Thursday in the warm sunshine of friends...

I continued my work in the studio and met with a young artist who is selling a "wine club party" to learn her marketing skills first hand and make some money to add to her family's household budget...she brought her delightful daughter and we played peek-a-boo while Mommy went over the program. I will try to attend her wine tasting party on Tuesday but I was up front when I explained that Ken and I really do not drink...wine or beer or anything due to my medications. She is so enthusiastic that I want to support her new endeavors but the costs are prohibitive for myself as all my funds are going directly to keep the studio open and vibrant.

I then met with a couple who were interested in creating a photo journal quilt to honor their new first grandchild who will arrive in March. I explained the many different transfer processes and asked her to call me if she runs into a situation or difficulty. I shared the Paper Moon photo project and Harvest Festival on October 23, 2010 in The Works courtyard and my studio. The photographer is bringing down some information and postcard handouts and a poster for the front window...a little over two weeks to go and we are working feverishly to have a good FUN day for families.

I attended the Midland Volunteer Appreciation celebration tonight but they ran out of food by 6:07...good thing I made a big pot of chili this afternoon before I left. The room was brimming with volunteers and laughter and we were all given 4 complimentary tickets to a series of concerts to share our joy for the Midland Theater and become ambassadors for the theatrical arts in our our backyard!

I stopped by Kohls on the way home and paid my bill and found a couple cute discount sales that will work well in the gallery and studio...cottons...solid colors.. easy to wear and to pack! The special discount for this sale was 30% off the even already slashed clearance prices. I came home and did some laundry and made return phone calls and will head to bed as soon as possible.

Tomorrow Maya Rose will receive the Citizen of the Month for her school with a lunch and presentation...I am so proud of her but what Grandmother would not beam with JOY! Jimmy and Susi are picking up their new puppy Libby Rose so we will meet up at the studio to get acquainted...I am so thrilled for their new family member arrival so Friday will be a ton of FUN! Priscilla will be down working in the studio also so Hail Hail the gangs all here! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

gathering information...

The day began with a drizzle in a gray cloak of dark mist on my hillside as I drove down to the studio. The first aroma of a the fireplaces burning for warmth enveloped my sense of smell and the contrast of oranges and yellows against the painted velour purples and blue skies were wrapped over the hillsides on my short six mile drive. Autumn has arrived and before we realize it the real changes will make themselves visible ...time evaporates like the morning mist rising off the river. When I arrived at my studio the grill presented me with a handmade pumpkin roll filled with the cream cheese filling...I immediately bought the first one for our dinner tonight. Last time Cindy's delicious treats sold out before I could buy one to take home. Working here is a crossroad for the dangers of wonderful foods that could add pounds very easily without even thinking about it. :O)

I began organizing the mail and paying my utilities and visited with Jeff Carr who works in the Art of Bonsai ...the magic of miracles in small exquisite living trees sculptures. I met with my friend Michelle as she prepared for her next class and she shared her "illuminated page" for the historical art class for her Fall studies. She wrote a poem about the mystical Unicorn and we discussed how she might want to develop her images and calligraphy. I shared my lunch with a patron who bought a poster from Dalale's collection "Hungry Winter". She is a counselor and professor over in Columbus and we discussed the possibilities of the latest discoveries and research on the human brain. Lunch came and I had organized The art works from Hayley's exhibition and collected her mail and DVD we had made of her first exhibition. I had saved her roses from the opening to be recycled into hand made papers for her future use. She gave me a plant for the studio with fresh Fall colors mixed in the planter as a token of her gratitude. Hayley is going to go far in her desire to create an artist life. She is a young spirit full of optimism and beauty. We will work together on the 23rd for the Harvest Festival and Paper Moon Studio.

I stopped by Goodwill and found two basket containers to add as design elements and proper storage. I picked up a couple clearance supplies for the pink calaca...in recognition of October's Breast Cancer fund raising and awareness. I plan on finishing it tomorrow so it will have adequate time allowed for drying and mounting on my easel. I have to relocate some paints that were given to me and prepare for weekend class I am having with a 9 year old on Saturday morning. Life goes rolling along and we are all gaining strength as Baby Lyndon Allen continues to improve. We will have to be watchful and careful about exposures in the next couple of months so he can regain a stronger immune system. I am so appreciative of all your prayers and support.

I pulled the car off the road to study the cloud formations as I was driving home...a ballet in colors and gentle hues of foreshadowing...I hope to be inspired to use these photos for inspiration as I continue my small paintings for the "Soul of the Season" exhibit in November and December. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Miss Rose Marie is healing (check her photo) but not very happy with her restrictions and wearing this plastic collar to prevent her from opening her stitches...I feel her pain and discomfort but on the 18th we will go and have the stitches removed. Thank you Dr. Herrick and your wonderful staff for your kindness you have shown my small companion.

Tea for Tuesdays with my Aussie sisters...

I finished installing the new art works for Oro Ray King's sculptures and Dalale Hall's painting that honor and inform the viewers of our indigenous Native American Tribes. If I do not say so myself the studio and the gallery are looking mighty fine! The colors and the theme of this collection of art works are quite inviting. I will include some of the images to give you all a taste.

I was cleaning and getting ready to scrub my floor when my two new Australian sisters Janet Inglis and her sister Helen Lehman brought their dear friend Gloria heath Kidder to visit my studio. Gloria is confined to a wheelchair and I was terrified that she might be injured with all my debris laying around the floor and remnants but when I saw Janet and Helen ...well the afternoon turned around from a gray cool afternoon to a warm sunshine filling our hearts. Gloria is 89 years old and sang joy into our lives as she renewed her passion for painting and making ART. We talked about Dottie Lipitsky and Marilyn Stocker and Dr. Charles Dietz...before I knew it I was making plans to visit Gloria I the very near future. I was in my work clothes and my hair was ...well a bid mess but I felt younger just being with these very special ladies whose friendship circles the globe.

I went to the grocery on the way home to select a very lean pork loin roast to prepare for Erin and Chance 's dinner tomorrow. I needed to add something to their recovery and a home cooked meal always makes the spirit and the body stronger. It is still in the oven and the house is full of delicious aromas that assure us all that tomorrow we will all enjoy a hot meal and a nourished spiritual circle of love.

I picked up my little Rosie and she has a very big incision in her tiny little head and needs our tender loving care. She is resting the best she can now in our bed with Ken upstairs and tomorrow I plan on making her a special scrambled egg breakfast to ease her into the day. I did not photograph her yet ...she needs a little more rest and then it is time for her close up. Enjoy my images and thank you for sharing my moment in time today. Imagine and Live in peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Baby Lyndon is growing stronger and has an appointment with the pediatrician tomorrow...your prayers are working ...my heart is yours.

Thank you...gratitude for home coming...

My heart has been heavy the last four days...five week old Lyndon Allen has been in Children's Nationwide Hospital for as yet an undiagnosed viral infection and high fevers with a rash. He has been under a close observations, multitude of tests, and spinal tap and IVs to keep him from becoming dehydrated. I have been aware every minute of the day that my Erin and Chance are experiencing every parents nightmare...how does a five week old little angel find the strength to withstand the ordeals. Erin and Chance never left his side and held him constantly for skin to skin comfort. I came home from the Works Hatsoff Fund raiser and felt as it my stomach had been kicked in. Today they all came home and I am praying they will all receive a good night's sleep in their own beds and tomorrow will be a better morning for the young family. I have enormous gratitude for the kindness and care they all received during this experience and pray to have a renewed strength in their faith and guidance from their spiritual Heavenly Father above.

I took my beloved Rosie in to her much needed Vet appointment and she received her three updates on the vaccinations. She weighs all of 14.3 pounds and will have surgery tomorrow morning to remove a large bleeding tumor off her loving little head. She has never met a stranger and today she entertained everyone who came into contact with her ...wiggling and smiling in her loving furry way. She was so ready to come home and we have been in bed all evening to get her much needed rest and touch comfort...she thinks I am her Doggy mother. I will be so relieved when she get s to come home tomorrow night.

Today Ray Oro brought in five of his sculptures for the next Art Walk. I put his works into the front window alone ...and they are definitely powerful enough to bring the passing viewers into the studio. Dalale Hall brought in her hand painted gourds and some beautiful paintings that honor our indigenous Native Tribes. I plan to clean the floors and rearrange the layout of the studio space to offer a fresher environment and inviting atmosphere for the back to lunch group. We have the Paper Moon Studio and the Works Harvest Festival planned for October 23 so there will be plenty of patrons ...Priscilla Rink has prepared a "smilebox" video to share on this post as soon as I learn how to move it here from Facebook. I am learning something new every day in this new adventure but after this month 's exhibit I am working on a more equitable guideline for exhibiting in the space. I want to get back to making more of my work here in my sacred space. I hope you have had a wonderful Monday...remember to be thankful for the gifts we are here to receive from above. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Friday after school with the grand daughters....

Tina had to work late on Friday so I spent the afternoon with Maya, Sabrina and Hannah. I hope you see the listening walk as an artistic journey. The girls and I cooked dinner and then took the time to see the neighborhood up close and personal. Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

Whew it is Sunday night already....

I will share photos of the last 72 hours...it has been a blizzard of activity and rainfall. But the the rain did not dampen anyone's energies and possibilities for the next ten years in our beloved Works. The community came together ...over 300 members of the community celebrated a Venetian Evening here in Newark,Ohio. I did demonstrate my painting work station and actually sold my painting when it is finished...Yes Virgina I will be in my studio for another month! I hope you enjoy the memories! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart