the secret of my life is enjoying the passing of time....

Dawes Arboretum today with my dear artists from ADD in Columbus... a gift to my soul's garden.

Flower pounding ...first on paper...and then onto cotton bags....front and back....

Watering the Learning Garden for Jenny Pope...

Enjoying the plans we are making for a group picnic in late September....

Listening to lunch time conversations....

I was in a trace just watching the flow of the water spray in the sunlight...watering the beauties in our garden...

A quick lunch with a $1.59 deluxe cheeseburger from Sonic's drive through....

A quick run through JoAnn's for a few half priced buttons and 50% off remnants to make into bags........for Fall....

Picking up Somerset's HOME magazine.....artistic ideas to beautiful your home............and reviewing Art Quilting Studio Magazine.........quiet times to just be still ....

A simple time...for a simple life....

Ken went out with his bro friends to play golf....in the beautiful sunshine..........we are still waiting to hear from our oncologists for the radiation therapies.........

Friday we have the last FREE concert at The Works Courtyard Concert with our "Sticks and Stones"  rock and roll favorite....fun ...ice cream from Velvet....games and activities ....Library visits and treats....saying good bye to summer 2013 .... come on down from 11:30 to 1:30 and enjoy the Fun!!!

I am continuing my drawing on my whisper panel.....details and layers of colors...

 I am working very slowly but this process helps me with my cognitive dysfunction...trouble concentrating...

 I seem to have a difficulty with multitasking....I need to work on one thing methodically and almost rhythmically  in the wee hours of the evening...

 a cup of coffee ....at the dining room table....

 Ken took several angles ...this way you can get a perspective........

 artist tools for flower pounding....simple hammers and clippers to select individual blooms....

 fresh cotton bags...simple white cotton...to create a visual dialogue with each individual artist....  wax paper is another simple tool....

 our fearless leader Jenny Pope graciously guides the artists in looking....seeing...the blooms and colrs...........

 Ruth is a great volunteer who brought her three grand grand kids to participate and help...community service....

 Mikee has a new hair cut.....and enjoyed hammering his design with his adult leader...........in the cool morning shade...........

 David is very proud of his pounded flowers.... the ferns are spectacular....

 Randy is studying his colors and composition...  he is deciding whether to add a few more colors....Randy has an incredible memory of classic cars....and sketches from memory of his trips..........

 Randy is not smiling but I know he likes the addition of yellows....

 Mary and Clinton show their final works....

 my dear gentle man Jason is signing his cotton bag...maybe he can use it to hold something precious from his summer adventures......

 Clinton is making notes of his flower pounding lesson....Mary is beginning to plan for our end of September's picnic.....we already have desserts well planned....

 Jenny is one of the most loving gardeners and artists....I learn from her every day.........

 Jason has a few more sketches to make in his journal.....such a patient man and a joy to work with....

 Mikee is drawing his hammer and then coloring it with his favorite color red!  We did use a couple red hammers with short handles........... good memory!

 this studio is alive....with a quiet wonder and the miracle of process....this art making is trans formative in so many ways............

Jason is quietly sitting...finishing his journal...stapling his paper practice page....is it time for lunch???  In the garden???

Yes the group has worked until after noon today...their focus and persistence is a gift we can all learn from.  Imagine and Live in Peace,  Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart