my beautiful busy day............

The day began very early as I prepared for my dear little Messy Monkeys  The first two to arrive are Morgan Elizabeth and Lyndon Allen.  This makes my heart smile!  Before I know it the rest of my tiny tribe arrives and I gave Marcia the honor of reading Five Little Monkeys Jump into the Bath!  She was out of town last week and Jack's beloved Gigi was not going to be out of his sight.  I love these sweet young mothers and a very dear Grandfather who bring these young artist into town to create their own Art.  They are now officially "makers" ...sacred mark makers with the visions only they have the power to reveal.  I am so honored to be able to be part of their lives for a moment in time and I think you can see from the few photos...they seem to be a royal family of Messy monkeys.

I came over to the studio to have a quick lunch with Ken and my crumb crunchers.  We laugh, giggle, make more plans for the summer and share the cool breezes coming through the open doors of the central gallery.  Richard Duarte came over from Columbus to retrieve the works that have graced our central gallery for about three months.  Duarte is a special artist...he paints in church every Sunday as his form of praise.  He has started a new series where he is painting stories from his life in and on suitcases.  I promised him that I would keep an eye open for these valuable vessels of visions and dreams.  he is a gentle soul who has blessed my life with his gentle ways.

Ken took the tiny ones to the Don Gunnerson Rotary Park for a quick dash about their favorite Licking county playground.  I began sorting and selecting materials for next week's last Messy Monkey class.  I am a bit sadden by how quickly this time has passed.  I have been very blessed and i love their gentle sweet spirits.

I went back to the Glass Studio to help Chris Lang and Sylvia with the Bed Felting class and my wonderful Spark adults have come over from their Granville studio.  Isaac came with his Grandmother Donna...he is in my morning Messy Monkey class to make his felted beads.  As you will soon see he has created some wonderful beads.  Lydia is home schooled and came in eagerly to make her first felted beads...she is a pure Natural and Loves every thing about ART!  At 3:30 PM I left and went to get a much needed haircut... this heat and humidity ...even if it is occasional is hard on my head.  Diane gave me a royal treatment ...gentle washing...then a kind soft conditioning ...and a clean even blunt cut.  I felt like I was a Queen when I left.

I returned to The Works to celebrate the YES club's second glass exhibit.  These 9 students are blossoming and I felt a sense of pride checking out their individual new works.  I bid on a couple but last year I was totally blown out of the water.  I am hopeful this year...to get at least one of my selections.  Charles had made a very unique glass vase...it will only hold one flower.  I left before the final count and came home to a bowl of soup and soon I will fall into bed!  I have had a wonderful day but I am exhausted.  I continue to pray for Peace.  Peace be with you,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

 Morgan is modeling one of the Messy Monkey aprons.........

 Evan loves everything MONKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I am the luckiest grandmother in the whole wide world!!!!!!!!!!

our Monkey Art accordion books........Morgan's is the beautiful pink one.....

 inside the accordion pages.............a bit of this and a bit of that....

 Lawrence shares his McDonald 's truck with me......he is a dear wee one.......

 and YES he totally approves of everything on my worktable!!!!!!!

 Ari works with Chris Lang on his felted bead...he is from the Sparks Studio..

 Sylvia encourages April to make her beads.... for a special necklace....

 YES that is my Isaac making his first felted beads with his Grandmother Donna......he has a busy ART day!

 Mike has a chat with Misty....her vision is not strong enough to felt with the barbed needles so she watches Larry preparing for his YES Glass Exhibit tonight.......

 mark is proud of his felted works....and his friend is still working with her needle.........

 Josh has perfected his approach to making his own beads and it seems to be working!

 Now Roxanne was in a fidgety mood today...she wanted someone else to do her work.......

 first we soak in the warm soapy water......roll into a tight ball...rinse all the suds out.......and cool in clean clear water..............

 Chris checks the water temperature ..warm .soapy.. .water agitates  the fibers to form a strong bond!

 Now this is just right..........

 these two gentlemen have finished first and were very successful.....

 Josh is very proud of his works........

 Lydia is home schooled because of her dance schedules ....... and LOVES everything about ART!

 Now for the Master's special touch........Chris is a professional with a warm heart.

 Yes this is FUN and It is really clean FUN!!!

 Allison is making her first felted bead...that lead to a flower composition.or maybe an angel....

 Now you are on a roll...all ages can have a great time here.........

 Lydia now has enough to make her necklace.she is so proud!!!!

 a future glass installation for the YES Clubhouse .awesome collaboration!

 Charles has grown into a more confident young man.

 this is the one I really wanted..........we will see what tomorrow brings.........

 Mother and mischievous son.....with a broken collar bone.........

 the selection is fabulous ...and this is high school students.

 refreshments....pizza for everyone!

 Sam Harris and Larry Tuber share a moment of celebration........

 Vee and Larry may have gone to the same school when they were younger........                    

Old new friends...families celebrate the accomplishments......

 now which one do I really want?????????

 mothers....aunts .teachers........uncles......make their selections

 yes even the minister .was in on the FUN!

 Best Buds....Marcus and Charles..........

 Marcus made this beautiful vase............I was over bid in the first minutes....

 future drivers.........

 future runners practice on the Wii games.........

Charles I really hope I get this one this year!  Have a great Friday...I am off to bed!  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart