Grandparents most loving duty...give Mom and Dad abreak and spoil the precious gifts...

Saturday Erin and Chance had an opportunity to go to a friend's wedding and dinner reception and we were pleased to be asked if we could watched our little gifts from their young family. Well of course wild horses could not keep us away and we had an afternoon of heartfelt memories and all the cuddle time we could soak up. Chance was looking distinguished and Erin was radiant as they walked out the door. The minutes flew by too rapidly and the young parents came in the door around 10:00 PM. We made dinosaur cookies, played outside with water guns and the new play set and swings; took a exploration walk and shared a Panera picnic at dinner time. Oh the books we read...I truly lost count and Miss Morgan was a bundle of energy and generous smiles for the both of us. The Spalding family is growing and thriving and bring such joys to our life. I did put a few photos for your enjoyment and there is no better heart therapy than hours of cuddles with those you love more and more with each day! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

My Toast to my theater...The Midland 2009

Tonight was a night for my heart's memory threads...I attended the wonderful fund raiser to support the Midland's Yellow Bus series that allows children to attend our historical theater. After a day of the annual golf outing where the golfers appeared to have a jolly good time on a beautiful June day. Awards were given and something about a pink ball competition brought the audience to a round of laughter. We had a dinner of baked chicken; Alfredo sauce with vegetables and pork tenderloin plus salad and red skinned mashed potatoes. Then the auction began ... the whole theme was to raise funds but everyone had a great time bidding against each other. My dear friend's watercolor went for $5500.00; it was of the old Gothic jail and what it would have looked like during the early 1900's and canal days. The young woman who won has two other of Don's historical paintings that tell the stories of life in central Ohio. My small "Golden Memories" went for $160.00 to a young family who has three daughters and one wants to go to Paris someday. They seemed genuinely appeared happy to take my contribution home with them to celebrate the Arts here in Licking county. I think Don and I were the only LCA artists present for Ovation but Don Urban, Kathy Anderson, Liz Argyle and the Higgins all made donations to our cause. There was not enough time to get out to all the tables but next year I will get there earlier to check out the territory...yes I did promise myself that I will be there in 2010! I put up a few photos of this celebration of the Arts but Mike Morris and his incredible staff provided a colorful memory for all who attended to cherish for years to come. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart...aka the Art Lady!

Thursday with Mike at the Midland...

I delivered my "Golden Moments" assemblage to the Midland today for their Ovation Art auction tomorrow night to help raise funds for the school "Yellow Bus" program that allows children to sit in the green velvet seats for a live performance. I may not have extra monies to make a donation but I truly believe that Art Saves Lives and making special performances available to all students in Licking county is one of those courageous efforts to make a real difference in a child's life. I chose a memory from my first trip to Paris years ago and how this impacted my direction as an artist. I painted onto a 12 by 16 canvas, collage bits and pieces of memory's flickers and sewed a free form of my beloved Eiffel Tower. The glazes of gold and rouge colors united this intimate piece which I do so hope will renew a lost memory of their trip to Paris years ago. Ken helped me frame and wire the total frame so I do so hope this will bring a good donation to their fund raising Ovation 2009.
I attended another web conference about the importance of making an authentic connection with our patrons and community members and different methods to document the public value of the intrinsic values of the Arts in our lives. Mike Morris made this opportunity available and there were fewer participants this week. I need to make a few notes to myself on how I can remain visible and contribute even when there is little or no financial compensation. This economy will turn around and until then I am focusing on making the highest quality in my works as I prepare for show next May 2010. No one succeeds alone in this world and we need , I need to celebrate the accomplishments of other artists and support their endeavors. This Sunday is the Granville Art Affair from 11 am to 6 pm on the grounds at the Polo field. Tony and Kathy will be there and Ken and I are planning to check out this exciting adventure. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

golden memories...collage to support the Yellow Bus for our theater...The Midland

I will be up tonight for awhile to complete a collage that is called "Golden Memories" with my mind drifting back to Paris. I have reconnected with several blogger friends after taking a break in the cleaning process...you can only do so much...Yikes I hate this necessary evil. I did go down to pick up my pendants from The Works glass studio and then delivered two sets to my ladies. The immediacy of this process sparks me into wanting to do more with vibrant colors!
I was a bad girl tonight because I ordered unmounted stamps from Stampington...I cannot wait for that little brown box to arrive. What the heck am I doing??? I need to finish a piece for the June exhibit...I thought a quilt but this is so time consuming and the minutes are flying. I wish I did not have to sleep or rest as much as I need to. Oh well my time is for playing with colors and making art. Glazes...and my rusty garden women screams to be completed...as I tell the girls ...keep my eyes on the prize. I found another article about Nancy Spero and her life as an independent woman who makes thought provoking pieces in my latest Art News. In fact, the front of the magazine is an intriguing image of the brain impulses made from felted fibers, wires and multiple colors. I have the attention of a teetsy fly. Have a great evening! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

I am on a quest....

Today was a mixed bag... physically ...for me. I am always learning the same lesson over and over and still...I forget. I know they have initials in the education systems that describe my reluctance to remember to stay balanced but I find that I get so engaged in a process that I forget my ABC's in living with Lupus.
Tonight I wrote in my little black journal book with appreciation for the gifts Broadway gives us; I may not get to New York every year but I do so love seeing the vignettes from the best of the very best theater has to offer. Billy Elliot won for many reasons but seeing the opening collaboration and the renewal of my favorite "Hair" and "Mama Mia" energizes my spirit.
I went upstairs to the studio tonight and well I am still purging too much "stuff" and clothes as you can see in my photos of inspirations. I found an article that I felt was a gentle reminder that I could fight this "collection obsession" but it may be useless. I was reading my latest Art News magazine and found photos and an article on another artist who loved collecting inspirations. Francis Bacon kept his London studio floor covered with boxes of inspirations pieces and processes. I wonder if his family members ever came to visit and a rush to CLEAN everything...what would people say? if they say my mess. Bacon was very secretive and worked rarely from life, instead he drew from his chaotic collection and archive of materials. Many of his inspirations took on relic significance with the torn edges, scrawled messages and folded images that became art in their own. I will have to work out some kind of compromise so Ken will let me stay in the house. Imagine and Live Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

purge and clean....purge and clean.....

I have been on a roll with the purge process and while I am making my final selections I think about my next steps for the project I am trying to finish for the LCA June exhibit. I bought a steam cleaner to use on my floors; it works with just water and no chemicals. It is not fast but it is effective. With my art work, grandchildren and my beloved pets I am ashamed at how dirty the hard wood floors were. Oh well, we are on a roll now and tomorrow we will make charitable deliveries to spread the wealth.
Yesterday the girls and I planted our tomato plants, a wild assortment of petunias and tick seed in the garden. The heat got to me and I ended up with a terrible fever and in bed. I apologize for missing Stephanie McKee's opening up in Mount Vernon. Ken took the girls home after a wonderful visit and I tried to regain a sense of equilibrium. We had had a full day with watercolors, sketching and making the right color selections for the petunias. Petunias are simple flowers and my mother loved them for their simplicity. We have pink, purple, peach, white and stripes to delight the visitors who grace our backdoor. Maya and Sabrina made gentle planting and watering with their tender little flowers and seemed to enjoy the water play that goes with this activity.
Today we went over the their house for a badminton tournament and cookout. (The Packards) I was a spectator in the activities but all the same we all had a good time with delicious barbecue chicken and hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad, homemade brownies by Ryan's friend Joe...everything tastes good cooked outside. I have included some photos for your enjoyment and to share my gifts with dear friends. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

where did the time fly?....

Amber Rose has been with us for three days and tomorrow she will drive back to Louisville to get her Mother to head to Charlotte for her dress fitting. I have been so spoiled ...even with the big purge...I love having her and her little pal Rusty here to play with. We have shared stories, visited the families and eaten out every night. This is our stay-cation with a very special lady that I dearly love! I will get back to normal tomorrow...or not...the purge continues! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen

a day in the life of making fused glass with some terrific women...

I have spent hours trying to sort my old clothes and I realized I have never thrown anything "really" out in the twenty two years we have lived in this house. What the heck is wrong with me? I am so afraid to be without "something" I think I might absolutely need...I don't need anything because I have everything I need already. Tomorrow Ken will help me distribute some very nice clothes to others who might need to get a start on a new job or another new chapter of their life. Here 's new beginnings!
Amber arrived tonight and we ran down to The Works to share some of my ladies and their joyful play with fused glass. We laughed, ate and drank wine and sparkling fruit juice. I am extremely proud of all the work that came out of this two hour session. New friends, new works, and now new memories of a day in June. Ken and I and Amber had a quick bite to eat and tomorrow we will work on her wedding invitations and finalize the wedding preparations and plans to babysit their precious pups while they are away on their honeymoon. Amber Rose has grown into a bright and beautiful woman who has goals and is beginning her Law degree education. I may be a little prejudiced but she is one terrific woman and her parents should be very proud! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

something is missing...a veil is growing cloudy

I am living with ...but still living with a companion known as Lupus. I was out in the "real" world every day last week and somehow I caught something. So I changed my plans and had to spend the last two days in bed. I have coughed so hard my whole chest hurts but with extra vitamin C and aspirin I got through the day with Documentary day on Sundance film channel. I missed a lot of "Our City Dreams" about five women artists living and creating in New York City. Nancy Spero; Marina Abramovic; Kiki Smith; Ghada Amer and Swoon. I will attempt to get this movie from Netflicks because it was an intimate view into some very unique works and processes. The next documentary was about the decisions Alice Neel made in her life as a portrait artist and being a parent. Alice lived most of her life in an isolation but her paintings "conjure up a memory or experience" with her brush strokes. Her family were honest about the challenges and hardships they lived through and the space she created between the intimate relationships in her life, nothing was sacred and yet the authenticity.
Please forgive me because I was interrupted by severe weather and a power loss due to an incredible storm that tore through Ohio. I will get back to you loyal readers soon. Imagine Peace, Mary Helen