Gratitude ....donations of art supplies ...from Christy

Yesterday I was a recipient of a gracious donation of five bags of art supplies for my Whispers and Echoes Studio.  Five or maybe sic shopping bags of beads...crayons...markers...fine and wide....paint brushes...papers... scissors with specialized edges... glitter glues and glitter paints... well you can see why it took me a couple hours to unpack and sort these gifted details and design elements.  Thank you Christy and best wishes as you move into your new home this weekend.  I know everyone will enjoy the surplus of colors and papers.  Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!

I brought home some of my materials as I continue my focus on finishing my quilt for photography  next week.  My intern is willing to make a composition tri-fold pamphlet for my Australian works.  I need truly intense photos of my latest quilt so that I might enter the Ohio Designer Craftsman Best of 2013.  The entry is due on2/14/13 so time is getting away from me. 

My dear little Alden is enjoying getting around my studio...he was a prize from Yoborobo...he is a happy spirit!!

 long skinny markers... some with calligraphy points on each end...

 Spring colors of craft paints ...perfect for Easter and such Spring time" artivities"

large markers for drawing...

 a variety of papers and wonderful specialized scissors....

 stamps mounted onto wood....a variety of seasons and of course ink pads to use over and over...

 Rita's tiny grandson....squeals with laughter as he runs toward the studio....he is such a delight  to behold... and is going home to Kentucky this weekend....

 more shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day ...yarns for playful fun....more scissors....

 I color tested all the ink pads...and they were all great and ready to use....






Glitter glues...tacky glue....Elmer's glues and Super glue plus beautiful ribbons....

We had almost Spring temperatures yesterday... sunshine and  65 degrees.  Today we had dropped down to the single digits ...and had a couple white outs of snowing when I was on my drive way home from the studio.  I stayed my pace and a slow rate with plenty of room between cars...I saw three accidents in less that a mile.  One SUV was completely turned around on 79.  I took my time and felt comfortable just keeping away from the other not so careful drivers who seemed to be in a big rush to get somewhere.


I hope you all had a productive day in your studios and enjoy good health.  Imagine and Live in Peace, 
Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

the story of Timothy Green...miracles happen every day...

Today I met with my intern who is working on a graphics project for the Newark Soccer League 2013.  I have tried to get a  hold of Keith ; he is the soccer program director for our community.  He had asked me for some assistance earlier in the year for his program...tee shirts.. graphic for stationary ... forms and whatever else they might need.  Candice began some brainstorming and some sketches...so that next week if we can meet with Keith we will be able to continue to move forward.  I ordered a large pizza and supplied energy food for us for lunch.  Michelle came in just in time for our informal pizza party ...she was in need of a friend today ....and well a place to land her heavy heart.  I can not change her circumstances but I can offer her lunch and a friend to share with.  Her life and marriage are falling apart... and I do not have the words to hold her up or change what this next year will be like.  Her mother is coming into town next week ...for moral support and she has found a house for her and the kids to move into with room for expansion.  I am keeping her in my prayers and hopefully be there to listen when the cracks begin to evolve.  No one knows how many changes come in a separation or divorce.  I asked my counselor friend for advice for future counseling ...and there is a support group available to ease her through the next couple of months.  I am praying to find the right words...and to know when to keep my mouth shut and heart open. 

I brought in a great movie for the kids tonight for family night in the studio.   "The Odd Life of Timothy Green"... a movie filled with fantasy, metaphors for matters of the heart, and the meaning of family.  The young man who is acting as Timothy has a charisma about himself...and we sketched at the tables facing the TV ...so everyone who wanted to could follow along while we worked.  The children drew the landscape of the small town in the movie...the garden in the back yard,  the life a a preteen escaping into the dream like world in the nearby woods.  I think the children enjoyed the plot and had their own insight in why and when somethings would begin to happen.  Truth, Faith, recognizing bullying in the schools, seeing how the differences in each one of us are what makes our lives a diverse quilt of relationships.

Gabby came in this week with a sparkle in her eyes...she is ready to go to work...

 I received some generous donations from a parent from St. Francis Assisi elementary school.  It will take me hours to sort and stash away in an organized manner so I can find and then use in my studio..........

 two mothers on a mission........

 Collin is sharing his new toys and got started very early with his Mario and Luigi man puppets...

finding  the correct color ...the concentration and focus ...a lot of choices for this little one....

 Amber and Natalie are first timers and I pray they will return again....This young man is a new delight for Wednesday night activities...

 The youngest of three children this was a first time for the family...

 dinner was pretty good also...

 look at her concentration...and beautiful long fingers

 such a beauty!

 Nickie and Katerina shared their techniques....

 concentration and stylized roses...

Nicholas chose his writing instruments carefully...I never quite sure what he is in the mood  to create....

a new art star is born...

 the three littlest angels...drawing and critiquing each others process and works....

 what else can I add to make this more real???

 the girls are quiet at work...while the young boys are still trying sneak weapons and guns into the studio...

 Dylan is alone in his thoughts...I would love to see him relax more ..

I am watching...well listening to NOVA on PBS ...The Case of the Missing Lindbergh Baby.  The trial and mishaps in the  special makes you wonder who wrong our legal system at this time in History.  Even years later the new tools of DNA and better investigation procedures can maybe make better use of this complex murder and kidnapping.  Fifteen different handwritten notes or ransom letters...the pairs of letter,  spacing, physical evidence , and misspellings of  words and a foreign use of the English language.  I enjoy NOVA when they help lay out the facts ...pattern recognition...slope ...height. ...contour of letters....to help evaluate the different comparisons .  Curiosity is a tool that needs to be nurtured as comparisons are made and documented in the process of the investigation.  This is a fascinating program and offers evidence that many people have ever considered or investigated.... curious facts and circumstances.

I am tied tonight and the weather is getting ready to do a roller coaster ride....outside with high winds and dropping temperatures  and thunderstorm warnings.  I am going to drop off in my bed...and hopefully fall quickly asleep.  Imagine and live in peace,  mary helen fernandez stewart

My gratitude jar.....

 Today the temperatures were in the 60's....for this I am grateful.


The Ikea table is beginning to show its face....for this I am grateful because I will have each container labeled to make my process time more efficient.....

 I cut and scored acid free matte board and foam core...and then sorted it according to size and place them into open baskets for easy access....for this I am grateful

 Rita introduced me to her beautiful daughter and her grandson....he was pure JOY and wearing mew tennis shoes....for this I am grateful

 three generations united in love...hard working grandma Rita and her greatest joy...her daughter and her grandson....





for this I am grateful.............

 then my little buddy Justin came by for a quick lunch with his beautiful Mother Abby...for this I am grateful....


I sent Abby home with book making supplies for a special book of letters ...love letters...to cherish in the future.........











Nap time for the little one........... sweet dreams........











Jay's teacher stopped by to check in with him....you are doing a great job Jay1!!!

the sun was shining brightly today...warm Spring like temperatures...and our beautiful courthouse ...for these gifts I am grateful.  I found a the perfect mason jar...to drop my gratitude notes in daily.  They are saying we are going to have thunderstorms and high in the 60's  with damaging winds.  Well that is Ohio!!!  Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
It is 62 degrees right now at 11:00 PM  Yowza!!!!!

A soft gray Monday....getting acquainted....

Today when I went in I met with my COTC intern Candice and we both got down to re-organizing and storing specific art supplies...likes with likes...seasons with seasons.. and so forth.  I am receiving a donation on Wednesday from a mother who is moving her family this weekend.  It was a kind and easy way to become acquainted with one another as working with me gives her some school credit and some experience creating graphic arts for a variety of different clients.  We made head way in about 2 hours and then we went up to the cutting room and re-sized some of the donated foam core and matte boards ...recycling many papers and boards that would have ended up in a landfill.  We finished and I sorted according to the various sizes....ready to rework and create with quality boards.  Candice is preparing to graduate this Spring and she focus and determination as she shared her future business plans.  I am very excited to be able to work with this young artist before she enters the professional world of work. 

Last night I quilted with Downton Abby in the background.  Then I treated myself to another PBS special...Independent Lens.  They spent about 80 minutes introducing me to a Southern artist named Wayne White.   He is a gregarious man, a family man , married to an artist with two grown children who are now artists.   He came up from Tennessee to a move to Manhattan, New York.   He has a wild idea that an artist could entertain with the Art he or she creates.  Wayne shares the same insecurities found in the Art Community but he did not buy into belief "It is never easy"   When you do what you love and love what you do ...add a strong work ethic and work every day one might receive a reputation for responsibility.  Make Art for yourself...do it for yourself... and drawing was a continuing companion as he grew into a young man.  Reality pushed Wayne into a rebellion ...defiance... against authority figures.  I ordered a DVD "Beauty is Embarrassing" and share his appreciation that humor can be sacred.  He has years of experience working to create the sets for Pee Wee Herman's show...24 hours a day 7 days a week working in a horrible workspace with some very creative artists who remained life long friends.Wayne also has won awards for working with Smashing Pumpkins ;  Shining Town Station with Ringo Starr; Snapple commercials, and a series Riders in the Sky.  His passion is an example that "art as a lifestyle" is a very good place to be.  If you are able to see this DVD...I think you will have a renewed appreciation for puppets, set designs, unusual exhibitions, outreach programs and so forth.  No he does not say this is an easy life...but he has perfected a life that provides him enough to live an authentic life. He talks about how filthy the Art world can be, enormous egos, greed, and total insanity.  Hollywood taught him many lessons.  He has continued to move in forward directions with his Word paintings....but I will leave your google search for you to discover his madness or is it genius? 

"Friendship is neither  a formality nor a mode; it is rather a life."  David Grayson

Imagine and Live in Peace.  Remember to SHINE!  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

a soft Sunday afternoon.....

 Tina is awaiting the arrival of her new grandson Kamdin....Kyra is going to be the beautiful big sister....

 Kyra 's bedroom ...a very Dora the Explorer affair is shared with her cousin.....

new mothers share a joy and support one another.....this little guy is only 10 weeks old....

Resting in Momma's arms...he kept Momma up until 4 :00am ....

 now he is hearing Kariann 's voice ....and looking around the room.....







The young mother standing in the doorway is due to have her second little boy in May....

Today has been a slow moving day ...the kind of

day we all need to remember to give ourselves.  Yes there is still work to be done...but standing still is essential for our journey.  I attended a baby shower for a young mother today...her new addition Kamdin will arrive in a matter of weeks.   Now as a grandmother myself...I know how important these rituals are.... for preparing young families for the strengths and opportunities coming in the  very near future.  Ken had married this young couple and her mother works at the deli across from my studio.  Hard working women working together ...to give support to young parents.  One attendee had her little 10 week old son with her....she looks amazing ...and she says the breast feeding is the reason the baby weight is already disappeared.  There were the usual games...tiny sandwiches...cupcakes.... and prize bags .... and when I left I found myself homesick for my early Kentucky years where my large family always had a reason to gather in the name of love.  Weddings....baby showers....adoptions...retirements...anniversaries.... just to gather for any reason with those you love and share a simple celebration.  I describe this afternoon as soft...a day for time off ...a day to reflect...hold a new baby... hug a dear friend... and come home for a soft afternoon nap.  I am not sure why I am so tired....but truly I believe the cold frigid temperatures have a lot to do with it.  We have icy weather warnings for tonight and early tomorrow morning....so Ken went out to get some more salt for our steep driveway.  Thank you dear friend for taking care of this much needed precautionary measure. 


......there is something irreducibly mysterious about the genesis of friendship....Christine Leefeldt

I hope you all have had a soft kind of Sunday yourselves..... now it is almost time for Downton Abbey!!!
Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Saturday and comfort foods....

The weather curtailed the opening...we were on a level 2 snow emergency where the community was asked to stay off the roads and be safe. Do not go out unless it is an emergency.  It was with a heavy heart that I posted on facebook that we would have a meet the artist afternoon on 2/17/13 from 2 until 4. Still I received email notifications and phone calls that people had ventured out only to find The Works closed due to inclement weather.  I do believe in safety first and was relieved when I knew the Columbus people were home safe and sound.

My new little friend..Alden was created by my friend over at Yoborobo's fiber studio...I won him in a blog give away contest....

Doesn't he have the cutest expression???  And he loves the warm felted hat and hand knit gloves Cyd made for me....

I could swear that I heard Alden talking about the dogs running in and out all afternoon....

I just love my new hat....I am ready for the cold winter winds...

more candlelight...shine ....we all shine in the beauty of candlelight....









I love the roving of yarns that Cyd sent to me for my desert flower whispers.....

Today Ken made a new recipe for comfort food...macaroni and cheese with ham and bread crumb topping.  I made a very large ham and bean pot of soup that we had some delicious cornbread and butter.  I napped today...did laundry.... and rested.  My body was worn out from the anticipation of the events yesterday.  Ken brought in the mail and newspapers ...and I received a special little gift...from Yoborobo ...my little Alden.  This wonderful stuffed spirit was enough to cheer my spirits...I lit some more candles and enjoyed the quiet of my day.  I hope you are all safe as we live in this Artic blast of weather. I have a baby shower tomorrow but other than that the day is mine.  I wish you peace and warmth.  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

thoughts become dreams....

I have worked from home today...I needed to have quiet time for concentration so I might be able to find the right words to write an artist statement for the Collaborative Communications  opening tomorrow evening.  I have had numerous phone calls about the times...can children come?...how long will the exhibit be up?... and even our local newspaper called for an appointment and an article for The Newark Advocate.  The winter blast is still here and the driveway was covered this morning with snow...with more major snowfall tomorrow.  This art exhibit is for the "Art" of creating meaningful Dialogues between a recognized artist and introducing a new and vitally active artist to our community.  I know you are totally aware that Art Saves Lives ....and now I feel intensely that our thoughts become dreams.  When it comes to a description of Lisa Kelleher and her new works.... these images will help us all to hold onto a joyful life.  I posted this yesterday on facebook..."The obstacle becomes the path".  This Zen quote seemed so appropriate to my artistic sensibilities today.  Lisa's Bohemian spirit ...she was always curious of conscious differences ....seeking to make connections and a dialogue between the artist's view and the patrons interpretations.  Lyn and I installed the photographs yesterday...you can see them on yesterday's blog post.  The sunrises and the sunsets celebrate the beginnings and endings of our days gifts.  The reliquary works are evidence of a vessel no long alive...the beautiful lobster tail and the crab against the sands of time document the marks we make as we journey along the beach...feeling the tide pull us gently along our paths.  Artists make small gestures ...that make a difference in our worlds and cultures.  This dialogue hopefully  demonstrates a loving respect....empowers....and includes all visions.  "Artists need to create ...on the same scale...that society has the capacity to destroy."  I am hoping this exhibit successfully consecrates the communications we experience and nurture through out our lives. 

 Lisa's vision through her camera's lens and her heart...





I am totally blown away with the black and white images...remnants and foot prints ...evidence that Lisa was here...

Now I am back to work...I think I am almost caught up on the computer.  Stay warm...be safe... and know you are a beacon of white light....radiating an energy that never disappears.  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart