a cleansing afternoon shower...

Friday and the rains came...strong at times but later moments of pure cleansing showers that cleaned the air and offer a cool refreshment for my garden and my parched hillside. The butterflies have taken flight as if in glee as the temperatures finally broke and dropped into the low 80's. I went down to the Friday afternoon courtyard concert with rhythmic Celtic music and joyful folk songs. The festivities were moved indoors to the central gallery and into my still vacant studio space...the place was filled to the brim. A $5.00 lunch, Gaelic Music, Velvet Ice Cream sandwiches and children playing at the feet of their families and twirling around in a dance they created all on their own. The Nursing home...The Inn on Sharon Brooke brought several of their inhabitants, my friends from the Workshop came over from Columbus for a lunch and the free music and finally the regular community participants came for an afternoon with friends enjoying their retirements. The weather may have been a wee bit in-climate but we needed the rain for our farmers and our gardens.

After our lunch we went over to review the lease and after consideration I chose not to use the central gallery ...I could not see how I could ask any artist to install their works and the exhibit would have to be insured by me, myself and I. I did this for many years when the LCA was in the space but I know how much work it ends up being. We signed with the realization I can have a one or two artist exhibit in coordination with the Downtown Association's Final Fridays. I want to keep it simple and go slow...my space is my studio and I want to work there and possibly gradually move to have a few artists at a time to share their images and processes. The freedom is what I am paying for ...the rent and utilities are my responsibility now and I want to be open for the possibilities. I don't expect to make money right off the bat but with the possible commissions for one of a kind works that will be legacies to pass onto families and communities is one of the two year focuses I am going to do. I received an email about a possible commission last night...to be reproduced to raise funds for cancer patients...by September 24,2010. I am also going to attempt to finish a new work to submit to 2011 Quilt National down in Athens, Ohio. I have to get settled and back to regular work patterns.

Tonight we relaxed and took time to just breathe and had a movie night with fudge and popcorn...We had Shutter Island from Netflix which is a Martin Scorsese movie. The film was intense and the photography incredibly beautiful as they develop the story line about mental health and mental institutions during the 1950's. I worked on a small felted piece for a Fall pin and I became tense my stitches reflected my body's responses to this intense investigation. I need to go for now. I have a gallery talk tomorrow at 11:00 am and two students and their parents and grandson, faculty from Capital University, the watercolor classes from the LCA and who knows who else will show up....and I want to be fresh and energetic. A Saturday morning is a precious time slot in most families and I have a great deal of gratitude for these people coming over from Columbus and Zanesville tomorrow. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

from disorganized to pure chaos.....

two spirits...good and evil


I was supposed to have my three girls tonight...Maya Rose, Sabrina Leigh and Hannah Marie to spend a day at the pool, make summer travel bags for their trip to South Carolina and to spend the night with Grandma. I have hardly been able to see them and I miss them so...their Father says NO and the grandparents lose...but so do the grand daughters. I tried to stay busy but when I went to write my enormous Visa bill and for some reason I have not been able to locate my extra checks...did you ever have a day like this??? I ended up moving things around and stayed in the cool house; our house is cool and the air is so dirty my eyes burn when I go outside. Ken went over to make proper arrangements for his gifted certification for this Fall's program. When he came home we had hot dogs with all the messy condiments and cool iced tea. I will continue my search for checks and hopefully get the bills in the mail. I plan of going upstairs to look again and put some materials in clear see-through containers that will be labeled properly for ease of use and storage.

I picked up my paperback of Art and Fear written back in 1993 by David Bayles and Ted Orland...observations on the perils and rewards of Art making. In part 1 the opening quote is perfect...."Writing is easy: all you do is sit staring a a blank sheet of paper until the drops of blood form on your forehead.___ Gene Fowler" That just about covers it no matter what Art you are involved in making ...writing is just a beginning for me and doodling is another step in the process for me and insures that I can return to when I might want to play with the composition or style. I received two emails today asking me to join an global movement to create a 12 inch quilt square that will be put together to auction off for clean clear drinking water for the populations in Africa. The second one is a call for art...unfortunately I think it is a donation for a large support group for persons with cancer...Grounds for Wellness to be auctioned off in September 24, 2010 at their gala in Columbus, Ohio. I really need more information before I commit but this is something I can do ...along as they give me room to employ several collage techniques and possible photo transfers. Art and Fear asks "How does art get done? Why, often, does it not get done? And what is the nature of the difficulties that stop so many who start?" This is a timeless question we usually ask ourselves when we start a new expression or visualization of an idea we want to convey in our mark making ... we all work in uncertainty as we begin the first marks.

I am hopeful that you are staying cool and working on one of your works successfully. Have a cool summer evening and enjoy the fireflies as they dance above the summer grasses. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Another hurdle...good ideas but so many hoops....

Steve and Lisa arrived safely this morning at 10:00 am with a few hurdles and hoops of their own to jump through to get to our house. The road construction is a phenomenal change in driving patterns with each day's progress. They were lucky to have their cell phones but to be honest I have no clear cut understanding for how they arrived at the house. We took some quick photos ...an adult to teacher relationship now ...still they are and will always be kids to me in my heart. We headed downtown to The Works to see the exhibit and I could share some of the stories and inspirations behind each art quilt. We took a quick walk through the discovery and invention labs before we headed over to the Grill for a hot juicy hamburger and a cool cool drink. Ken treated us all to ice cream..Lisa had cookies and cream, I had black cherry cordial and Steve and Ken had butter pecan. This was the perfect thing to do before we said our goodbyes and they headed back home to Canton. Life flies by so quickly... we shared a few memories about our years since 1975 and I do know how blessed I am to have them in my life.

I then met with the lawyer for an understanding of how setting up a limited liability corporation for myself and the numerous steps needed to open my studio. I spoke to a few possible contributors but without being a 501 3c..nonprofit it is impossible to ...well difficult to overcome the legal expectations and regulations. My heart is heavy for the moment but I know somehow I Will be able to move forward. Never panic...sit back and rethink the possibilities to open my space and work for myself as a visible living artist.

The heat is almost unbearable so I am hiding out and resting down in the man cave...cool semi dark and restful. Thank you for listening. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Reunion after 35 years...

Tomorrow and Saturday I will be giving special gallery talks at the Art Works Gallery and my exhibit. Tomorrow Steve and Lisa will visit our home and head downtown to see the works and then have lunch. Steve and Lisa were in my first classroom at Edgefield Elementary back in 1975...for 35 years we have share our lives and they have grown into wonderful friends. It would take me too long to share all the "Life episodes" we have had over the decades but I do know how blessed I am to have them in my life today. We will have about three hours to catch up on the changes and anniversaries in our lives. Then we will have lunch at the Grill and say goodbye for now. I then have an appointment with a lawyer for some guidance and advice on the steps I need to take for next month. I am sure I will be very tired and ready to return to the cool quiet of my home. I am not sure how others are dealing with this heat....today is 98 and high humidity with dirty air to boot. We went out and found the perfect color for the couple of walls that will require painting...spiced pumpkin. It is a warm and sassy color that will warm the space when the winter months return and the snow covers the ground. The old brick walls and the vintage design elements will blend and I think create an inviting atmosphere and creative inspiration.

We visited my dear artist friend and mentor in his new studio ...Moundbuilders Studio" complete with his Ikea floor lamps and drawing table and an art cart on wheels. He has a whole wall of glass to look out onto a beautiful tree lined yard and the seasons will literally unfold right in front of his eyes. We already discussed the possibilities of trading places and techniques in each others sacred spaces. Small, intimate environments to stop, sit still, listen within and create the change in our days. Daily OM said " Since our lives are constantly in motion energetically, change is a constant element of our existence." I am looking forward to returning downtown in the center of art in our county...everything is in walking distance kind of like what I saw in Brevard,NC and fell in love with last year. I can work alone and still be with the generations that walk through the door...a connection that I have taken over a year to reconsider the importance of visibility. I have artists already for October and November and the beginning of the November -December "Soul of the Season" Holiday art exhibit. I know I have work ahead of me but I feel like I am on a roll. Have a sweet cool evening and sweet dreams. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

summer reruns....itis a Turner Classic Movie night

Here is a picture of me with my "Scout" (To Kill a Mockingbird) haircut.









Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mocking Bird" is on tonight and I am thankful for this classic artful movie that touched me as a child and the lessons reflected in this script have never been far from my heart. Macon, GA in 1932 ...the time was slower in this quiet little Southern town experiencing hard economic times...fear of loss and fear of change as well as the despair of embarrassing one's self to pay their bills with bartering with collard greens and fresh eggs. The Cunninghams were a family known as country folk living very close to the earth. Atticus is too old to do many things that Scout and Jim would like to do ...like play football for the Methodists. Gardens for vegetables in the front yards and a summer visitor known as Dill...a wee bit puny for seven years old...visiting his Aunt Stephanie for a two whole weeks. A time of gentle relations and manners in a hot summer Southern town where a child's imagination has a way of running away with realities. A character named Boo...a quiet recluse who is rarely seen and his character of being a maniac is highly exaggerated. The words and description roll off the pages ...that is what I remember as a twelve year old reading an adult novel for the first time. My mother had to assist me when I was unable to decipher the social regulations and expectations in a Southern town where the lines in society were very clearly drawn. Courage is a lesson that is clearly illustrated as the plot develops...Harper Lee is a wonderful writer and Ken and I both are looking for our copy of the well worn paperback to reread this summer. I remembered the time when our houses were close enough and the screens were open and our quiet evening conversations and salutations could be over heard in the evening breezes. The Tom Robinson character's dilemma were over shadowed by the racial tensions and racial prejudices were openly expressed. The hateful words were more vicious tools of despair than the actual weapons used to keep people in their proper place. The crime of an accused rape and assault of Luella ...poor white trash and a victim of an overbearing and hateful father who runs his house with an iron and hateful fist. As you can see I am really hooked by this classic movie and so grateful that it is commercial free ...a great treat at the end of the day when there is nothing but awful reality TV on most channels.

I found a black wooden bench with a shelf below the bench for storage for 75% off and a side table with three drawers for further display and storage but...someone stole the 4 larger wicker baskets for the lower part of this table. I am pretty sure I will "problem solve" and find way to put a shelf into this space and place smaller baskets...I talk them down to $10.00. I promised Ken this was absolutely the last piece of furniture I would buy before I move things downtown. I went to JoAnns and found thick foam ...5 inch thick...for a cushion for the wicker love seat and some beautiful canvas ...made for outdoors and sunshine...to cover for an artist special touch. maybe tomorrow I will make the cover and photograph to share. All the materials were on sale for 50% off plus I had an extra 10% off the total costs. My mother was smiling down on me when I was stretching my pennies and making every one count. I am getting back to my movie for now. Rituals and customs we could all learn from if the world would slow down enough to really listen. Imagine and live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

American living in 2010....Happy 4th of July

Meet this wonderful artist...Sally Mavor....



I have had a restful day staying as cool as possible inside my house...can the thunderstorms be far behind? I sorted and packed and evaluated art "stuff" and worked on a pillow for me the Art Lady! I discovered another wonderful artist : Sally Mavor ...an author of a new book filled with felted, sculpted illustrator that will delight the child in all our hearts. I will include a couple of her photos of her works but her stitching is so elegant and serene. You may want to read about her on line and google her for info about her upcoming book publication. The book is A Pocketful of Posies. My second find on the Internet was Mobile Urban Gardens in Upscale Parcels....these urban gardens are totally fascinating and you might want to read more info from Robin Plaskoff Horton...this could take off very easily and solve the need to have fresh vegetables for every one's dining room table.

Ken made the very best burgers this afternoon... on the grill and I felt like the queen of Sheba. Yummy foods, fresh corn and juicy tomatoes completed the menu and I felt like I needed a nap after we finished eating. My pets have been close all evening ...the firecrackers are exploding once again and their ears just never adjust to this intrusion to their serenity. I hope you have had a glorious day and remembered all who are or have served for our Nation. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Saturday and the sun is here...tonight the fireworks...

The studio is waiting.... but not for long :O)!


When I was growing up in Louisville, KY we had small intimate fireworks at the Shively Library or sparklers at the family reunion at Aunt Babe and uncle Norbert's 4th of July cookout on Lower hunters Trace. The day was filled with horseshoes, three legged races, hot dogs and a multitude of fresh salads and sweet desserts. my numerous cousins ran wild through the back acreage and often only stopped to run in the house to go the the bathroom. My mother had nine brothers and sister and they all had children so it was the big reunion until the Christmas eve gathering at Grandma and Grandpa Hutti's house in their tiny unfinished basement. The sparklers and catching lightning bugs were a much simpler ritual that we all looked forward to. I need to ask my brother for some of the black and white photographs ...from our parent's collection of memories and photos...and make a work to commemorate my gentle heart's remembrance. My first car date was on the 4th and I went to Fountain Ferry Amusement Park with Bruce and watched the fireworks from the BIG...I thought it was big...ferris wheel. Innocent times for an innocent young 16 year old.

Today my girls are headed to Sherry's swimming pool with their children and then going to another enormous firework extravaganza over in Dublin,Ohio. Chance worked most of the day and Erin rounded up her two little firecrackers and hopefully they are all asleep now and away from the hoopla and rowdiness. There will be plenty of time to explore the pyromaniac's displays in the future. Ken went out for fresh corn and ground turkey/hamburgers, buns and other simple summer foods. Erin gave me fresh herbs so I want to play and make some fancy mayonnaise for our dinner tomorrow. Yes there is a very large fireworks display for our community at the OSU Newark campus but we chose to stay home and watch old favorite movies. I sorted some more items for my move that is coming up real soon ...I bought a wicker chair to match my wicker love seat for the studio...and the chair was originally $239.00 and I bought it today as clearance for about $24.00. I also found some very nice black pants and a couple of dressy tops to wear in the studio when I am entertaining clients...smile...yes I see this happening and I have so much work to do I doubt if I will be able to stand still. I have begun a list of Holiday items for my "Soul of the Season in November and December, two exhibits to finalize for August and September and October and November up to Thanksgiving. In other words we are perfectly happy to be home and away from the big crowds and loud booms...our pets are staying close by as the noise penetrates the skies with thunderous cannons and booms. Remain calm, cool and safe on this Holiday to remember what it means to live in America and enjoy its Freedoms. Pray for the young men and women serving overseas and pray they all come home soon. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Friday 's Red , White and Blue celebrations....

It may be the second day of July but the fireworks are already firing over my county. Ken and I took a chicken and noodle dinner over to Erin and the little ones. Chance is already putting in his long hours in the trauma unit at the hospital. I missed a visit yesterday because of my theater commitment for The Producers and further errands to be completed. Ken and I love a quieter celebration of the 4th and missing Red, White and Boom is not a major sacrifice and being with the grandchildren may wear us out physically but emotionally they charge my spirit. Where is the time flying??? Am I on track with a focus or am I floating along on a summer breeze ...in a state of total coasting through the days? To be honest packing my supplies up is a major job and I want to organize myself better than before ... I think paying rent is a wonderful motivator to affirm the need to create and work every day.... I have to work for myself to keep myself afloat.

Tomorrow I want to work upstairs and continue the relocation packing yet still maintain a clearer work space for me to work in the evenings. I am working on a few small projects made to make the payments ...and eliminate the excess materials I have already purchased for upcoming seasonal sales. I revisited the LCA gallery yesterday but what I am working to create is something different...a visible yet private space for making art. A paradox ?...yes but at the same time I am so looking forward to having my space ...my space that hopefully will evolve into a personal explorations...daily regiment and personal schedule to meet my needs and hopefully promote my growth as an artist. I think it is interesting to watch Bravo's program Work of Art but I realize that I do not have to move to New York for a stage to compete in making Art. My thank you s and personal notes are calling to me.... I have been blessed by so many and I want to let each person how important they have been to my life's work. Have a safe weekend on this holiday celebration. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart


Dr. Dad and Major Mom both need TLC as these next couple of weeks draw close and the birth of the new baby will arrive before we know it. Cole and Morgan will need us to be there by their side as they welcome the newest member of our family.

Mel Brooks was alive and well in Newark, Ohio

Max Bialystock aka Dennis Kohler... and Leo Bloom aka Brice Corder were "The Producers" in the Weathervane Summer Theater here in Licking county and it was a rip roaring good time in Newark , Ohio. This Mel brooks Musical delighted the child like spirit I have been rediscovering lately in every way expected. I have seen the show in London, ...in Chicago,... and now here in Licking county Ohio!!! I was definitely entertained and totally loved their bawdy interpretation and was not one bit insulted...but I can bet that some of our population in the county may not get the humor.
Tonight the theater received a check for $25,000.00 from Larry W. Anderson in honor of his late wife's love of the life long learning and the encouragement of children in the theater arts. This production was directed by Erika Twining with musical direction from Cheridy Keller and choreography by Amanda Fannon. If you get the chance please check out this wonderful, delightful evening of total laughter and adult entertainment. Thank You all for your dedication and hard work...Art Saves Lives!!!

Happy Birthday Tony Reynolds ...president extraordinaire of the Licking County Arts! Ken wanted to play golf today with you but we could not make the connection...the weather was a perfect summer days for walking 18 holes. Happy Birthday dear Friend! You are so Loved!

"I suppose there is one friend in the life of each of us who seems not to be a separate person,....however dear and beloved, but an expansion, an interpretation, of one's self, the very meaning of one's soul." Edith Wharton In the last couple of days I have realized how precious our dear friends are in our circle of making a life. I need to get to bed...I have a million things to do tomorrow but live theater is further evidence that ART saves Lives! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart