Saturday in the Studio Week Four

Last week it was warm enough for many of the artists to work outdoors...most likely that won't be the case this week...no matter... the eleven 9-11 year old participants in Saturday in the Studio at The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia are deeply involved in their individual projects and eager to jump into their work the moment they walk through the door.

Week after week I see pure unadulterated problem solving and creative sparks flying as they push further toward realizing their goal...no one telling them what to do or how to do it...each having the wherewithal to research and adjust to make their vision appear.

Happy 20,219 Days

I love birthdays. I love the whole idea of being born. I love being in this Earth School for 20,219 days (including Leap Years). I am so grateful to be able to live and work and share life and love as an artist. I love saying YES until the Universe says no. I love saying "Thank you so much for this precious human life".

Back Yard Bird Count...

I'm very excited by my list for this years' Backyard Bird Count...Sunday... 15 minutes (7:10-7:25 am): Red Bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, White Throated Sparrow, Boat tailed Grackle, American Crow, Great White Egret, Brown Thrasher, Rufus Sided Towhee, Chickadee, Mourning Dove, Titmouse, Cardinal, Mallards, Cormorants, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch.

This pair of Wood Ducks visit often...they weren't here for the count day but they are such a work of art...so beautiful and so I thought I'd share.

For the Birds

It's day two of the annual Backyard Bird Count. It is such a wonderful opportunity for taking a few minutes and relaxing with the beauty that surrounds.

Here at Wren House we have a bird's eye view of wonder most every day. These Great White Egrets being snapped yesterday back in the cove on Lake Smith.

It's cold here in Virginia after a few days of balmy and when the temp drops the cove becomes a haven for Cormorants, Hooded Mergansers, Egrets and Heron.

This week there has been the thrill of an added bonus ...for the past three nights a Bald Eagle has been roosting on a dead but sturdy Loblolly pine limb that hangs high over the water .

Here's a link for the Bald Eagle nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden 5 miles from my home

Share the Love...

An ultra creative pal and fellow Aquarian (her b-day is on the morrow, mine the day after Valentine's day) on the west coast, writer of the Orange Wheel Barrow , has some terrific insights to share and she is so kind as to give my yearly article a pitch in her most recent post...check it out.

New artist friend, gentle soul and Media Blend collaborator of mine over at Blue Water also throws kudos out in my direction...thank you both for taking the time to spread the love around. Aren't we a lucky bunch to be in a creative community where we toot one another's horn and share in our success and joy.

That said...please don't miss the chance to sign up for fabulous opportunity to win grand Valentine Heart'art book made by my soul sister, K.
You'll see the lush red heart when you open her page...just add your comment and you'll be in her hat.

Have you celebrated a friend this week?

Dedicated

A bitter day but the eleven young artists in this semester's Saturday in the Studio spread out around the grounds of the Contemporary Art Center and made additions to their working sketch books as they gather ideas for their own projects. The first three weeks they devote to research followed by four weeks of creating.

They must submit a schematic drawing if they choose to work dimensionally indicating that they have thought the project through and can visualize looking at the form from all directions.


The focus is upon using simple, easily found, often thrown away items from which a piece of 'art from their heart' is made.

I have five boys and six girls in this group it will be grand to see what unfolds.

The Beauty of Candlemas

A lovely cross quarter day to you as we pass the mid point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.