A youthful spirit came in my doorway today....

I met two wonderful young artists in the studio. The first was Megan a full time artist/painter who is studying painting on main campus at OSU. She came in with her fiance who is studying elementary education specializing in middle school grades. She visited with me for quite awhile and then a COTC student named Ruthie came in to join in on the dialogue about life long learning. She shared her poster she had designed for her teacher...but she had some difficulty with the final print processing so she was on her way upstairs to reprint. Our conversations were open and wide about the possibilities from cross cultural influences and the offerings from traveling to distant lands. I gave them each a postcard from the Texas Chair Exhibit at the Ohio Designer Craftsmen Museum and recommended that they both check it out when they have free time in Columbus.

We, I painted the Disney tea set with Kylie today...and right off the bat one of the tea cups fell to the floor and shattered. The tears were right on the verge of falling and I made a silly door hanger...Girls ONLY! I swept up the glass remnants and we proceeded to paint the other tea cup and the small teapot. Now Kylie wants an art apron...something with lots of PINK...surprising? Next week we will work on the selection and make a special apron for her to wear for her personal tea parties and art lessons. I know I am not making a lot of money but I am living a life to the fullest!

When everyone left for the day I enjoyed the peace and quiet in my studio. I began sorting through the materials and making my choices for the commission and made the cards that I needed to replenish the card rack. I listened to music and before I knew it it was 6 o clock and Ken was waiting on dinner. I was digesting the idea I had from the missing memory card the other day... I need to work up my design for "I forgot my memory card today" canvas and then tee shirt to possibly sell. My friend Vicki and I giggled about all the implications and uses this small quote has in all of our busy chaotic schedules. Do you have days when your memory card is missing? Since my brain surgery I have definitely noticed missing links in my language skills and memory. I have now chosen my Hindu goddess for the large canvas commission....Lakshmi---Goddess of wealth, light, wisdom, the lotus flower and fortune. I want to honor this religious Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses so the population will be able to experience the divine in remarkable ways.

The snows are returning tonight...who knows what will become of the Final Friday Art Walk.... I love my life! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

The magic of a friendship and a pot of tea....

I met a wonderful family today from Westerville and the four children were all home schooled and had a wonderful enriching day at The Works. They came over in the morning and had lunch and I made friends with Trinity. She was 8 years old and very interested in the Arts and Michelle's Mona Lisa class project...painted in a Van Gogh thick brush stroke style. Ian, Coen and Alex were busy brothers and I sent them over to watch our guest glass artist Sarah Vaughn's demonstration of her exquisite glass blowing styles. They came over after the glass studio for a Velvet Ice Cream and we had a great time recollecting our thoughts and impressions about their day. I advised them to check into a membership and to come back for the summer concert series. I do hope they are coming back to visit...I really enjoyed this delightful family.

Vicki Noble stopped by with a delicious orange pastry from a Granville bakery and I made a pot of tea to share with such a wonderful friend. I need people like Vicki in my life as I branch out on my own in my own studio. When the weather breaks I need to get to her barn sale and select some items that I might need to use this summer with my students. The sewing machines have been adjusted and are ready for Saturday's lesson and Kasey wants to make her "fish" theme shoulder purse. Vicki and I shared some marketing ideas and possibilities over our tea. She asked me about Friday's "The ARTS on Fridays" and at first i said no but after tonight's emails and maps I decided I will be working in the studio this Final Friday!

When the quiet returned to the studio I worked on several collaged cards ...they help me pay the rent :O)! Judy Handel came in to pick up the two special birthday "lion themed" cards for her two grand daughters. She was delighted and squealed with delight...she had already sent over a bag of paints and ribbons for me to use as design elements in my projects. No one succeeds alone and I am making each day count. I have some people coming next Monday from Dayton to visit and check out what I am working on. I am working on the Hindi translation for my special commission and I need to use the interference paints for the base layer and then add my goddess images and influences ...this is a totally new experience for me in a diverse culture that is so mysterious to my process. I need to get back to work now. Go make ART and breathe in spirit of creating. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart


p.s. Domino continues to amaze the girls with his antics...he is pretty cute :O)!

Tea for Tuesday...the snow has returned...

I forgot my memory card today so I cannot post today's photos ...I will share the home visit with you all. I have made the rounds this afternoon and have some work to do up in my home studio. Kylie...my unofficial art assistant helped me sew the sewing machine covers for the two studio sewing machines. She also wanted to make a cupcake card ...I was making special lion birthday cards for her grand daughters this week. Anything I work on she is more than ready to get into the process and make her own. We will paint her small tea set and I will post the photos at the completion of this art project. She totally blesses my life. I hope you can see the Joy in our family faces ...we do not get together enough now that the six of us live scattered around the country. Ken's mother fell on Sunday while she was staying with Lisa in Texas...she seems disoriented and confused so say a prayer. Mother Elizabeth is 90 and has worked her whole life giving back to her family, the community and her church. Getting old is not for anyone who is weak of heart..she knows what she wants to do and yet is so frustrated when she fails whatever the task might be. Have a great Tuesday evening...Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart