Happy almost April Fool's Day....

Twenty one years ago I had my first one woman opening at the Methodist Theological Seminary gallery...I sold several of my pieces on that day. I have had a totally different feeling since that day 21 years ago and still feel a deep appreciation for those who came out to support me. So much has happened in 21 years and I am forever trying to grow with each new day. I am so fortunate that I AM STILL HERE! Thank you Bill T. Jones and your warmth and support when we met at at Ohio State University Hospital and you told me to dance with my whole spirit every day I wake up to a fresh start. Powerful words to live by.

I did go into the studio today and met with several families and a couple students ...Parker and Lauren to work on their interpretive painting styles and images. It is amazing how they can snack , dance and paint at the same time and still bring forth some incredible images. I cleaned up a little bit and came home and went right to bed :O)! Fatigue is still controlling my attempts to do more ...but I am very grateful to be able to be back in the saddle once again. Spring Break is coming to an end and and the Works has been a hopping place all week. Over 300 visitors each day and their grandparents and other family members...I know Howard is smiling down on us living his dream. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Snowfall on the hillside...March is almost finished...

Snowfall on my hillside this afternoon created a cocoon atmosphere for my recovery as I slept under the quilts. The cat on one side of me and my Rosie on the other. My medications seem to drug my whole system and even when I try to read or follow a newspaper article ...well I just seem to drift off. I am seeing and feeling some improvement but the fatigue is almost over whelming. I washed a load of whites and was too weak to even load the dryer. Thank you all for well wishes and reminding me to be patient...in time I will be back to my studio.

I passed the day looking at a book I have failed to investigate...thank you Arlee in Canada....ECO COLOUR by India Flint. Natural approaches ...possibly temporary at times ...but I look forward to warm weather natural dyeing with the weeds, leaves and perennials from my garden in the upcoming weeks. I mainly enjoyed the photographs...but this book is a work of passionate art and details shared by a woman who is attempting to simplify our daily lives. Recycled materials have never been more beautiful and I have been aging my rusty collection of design elements for almost a year off my walkway out my back door. I need to be preparing my natural fabrics and scraps and tees too I may begin making sacred marks with Mother Nature's brush strokes.

I am going to try to catch up on my emails now and pray that tomorrow I will be able to get out and back to my studio. The snow was calming but the roads were treacherous for many who went too fast. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Every Inchie Monday....winged

I have spent the last three days in bed and today the doctor told me to go home and get back into bed...I have pneumonia and will take a massive dose of antibiotics and use an inhaler. I wish this could be a neater presentation but I can not see well enough so here is my fire breathing "winged" dragon! I am headed back to bed so until then goodnight. I will be back on my two feet asap! Optimism rules! Imagine and Live in peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Sunday and my fever has returned...

We have had a great weekend and now I am recuperating from a bad cough ...my stomach hurts from coughing for the last 48 hours. I have received two announcements of sudden deaths ...one was my cousin's husband and one of my previous student's little sister. I am aware that our lives are fragile and terminal but I had a very hard time finding the right words for my dear friend Marta . I have yet to sit down and write my cousin Linda...my brother and sister in law went to represent the family.

I will sleep until this fever breaks but until then I am working on my small Inchie for tomorrow. I just did not feel creative this weekend and needed to pause. I have napped and watched mindless History channels series on King Tut and the HBO Triangle Fire 1oo years ago in New York City. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel renewed but if not I will call the doctor for some assistance.

"Better than 1000 words is just one word that brings Peace."
Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Friday we celebrate the wonderous beauty captured with the paint brush...

Ken and I attended a wonderful exhibit at the Argyle Gallery to celebrate Kay Kenyon's wonderful watercolors and new pastel works. The crows was supportive despite the breakdown of the furnace that was repaired by Bob the husband and Bob her brother. I never felt the cold because the room was filled with warmth and a celebration of such a beautiful artist and her works. We then went next door to the LCA to the Digital Art exhibit ...I think this has become a biennial program for the artists. I was never so happy to see my little...well he is not so little right now Jesse McKee. We hugged and then we hugged once again...I would have a difficult decision to make to say who was happiest so we made plans to get together next week with his Spring Break from school. This young man has the courage that many adults only aspire to have. I look forward to his visit next week and we can just make ART together!!!

The table is together and the four saddle stools are completed as well as my greatest find in months...I bought an easel originally $120.00 on sale for $12.00!!!! It is nicer than the one I have been using for the last 20 years. I think my student Ben...who is a tall young man, will enjoy working on a real easel. I have collected a foam sponge that can be molded to hold surfaces and textures for experimenting tomorrow.

I have had a full week and started on a special travel journal for Staci... she is traveling to Costa Rico next week with her sister. This is a big trip for her...she joked she even had to get a passport. Boy now we will never be able to keep the girl down on the farm...the world is hers!!! Her son has just received a full ride to Ohio University ...four years with meals included! His only responsibility will be his books and supplies. Ryan had grown up right in front of my eyes...it was only yesterday when Ryan was in the 4TH grade at Blessed Sacrament. Now he is a brilliant young man full of promise and he will make the world a better place for us all. Staci you have done a remarkable job as a parent.

Well I need to get back to work. Have a great weekend. Ken and I need to find a Super Hero for our little Super hero who is 4 years old this week. We will attend a brunch party for family on Sunday and then I need to get home to work on my taxes!!! Imagine and Live in peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Austin Walkin Cane... Blues player from Cleveland.OH

I have a bad cough tonight but I am so grateful that I did not cancel for this Caberet Stage Door performance at the Midland. Intimate , tables up on the stage, a heart beat from the performer. A wonderful charismatic musician who hails from Cleveland but has played all over the USA with some of the best Blues performers in the nation. I will read a little more about him tomorrow when I am feeling better but I need to get to bed because tomorrow is the Final Friday Art Walk with my dear friend Kay Kenyon's opening at the Argyle Stdio and The Digital Art Exhibit next door at the LCA Gallery Shop. I need to be healthier and the weather needs to improve...our temperatures have dropped 30 degrees since yesterday's wild ride of weather. My daffodils are still up but they have been through rain, hail and now a major drop in temperatures and a promise of new snow...one more time.

I have had nothing from trouble with my blogger connection tonight...I will have to report more tomorrow. I have lost several paragraphs and the photos are just not unloading correctly tonight. I will try tomorrow...maybe there is a gremlin in my system tonight.

Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

p.s. My 90 year old friend from Kendal Retirement community stopped by for lunch...Charlotte you are my hero!

Family ties...let the circle be unbroken....

Have you ever wondered what beautiful and 90 looks like??? Here is my second mother Elizabeth Stewart with her eldest daughter beautiful Susie. Ken is home from Marion, IN after taking a short visit to see his mother and the family members remaining in his hometown. Deanie, Ken's sister was babysitting for her granddaughter Maddie for the Spring break...just having a small little girl around lights up the room. Time is the greatest gift we can have to share with those we love... paying attention to every detail of her stories ...letting her do her daily rituals on her own as much as possible... patiently watching and listening for subtle changes. When one works as hard as Mom Stewart has her whole life...watching the changes happen without the power to assist her mind making decisions ...finding the correct words... taking care of yourself is now an unattainable goal. Love is a circle that continues to grow as we grow...and late in the decades of our life here on earth we need the gentle human touch of those we once took care of. I love you Mom Stewart and seeing this loss develop and grow is heavy on my heart.

I attended the Wednesday Family night at the Grill Deli ...Danielle was back and we made paper pin wheels for Springs arrival. The weather outside was foreboding and we were under a tornado warning...we had strong rains and hail for about 15 minutes but there was no serious damage. The crowd was a bit smaller and I think the weather held some parents from coming out on this evening but within about 60 minutes the sunshine returned and even though the temperatures were dropping the closing of the day was beautiful. My girls seem to enjoy just being out in the middle of the week and my friend Mary Woodward brought her Camille and Hendrix for the evening of movies, popcorn, crafts and fellowship in a very economic environment.

I arrived home and with a childhood delight I found my daffodils had survived the Spring storm. Simple pleasures keep me focused of the moment in time... the present is the gift. I worked on my tiny Inchie for next Monday...winged. I won't give too many clues so as spoil the surprise. I am really enjoying this collaboration ...and look forward to completing the display ideas at the end of the year. I went up to my sewing studio here at home and found just the right beads for a fiery presentation. :O)

I am very tired from working in the reorganization of my art design elements and paints...it takes time but I will save time by knowing where materials are when I need them. I wish you Peace tonight. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart