Thursday...Into the Fray...final day in Granville

I had a few great people stop by and I had lunch with Chris as I told her about a Columbus Art League exhibit coming that will be traveling..."Off the Wall" Chris is definitely working in a very sculptural approach in her pieces. I am thinking about a piece...but the deadline is October 7 and i need some more information about the requirements of this opportunity. I do hope Chris is able to participate ...she is growing in so many directions. I began painting the magic wands for the birthday party with the Harry Potter theme... it is even held on our antique train in the courtyard. I needed to pick up a couple more special embellishments for the individual wands. I ran to Michael's and met Kay Kenyon who was selecting matte frames for her future works. We were both taking advantage of a 20% off coupon on our total purchases...a girl has to be a smart shopper /consumer.

I rushed over to see the final day of the "Into the Fray" art exhibit, this is their 7TH year and Paul Hamilton served as the shows juror. I have a great amount of appreciation for Paul's work and experience and he definitely produced a thought provoking theme and exhibit. I recognized several good artist friends in these selections and want to applaud them for their magnificent selections. I have included a few photos to share their works, mediums and techniques. I hope you enjoy their works. ken picked up my two quilts from the contemporary fiber exhibit at the Nazarene University in Mount Vernon. I am so happy I will not have to travel up North tomorrow in the predicted rains...Ohio seems to be in a weather spiral with the evidence of four days of rain and a dash of sunshine thrown in. I need to get back to work. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

sunshine and cool breezes into the evening of gentle rain drops...

My day has been full and filled with gentle visitors to my studio. Thank you Irma and Art for gracing my day with your warm hugs and time spent together. You have always held a special place in my heart and I miss interacting and growing with the two of you. I do think of you both when I see and treasure your sacred marks in our home. Kathleen Kinney dropped by for a moment to share some wonderful news about the new materials she and her students have been developing for my daughter Erin Elizabeth 's blossoming new business. ... Three Kids and a Kitchen. Abby Longshore and her son Justin stopped by and shared her news about the Hebron Arts Festival. Ken and I can hardly wait until we receive her special commission ... a brown angel for Mom Stewart. I helped Pat at The Grill Deli today...I am his official food taster. I found the perfect chalk board for his Skyline Chili menu and was ready and painted by Family night tonight. I failed to complete my clearing of the sewing table but tomorrow is another day ...I need to collect my art materials for a special birthday Harry Potter style on Saturday...I am the wand master. An artist's life is definitely for me! Ken came down and we had a light dinner together and we shared a few high points of our day. I need to share some of my newest Halloween cards for the 2011 celebration. I hope the rains will let up overnight and the sunshine will return as soon as possible. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Still drinking my teas iced.... days are cool in the morning but hot in my studio...

I have had a very busy day today and ended up the evening with a burger with my dear Ken. I was on a mission to find a special chalk board for Pat at the Grill Deli for his Skyline Chili and tomorrow's Family night. I also began collecting my holiday foams to make holiday snowmen with the grandchildren. I took the luxury of sitting still and catching up on my circle of bloggers and their latest journeys. I can never really express the joy I find in connecting with others who are working in their individual studios daily making their sacred marks. I find a serene, quiet place to smile, question, share, ask provoking questions about another inner most thoughts and processes. I carried around my Inchies today and still have not photographed them to share and catch up with the global group making tiny, inspirational pieces of just FUN. I am also working on a violet sky with starry, starry skies to print fun loving bats flying over our courthouse.

My youngest daughter has decided to make a decision to leave her job...I have some big concerns about this decision since there is so much uncertainty in the job market here. I am trying to be supportive and see her side of the situation ...but honestly this is extremely sensitive area for a mother to have. I am trying to keep busy with my own studio business and Lord knows time is extremely precious. I can only hope everything will work out ...maybe not like I would have wanted but it will still work out. Erin and Chance are celebrating their wedding anniversary this weekend...and we are going over for grand parent babysitting...Whoopee!!! Where has the time flown? Now we are blessed to have such beautiful, loving grand babies!!! Life does not get any better. Thank you all for your loving support as I regain my art legs :0)! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

my fuzzy chemo brain....

Today there is no doubt in my mind that my medications have changed how my brain functions. It is raining...a quiet Monday so I decided to stay home until my head clears a wee bit. I have some laundry to finish and will go out to the grocery in a bit to pick up some chili fixings...perfect on a cool Fall day. I can work from home today and know the day is not a total loss. The weekend was fabulous...we attended the Hebron 4Th's Arts Festival and enjoyed the great musicians and visited with Abby Longshore at her art table. It is a small, informal arts festival and the weather was absolutely perfect...cool crisp and the beginning of the Fall season. We ate at the local dairy mart ...The Hay Dairy Stop on route 40. I had worked in the studio for about three hours moving the cabinets and re-arranging the locations of particular stations. I finished the Halloween commission and I have found a great deal of pleasure in creating this old fashioned image and celebration. One of my favorite country singers performed at the fair.... Mr. Brian Lewis and I introduced his beautiful wife and family to Ken...remember this name...he is a real winner! He opened for Don Williams last month at the Midland!

On Sunday we took our grand daughters Maya Rose, Sabrina Leigh and Hannah Marie to a lunch and then attended the family arts production at our Midland theater. "Magical Mask, Mime and Music of Japan presented by our local Energy Cooperative. A native of Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto enchanted the audience members with her story telling, her folk tales, magic and incredible masks. But one of the most fascinating part of this performance for me was the origami and magic combinations Her music and audience participation made for a memorable afternoon living her in Newark. The balance of illusion and reality created interesting conversations for our dining room table that afternoon.

I am off to do my grocery to make my chili....have a wonderful week. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart