A gray day and a new friend...

Today has been a complicated day...a dear young mother came in today to share that she had just signed her divorce papers.  She would be moving to a smaller home for her and her two young children on Saturday and Sunday.  My heart sank  when I struggled to chose my words carefully as to console her and let her know I can be here to listen.  In these circumstances...there are no winners... and I am praying she will find and collect her women friends and "circle the wagons" as she enters a new chapter of her life. 

I also had another dear friend stop by after her doctor's visit today and gave her the quilt with the new sleeve for installing in this new baby that will arrive very soon.  This couple...are so dedicated to each other and he has been to every visit along side her.  She got to preview the collage I am making for her and the new baby.  Unfortunately I did not have the camera card in my camera so photos will come tomorrow.  I found some green vellum to cut my jungle leaves to surround the giraffe, the elephant and the cute little monkey.  It will not be finish by the shower but I want to take my time to create a whimsical composition they will all enjoy.

Then we received a phone call...Ken's beloved mother Elizabeth fell today and opened a nasty gash over her eye and under the brow.  She is bruised and confused the staff called in Hospice.  The two sisters who live there in Marion ended up taking her into the emergency room...poor Mom does not even know what happened ...who fell? ...she asked.  My love for the sisters who are there day and night to make the calls ...run to the hospital...make the first decisions... living daily with the losing of a great lady ...one day at a time.  Say a prayer for my dear husband Ken...he is experiencing a very heavy heart tonight.

But as usual I do try to remember to be grateful for my day's work...I met a very charming painter named Michael S. McGinn who is working to paint for an exhibit here at The Works late 2014.  He has a powerful 

he captures the everyday homesteads... and landmarks...

 the major thorough fares and neon landmarks on Route 40...

our very festive Short North Gallery district...

 Polonia Food market and quick service opened in 1956...

 our fresh fruit and vegetable market at the North Market in Columbus....





and a church landmark near the expressway 70 and 71....near German Village...

use of dynamic colors and has painted landmarks all around Columbus.  For the next two years he will visit, sketch and document our landmarks of Licking County.  I look forward to having him visit and capture the beauty that is surrounding us all here in our own home town.  Michael had a gentle spirit and shared some facts about his journey.  I do wish I could have had more time to listen to his journey...but I came in late due to the fact I had to make a stop at my friendly optometrist.  I have included a couple of examples of his Columbus works...just a preview to what will be coming.  Thank you for listening and your loving gentle support.  We all know some days are easier than others.  Art Saves Lives!  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

a day of gratitude and sweet surprises....

I went in and had a quick lunch with my intern Candice as we made plans for the printing of my fabrics...as soon as I learn a thing or two about this printer.  We reviewed last night's events and the power of providing young artists with worthwhile experiences to fuel their futures.  My calligrapher friend Barbara Clagget came in for a surprise visit and we rejoiced in her recovery from Breast cancer and a mastectomy last November.  She now lives in Utica so we do not get to see her very often...I must get up to see her in her new surroundings and possibly have a quick lunch. 

Then I met my police officer and his companion specialist dog Ike dropped by with Officer Tim and his new charge Bear.  I am half through my sketch of Ike and then we went out photograph a very eager Bear.  He is well trained and charged out of the police vehicle ...ready to report to duty.  These animals serve and protect their masters in investigations and criminal activities.  The breed is a Belgium Malinois and they are intelligent and dedicated animals...we should be proud of the men and dogs  who serve our community to keep us safe.

George Leach a painter friend...and lawyer by day ...stopped  by to invite Ken and I over to the Short North for the pre-Gallery Hop in the Short North.  The way the week is going ...I probably won't be able to attend ...I am waylaid by my works in process and March is Friday!!! Where did the month go???

I am continuing to work on a the collage for Larry and darah when I looked up...Larry came in with the wall hanging for the new baby's rooms.  I told Larry I would take it home ...cut the fabric and make a sleeve to attach by tomorrow.  It was easier than trying to explain how it should be done...this new father to be is getting the room ready for family to view this weekend for the shower.  Larry is getting a bit anxious ...with just weeks to go. 

 Barb is a true survivor and a beacon of pure white light....

 she is such a tiny woman with a heart of pure courage...

 here is Reagan with her parents... she may be a messy monkey in April...

 Dave is studying the beginnings of my sketch...Ike is his charge as a police dog...

 this is my new portrait subject...this is Bear and he is rather large...

 he is a beautiful dog...

 Candice and George had a quick chat...he keeps asking how many photos do  need?  He is such an inspiration....

 bear is still waiting to be called to duty....

 that is Larry peeking out from behind the quilt...









and here is the continuation of my progress of the collage...

Ken and I had delicious peppers and onions, tomatoes, provolone cheese under the broiler with chicken breasts and sausages on top of whole grain breads.  Delicious on a cold, sleeting night of rain mixed with snow!!  Now I am off to continue to quilting.  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

the third graders of Legend....but Bing Davis was not there

It has been just like I imagined the floods Noah faced in the bible....we had rain almost all of the day.  I decided to create a special collage for two people who love children and are expecting their first child in about 6 weeks.  The baby shower is this weekend...Mom in law and mothers will all be gathered to see the new baby's room and share all the maternal knowledge they have to give.  The new father is waiting ...patiently ...and a little overwhelmed by the changes during the last 8 months.  They are working on a simple but engaging room in a jungle theme so I am creating the very beginnings of a jungle complete with a giraffe, and a baby elephant and of course a silly, happy monkey! 

I am watching "Makers : Women Who Make America" ...a three hour special that documents and reveals the formative years of my life growing up female in America....  Feminism, the change in TV, The Feminine Mystic, Booby Riggs and Billie Jean king tennis competition!  I graduated from high school in 1968 !! I am enjoying this so far..I hope they remain true to their PBS standards!!

 rose buds..saving them for future paper making in the warmth of June....

 soft teal skies...soothing blues for the new baby

gesso the blank canvas....then begin...it sounds so simple...

 a rough giraffe takes life form...

 this is a poster over at OSU ...that is my quilt behind the children who are reading... I feel a sense of pride every time I see my quilt living here...

 the happy family with Isiah....

 he shares his first art project in his third grade class... Braden is behind him...

 look at this inquisitive little 4 year old...he melts my heart...

 Sophia with the beautiful red hair with Isiah....

 I think Candice has every reason to be smiling...

 Mr. Anderson spoke to the students.. the teachers and thanked the parents for supporting their children...

 look at this handsome young artist.........

 Mom and Dad are pretty happy also!!!

 Braden wanted his photo taken also...

 this tree book was very intriguing...

 we are both giggle boxes...rosy cheeks rule the night!

 sweet idea!

 Prayer for the Masasi Warrior...8 1/2 feet tall by 5 feet wide...the right to an education for everyone...

 Congratulations Isiah!

Earlier I attended a special exhibit over at OSU campus of third grade students from Legend Elementary exploring diversity and working in teams.  My friend Willis Bing Davis was scheduled to give the talk and hand out certificates..and such.  But for some reason he was unable to attend and the young man who spoke ...well he needs to recognize his audience...we could not understand him and the children were very well behaved but I think got very little out of it.  My young friend Isiah shared his sculptural leaves and artist statement with Ken and I.  He had his little friends Sophia with beautiful red hair and her little brother Braden.  We all enjoyed ourselves at our table and viewed the tree made out of books complete with lights!   It is such an empowering gift to a young child to celebrate and recognize the young artist in their first explorations.  Enjoy the photos!!  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

I felt the sunshine on my face all day....Happy Monday

 Just look at his beautiful smile...he is so happy to have new baby Kamdin home with Mom...

 Kamdin weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces ...what a cutie...he has long fingers and has scratched his little face...

 these two AKC dog breeders came in to gather some information....we all had a great love for our dogs...big and small

 another big brother smiling to see me and his Grandma....

What a beautiful couple ....Mom and Dad may be tired  but they are so proud!

 Messy Monkeys supplies .....buttons....fabrics for special monkey projects...

 check out those monkey buttons.............

 Here  are some of Candice's ideas for the tee shirts...






We meet with Keith after he sees them and make whatever adjustments....I am very proud of  her work!  Great Job!!!!

Inocente was the winner of the Academy Awards Best Documentary Short Subject ...last night at te Oscars.  In San Diego a young teenage girl named Inocente at 15 years old was determined to never give into her bleakest of surroundings.  For over 9 years she carried her belongings around in black garbage bags...finding her retreat from the bleak in her bright,vivid colors and fantasy paintings.  Please check this out...I am still trying to buy a copy to share in my studio...Art truly saves Lives!

The Spring family came in today with baby Kamdin ...6 days old and as cute as he can be.  His big...well bigger than him brothers are ready to help Mom and Dad with this newest family member.  This is the young couple that Ken married last year are beginning this new chapter with all the fortitude all new parents share with the new babies.

Candice and I organized the images to present to Keith for the Newark Soccer tournament..in May 2013.  We are Here/Hear to play Soccer!  I think she has created several images for Keith to employ this year for the tee shirts.  Today we were able to download some instructions for the possibility to print my images on fabric...this is so exciting for me. Just think... multiples of my drawings and images  to play and embellish in a variety of colors and beads.

I met with two AKC dog breeders preparing for the AKC dog show in September to recommend someone to create their 2013 awards.  I asked them to come back to meet Larry Tuber and his artist in residence Joanna from England.  They both worked on the STEM trophies this past weekend and they were amazing.

I am going over to OSU tomorrow to see little Isiah's art exhibit and to listen to Willis Bing Davis speak on the importance of diversity in today's education and ability to develop our Art works to present our individual  works.   Bing had an exhibit awhile back but he always seem to share a new viewpoint when he addresses his students and artists.

I hope you were all able to enjoy the beautiful sunshine today...I hear some rumblings that the weather is about to change in a big way!  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Oscar night and I am just quilting away...

I read today how many artists love Sundays...if we are lucky enough we can slow down, take a breathe , catch up on some inspirational blog posts, cook a new recipe for a slow cook dinner, actually finish the laundry pile ...and find time to enjoy the Ohio State basketball game!  The skies were dark and as Ken graded his research papers I took a much needed nap under a warm quilt with Roxie sleeping on my hip.  For some reason she likes to be up high ... but her warmth and quiet time was much appreciated. 

Yesterday I worked with my friend Branson on introducing him to mixed media and the playing with stencils.  The STEM science event was happening at the same time and luckily Branson's school was competing right outside my studio.  Future engineers and architects created teams to build toothpick bridges.  The energy and dedication of these individual teams worked together , solving design problems, sharing and advising each other to put their best work forward.  It is so exciting to see and celebrate these young scientists with their proud parents waiting in the wings.  I am including some photos of both group of kids and the progress they made.  I hope you have had a wonderful weekend.  I look forward to sunshine tomorrow!  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

 Branson arrives earlier with each week's activities.....

 Heritage Middle school at the STEMfest at The Works

 this is a large team but they seem to solve their problems and made a great presentation...

 yes they still have to have those presentation boards...Nerdy Newtons...

the judges and engineers preparing for the first judging...OU students came in to make the actual weight measurements...

 I love the names they chose for their teams...very creative..

 this is made  of toothpicks and glue...........

 another design of a bridge made out of toothpicks..........

 look .......our future is bright with energetic teams exploring Science...........

Branson shared his drawing with his principal...

 adding his name to his portfolio this week.........

 playing...adding acrylics...working with stencils.....

 looking through to the possibilities......inspirations from Nature....

 adding a variety of permanent pens....colors...paint pens...

 this mixed media work is blooming........

 nest week we will explore pastels   and sketching bull mastiffs...

 thank you Ken for supplying us with a variety of poses...

 still he can add more strokes...to make is real ish....

 pastels explanation and maybe a small journal to carry with him as a reward...

 I ran into some of my Wednesday artists...with their big brother in the competition ...Brooklyn ...sorry my camera is out of focus...










little Ariel was working in the food market part of the imagination sections at The Works...I love these kids!

"To paint is to love again."  Henry Miller








Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with more special art stories.  Art Saves Lives!