my prayer for the fathers in my life...

My life has been blessed by the ones we know as Fathers. My Father; James Barry was a persistent determined man who overcame a lifetime of physical issues and pain and yet he often worked two jobs to support the six of us and provide everything we might need as we grew into individuals who create a better world because of our Father. Lord knows he was not a perfect man and growing up in the 60's with six children, was a crazy time with division in values and opinions. After 30 years with Dupont he and my mother began a second childhood where they bought a motor home and set off to discover America and Canada. I was completely overwhelmed when he made this purchase but I looked forward to their traveling "phone call" journals as they discovered a second ongoing honeymoon. I miss him every day and feel he is guiding me as I experience my 50's and into my 60's. I love Dad and plan to carry you with me until I move on from this earthly home.
This morning I took two of my favorite men out for Father's Day breakfast...Ken and Mr. Don. No neither one of them is my father but they have modeled without words how to be a better parent and grow as a grand parent. The sun filled the room with a radiance that you could almost touch as we gather in communion of friendship. Ken guides and helps me to be all I can be and give back to my family, my community and my world. Don at 84 is like a very special godfather who loves me enough to tell me when he sees me out of line. I don't agree with these men even half of the time but I know with respect and understanding we can all support one another as we move into our next chapter of our lives. Living in a state of grace is an optimum focus and goal for everyone and with a loving hand we can continue to make our sacred marks in the Art world.
This afternoon we spent time over a Mexican Taco Fiesta with Erin and Chance in their new home...oh so close to our home at least for now. The children spark us with new energies as we share time over a wonderful meal, checking out the garden on the side of the house, swinging way too high for Grandma and feeding Baby Morgan her first strained peas. Simple gifts but oh so incredibly priceless. (Morgan did not really like the peas but she valiantly smiled up to me as she tried them ...these green squishy vegetables.) Dessert was a summer favorite for all of us...fresh strawberries with Cool whip and angel food cake! The family room floor was the center of our family stage as we took turns wrestling, reading, practicing my putting with Cole, and just loving and appreciating the gifts of our families united in Love.
Today was as close as a perfect Solstice day; the first day of Summer 2009 and I realize I didn't need to see Stonehenge...there were miracles right before my eyes. Happy Father's Day to all the men I love and miss...my four brothers. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Stonehenge on my mind....mystical. spiritual or scientific

Tomorrow is the Summer's solstice and we will welcome the beginning of our beloved Summer. Anything is possible as we embrace the warmth and promises of what Summer may bring to us. I have always dreamed of visiting Stonehenge on this sacred day when we begin the longest day in our summer celebration. I know very little about Druids or Wiccans so to speak but rituals like this have always intrigued my sense of adventure and wonder...what if? If an outsiders would look into Catholicism there would be many concerns and questions. Maybe next year I can try to plan a short car trip to Fort Ancient near Oregonia in southwestern Ohio. Historians believe that over 2000 years ago ancient indigenous tribes met to celebrate with other tribes when they built the mounds and walls in Warren county. At times I feel our more civilized educated members of our society have ignored or forgotten the spiritual aspects and gifts when we live on our planet and Mother: Earth. Little by little I am being invited to educate myself and continue the ancient histories reflected here in Ohio. Even with all the cuts in tourism because of financial deficits there is a renewed interest in a travel by car to discover the secrets of the Adena and Hopewell tribes and the mysteries of the remaining mounds. I have researched this travel program and hope in the Fall when Nature's trees are at their glorious winds of expanding color and take some quiet time for reflection and seek serenity from sacred ground. Happy Solstice Day to all earthlings!
Tomorrow is also a day when we remember our Fathers on Father's Day. I miss my Dad and my Mother on these holidays and try to help the girls make something special for their hard working parents. It is the most difficult job you can ask to have being a parent and yet somehow when you are young the families surround and support the yearlings. Taking time to spend with one another is the most important memory you can give and share and it does not cost one cent. I have had my own tumultuous events with my children and yet every day I am grateful for what they have given to me. The memories that last are the simple everyday rituals and meals shared . Today the girls and I wrote down 4 new enticing recipes to try next week here at Grandma's kitchen...every time you learn something new you receive a new wrinkle in your brain. (That will work for me and my bruised brain tissue!) Now this is a way I can enjoy four new wrinkles. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Oh, by the way, here are our "designer" bags!

We had a great time!!!

child's play...a secret of enjoying making a wonderful mess...

I finished a childlike work for our June juried show and delivered it in a golden frame with 10 minutes to spare...Nothing like making the most of the day. We finished the four canvas beach bags for the vacation to the ocean on July first. Then I continued my play approach to remembering a time when I walked the streets of they city of lights...my beloved Paris. Maya watched as I applied layers of glazes, images, colors and stitched an Eiffel Tower and applied a favorite photo of Vita and Angela and myself...we took this photo in one of those photo booths inside the entry in the Metro station. I wrote hidden messages in the layers but I doubt seriously anyone will really find too many of them. We were under a tornado warning just North of Newark so I decided to wait until the big weather blew over. Melissa Winters was there with her beautiful mother...her children will be there for the opening. Emily Talbott was also bringing her three entries with her son's assistance and the entries were a fabulous diverse selections...I know the juror will be working diligently to put together another great exhibit for next Saturday's opening.
The girls and I are watching "Narnia" as we settle in for the night. Tomorrow I am making an Angel Baby Choir collage to welcome a friend's newest triplet grand daughters and everyone is doing just fine. There are miracles happening every day! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Thursday with the Artie girls...

I met with Tiffany Aumann today for lunch along with my girls...I soon realized they (my grand daughters) do not "share" me very well with others. Chris Lang was having lunch at Skip's and we all collected ourselves and shared a quick bite. Tiffany is busy with her interviews for our Advocate...which I agreed to try a subscription once again after many missing newspapers. Chris shared how they were working on their home with new sidewalks...she never wants to move again because of all the work they have put into their home. We shared the passing of a year since our dear friend died from breast cancer and Maya asked me questions I could not answer...why do we lose a 42 year old mother? Skip's Deli was busy with art camps and business luncheons and it was almost like old times. As I drove past the new location to show the girls I felt that pang of disconnect; life goes on and change is inevitable but I really loved seeing my people every week and making personal connections with our community. Life changes and I have to accept and move on. I do think I have because when talking with Tiffany she asked me how I ever did my work before now? This week has been full and next week after the summer school program we are headed over to COSI to take in the second part of the Egyptian summer in Columbus! I am as excited as the girls to see the next chapter through a scientist/artist eyes.
I am still working on an idea to finish a piece for tomorrow intake...but if I don't feel that it is of value I can always enter next year. I am interested in the Postcard exhibit with Willa and Stephanie...maybe because of the intimacies in small works and a good memory of the student exhibit I was privileged to see when I was in London a few years back. The freedom and the mystery of maybe a not so recognizable technique or style made it a refreshing pause for the artists eyes to rest and discover. I am so tired but I realize I am giving the girls memories and to be honest I am getting spoiled by the "rush" they express when we play with a new process...today we almost finished our Beach bags for their upcoming vacation to South Carolina. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

a quiet rainy afternoon...

Today
was a quiet rainy afternoon
aboard a silent Lady of the Lake
waves lapped the pontoon's sides
serenity flooded my entire body and soul
the soft rocking motion soothed my being as I escaped any worry or concern
I attempted to concentrate on the words that were encircling my head
yet I flew with the blue heron on my left side of the boat..a graceful dance on the horizon
I marveled at the gentle movements of a flock of young geese in a synchronized swimming pattern
I witness the protective powers of beautiful swans guarding their young flock of soft fuzz
lily pads floated with their iridescence refracting the colors of the blue sky
the quiet enveloped my being floating on the rhapsody of the soft undulating waves
the history of the families and landmarks connected with an emotional thread
the days gone by and renewal in today's landmarks and growth
remember to mind the bounty of Nature's beauty and silence and resilience
the silent beauty of Nature nestled at the end of the road
a community cove of making and cherishing the oneness in Peace
a return to the birth in the waters
a birth of spirits
a birth of the human soul.
Imagine and Live in Peace,
Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

The Queen of Buckeye Lake II

Today I picked up the girls and we had a quick lunch and then headed over to pick up a special swimsuit, goggles and beach towel for Miss Sabrina. After much consideration she decided on the Speedo style that is reversible...pink/white/black on one side and the other side is mostly black with pink trim. I think she was happy but shopping can wear me out quickly.
After I dropped the girls off with their mother and headed down to Buckeye Lake for a special meeting with the Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Jamie promised us a treat with a ride on the pontoon boat "The Queen of the Lake II". The meeting covered some important considerations for our state to make...mostly financial in a very tough economy. The Babe Ruth series for 2010 needs a fairy godmother, should we allow outsiders bring in their casinos for mostly minimum wage positions, and the upcoming Morpar car event that is already sold out. We all need to remember we are all advocates for tourism in our county and the benefits will repay and renew our future adventures. Licking county will be working with an educational outreach "Promoting the Ancient Ohio Trail" which makes perfect sense to me because we have something here that no one else has to offer. Our LCCVB is working incredibly hard with industry insight, visibility, legislative representation as well as opportunities for networking , professional development with leadership and recognition. We will all grow and have a wealth of opportunities for our families. Thank you to the whole staff as we continue our quest for an improved lifestyle for everyone. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

A real summer vacation...

I have been so busy in the past I have failed to understand how "summer" is celebrated. I picked up the girls after their morning summer school reading program and "they got to ride a big yellow bus!" We met with about 20 or so other parents at McDonald's for a quick lunch and then we were on a quest to find just the right bathing suit for South Carolina! Maya went with me and we made our selection and Sabrina went with Grandpa for her private Battleship tournament...the game I have is 39 years old; back from when I started teaching and it comes in handy now for the grandchildren. When we arrived back to the house we had a quick Fashion show and then the girls discovered their own art table on the front porch. They sketched with water color pencils and sipped iced tea and listened to the newest baby Carolina Wrens. I went in for a short little nap/lay down while they created a time of their own and were making portraits. We made a healthy snack, made packing plans, thought about beach bag designs for each child and before we knew it we were headed home to see their parents. Tomorrow I will spend the afternoon with Sabrina to find the perfect suit and beach towels and goggles to match. Then I will drop them off and head to Buckeye Lake for for my meeting with LCCVB board and then head home to get some of my work done.
This is a special summer because they are all growing so quickly and I am slowing down in so many ways. I want to give them the time they deserve for their heart's desires and memories. Time is the only present...the real gift. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen

An Art Affair In Granville at Bryn Du

This afternoon we attended the first Granville Art Affair and there were already over 500 persons registered in attendance when we arrived. The Polo field was filled with anticipation of this athletic collaboration between horse and rider. The weather was great but a wee bit humid. We searched out the tent with Kathy Anderson and Tony Reynolds and met up with several other patrons of the arts from the LCA. I also renewed a friendship from my past with Lisa Horkin and her husband Scott. I am not sure how many artists participated but 2D and 3D mixed media, acrylics and ink, clay, glass, fiber and loads of jewelry, leather, oils and other recycled Art. Photography was well represented as well as printmaking, water colors and wood contemporary arts. The only negative for me was the presence of portapots....I hate them and will pee my pants almost before I use one in total desperation. I missed seeing Todd and Melissa and their beautiful son but not without a valiant attempt to find them in the crowds. We ran into Sarah and Larry Doyle with their baby Bailey as they were heading out to get some lunch. All in all I was very impressed with this first time event and we could learn to register our visitors when they come down for the second Art Walk on August 1, 2009. Even though I will be out of town in South Carolina for a wedding I want to contribute to the every growing art energies in Licking County! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart