take them out of the oven.

Papa: Yes, Dawn.

Mama goes back to the living room. Papa follows shortly afterwards, sits next to her and kisses her cheek.

They were married for over 60 years. They had a wonderful life that produced 4 beautiful daughters, my mother is the youngest. And lived to see 13 grandchildren. Papa did not live to see great-grandchildren but Mama lived to see 11 of them.

Love to all and happy creating.

Shadows

Shadows, a play on darks and light, pastel on paper, 5"x7".

It is a variation on the previous posted piece but I just love the flow of it, soft and curvy. A lovely piece for a cold, cold, cold day.

Happy creating!

Nude

Small and sweet..."Nude", acrylic, 5"x7".

This is taken from one of the sketches I did while at the GAC on 1/3/11. Sometimes, it seems the quick, not finished or refined sketches have more life to them then the ones I do from the long poses. Sunday, 1/15/11, at the GAC the class was for the long pose, 3 hours of the same pose. It was interesting and challenging but lacked the life and interest I get from the shorter poses. I have posted a few pictures from the 1/15 class on my facebook page. Go check them out and you will see what I mean.

Well, off to make dinner which is a challenging and creative process all on its own. Happy creating!