more painting

ever since Pam was here, I've been really practicing my painting techniques that she taught. it's been fun to explore using them in my own way. this was a page in my journal that i had started out by with some spray painting (did that a few weeks ago).

randomly i painted in a face and as i was painting the white in, i felt the stuff around her face looked like hair, so i just incorporated it instead of painting in hair. to me, the orange blob on her blouse looked like a koi , so that is why a random koi fish is swimming across the page!

Irene has come and gone with minimal damage. we were very very lucky as we didn't even lose our power (we are usually the first to go!) I am so grateful for that because Tucker requires suctioning and we just don't want to not have power, ya know? someone was watching over us for sure.

Irene is coming

we are bracing for hurricane Irene to hit the jersey shore some time tomorrow (i've heard the worst will be late in the night on saturday). we've batten down the hatches the best we can, gassed the cars, generator on standby, lots of water on hand. all we can do at this point is wait.

Pam Carriker's class

last weekend, Pam Carriker was here to teach us a class on painting portraits. I can't give away any of her secrets, but she made painting a portrait very easy and enjoyable! we had a great time. She came in for a quit hit as she's just made a big move from Minnesota to Dallas and her young son started school this week. She's still in the middle of unpacking, so I wanted to give a big thank you to her for coming out to teach us in the middle of all that! I hope to see her again in the spring when i drive cross country. I'll be looking for artsy friends to stay with along the way (driving from New Jersey to California!)

mr husband

tonight jeff made a little comment about how i never mention him on my blog (do husbands want to be on their wives blogs?) anyway, i decided to sneak out while he was hanging lights up on the camper to show him working hard.

lending my touch to The Nest

ive been busy getting ready for Pam Carriker, who is coming to teach a class on Saturday.

she'll be staying in "The Nest" (aka, the camper). we've had the camper for about 4 years now and i've just left it as it came(meaning i didn't pimp it up!). initially it was suppose to be a spot where my husband could go and chill (a man camper). but he wasn't using it, so i decided to start using it as a guest house. it's great for when friends come to visit or if i am hosting an instructor. (Michael deMeng will stay here in October)

in September, a few friends are coming to stay with me, so it got me thinking about putting my artsy touch on the camper. so that's what i have been doing for the last few days. i've brought in some art, some vintage items, added some vintage linens, made a new curtain for the back room (the curtain acts as a door).

i also made a cool banner and today i created this wall hanging to pump up one of the plain walls. ive been having fun.

it was that time

kashie was spayed yesterday. poor little guy was so miserable last night. he's still a little wibbley wobbley, but he's been outside, had a little bit to eat and drinking water. will spend the next few resting and recuperating.

Millicient

ive been wanting to make some rag doll type teddy bears (mainly so i could make them so cute dresses!)

so here is my first one. need to work on my facial stitching, but otherwise, she's pretty cute!

My own muse........

this morning, out of the blue, my friend and fellow artist, Kimberly Moore, sent me a message that she had painted this muse for me. just for me! i feel so honored and am just tickled by the unexpected gesture.

thanks so much, kim - so sweet.

On my worktable- parts of a whole

this is a section from something i am working on - a possible class.

almost home

we left Maine yesterday. we spent the night in Connecticut since i couldnt drive a minute more. at the moment, we are currently broke down off the Garden State Parkway within an hour of home.

i was motoring along and i started getting vibes about the car. it felt strange, so i got in the slow lane and slowed down. then the steering wheel locked up, fluid starting flying and the engine started steaming. luckily we were very close to a rest stop. i feel very fortunate as worse things could have happened.

gotta go, tow truck is here!

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update: we are home safe and sound. truck is on its way to my mechanic. some good Samaritans took a look at my car while waiting for the tow truck and they both guessed that the water pump broke. the fluid leaking all over was coolant.

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in other news:




My article for Wild Sister Magazine is out! Wild Sister is a new online magazine, created to empower women. This is their 2nd issue.

"Created and written by artists, poets, travelers, coaches, muses and bloggers; each issue breathes love, truth, wisdom, inspiration and empowerment into the lives of women everywhere".

To purchase your online copy ($5), go HERE. Let them know that kecia deveney directed you to their magazine, as I will receive credits for my readers. (thanks) My article is on page 28, it is just one of many wonderful contributions. A few of you have already contacted me about my article. As usual, I appreciate the support and feedback!