Creation collage and Family night

I have been up to my neck in state tax forms and questions and dilemmas but hopefully after 90 minutes on the phone with the attorney generals office and the taxation offices I THINK I have begun to work matters out. I have made a big decision to be my studio full time and go with that...this means I cannot sell works for any other artists. I will be adjusting to this changes beginning effectively to avoid any more confusion. I think I have learned quite a bit this past year and hopefully the artists will understand...I do not want to have to hire accountants and lawyers just to make my Art.

Today I created the beginning of a creation theme for a wedding gift for a special young couple who have decided to create a more perfect union in marriage. They have two small girls who are just thrilled to celebrate this ceremony with their parents. I am creating some simple but hopefully beautiful centerpieces for the reception dinner in delicate pink roses with greens and accents. I am hoping they will enjoy having my work in their home to celebrate this new formed family.

Today was Family night in the central gallery and we gathered in the coolness of air conditioning and played with the "Zentangle" designs to explore and create in a new direction where all are able to make their own marks without making a mistake. These are not really new but have a playful way to expand horizons into a more abstract form of mark making. Afterwards each child made decisions about what colors and designs they would want to add. I gave the older artists a 2 by 2 inch square of foam core to make a small pin or magnet with their own designs. I need to get to bed ...the heat just wears me out. Stay cool and create in your own cool studios. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

a chill is back in the air...please bless my baby plants...

I spent the whole day in my pajamas working and sorting in my studio. If you remember a few months back I had the opportunity and the audacity of sharing my messy messy studio and with no shame and even a great bit of pride. Vicki Noble and I will be working on a collaborative project as soon as I get a proper walking path worked out. Safety first is my motto and since my balance is still catty whompus ( spelling?)I have to take great care not to trip myself. I was so engrossed in this project...I have also started sorting summer colors and clothes to inspire my need to embrace the warmth of Spring. Tonight I am optimistic that the sun will return and my lilacs will survive these next cool nights. Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment and we had planned on a day of painting at Dawes but I do think we will have to reschedule and move indoors to work on an indoor and warm art project. Maya and Sabrina have been creating stone assemblages on their own with special collected stones from their back yard. I found this refreshing and told them about another artist that worked with found stones and wood...Melissa Panko.
I hope you enjoyed the additional photos and such in yesterday's blog... thank you Mr. Ken for your continued technical support as I attempt to improve my relationship with the computer. I love working once again with Ken and trust me he is very patient as I dig through the art process. Thank God for the Basketball on the educational sports channel and the rest of the family continue to stay in touch by long distance and emails. Sorry to say I am out because the Louisville Cardinals lost but the tournament continues its March madness.
I guess I better close early for tonight and get back to my "nest building" and storage consolidation. I have to admit I have been inspired by Somerset's publications about Women in their studios and where creative women work...the answer is simply splendid. EVERYWHERE! I am pleased to see a little progress with each step and reduction, reuse and recycle take on a total life of their own. Imagine and live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart