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!

Variation on a theme...

As things go, I have a favorite drawing from my morning of sketching at the Garrison Art Center on Monday. Here is the second in the series featuring this sketch..."Viva la Vida", 8"x4", acrylic.

I am also finding that there are certain colors I seem to like these days. Not necessarily a bad thing except that after awhile everything starts to look the same. But I am happy with this version of the sketch and am looking forward to the version done in oil. Now it is just a matter of finding the time to dedicate to an oil painting for it is truly a labor of love.

Have a wonderful week and happy creating!

La Vida

So, I gave into my craving last night...a lovely pastel if I do say so myself. La Vida, 7.5"x3.5", pastel on paper.

I was still a bit cranky today since I still want to PAINT!! But at least I was able to draw last night. It was just what I needed so I think maybe another one for tonight.

Have a great night and happy creating!

Back to Work

Today, was the first work day of the new year and I was so sad. Don't get me wrong, I like my job and the people I work with, in fact this is one of the nicest jobs I have had. But today I didn't want to work, I wanted to paint! After such a wonderful day of drawing at the GAC yesterday it was so hard to get back into reality. Even now, as I sit here and type...my eyes wonder to my sketchbook and my heart yearns to do just one quick drawing. But alas, I know that there is no such thing as one quick drawing so the dilemma becomes give into my craving to create or do what I need to do in order to be ready for the morning?? Well maybe one quick drawing, what could it hurt and besides you only live once.

Give into your creative urges and happy happy creating!

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!

Long Live the Wicked Witch

It has been awhile since I last posted and I am sure you miss me terribly. A lot has happened over the last couple of weeks.

Let's start with the Bayside Arts Festival. It was a beautiful day and the area was lovely. I made a nice contact who gave me lots of helpful hints and I got to see my friend and meet her other half. I had not met him before so when I saw them together my first thought was "they fit together". They were my blessing that day since when you work a festival stand on your own it is kind of hard to take a break if you know what I mean. Altogether it was a good experience and I hope to do it next year.

I started my new job at the end of last week and have hit the ground running. Lots to do in not a lot of time but it is all good. I am amazed by the group I work with, the spirit of teamwork is refreshing.

My favorite little artist is still struggling with school. It feels like for every step forward we go two steps back. But we will get there. She is having a great time at soccer and karate which I hope will help her in school.

So being green one lunch at a time is going well. I am thinking of of maybe creating a Facebook fan page about it. However, there are so many days I feel like a green wannabe that it seems like it would hypocritical. Maybe one day.

Well, I am off to decorate the house for Halloween with my favorite little artist. Enjoy the wicked witch hats (hand painted notecards). Happy creating!

It's Not Easy Being Green

So, do you remember while back when I mentioned that there is a mom at my favorite little artist's school who sends her children to school with garbage-less lunches? Well, guess what...I now also send my favorite little artist to school with garbage-less lunches...well very close to it anyway :-)

I thought it would be hard but after conversation with my sister and a look at how I packed up her lunches, I realized it was do-able. All it really required was a shift in thinking. For instance, I so hate plastic shopping pages so I use re-usable bags, yet I would use plastic sandwich and snack bags everyday for lunch. Do you see the hypocrisy in that? So, lunches are now packed with all re-usable containers and it's not very hard. In fact, it is easier in some respects and now sandwiches never get squished.

So in honor of my breakthrough on the being green front, here is the picture for today, although it was done a few weeks ago, called "It's Not Easy Being Green", mixed media, 10"x12". However, the irony is that it is not as hard are we may think.

So make a little change for Mother Earth...reduce, re-use, recycle. And with that I step down from my soap box. Happy creating!

It's Friday!

I cannot believe that it is Friday! This week and last have just been a blur and to top it off I haven't accomplished everything I wanted. However, this week marked the beginning of a new beginning...I am no longer "in transition"...woo hoo. I started a new position on Thursday and am once again part of the gainfully employed.

Everything happened so fast and I am still trying to wrap my head around it. One thing I do know is that I need to continue to work on my art and building GarnetOriginals. My small little business must survive! There are some good things coming together for GO...professional pictures will soon be done and then quality greeting cards will be printed. It will be exciting to have an inventory to work with and see if any local stores will carry the cards.

Tomorrow will be an art focused day once soccer mom duty is over. My favorite little artist and I are looking forward to some quality time in the art room.

This Sunday I will be at the Bayside Arts Festival which should be lots of fun. If you are local I hope you will stop on by.

Last but certainly not least...my wonderful friend made it through her surgery and is a breast cancer survivor. Don't forget...October is breast cancer awareness month so get your pink on!

Love to all and happy creating!