Trying to Find My Place

I've been spending more time in my art journal lately -- with notably mixed results.

Napkin, gouache, paper, gesso

I've been including a mix of things there but mostly collage and paint -- gouache and fluid acrylic with a bit of watercolor pencil thrown in.

Gouache, india ink

I think one of my big challenges -- in addition to working on drawing skills -- is finding my own style. It's rather elusive, but then I suspect I need to draw more before the style emerges.

Gouache, watercolor pencil, washi tape, Pitt pen

On occasion I'll work with a favorite photo. Here's the original photo, which was taken from my friend Jerry's fifth floor Paris apartment, overlooking the roofs of his courtyard.

Here is my version. Not ready for prime time but a noble effort.

Gouache

Lately I've been taking to doing a collage on one side of the page...

Napkin (birds and flowers at bottom), paper, words, gesso, gouache

Then drawing and/or painting a more-or-less mirror image on the other side of the spread.

All gouache

These are kind of fun -- a good stretch and fun working with the paints. The results are mixed to be sure, but I enjoy it.

And sometimes, just pages, picking up whatever I have at hand.

Napkin (bird, flowers) acrylic, papers, mica, words, stamp embellishment

It's practice. That's what I keep telling myself.

Paper, pen, napkin (bird), mica, sygma white pen, Golden acrylic

And while practice might not make perfect in all cases, it should make it better over time!

Remembering Mom on Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day is "one of those days." And this year, it comes only a few days after what would be her 97th birthday and only a couple of weeks past the 38th anniversary of her death. Needless to say, I have some very clunky emotional moods and moments in spring. (And yes, it gets easier and no, it never stops.)

I got my cooking passion from mom!

So, please indulge me while I share a few of my favorite photos of my mom, who left all too young and missed oh, so much.

She didn't know when this photo was taken that 40 years later our cottage would be next door to this wall

She was the third of four sisters and for a brief few years also had a younger brother. Throughout their lives they were close, although one sister died when I was only five and her children, all under 13. (The oldest, however, lived well into her 90s.)

At the lake -- Mom is the one laughing in front.

On Grace's wedding day with my grandparents

Gracie, here, died exactly seven months after my mom. I was 25, Grace's kids younger. So most of my cousins have had full lifetimes without our moms to share them with.

I love the old photos. They tell stories of my mom that I remember hearing. I wish I knew more. Some of the photos are stories in themselves. I'm told this photo was once used in an Oldsmobile ad -- it's Mom with her mom and brother. I'd love to find the real ad!

I don't know what it was about old cars, but I love these photos, too. They tell stories, they tell of a time.

I think she was older in this one -- not much. But the faded color leads me to believe this might have been a bit later.

There were times at the lake with her friend Fran. I cherish my visits with Fran who reminds me so much of the vitality and energy of my mom, the mom who would have made it to 97 years. The first person I go see when I get up north is Fran and I'm always delighted with the stories she shares.



But as much as I love these classics, my favorite photos are those from my lifetime. Mom and Dad loved hanging out with my her sister Grace and Marty. All gone now, but oh, the fun times. (None of us can remember why they were all dressed up while at the lake!) No one ever laughed more than my parents when they were with my aunts and uncles. One night while playing cards on the porch, my cousins and I heard continual merriment as the adults took an evening float-boat ride and passed the house more than a few times, the laughter and merriment increasing with every passing moment!.

A rare dress-up photo from the lake

At a wedding where we only knew each other -- Maybe it was more fun that way!

My mom adored Christmas. The house was always decorated to the hilt. Yes, I inherited that addiction. And the ornaments.

I also still have -- somewhere -- my dad's ugly Christmas pants and mom's skirt. Couldn't let that one go (Actually, these aren't the really ugly pants. Those were plaid.)

She was incredibly brave through her cancer and made wise, tough decisions during my childhood (along with my dad) that helped shape the person I am today. She loved to laugh and she loved presents and celebrations. She loved road trips, the lake, her family, everything I ever did, my friends, beautiful jewelry, England, cooking and fun.

But most of all, she loved Dad and Me.

How I wish I could take her to lunch for her birthday, find her the most fun presents, take her on a special day out or enjoy another trip to England together.

She carried her cancer with more elegance, grace, hope and optimism than anyone I've ever met.

She taught me to deal with things -- pain, bad days, fear. To be able to share them but not obsess on them -- at least, not too much with others. She taught me how to live while dying. When she was in the hospital there was always laughter, sleepovers, guests. I asked her once if all that tired her out and she said "I'll get my sleep."

So, here's to my mom -- and to all of you who are mothers or have their moms still. Yes, they all can be annoying or aggravating at times, they make mistakes, the can drive us nuts. But they gave us a great gift by bringing us into this world. They lived lives we'll never really know or understand because every time or era, every situation is different. But they are our moms, and they deserve a day. This day.

And if you are lucky enough to still have one, ask them about their lives, their childhood, take them to dinner or call. Because some day, you won't be able to -- and you'll really wish you could.

Spring at the Ditch

I promised you a peek at the ditch in the spring.

 

And a look at Harry -- more of that in a minute!

But I can't resist sharing these blossoms from one of the trees in the neighborhood on the walk down.

Shooting at this time of year is wonderful because the bushes and trees on the perimeter haven't gone into full leaf yet and it's a bit easier to have a clearer view.

Look afar! One of the sweet surprises is Mama Goose (Duck Lady calls her Gracie and her mate, George). She has a nest on the edge of the large pond. Duck Lady tells me that when she turns her head away, she is actually turning her eggs. DL anticipated that the babies would hatch over the weekend but I haven't been back to see (and indeed -- would I be able to see? There is no way to get close to this!)

Look up! The Red-Winged blackbirds are out in full force. I love these cheery birds and for once they managed to stay put long enough to get a good photo.

Look down! You'll find bunches of wild violets or periwinkle in patches.

Someone has planted daffodils every so often and they add some bright cheer along the path.

Look ahead! You might just find a family out for their walk with their Bengal cat on a leash. This beautifully marked animal was very intrigued by something under the pine branches!



Look out on the pond! There's Harry. Back in his full majestic glory.

I don't know if this Harry is last year's Harry -- or if the Harry I saw in these twilight photos...


Is the same Harry I saw the next day on my morning walk.

 

Doesn't really matter to me. Harry symbolizes spring and beauty and that the ice is gone and the temperatures are warmer.



He is grace and precision, intently stalking the water for his dinner, balancing as he grooms, elegantly standing on the shore.

It's spring. At long last, spring.

Just a Lazy Weekend in the 'Hood

Glorious sunshine. Warmer temperatures. Nesting birds. Spring is here!

Love that a zoom can get me closer to Kate's nested robin!

My neighborhood is looking good! Lots of blossoms and flowering trees, daffodils and some tulips, grass that needs mowing. Yes, I think spring is here to stay.

Sweetie and Tippy, the neighbor's dogs, are barking up a storm -- they've just been let out and the day is happy for them. Tippy looks like the dog-Lizzie -- the same markings and the same inclination to chase things (and not bring them back). The difference is that Tippy is none to fond of people not her own, so I give her a wide berth and don't stick my hand over the fence, though I'm dying to bury my face in her soft fur. Sweetie is the barker, but a happy one. All she wants is to be loved and pet so yes, the hand goes over the fence with happiness!

You caption this one!

 And Lizzie? Well, her one track mind follows the food -- unless, of course, it is watching the birds or in sleep mode. She's had her taste of spring on the leash -- not aerobic, but good for grins on a nice day.

My Garden Warrior came last week and did quite a number on getting the yard ready for the season. Two loads of mulch and a full truck load of yard waste when all was said and done. The daffs are up, the tulips nearly in bloom and I'm seeing the hostas and lilies of the valley begin to sprout up from the ground. I have a lot of shade here and things seem slower than down the street at Chez Rick. What that basically means is that lilies of the valley will last longer as mine will kick in as his depart.

Mark, the Garden Warrior

My WKAR projects wrapped up and I've one more final report to finish and submit and that one will be relatively easy. The other one took longer than I thought but I have to say when I mailed the packet in that I was pretty impressed with the quantity and quality of the work done on the project. I feel I can say that without boasting because the design work, the web work, the social media was done in large part by others. I just did some writing and editing. Our cancer panel of physicians was excellent and I'm attaching a link here to their presentation and Q&A for those who might be interested. It is universal info, not local, so it may be of interest to some.

Four very talented men: Costume designer Daniel Hobbs, lighting designer Shannon Schweitzer, director Deric McNish and dramaturg Daniel Smith.

The looser schedule means more fun time. One of the things I particularly enjoyed was taking a short (two session) class related to the musical "Hair." Our university theatre was doing the show so we had a pre-show class with the dramaturg and several actors. That put things into historical context (and quite the history it was!), then we saw the production last weekend. The final class included the dramaturg, director, lighting and costume designers. Fascinating to get their perspective on building the show from the very beginning -- what went into their costume, set and lighting designs, how the director worked with the actors. Now I wish I could see the play again!

Meanwhile, the Ditch is in its full glory. And yes, Harry is back. We'll take a springtime walk there next time!

A birthday outing in Grand Rapids, tea with a friend, a calendar filling up with things like book club and fundraising gala meetings and more lunches. This re-connection to the world is making me almost giddy with happiness.

And yes, books have been read. A Sarah Caudwell mystery ("The Sirens Sang a Song of Murder"), another Maggie Hope mystery ("The Prime Minister's Secret Agent"), A so-so and disappointing Peter Mayle caper book ("Chasing Cezanne') and "Without Reservations," a wonderful travel memoir by Alice Steinbach. Time for art? Of course! My art journal is slowly filling up!

gouache, papers, napkin bits, gesso.

And of course "Wolf Hall" and "Call the Midwife" I've also watched "The Voice" for the first time because a local guy is now in the top six -- Joshua Davis. If you are following the series and want to see him in an earlier performance with his group "Steppin' In It" from WKAR's BackStage Pass, take a look!

Just big smiles around here these days. Long awaited, big happy smiles!