OF COURSE I ATE TOO MUCH.

Meme and Laurel

Wayne and I were fortunate enough to be invited over to  St. Cloud, Fl. to share Thanksgiving dinner at our daughters in law's home. The weather was perfect so we ate out on their wrap around porch with all the traditional foods. My green bean casserole had beans that did not cook completely but tasted good and Amy’s sweet potato dish was runny but delicious. Who cares.

The two grand kids ran from pillar to post; wish I could harness their energy and infuse it 

into me. Ahh, I had my time so let them have theirs. 

Even better we get to host the gang for Christmas at our house. First book the house cleaner, shop for food and then cook my happy little heart out. 

I do hope you all had a warm Thanksgiving with whom ever brings smiles to your life.

AN INVITATION TO MY RECEPTION AT GALLERY 14

     Please, please join me at Gallery 14  for a reception of all the artists that have entered the Gallery's "Our Beautiful Waters" exhibit.

                                               Reception- December 2, 2016, 5:00-8:00pm
                                               Gallery 14 on 14th Ave.,Vero Beach, Florida
                                               Show runs December 1-30, 2016

     The paintings have to reflect the waters of Florida and the tropics or the life or environment found therein. Well I think my Sea Gull fits the bill. It is a beautifully framed watercolor with rice paper over lays.

Hope that gives you a sneak peeked of what is in store:)

OPPS, I DID IT AGAIN!

 I ordered a DVD thinking I was getting a tutorial on using mixed media in art to create a quilt like painting. It is just like me to read then see what I want to hear and see. Think I was drawn in by the pretty picture on the cover of the DVD.

 Pay attention Mary Ellen!

I watched it twice and thought the idea could be translated into mixed media paper art. Why waste a good DVD so I sent it along to my daughter's mother in law because she is an avid quilter. The other good thing was taking my stash of scrapbooking papers to experiment using Beryl Taylor techniques.

#1

#2

#3 

I like #1 the best, #3  seems disjointed and #2 is down right blah.
Now what do I do with these samples? It will have to be a collage of some sort but I will have to wait until the idea goddess shines down on me.

MY SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

     Ten years ago my husband and I moved to Florida for the warmth and sunshine. I've never regretted the move but a piece of my heart is still in Glen Arbor and Traverse City, Michigan.  I became the office manager for the Glen Arbor Art Association and showed my art work in a small local gallery. Those years cemented my determination to pursue an artistic future.

     After five years of absence I flew back to see friends and to see the beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. The forests and hills spoke to me in a deep way, they reminded me of Pennsylvania where I was raised. Another great reason to fly back is our son who lives and works in Traverse City.

     We scheduled  our visit the exact day that Hurricane Matthew (Cat. 4) struck near Vero Beach. That plan did not work for obvious reasons so we rebooked for the end of October. I took the one winter coat that I still have left and have not worn in ten years, socks, no sandals please, long pants with layers of tops. Again I saw my dear friend Barb and we took a sentimental drive to see the my former house and few of the places that were dear to me. Barb and I ate at Art's Tavern where the hamburgers are fantastic. Funny how much of what I remembered was the same; thank you Michigan for not changing everything in my absence.

     OK, now to the art work I have pictured above. Barb and I ran with two other red hat ladies with whom we frequently went out for lunch.  One of our favorite spots was Amacal Restaurant on Front Street. It is upscale cuisine with the old world brick wall charm. Wayne and I ate at Amaval on our last night in Michigan, I even had a glass of wine. Every time I  go to Amacal  I look for this piece of art work hanging on their wall. It was still there!!!! It took so many years for me to recognize that this is my style and to begin painting in the expressionistic manner that I have always admired.

What took me so long?