Precious faces

Today was our reception and it was so wonderful. It was a great turnout. Most of the kids and their family came and it was great to see them enjoy the experience. I had some wonderful feedback with the event, my photos and the program. I was so grateful for these warm and inspiring compliments. Watching the excitement on these kids faces... priceless!

Bigger than my fears

Courage is a special kind of knowledge. It's the knowledge of how to fear what should be feared and how not to fear what should not be feared. A brave mind is always impregnable. True courage is the result of reasoning. You're more important than your problems.
You're bigger than anything that can happen to you. Great things are accomplished when you believe that what's inside of you is superior to your circumstances. What you have outside you counts less than what you have inside you. Nothing external to you has power over you.

This came in my email from the daily guru. Important to remember that last line. I added the extra emphasis.
Today is the art show. Cancelled from last week due to the weather we had. LOTS and LOTS of rain here in NY. Today is beautiful. Sun is shining and it should be in the 70's.
Life is good.

Me and the Universe

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too... Whatever you can do.., begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now".
Goethe
It is commitment that moves me and the Universe to conspire together. It's actually pretty funny what happened yesterday. I have my hiking boots for Peru but needed something else. No way was I going to wear these to the airport. I needed something comfortable, easy to slip on and off but also enclosing my foot. I found a pair of earth shoes but could not find them anywhere but online... unless I wanted to travel. I didn't. So I am mulling over this for a few days, wondering if I should just order them online and if they didn't fit just send them back. In my mailbox, I get Notes from the Universe... and sometimes these messages are so friggin right on...like yesterday's. It said "Buy the shoes, Doreen" of course there was more to it, but I did. I ordered them.
Now for another commitment. Teaching. I have an opportunity to teach in a different venue than I am presently teaching in. Taking it up a notch! I am making the commitment to do this and I am observing the flow of synchronicity surrounding this commitment! Amazing!
The following is from www.tut.com

Fascinating, isn't it, Doreen, how there are those who decide upon living in abundance... and the next thing you know, they're swimming in it.
There are those who think about being more creatively fulfilled, and as if by magic, all the right steps, connections, and inspirations present themselves.
And then there are those who simply want more friends, laughter, and song, and their life becomes a celebration.
Mind you, I didn't say everyone. Some want these things, they even want them real "bad," but they simply don't put themselves within my reach by physically preparing the way, acting "as if," or "buying the shoes."
Buy the shoes, Doreen - The Universe

Isn't life Grand?!

Done!

I finished mounting the art and photos. I have the 3 dimensional work to put into the case on monday and hang the boards. I like what I have. The photos look great. I think there are 18 boards. I forgot to take pictures, but will on monday before I bring them over. For now, I feel great, extremely satisfied. It has been an intensive week and I can relax.
I am getting really excited now for the reception.

I've been preparing the boards for the show. I should be finished with them tomorrow. First we go to the accountant.
I laid out 3 boards ready to mount the work and photos. I like the way it is coming out and it was nice spending time today putting this together. I finally got to match up names with faces because of the photos. These kids are the cutest! I've got some great shots.
John picked up the invitations. Some will be mailed out, some given to Debbie. They are not exactly how I wanted them, but they will do.
I do love the rest of it. I'll put up some photos of the boards tomorrow after I take some pictures.
John had pointed out to me how great the space was that I get to work in. I can go into this room and not be bothered. It was so peaceful working today. Listening to music and doing what I love. I really love doing this and it makes me want to put together a book of these kids, projects, the quotes.
It was brought about because Lola wanted the kids to be part of Youth Art month but the space was limited and it wasn't appropriate. Instead, the idea came about to do it in April because Ginny said it was the month, maybe a week, of the Young Child. Unfortunately we never got it off the ground and Ginny passed on. So last year I did it in memory of her. Every time I put the "Follow your Bliss" guote on board, I think of her.
This year, I did snowmen with the kids. Ginny loved snowmen and with that board I put a quote on the effect we have on children.
I have put in many hours of work this week. Between the mural, the exhibit and tax prep... I am looking forward to my vacation.

Fun Flowers for Spring!

Our textured flowers completed our 10 week session and now it's time to put it together. I have so enjoyed working with these kids. The group expanded with the last few classes with about 27 kids coming. Now it is time to put the work together with the photos and quotes. I will work on it this week along with getting prepared to do the library mural. I only get to work 3 days for the mural but can work til 4. One day I'll hang the show and one day I will actually have off! Then my full attention will be on Peru!

Kelly's world

I have a student in class. I see her as an assemblage artist - although creativity in general seems to come very easy to her. She doesn't hesitate and overthink things...She loves to play. You can see the joy in her art. She loves to rummage through my closet, picking and choosing things that I normally would not allow other students to do. Mostly because I am afraid of avalanches!
This is what I love about working with children. They are not afraid. They can see possibilities that I would never have thought of.

crafty chica :-)

In one of my emails today was this inspiring link http://www.myspace.com/craftychica
wow. how does one go about doing all that on the web? From there you can see her website too. Very inspiring. Cool crafts too. I have one of her books on making shrines.

Youth Art Month

March is Youth Art Month. We celebrate this in our town by displaying children's art in the Town House and Library. I am the chairperson on the Council for the Arts that coordinates this program. It's our 27th year. There are 11 teachers from public and private schools that participate from grades K-12. It is an amazing program with amazing teachers that bring out the talent in these students.
Although it is work and can be challenging at times, I am honored and priviledged to do this.
Yesterday, as I looked at one students work, I was transported back in time to when she was a student of mine in elementary school. Now she is a senior in High School and her work graces the cover of our invitation and program. There are many of these students that have passed through my classes, watching them go from playdough to canvas. It is such a joy to see how they have grown and how their artistic talent has blossomed. I'm honored to have played a small part in their lives.
Kudos to the art teachers who have worked hard in putting the art together.
The art is fabulous!

More Space

I had to laugh at this one today ~ me to a T:

Here's the Story of the Day:
More Space
convinced she can do everything she's ever dreamed of with just a little more space

and then this came too:

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ® © www.tut.com ®
Or bantering some gibberish, Doreen, when showing off your new spacious, organized studio for People Magazine.

Space, I guess is the theme of the day, so I'll clean my artroom and make some space!

Model magic

Clay was the material we used today. I let them play around with model magic - different colors and then they could add some pipe cleaners, beads, eyes. They mostly went for flat, pressing the clay into the board. Some piled it up, piece upon piece. I expected them to mix the colors more than they did too.

It'a all about love.

This was our project for Valentine's Day.
I gave them the tubes which I have been collecting and the mat board pieces that Igor gave me.
Pulled out all my pink, red and white beads and chenille and there you have it! Added these foam stickers at the end. They sure love beads.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!!!!YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

A blur but I love the pink hands.

Valentine Collages

More of those mat boards put to work...
Valentine's Day collages.
It's all about LOVE !

Art class -texture collage

Some photos of yesterdays class. I love the intense concentration they have while working and observing the choices they make. They are so free in their approach, but also very deliberate.

I can fly!

Another fun project was taking their pictures and making some fanciful art from them. You can be anything you want........

Pillow art

The kids painted on some fabric that was given to me and I sewed them up into pillows. Yesterday they embellished them. Not something you'd want to put your face to, but a lot of fun to make.

Art class - Boxes

Getting used to the new set up with "my pictures". Here goes.

These are the boxes the kids worked on in class. They really got into them. Fun to watch them work on them, gathering stuff. Helps me clear out the closet too.

New Year and new projects

A new year with some new projects. New Beginnings.
A mural for a library in a school. Metal project. But I also need to complete some projects. It's time to finnish up some old stuff. According to numerology, this is a 4 year for me:

Numerology Four Personal Year: Form and Focus
The Four Personal Year in Numerology represents organization, continued development, and focus. You may feel a bit restricted in some ways this year, but keep in mind that rewards from your applied efforts lie just ahead. You are asked to be resourceful and to expand your preconceived limitations. This is a foundation year, so you may actually complete many of the "loose ends" (uncompleted projects) in your life.
You are also creating a solid personal inner foundation. You may want to do some weeding and feeding in the belief department! Write a long list of all the beliefs you have about yourself. Make one list for the positive beliefs and one for the negative beliefs. See how many you can come up with.
Look at the negative beliefs first. Ask yourself if they continue to serve you. If so, keep them on your list. (We will get to them in a minute.) If not, acknowledge that you thought of them, make a decision to let those thoughts go, and then cross them off your list.
Now acknowledge the beliefs that you really like about yourself! Next to these beliefs write a examples of where you see these qualities in your life. Celebrate them and give yourself some acknowledgment since these beliefs are part of your solid foundation.
Address the beliefs that you view as negative. Look for a common thought throughout them. See if you can narrow these beliefs down into one or two negative beliefs. Next, write a present tense positive affirmation that turns this statement into a positive attribute. The purpose of this statement is to support you in changing your belief. This becomes your new affirmation. If you are unfamiliar with working with affirmations, Affirmations - Your Passport to Happiness by Anne Marie Evers is a book to get you started.
After a time that feels good to you, tackle another limiting belief by creating another affirmation. You are essentially restructuring the old beliefs that no longer serve you by transforming the energy that holds the old beliefs in place. Notice throughout the year that your inner foundation is strengthening with the new beliefs. You'll find that your new beliefs are much more accurate in relation to who you truly are today.
Take some time to also examine your environment. This is a good time to eliminate clutter, clean house, and rearrange the spaces in which you live and work. Let go of the things you have outgrown. Feng Shui can assist you in this process. An easy and helpful guidebook is, Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life, by Karen Rauch Carter.
You may also want to invest in some new "tools" to help you make progress in your life. No matter what field of endeavor you are undertaking, there are tools that can make the job more enjoyable, easier, and more efficient. Your Four Personal Year is about creating your foundation. Building a foundation requires lots of digging, building forms, mixing and pouring concrete, removing forms, and filling in the dirt. If you've tired of using only a shovel and wheelbarrow, consider upgrading to a tractor, power saw, nail gun, and cement mixer! As you create the foundation of your life, what "tools" would you like to invest in?
Continue to practice self-love. Find things you can do that engage yourself in nature. Exercise and contact with nature will help sustain your foundation. Also pay attention to your diet and what you eat. A healthy body supports a sound mind.
Finish up a projects that you started a while back. Completion, patience, and persistence are very important this year. Consider adding physical things that can give you additional support in you home, such a a new desk or better lighting. Remember to maintain the balance from your Two Personal Year and express the joy and enthusiasm that you discovered last year.

I've already invested in new tools. A new computer and printer. A new phone. A new coffee pot. Now all I need is to CLEAN OUT THE CLUTTER IN THE ART ROOM!! (wish me luck)

Christmas Past

All I want for Christmas is to laugh and eat and hang out with my family.... a week off to play with art and go exploring. Maybe into the city, go to Awakenings (cool store) and shop for a new computer.
Looking through my pictures, this one brought back a fond memory. The adventures of the flat selves. Fun stuff.
A new project for the new year is working with metal and fiber. I've decided to go back to working on some canvas but in a more experimental way.
And prepare for Machu Picchu in the Spring!!! That is so very very exciting.
Now off to see family.
Merry Christmas.
Love and Peace in the New Year.

My inspiration

My Chicken Cacciatore was a success. Besides being inspired from reading Julie and Julia by Julie Powell, Jake is an inspiration to cook as well. Jake can cook. He's one of the most creative people on this planet. Besides being able to write, draw, sculpt and play music... he can also create some amazing dishes. The key is using spices. (I discovered chinese 5 spice while making the pumkin/peanut sauce with shrimp and scallops.)
The key to my Chicken Cacciatore was marinating it in red wine. Trader Joes had chicken thighs that were deboned too. I love Traders. I also used a bit of balsamic glaze in the sauce. I let is sit overnight, letting all the flavors meld and it was perfect for Sundays dinner.

Creative cooking?

Creativity moves into the cooking arena. While eating at one of the very nice restaurants in town not too long ago, I had an idea. I love good food. I also like someone to cook for me. Here we are eating this dinner that I could very well have made myself and spending more than I had anticipated, that I came up with this idea of a cooking game. ( Trying to outdo one another with each meal)
My husband usually has dinner for me on Mondays as I come home late from teaching Yoga. Candlelight dinners! It inspired me to return the favor for when he has to come home late after a football practice or game.
I'm not that great of a cook. But I can read and follow a recipe (somewhat).
I'd rather spend the money at Trader Joes at this point and spend time at home eating a delicious meal with my hubby. AND I don't have to leave a tip.
My first recipe:
Pumpkin-Peanut Curry Noodles with Five-Spice Sheared Scallops and Shrimp.
I saw Rachel Ray cook this and I knew I had to make this.
Don't let the name of the dish scare you. It wasn't hard to make at all. Shopping was the hardest part. What the hell is Five Spice?? I had to leave one store to shop at another where I found it, but then they didn't have the Patak curry paste. But my sister did!
It was a very gratifying Halloween Treat.
And I felt good about it - an accomplishment. The same feeling I usually have after making a piece of artwork that came out better than I expected.
Art and now cooking?? Will wonders never cease.....

Halloween Window Painting

Halloween Window Painting... another year done! It turned out to be a pretty decent day too. Weather held up and it wasn't too cold. I think everyone had a great time and that is all that matters... it make it all worth the time and effort.
Got a chance to meet Joe too :-)

Creative for others

Although it is not my own art, it was a big creative project. It's Halloween Window Painting. Over 300 children came out to paint windows in town. These are some of my favorites and I have not gotten a chance to see all of them. I love how the cat crackled.
It's a lot of work and glad it's over - I can have some of my life back!
In art class, we've been making masks. I made a 6x6 for fun too. Didn't get to finish it though...
I have so much in my head. Hopefully I can get some of it materialized today.

Painting the World

In art class friday, we made characters. I gave them the option of making them for Halloween or not. Some of the kids are getting into cheerleading, so that was their focus. But Jacob painted the world. I laughed when he said he was going to paint the world. "Hey, that's my job! You want tho help?" The class got a big kick out of this as we began talking about painting the world....
I have a special fondness for this Jacob as he reminds me of my Jacob. Imagination exemplified!

Painting furniture for now.

I started the desk yesterday. I stared at it long enough before picking up the brush. Once I did though I was on a roll until I had to leave for class. Pictures will have to wait.
Worked a little more on the kitchen hutch. Not so sure I went with the right picture because it doesn't go, colorwise. But hey, maybe that will all change too.
I am very happy painting furniture. I could do this forever.

a boy and his dog

This is a picture of Jake and Rauch'n. One thing I saw was how much love is between them and how good Jake is with his dog. It is a lesson in unconditional love. It is a good lesson and one we could all practice more of with humans. Why do we find it easier with animals? But I say look at how someone treats their pets and it will tell you a lot about them.... their soul.

Refreshed!

We are back from vacation, although we are still on vacation.... which means I can focus on some art. I have come to the conclusion that I need to be in a place that has more trees than people.
I think everyone is friendlier there because they have more space... breathing room and fresher air too!
It's more colorful there. I took pictures of Tannersville and Woodstock. If you're in Tannersville, you should check out Maggie's Crooked Cafe... Delicious.
I did some art but spent most of the time behind the camera and just refreshing myself with new ideas. Found some great fabric in Woodstock too. A new gallery called Lotus Fine Art opened in Woodstock and Jamie who owns it was a student of Ulla Darni. She does reverse glass painting and it is eye candy to the 100th degree. I bought a small piece to hang in the window. She's affordable unlike Ulla's work, at least for now....
Now. The Power of Now is the book I took with me. I bought this book about 4 years ago on vacation in the Catskills. I would like it to be easier to be in the moment and not worry so much or rehash the same old stuff. What brings me into the present like nothing else??? Art. Creating. Making stuff.

Mystery solved

I always wondered how they got the rocks to balance. I thought maybe some glue or something. The magic is... tiny little pebbles placed at crucial positions. I always am intrigued by these sculptures and one of my watercolor drawings, Water Walkers, was inspired by them. (on the other blog).
Another temporary art form.

Self Portrait

Camp wipes me out.
I do have a young CIT that helps me. She's very quiet which I actually appreciate. She helps when I ask and sometimes even takes the initative. She's very sweet, and I see her spark of creativity. She likes to create and I leave her to do some creative work as much as I could.. She created this pocket book. This week she started on another one.