unveiling the mother's day print

Step three!

Itty Bitty Fundraiser

In hopes of getting to my VSC summer painting residency I am painting itty bitty canvasses and selling them for $12 each during my studio party on the 8th of May.

relaxing near the water

It has become important for me to get to the water every weekend. Once there I am able to relax and forget about all my to-do lists... for a little while.

This doodle is from poolside at Uncle Pat's place. You can see the Skyway bridge from there.

Carving a mother's day print

Peacock mother's day print step 2

Each chick reflects the personality of one of my advisees.

Giving away money

The Cowles Charitable Trust gave away  $1,094,750 in 2013. And about the same last year. I am not exaggerating. It's not my money, but I get to give it away! It's an honor to be a trustee and, after reading all the grant proposals, to know you are helping great (but small) organizations do their part to improve the world.

So tonight I have to peel my eyelids back and pour through a stack of proposals ranging from protecting civil liberties to supporting museums, medical centers, research institutes, and covering general operating budgets of musical conservancies and art centers, and backing shelters and prison reform, bringing poetry and printed words to the under served, schools, camps, temples, radio stations, and workshops... The list goes on.

The lofty-in-the-sky goals I feel the CCT covers are the needs of the gravely ill, the children, the poor and disenfranchised. It also funds those who have the power in our media to be truthful, clear, and fair.

peacock muse step one

Cut and print a linoleum rectangle.

It may take me days to get back to the studio.

Peacock muse

Just looking up...

from where I park my car everyday.

My least favorite words are , "Watch this"

He is brave and not afraid of spiders. So he could not resist plunging his arm into the soft looking peat-like hedge at the edge of the art event.  He wanted me to follow suit, but I declined.

 Seems that I am a lot more cautious and conservative. After all, this is a wild place, full of spiders and invasive species of snakes. Also, we were at a public event, and I didn't want to risk breaking out in hives.
I know my reticence can be boring. When I came home with my new leased vehicle last fall, he asked me why I hadn't gotten some brighter color edition. I had leased a black car. "Now you will blend in with everybody else", he said. "Exactly!," said I. I want to blend in with everybody else!
I am attracted to the reckless, but I beg to differ when it comes to my own actions.

Forensics at Viscaya

A fun evening learning about Deaccessioning and basic record keeping for the collection in this Miami historic home. The conservator, Lauren, led us through an analysis of condition of several items. This evening was part of a series of small events held at Viscaya for under $15. I swear it was insightful and fun. The next one is about Talking Trash and figuring out where the garbage that washes up on the shore is actually coming from. It is sure to be interesting. http://vizcaya.org/eventDetail.asp?eventID=413098

Taking Nature for a Ride

Glass sculptor and conceptualist, Dale Chihuly, has work installed in the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens and it makes for a fun Sunday walk.

Spring is apparent with butterflies and blossoms. Some of nature's own tricks really partnered with Chihuly.

Up through May 31st, 2015   The Gardens are located at 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Miami, FL 33156

(305) 667-1651 for more information.

Egg play

I've been dyeing to decorate some eggs. Last night, after attending an amazing Operatic Sacred Cantata, "The Seven Last Words of Christ", at St Thomas Episcopal Parish, Michael and I felt  a bit somber and downcast. We were debating the constancy of Sin through Time. Casting about for a ray of hope, (that should come when we celebrate Easter on Sunday), we were compelled to meditate on the spring egg. There is such promise in an egg. It is a perfectly packaged seedling. Armed with crayons, glue, sharpies, dyes, plant scraps, pots, pans, and a dozen Jumbo eggs, we played side by side until past midnight ignoring all other reasoning.

Here is what we found in the morning... a colorful tray of eggs and giant blossoms on the porch!

Life is amazing. It keeps on going in spite of our dramas. And I'm so lucky to have a friend like Michael. He is a lot of fun and willing to try new things and go new places or just stay home.