In February, 13 years ago, I went shopping at the mall. I was very sad because in December, my very first pet, my kitty, Pebbles, had died at the age of 18. I didn't even get to say goodbye to him. He had been with me through thick and thin, moved with many times. As I walked around the mall, I went by one of those pet stores. I hate those stores as they make me feel so horrible for the puppies  and because of where they most likely came from. But one little puppy caught my eye. Being very sad, I decided to go in and say hello to her. The next thing I know, I was leaving with Pepper.

(Pepper a few days after I brought her home)

Yesterday we had to make the difficult decision to put her down. Just a little more than a week ago, she was fine and dandy. I have video of her running around in the snowstorm on Saturday. By Sunday, she was breathing hard. Monday an Xray should an enlaraged heart. Diagnosis, Congestive heart failure. She was put on medicine to see if it could be controlled. But by yesterday, it was clear that it was time for her leave us. Such a sad and diffcult thing to do. She was the momma bear to our 2 others, Gracie and Kashie. Now it seems so strange to not have her here with us. 

I suppose that's the hardest part of being a pet owner, is having to say goodbye. She left us with many fond memories and funny stories. 

Artful Gathering blog hop starts today!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2013 Online Art Retreat

Open for Registration

Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2013, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share our knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a $200 gift certificate towards an Artful Gathering 2013 online video workshop(s).

(Gift certificate applicable to workshops only and does not apply towards kits or dvds).

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those participants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words.
   
   
2. Only one winner will be randomly drawn from the list of participants who have collected all the secret words.
   

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawing!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing
Nancy Malay

http://www.nancymalay.blogspot.com/

;

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

Newtown, CT

On Tuesday, I went on a pilgrimage from New Jersey to Newtown (about 2.5 hours away). I was involved with a group of artists (over 600 of us!) that made Hope flags to be sent to Newtown to pay our respects and to let them know we care. The flags are currently on display at the public library, which was my first stop. I wanted to see them in person as I know many of the artists involved. It was so wonderful to see them strung up in the library for anyone to view and appreciate. I was so happy to see them.

After the library I met up with a fellow facebook friend and local resident, Sally McDonald. We checked out the old municipal building where more things sent to Newtown were located. Then we took a drive over to the new municipal complex where the main bulk of all the donations sent to the town are out for viewing. There are hundreds and hundreds of letters, banners, gifts, origami chains, drawings and more. They are in the hallways on tables and viewers are welcome to look through everything. I took many photographs. After dropping off, I did more driving around the area to take pictures of anything in particular that called to me. Another group decorated wood stars and hung them up on telephone poles all around the area. I enjoyed seeing those.

Then I began my drive back home. While the trip was emotional and tiring, it  also found it uplifting and inspiring.

here's a little video I did of some of my photos from my trip:






While I was there, I also abandoned this piece of art. Abandoning art is another group I belong to where we abandon our art with a note of goodwill and love to the finder. there is also an email on the tag in case the finder wants to let us know it was found:

Yard sale: a video short by kecia and jane (kitN & buNy)

Random Arts painting class April 13th & 14th

I'm happy to announce that I've been asked to teach my painting


style at Random Arts. I just taught there in Oct and it is the 



greatest little set up. Roomy and comfortable and a store on hand 

 to buy your supplies. I just love it there.




Divine Messengers

In this 2 day painting class, we will explore a variety of 

techniques for creating backgrounds. i know, I know,

everyone knows how to make a background. However, do 

you know how to make them my way? I'll show you the way 

that I work, the process that I go through as I take my

 paintings from beginning to end. We will explore beginning

 with abstract, creating great texture and then calming the

 storm by adding a focal point. I have some fun exercises 

lined up to practice ideas first before we turn to our canvas.

I can assure that you will have a lot of fun in this class! We 

will be making marks, moving color, scribbling, waxing,

burning and more! No piece of mind ever looks the same,

because in this process, it's all about non perfection and

 freedom to accept our work as it develops. 

class info:

dates: April 13th and 14th 2013

location: Random Arts, Saluda,North Carolina


please email, Jane Powell, owner of Random Arts for more 

information (randomarts@charter.net)