Artist Retreat--Celebration of Friendship

Yesterday I had a wonderful time

at a day long artist retreat,

"A Celebration of Friendship"...

 ...at the home and gardens of

Tad and Sheila Harris,

located on Lake Corpus Christi.

Sheila was such a wonderful hostess.

About 20-25 artists attended the event.

We were greeted with food, mimosa's and an orientation.

Then the painting session began.

We had a wonderful space to paint in,

with lots of inspiration all around us.

The morning painting session was about 2.5 hours.

Some sat under the arbor...

Others sat on the covered porch and looked out at the lake...

Others were inspired by the greenhouse and its surroundings...

Yard art intrigued other artists...

Nature and art were all around us.

There was lots of great food, wine,

and socializing throughout the day.

After lunch,

Dolores is found relaxing and just enjoying the day.

Then she gave us a lesson and critique.

After more painting and the day began winding down,

the Social Butterflies group of the Red Hatters

brought more food and drink.

Like someone said...

they must think we are

'starving artists'! 

But it was all wonderful!

Thanks goes out to Sheila

and all the ladies who were involved in

making this day special for all.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

PPF--staying loose

I missed Paint Party Friday last week.

I did finally get around to visiting some of the artists

later that weekend.

I am always blown away at the talent out there.

Visit Paint Party Friday by clicking

on the logo in my sidebar.

Here is my submission for this week's party.

I'm still trying to stay loose,

not blend too much,

do something different each time

and have fun.

I'm off at an artist retreat later today.
The entire watercolor class is going,
so it should be fun.
Will share photos next week.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Let us dance in the sun.....

Ever since we moved into this house

and my DH built the potting shed with the arbor,

I have been wanting to write something on the arbor.

I finally decided on....

Let us dance in the sun...

My DH ask me if that meant me

or the flowers...

and I said both.

This is the first part of a quote

that I have liked for many years.

The second part is ...

"...and wear wildflowers in your hair".

"Let us dance in the sun,

and wear wildflowers in your hair."

A good thing to remember I think.

Don't take things so seriously, enjoy life,

stop worrying, laugh...

in fact I wanted to remind myself of those things so much that

 I wrote some on my studio walls,

all from inspiration from my friend Karen.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Tea day ideas

Hello tea lovers!

Glad you dropped in for a cuppa!

For today's Tea on Tuesday

I'm having Organic Bangkok

by Harney and Sons

This is a delightful classic green tea

with coconut, lemongrass, ginger and vanilla.

Visit http://www.harney.com/ for more info on their fine teas.

For more tea posts visit Kimmie at

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

Tea day ideas....
...from me and also from the book
Steeped in Tea: Creative Ideas, Activities & Recipes for Tea Lovers

--learn about ikebana flower arranging and chanoyu tea ceremonies
--take a class in ceramics and make your own teapot
--attend contemporary teapot exhibits at art galleries
--scour flea markets and antique shops for your favorite tea related collectibles
--take an armchair tour of India, China, Kenya, Japan, or Sri-Lanka
--celebrate some occasion with a tea party
--eat lunch at a tea room
--try a new tea blend
--learn how to cook using tea
--custom design a tea basket and give it to someone who needs a smile
--learn how to tea dye
--make a tea dream pillow
--learn how to make Chinese marbled eggs with tea

Ecstasy is a glass full of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth.
--Alexander Pushkin (circa 1830)

Savor the Day!
Yvonne

Every Inchie catch-up

FRIEND Inchie---

I missed last week's Every Inchie Monday,

so I'm showing you two inchies today.

For last week's prompt word

FRIENDS...

"Each friend represents a world to us,

a world possibly not born until they arrive

and it is only by this meeting

that a new world is born."

--Anais Nin

I put the large "F" tile on my inchie

because the word 'friend'

is very important in my life.

I do not take that word lightly.

***

JOY inchie...

This week's prompt word

JOY

brought many things to mind,

but I chose one thing that always gives me great joy...

nature.

I recently saw a PBS program about John Muir

and realized what joy he had in nature.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. 

Nature's peace will flow into you

as sunshine flows into trees. 

The winds will blow their own freshness into you

 and the storms their energy

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves."

--John Muir

For this week's word prompt

JOY...

This inchie is also saying

that small things can bring us joy...

like butterflies,

or inchies.

Visit Kris at

Every Inchie Monday

for more tiny inchie art.

When the year is through,

and I have 52 inchies,

they will all be incorporated into

an art piece.

All of my inchies are made on

used watercolor paper,

kept very simple,

and each has the week's word prompt added

from an old dictionary I have.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Happy Easter sunrises

I'm always taking photos of sunrises and sunsets.

Here are three of my local favorites.

This one was taken on Baffin Bay here in south Tx.

We were staying in a little campground,

in our RV, right on the water.

Beautiful mornings!

This one is the same campground

and shows the view from our RV out to the fishing pier.

This photo has not been altered in any way.

This one was taken by my DH with his cell phone.

He was out on the boat,

and it was very foggy.

He sent it to me right at that moment,

because he knows I love sunrises.

I think it looks like a beautiful watercolor.

Turn your face to the sun

and the shadows fall behind you.

---Maori proverb

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Fiber Art Collage

Fiber art can be found in surprising places!

This fiber art mural was seen in a hospital lobby.

This is a very large, probably 40 feet long.

I just thought it was so beautiful!

It is like a painted mural, but is upholstery fabric I believe.

Another close up below....

I don't know who the artist is, and will have to investigate that.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Nature's Peace

My DH and I had to go into the city today.

After all the appointments and necessary things,

 we made it out to the island for a late lunch.

We ate bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp with all the goodies,

over at one of our favorite eateries.

Enjoyed eating on the open porch watching the passing boats

and the curious birds.

Then after lunch

we drove down to a good place to do

 some more bird watching.

I got some pretty good shots with my little camera.

I think this beautiful guy was posing just for me.

This great blue heron was preening his feathers in the marsh grasses.

These two bird buddies let us get very close,

before flying off to meet their friends.

Many of the birds were catching their own lunch.

Others looked very peaceful just floating in the warm waters.

LATER that day....

when my DH and I returned home,

we sat in our backyard swing.

We were enjoying the warm breeze,

 listening to the cooing of the doves,

and laughing at the hummingbirds

playing in the sprinkler.

"There is more to life than merely increasing its speed."

---Gandhi

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Spring wildlife and Garlions!

It has been a hot, dry spring so far.

Everything is green at the moment,

and things are blooming like crazy.

Butterflies have a feast on this plant above.

I'm not sure what this is...anyone know?

The hummingibirds and butterflies love my lantana,

even though I couldn't catch any of them for a photo.

Harvesting things from my garden

 and one new thing I planted is

Garlions....

a cross between onions and garlic.

Thanks Karen, for giving me a bunch to plant!

I will have to add this to my "new" things done this year list.

I have all the things needed for a wildlife habitat,

right here in my backyard, so I think I will apply

to be official.

Wherever I have lived, I have been certified

as a Backyard Habitat,

by the state of Texas.

Anyone can apply to see if you qualify.

You need food, shelter, water etc.

for the different kinds of wildlife

that may come visit you.

Maybe your state has something similar.

You get a plaque for your yard,

and a certificate.

Protecting wildlife is very important.

Right now there is an exhibit

at our local museum,

that has about 250 photos

of Coastal Bend Wildlife.

They are all amazing!

Photos of all kinds, taken in this area.

They also have a book for sale every time they have this contest.

It is held every other year.

I had so many favorites!

They had everything from alligators, snakes,

cattle, horses, insects, birds...

every category you can think of.

I really enjoyed seeing the exhibit.

Support your local museums,

and wildlife events.

Savor the day!

Yvonne

Iced tea and Sandfest

Welcome to Tea on Tuesday!

This whole week has been iced tea days.

I drink Lipton iced tea, sun brewed or otherwise

poured in a big mug with lots of ice!!!!

Usually have a bit of lemon in it as well.

Very thirst quenching these days.

We have had hot, dry weather every day.

Over the weekend, we went to the beach for the

great Texas Sandfest, in Port Aransas.

This was one of my favorites.

It is called

In the Hands of the Buddha.

Artist is Sandis Kondrats.  from Latvia.

Another favorite...

Shattering Impact

Artist Karen Fralich, Ontario, Canada

These were quite amazing too...

this one was called Bus Stop.

This head was just part of one.

This shows just the top of a very tall one.

And of course you have to have mermaids!!!

The sculptures I loved, as there were many, many more.

The 100,000 plus weekend crowd I didn't love so well.

We went when the crowds sort of cleared out,

but still a very large crowd.

The carnival atmosphere I can do without also.

But all in all, it was a peaceful,

fun loving weekend for all involved.

I'm just glad I got to see up close,

the work of great sand artists.

For more tea posts,

visit Kimmie at

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Tree practice--PPF

I love trees of all kinds.

Here in south Texas we have oaks, ebony,
olive, palms, mesquites, and other trees.

Many are twisted by the strong winds here.

Most have interesting bark and lots of character.
Some have small leaves,
and others have larger ones.
Some even have beautiful flowers.

I painted a tree this week for my watercolor class in town.
We are going on a day out artist retreat this month,
and my teacher was teaching us about trees.
I have a very hard time painting trees.
I like to paint loose, and have lots of color
in my paintings,
so here is my first tree.

I put a rope swing hanging from the large branch,

just like I always had when growing up.

I'm not sure about the perspective,

the shadows etc.

I will keep practicing!

This painting is only 8 by 10 inches,

so that is smaller than normal for me.

I used smaller brushes,

and that seemed harder for me also.

So, that's my Paint Party Friday painting,

as it is right now.

Hope you are having a wonderful and creative week.

If you have any tips on painting trees,

I could sure use some critique on this one.

Thanks!

To see more PPF art,

visit http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

or click on the logo in my sidebar.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Tea Day and a Lady

Stay is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary.
 ----Amos Bronson Alcott, Concord Days: "June" (1872)

This quote reminded me of when I was in Concord, Massachusetts with my friend Lana, touring the homes of famous authors.  I could just picture everyone having tea in their parlors, with their pretty little teacups. 

These days, here in South Texas, I have been drinking lots of iced tea from a big old Bill Miller's iced tea mug.  We are already up in the high 80's and low 90's some days.  Iced tea is the perfect thrist quencher.  Sometimes I make ice cubes from fruit juice to avoid that watered down taste.  Sun tea is always a favorite method of brewing tea.  I put about 4 tea bags of black tea in a Mason quart jar.  I put the lid on the jar and find a sunny spot to place it.  It doesn't take long before I have some great tea to pour over ice.  No bitterness, just great taste. 
The book Steeped in Tea by Diana Rosen tells you just about everything you want to know about tea and everything related to it.  There are some great recipes in there too.  Today's quotes came from the book.

"Ecstasy is a glass full of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth. ---Alexander Pushkin (circa 1830)

Hope you all have a Happy Tea Tuesday. 

To read more tea posts visit Kimmie at

http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/ 

or click on the Tea Tuesday logo in my sidebar.

Happy tea day!

Lady of the Lamp

This is Anneelaw.

I have finished adding my additions to her

and creating my journal pages.

Soon she will be on her way to Gail,

for her last leg of the journey.

Then she will return to Mary Anne in Canada.

This doll started out as lamp parts,

and look at her now.

She even lights up!

To read more about Anneelaw

and the other dolls in the project

 visit our project blog

Art Doll Coolab 2010.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

"Peace" inchie and musings

Every Inchie Monday's prompt word for today is

PEACE.

Visit Kris to see more inchie art.

The word peace brought to mind many things.

I decided to go with a photo

of a tiny 2 inch poly clay doll

I made for a swap awhile back

Here she is,

my little hippie

holding a peace sign...

PEACE MUSINGS

Over the weekend my DH and I went with some friends

to the local Farmers's Market

and to Bloom Day at the Botanical Gardens.

Beautiful day! 

When I am around nature and around

people who love nature as much as I,

then the day is good!

It reminded me of this quote....

"Natures's peace will flow into you

as sunshine flows into trees."

--John Muir

Above is my friend Karen,

on one of the trails at the Botanical Gardens.

Karen always has a flower in her hair or in her hat,

and a smile on her face.

She is a joy to be around.

Peaceful is a word that comes to mind

when I think of her.

This is my friend Mariza.

She is involved in many peaceful things,

including being a local book publisher
of which she donates all net profits.

She is also a community garden activist.

She was not at the farmer's market,

because she had her booth here at Bloom Day!

I seem to run into her everywhere!

The farmers'a market was wonderful!

Here is just a sampling of what I got...

I trimmed all of this that night,

threw it into some olive oil

and sauted it for supper.

It was so nice and fresh.

The flowers were edible also.

Living on the coast,

fish is something that we love to eat fresh.

So we also visited Paul's Seafood,

who usually sets up at the farmer's market.

I got fish that had just been caught the night before.

Talk about fresh!

Visit your local farmer's market

and gardens.

It will help peace flow within you.

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Paint Party Friday--Flowers

"Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. 

 They are the hieroglyphics of angels,

 loved by all men for the beauty of the character,

though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning."

---Lydia M. Child

Happy Paint Party Friday!

I love flowers!

The flowers here are starting to bloom,

more and more each day.

I decided that a floral painting

would be appropriate

for this week's PPF photo,

since Spring is well under way.

This is how I did it...

First I sketched the vase and flowers loosely.

Then I did an under painting on wet paper,

letting the colors run.

I put certain colors of paint in places where I knew

 flowers and leaves would be,

background and foreground.

That layer had to dry well before going on.

Using three different brushes and mixing colors,

I painted in the foreground flowers and leaves a bit more,

leaving hard and soft edges.

Then that layer dried well.

The next layer was detailing everything just a bit more.

I like to keep things abstract and loose,

with just the illusion of what it is.

After that layer was dry

I put in the centers of just a few flowers.

Lastly, with a liner brush,

I put in some twirly things,

and splashed different colors here and there.

To see more Paint Party Friday art,

go to

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

or click on the logo in my sidebar.

Or why don't you join us!

Savor the Day!

Yvonne

Elizabeth Barton plus my musings

'Art and Quilts, cogitations thereon' 

is the name of the blog written by Elizabeth Barton.
http://elizabethbarton.blogspot.com/

She says in one of her posts....

"We need some repetition in our lives, rhythms like the rhythm of the seasons, the daily routines and rhythms of our lives…and we do need to be able to predict what will happen…But again, a little variety and syncopation keeps us interested and alert. “They” used to think that human beings required perfect balance – stasis – to function best, but now it’s realised that being a little off kilter is actually much better for you! Don’t always stand 4 square on 2 feet – try balancing on one leg for a while!"

Being a artist and instructor,

her posts touch on subjects

that are all very interesting.

To check it out
click on the link above and

just go to her archives in her sidebar

to find what interests you.

***

MUSINGS

It has been a wonderful week.

Most of my most recent posts are ones

I wrote beforehand

and then scheduled to be published

on a certain day.

This makes it much easier,

and I don't spend as much time every day

on the computer.

Who wants to be inside

when the weather is so gorgeous,

and the birds are calling.

I have noticed that many out there

have stopped their blogs,

and some don't post very often.

Doing your posts ahead of time

really helps, in my opinion.

But it is most important to enjoy

and experience your everyday

however you can.

***

I spent 6 days with my sister Lanette,

and yes, she did laugh when she saw

her picture on my 'sing' inchie art.  LOL

http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2011/04/sing.html

I hardly ever got on the computer those 6 days.

Went to Corpus with my friend Karen,

and my sister,

and had such a fun time.

Ate lunch at the veggie Tango Tea Room

where they say

"It takes tea to tango."

Will get photos next time!
Learned about the first Friday art walk downtown,
and will be going next month.
I'm excited!

***

I finally got time to try out the

caraway tea bread recipe and

it turned out wonderful!

Here it is cooling on the counter...

I couldn't wait to try it!

It was great just by itself!

The castor sugar makes a big difference.

To try it,

go to my post...
http://inkspillersattic.blogspot.com/2011/03/caraway-tea-and-bread-recipe.html

***

I'm working on another watercolor
for my merit show in August.
I will show my progress tomorrow for
Paint Party Friday.
You can see lots of wonderful art
at Paint Party Friday.
If you are an artist,
why don't you join us.
Just click on the logo in my sidebar.
***
It's that time of year for...
art walks,
Botanical Garden events,
the Sand Fest,
Farmer's Markets!
All great fun!
Hope you visit again for photos of all!

Savor the Day!
Yvonne