Yay!  I am being featured on Noah Scalin's "Make something 365" website http://makesomething365.blogspot.com!  Totally cool.  The story goes...... 4 years ago I took Cole, just 2 months old, to Noah Scalin's skull a day show at Chop Suey Books.  I was so inspired by the show and the multitude of pieces that I made a mental note to follow the project.  Two years later, I was living in a one bedroom apartment with a then 3 year old, in Manchester, Richmond, VA and began dedicating 30 minutes a day to a drawing.  

With a second pregnancy in tow and a new marriage, life quickly got the better of me and I didn't continue my 30 minute a day drawings.  Then my mother in law was visiting and saw a postcard with Noah Scalin's name on it.  She mentioned she knew his mother and after a quick google search, I found she indeed did!  

So these were too many connections made not to jump on the opportunity to contact Noah through Linkedin and he invited me to be featured on his blog.

It's super fun to myself on someone's else's site, especially given the nature of the project.  Check it out and get inspired!  http://makesomething365.blogspot.com/

Create something about you!

My oldest son, 4.5 (the half is important!) Cole Sebastian is a chip off the old blocks!  His father is an artist like me and the apple didn't fall far from the tree!  He is constantly giving me feedback, keeping my eyes and heart open and unknowingly pushing me to do my best.  I once asked him if he liked a gray and dark blue painting I had just finished.... His response?
"Oh no mommy, oh no.  Don't use just gray again.  Don't never, ever, ever do that again!" --
and I haven't!  I appreciate the eyes of the innocent mini-artiste!

His latest obsession?  Bob Ross, the painter featured on PBS whose television series focused on simple color selections, and a short list of tools used within a framed time limit.   Bob Ross was also known for his spirited nature and use of expressions and "life-isms" while painting (see bobrossquotes.com).   

We visited the art supply store yesterday and passed an aisle with Bob Ross Paints.  Cole busts out "Todd Ross- he's the greatest painter ever!".  Taken aback and laughing on the inside at the sheer grandness and pure honesty of Cole's statement, I plainly said, "You mean Bob, honey?".  

Cole's response?.... " Yes, mommy, " pointing to the sign, "that man right there--the best painter in the world".  

Cole must watch this program at his father's and oddly enough, it is also one of my mother's favorite shows.  I may have a more subjective opinion toward him being the best painter in the world ever, but I have to say, I enjoy him too!

In tribute to my son and Mr. Bob Ross here is a short video of his work for your enjoyment and curiosity.  Kids are great!

I've been keeping up this blog and website for only about a month now but I've been working on my 1 piece of art a day, project for about 3 months.  Some pieces are great and I've featured here before and some pieces are just quick whimsies of my mind or learning experiences. Here are my latest!  The bottom left is "Mr. Fuzzy" that I made for my 4 year old.  He loves it and I get rid of old yarn scraps!

“I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.”
― Anaïs Nin

8/25/13  The event was great without any hiccups except for maybe the rain.  Cole and Chris came and someone gave Cole his raffle winning--a little stuffed bear which made Cole's night.  Zaiden behaved and I didn't win any prizes but I sure hope something sells!  It was a nice experience seeing my paintings on the wall.  What a great beginning to this art journey!  Tomorrow, orientation at Henrico Schools and I'm stopping by Epoch to drop off some paintings.  I'm being paged for story time, so I'll share more later!

Yay!!!  Tonight is the reception for Art Works gallery, my first art show since college and I'll have Cole, Zaiden, Keith and Chris there with me!  The only thing that could make me happier is if my sisters were miraculously there too! Tonight will be the payoff for vacuuming the entire carpet at Art Works yesterday.  I think I wore myself out on volunteering!

I can't wait to see all of the kids and other artists and their families there to celebrate their work.  Its going to be so fun!  I'll have pictures tomorrow!

Last night was a great fun event at Mojos in Richmond, VA!  Art on Wheels sold raffle tickets for 4 pieces of rock 'n roll styled art pieces, art "kits" for easy "to dos" with your kids (or yourself! ) and tote bags, mostly in tribute to local Richmond artists and of course, welcomed donations!

Art on Wheels is a Richmond, VA non profit that brings "art programming to communities with limited access to the arts"  http://www.artonwheels-va.org/.

I started volunteering with Art on Wheels this year and it has been a great opportunity to participate in the healing arts. 
Check out their website to see more, donate and sign up to volunteer!