tea for Tuesdays...iced please...

I spent the day in the studio...meeting and greeting plus explaining my possibilities for my space where everyone can create Art! I painted my mannequin with gesso to ready her for my designs and collage for my display unit for some new jewelry I am working on. I hung up a few more pieces and items that share my style and some techniques I would like to share. I am making a "Whispers and Echoes" wall hanging to add to my identity. I had some young students stop by and they shared their invention lab designs...a robot man...New York Times Square abstract...the third young man made a elongated design while distressing a CD player's motor board. They know more now because they disassembled different items we use in our daily lives to communicate with one another, hear and see music and videos...life as I knew it as a child does not exist. But in the conversation they shared their passion for building forts in their backyard complete with electricity for cable TV and power to play their favorite music. Another young woman who is starting high school came over to get my blog address so she could stayed tuned to future sewing collages and messenger bags. I came home totally exhausted due mainly to the extreme heat index and had a quick dinner and laid down for just a minute...that turned into an hour nap. Tonight I am going to bed earlier and hopefully be able to maintain my energy for tomorrow's tasks at hand. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

will work for cookies...volunteering at the Midland...

Today I was down at the Midland Theater from the 11 to about 4 to address,stuff, stamp and mail information for an upcoming fund raiser combining delicious foods at the The Grill's Chop Shop in the old location of the Natoma Restaurant . I worked with two pros in volunteering and we had the whole second floor to ourselves and a lot of peace and quiet. It was an enjoyable labor of love and the company made the hours fly by...Kathleen supplied us with peanut butter cookies...therefore my phrase...will work for cookies. I went down to the Works to check if anyone was still there hanging the new print artist's show for next week's opening. It was hot and humid so no surprise the place was empty and devoid of the usual sounds and squeals from children exploring in the science labs. I then headed over to my studio to drop off some materials and then headed out to check out my Goodwill and found some cups and serving plates for my Tea for Tuesdays in the studio space. Ken has prepared an inviting handout for me to give as an invitation to come on down and sit awhile.
chakra's rainbow
I am very tired for some reason tonight and I think I want to go up stairs and transfer a crayon portrait onto a synthetic cloth to hopefully make a large patch to add to a linen shirt. If I go up now I can have about two quiet hours to play with some simple compositions. I pray you have all had a good start to your week. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

A friendship for 50 years...

I have had a quiet weekend which is what I needed. I received a phone call today from a friend I grew up with in Pleasure Ridge Park sine June 10, 1960...the day we moved into our new home on Terry Road. Russell is a gift to my heart's circle...we have been through marriages, births, deaths, grown children and grand children...and now as we move into our 60's we are both exploring our artistic lives. He is a writer now and has just written his first children's book dedicated to his love for his grandchildren. I ordered his book today from Amazon "Letters from a Captive Heart"... letters to and from POWS and their families trying to survive this turmoil and crisis. I will give you all feedback later after I read this book...I just am so fortunate to have kept him in my heart for all these years. No we never dated...I would have loved to have dated but time works strangely and wonderfully...now we both have loving spouses who support our dreams and share our years of exploration as we walk into our Golden years. Did I just say that???

Tomorrow I am heading down to the Midland to do some volunteer work in the morning and then down to the Studio for the afternoon. I have been reading a publication for the last year and half..."Where Women Create"...and this newest issue has Amy Butler on the front cover. Many of you who sew probably recognize her fabric designs and line of colorful fabrics. The article shares her design space, her home and she explains some of her processes and inspirations. She is headed over to the large quilt exhibit in Birmingham, England,,,the same one I had considered attending with my friend Susie Shie this month. Money is very limited right now and I could take the adventure of a foreign journey or use the funds to open my own studio space. I do love to travel but for the first time I am living my dream. "From a woman's soul through a woman's eyes by a woman's hands" is the mission statement for this publication and there is always a wonderful selection of motivating women living in their moment of time and exploring the business of the studio. Ken has worked out a tri-fold photographic handout to share some of my ideas and proposals for the numerous possibilities I am wanting to explore.

I also am enjoying the latest issue of Quilting Arts Magazine for August/September 2010. There is an article about using metal for embellishments...my rusty bits and pieces are coming along quite nicely. Thread painting and sketching exercises with some easy advice for adding dimension with your machine stitches...machine work is not my strong point right now because I still love the slow cloth approach with the meditative pace to soothe my crazy soul. There is an article about weaving a cloth base that employs small remnants and pieces that can be assorted and placed to express a poetic composition...wonderful stitches ans embellishments...something I am totally addicted to. I highly recommend both of these publications for your reading enjoyment on a lazy summer's afternoon. I hope you all have found a moment or two to relax and enjoy the break in the storms that have plagued us over the last two hot, muggy weeks. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

I am also diving into Jane Dunnewold's two best books ever!!!

What a beautiful day....

I spent most of the day meeting and greeting the people and families who came downtown for the Courtyard concert at The Works. The sun was shining and a nice summer breeze was floating over the picnic blankets and lawn chairs of generations united for a musical treat and free ice cream from our local mill "Velvet Ice Cream" is simply wonderful and too difficult to resist. My friend Vicki came down and she makes the most wonderful Buckeye candles ...chocolate and peanut butter scents fill the air and everyone is immediately in a great mood and maybe hungry for candy!!! She shared her photographs from her recent trip to Chicago that her daughter won in a contest from the Licking County Convention and Visitors Bureau. I could not think of two better people to win this deluxe trip to a city I absolutely love! Vicki also brought warm...just preserved blackberry jam for my husband Ken...she can do anything and he is already testifying to her delicious jams.

I am not officially opened but I had at least 30 people in the studio today so I was excited to hear their anxious anticipation for me to get the ball rolling. One small boy had his hands balled up and cried "I want to paint now" when I talked with his mother about possibilities for small workshops ...this could help me to pay my rent. Tonight I got a wonderful email from another mother with two little blond girls who are ready to make art! I hope I can keep the excitement going and maybe coming home to this sacred space is a good idea. I am back...smiling...free and responsible to work with artists and make my own works. Ken has worked on my business cards and tonight we made an order for a couple of tee shirts, the banner to use when I am out demonstrating, new postcards, labels etc. We are doing our own guerrilla marketing here and it seems to be working. I am very tired right now and the computer is behaving badly...the universe is all trying to make a connection tonight. Go and make something fun!!! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

6 and 1/2 hours of unpacking....hot but glorious nesting in my new space....

Tomorrow there is a monthly free concert in the LeFevre Courtyard from 11 to about 1 and the crowds continue to grow as the summer comes to an end so I worked to make the studio "look" presentable for guests as they come in and try to figure what is going on here ...big smile. I have been answering my many emails as quickly as I possibly can ...when will you be open??...what will my hours be???... what kind of things will I showcase???... what is my "Tea for Tuesdays" in my studio???. Little by little life is coming together and I have work to do and ready to enter the studio. I had hand painted a large African themed large plate to hold candles or to be hung on the wall. It was in the front window for a short couple of days and now it is sold and going to its new home. This weekend I have plans to put the finishing touches on a couple small items but the place is looking better each day...I still have boxes to move in and find storage and still maintain a professional and inviting environment...but dreams are worth working for.

I am still looking for the right color of "crimson" for my commission piece and am thinking about possibilities for compositions for this piece to be created and then auctioned off in September for a family support program for families dealing and living with cancer. I am a survivor and knowing that Art Saves Lives because it has definitely given me a focus and purpose for working toward the future.

I am including a few photos as the place becomes my nest for creativity. The walls are bare for now ...but not for long. I met with an artist for the October exhibition and she is so ready to bring in her new paintings and she has asked a sculptor to submit his works for a shared collaboration exhibit. I am very tired tonight but the storms have relented and tomorrow is supposed to be a wee bit cooler and have lower humidity...great for the music in the courtyard! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Jake the Snake...

We had a terrible storm this afternoon with over 60 mile an hour winds and torrential rains. Power is in and out and the computer is dancing from one universe to the twilight zone universe. This will be a short post because I am not sure how much time I have for a valid connection. I worked in the studio!
I made dinner for my daughters and their families...chicken and noodles....comfort food made just for Love!
I bought two interesting file like....artificial wood painted black and red... cabinets and another metal sculptural woman's figure. to use a a mannequin for designs for clothing and industrial jewelry.
Then I came home tired..and weary... to find we had a new family member....Jake the black snake living and evidently eating someone or something on my front porch. Snakes are good...snakes are good ....snakes are good but they still unravel my equilibrium. I hope you are all safe...this hot, humid weather is rocking our environment and our little community. Short but sweet....I hope this post will post....humorous little rhyme but so true. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Tea for Tuesday...iced of course :O)

I started my day feeling quite out of sort ...I think I did too much yesterday so I stayed close to home close to the bathroom. I prepared fabric for a small collaged frame for some of my workshop pieces to share in the studio. I made some baked chicken breasts for my Erin so Ken will be able to deliver another dinner so she will be able to rest her back...she does not complain but when I hear her voice I know she is having a rough day. The babies are being very good and we are all preparing for the coming of the new little one. Today she had company with her sister in law and her two small ones so hopefully the children will keep themselves entertained while the mommas have a chance to have an adult conversation. Tonight Ken and I will have dinner with Don and Betty...our teenagers at the age of a young 85 at Ruby Tuesdays special of lobster and steak dinner for $13.99 each. I should do a commercial for them...we advise everyone to take the time to try this dinner out while the special is on...and no dishes!!! I made a birthday card for Betty and went through my latest Amazon book order ...a too brief examination but I have more supplies to pack for the studio.

I read a quote today that has stayed with me "I return to the basics of life: forgiveness, courage, gratitude, love , and humor." Louise L. Hay. Isn't that a blissful thought for a hot summer day? I am hoping to make more progress tomorrow and make the most of the time I have right now. I am exploring other artists and mediums on this circle of magical blogs...I have to be very careful not to get hooked on this part of the computer life. It is amazing how much one can investigate in such a short time...what the heck did we do before the Internet? Have a great evening. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Pray for my Karin so she will feel like a happy dance once again...she is my Hero!!!!

time to move on...running as fast as I can....

We picked up my quilts from the Art Works Gallery today and there was a sense of relief...I really am tired of talking...hard to believe you say??? But I need to get my studio in order for this Friday's Courtyard's Noon concert so if they want to come on in I can get the show on the road. I am trying to get the placement of supplies both hidden from open view and still be easily available for use in the studio. I have made measurements, a list of honey do projects for my Ken on Thursday afternoon and packed my little Geo to the hilt and ready to move into the inviting space. I am getting excited and the humidity seems to drain me of my energies.... especially on my medical Monday with repercussions. I also made contact for my next focus on wellness...I have been asked to create Art to be used as a marketing tool as well as a money income for the outreach program for cancer survivors. I want to make Art that is meaningful and hopefully helpful to my community...the state of Ohio is my community for this project. I went out tonight and located the product...a special roasted coffee sold at our Giant Eagles to raise funds for the survivors and their assistance. I am doing this for all my peoples that I love dearly who have struggled with the too numerous forms of cancer. Cross you fingers and wish me luck as I aim to create and make a realization that ART Saves Lives!!!! It has saved mine!!!
Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

This young lady is Haley Lavendar...my first guest to share her paintings in my studio for Final Fridays on August 27th from 6 to 8 pm. Support your local artists!

Sunday's spiral cosmic connections...

I took a couple days and broke my rhythm of putting down a few quiet sentences each day and share my gratitude for the simple gifts I have in my life. On Friday we went downtown for the Antiques and Art Walk to see Irma Hawkins Perry's one woman exhibit at Argyle's Gallery. At 85 years young Irma has incredible technical skills working in pastels and oils. I envy her use of colors and contrasts and shadows...each work and portrait seems to speak to you when you gaze into the eyes of her subjects. The we went next door to see the Carol Carol Susan Susan squared exhibit...it is a play on words and relationships, at the LCA gallery. The room was full of color and energy but the air conditioning was not able to keep up with the closeness in the rooms so we could not stay and view the works comfortably. I will go down later when the space is clear and it is easier to view the individuals works. We then went to Myers and Pugh's newest jewelry studio and we were blown away by the beautiful cabinetry in the show rooms and the design room had all the proper lighting and sinks and tools one might need to make one of a kind family legacy pieces. When we came home Ken made hot fudge banana splits...decadent and so delicious. I fell asleep into a sugar coma almost immediately and could not stay awake for Avatar. Saturday I went out to shop for Hannah Marie 's 5th birthday and her latest love of anything Hello Kitty. I did the week's grocery shopping and came home to cook a beef chuck roast in the crock pot with herbs and peppers from Erin's kitchen garden. Ken made a four cheese pizza and another ice cream sundae...I know this is the beginning to a down hill slide if I am not careful. Help me ....Ken's homemade fudge sauce is to die for and chocolate seems to be calling me.

Today Ken continued his readiness for returning to the classroom this Fall as the Gifted teacher for the 7th grade in his old stomping grounds. I delivered the gifts to a very happy little girl and enjoyed the homemade birthday cake and delicious ice cream. I stopped by to visit an ill friend but he was out and seemed comfortable so I left without disturbing him. I stopped by Goodwill's special sale where one spins a wheel for special discounts and I made a few finds at 30% off...$5.00 total and I have a sweet round sewing basket to carry incidentals to classrooms or on trips. I felt an immediate kinship when I picked this item up...like I made a connection with the woman who owned it before me. The bits and pieces inside will be added to an future assemblage. I took some awesome rusty photographs at a lawnmower repair "shop" of sorts and a swaying storage garage...before I realized it I had captured over 50 images and some large glorious sunflowers. "Do not be afraid to go out on a limb...that is where the fruit is." anonymous

Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart


More to come tomorrow...I will have to keep busy because we will take the exhibit down and I need to get busy with the new pieces. ::O)