july check-in

midsummer days

Hello! just a quick post- so that I can say that I posted at least once each month this summer! Here's a little July painting I did...I'm having fun grabbing little bits of time in the studio here and there, so have a few more pieces on cradeled boards wrapping up. Then I think I'll get back to working on paper- I've got the urge to do more layering and stitching and fastening and stuff.

Other than that- we've been: vactioning at family farms, swimming at cousins' pools, splashing in Wisconsin lakes and rivers, biking, scootering, tree-forting, taking flying lessons, catching bugs (one of which is a praying mantis- who's living happily in a habitat on the kitchen counter- which is requiring lots and lots more bug-catching on our part, so we can feed him!), going to camps, squirting squirt-guns, picking strawberries, harvesting carrots, going to farmer's market, grilling out, lighting sparklers, drinking summery cocktails, getting sunburns, reading books, staying up late and sleeping in late. In general- we've been cavorting through the month. I wish I had more pictures to share- you'll have to use your imagination!

And now- on to August!

summer now

I can't believe summer vacation is already here. It's glorious in Wisconsin, this time of year. I was really, really busy these last two months- getting teh garden going, diving into some landscaping projects, painting, wallpapering, hosting nearly 50 friends and family members for a 40th B-day party for my main man...all sorts of stuff that I love seeing on other people's blogs. But sorry...I rarely stop to photograph the stuff that keeps me busiest.

Happily, I did claim a little time in the studio last week as well- and managed to get a decent shot to show you:

And now- it's time to race off again- this time to soccer camp, nature camp, invention camp & boy scout camp...as well as lazy days swimming in little lakes, cook outs with friends and s'mores with kids. Summer calls...I'll try my hardest to post along the way...but please understand if I don't because I'm just hanging out, soaking it in!

-m

coming back around

Well alright...I've been out of my own loop for a loooong time, and am trying to get myself back in the game here.

Easter here was lovely- and I hope the same is true for you. I love Easter as a celebration of Spring: the renewal of cycles and wakening of spirits (and an occasion to make lovely cookies). Although it's been dreary here weather-wise, I'm still feeling the effects of the shift in the seasons, and am looking forward to the newness of things.

Because people, I did not enjoy March and I completely missed April.

March began with each member of my little family being badly sick: fevers on the couch for days, a terrible beginning- truly in like a lion. The month concluded not with lambs, but with the death of my one remaining grandmother. She lived a wonderful, amazing, inspiring life of 90 years and was ready to go. But her decline and final days came upon us unexpectedly - and while I'm happy she didn't suffer long, I can't say losing her wasn't a tremendous personal loss. And seriously- didn't I just do this?

I think I knew that I'd need to share this the next time I posted...so I just didn't post. But now I have, and can move on with things. I don't have much art to post, and have thoughts on that which I'll share next time. In the meantime, I just wanted to get myself back here. I wanted to get back to my friends here, and wish you all a happy spring.

~m

two new pieces

Just a quick post to show you the finished pieces I'd shown in progress in my last post:

I'm still loving the images in an old birding book I found in January, and am liking the simpler composition they tend to generate.

It had been a while since I last used any diagrams from my vintage Boy Scouts Handbook. I've also been trying to exercise more lately...which I don't totally love doing- so it was fun to make a silly painting featuring these killer arm circles.

Time to grab the kids from school- see you in March!



spit happens

Ok, firstly: sorry for the dorky title to this post.

Secondly: Thank you guys, so much- for your encouraging and heartwarming responses to my last post...it was so nice to hear from you. We are past (for the moment) yelling at five year olds. We are still wondering about weird medical questions. We are still letting it all unfold...boy- being human is humbling, isn't it?

But enough about that- I have better stuff to share today. I am breaking from the norm, and sharing more about my family. I figure that if my introduction to my 5-year old was focused on his frustrating-ness, he deserved a second shot at making a first impression. So I thought I'd share these words of wisdom I found he had meticulously penned (penciled), illustrated and cut out at the kitchen table a few nights ago:

Can you read that? Spit is posibel (sic) to get on your face from your own mouth. Above, we see a person demonstrating: ptthbilet.

What do we say about this gem? Personally, I find it brilliant and think his penmanship is wonderful. He assured me that it is indeed a fact. I assure you, that this work is a perfect example of Zachary's Zachary-ness, so you can consider yourself properly introduced!

***

And though I've been quiet on the blog-front this month, I wanted to also let you know that I've got a few new pieces brewing:

I'll be back next week with shot of them completed...I always love seeing how they change.

unfolding

I have to admit to being a little ~in limbo~ at the moment. Had a rough start to the day- loud yelling at a frustrating 5-year old, coupled with worrisome medical concerns about someone I love. In short: some things within my control were not handled well, and some things outside of my control are making me sit tight until I have more information. It's all just reminding me that I need to take deep breaths and trust in my ability to at least take deep breaths. I'm being patient...and thinking about how sometimes things just have to unfold at their own pace.

The above painting is doing that. I've been working off of a truly happy, cheerful vibe this week- which is the feeling that started this piece, but even though the feeling I'm working from is strong and clear, this piece has been really slow and uncertain in its coming-together-ness! I've nearly given up a few times, but then I get a little jolt of inspiration- go back in the studio and add a few lines of an unexpected, but perfectly right color, and re-commit to let it keep unfolding.

I guess that's just what I'm doing today: committing to wait for the moments that let me know that however unclear the process- I've got to trust that we're all going to get to where we're going. I realize that I think less and less that life is about controlling your own journey- and more that it's about keeping your eyes wide open and your breath steady while you're on it.

finished flock

Phew! I have been working like crazy the past two weeks, which hasn't left a lot of time or good lighting for photos or blogging. Even with poor lighting (seriously- we get like one hour a day these days, and I'm usually using that to work- not shoot) I wanted to show you these anyway. These, along with this piece I posted a few weeks ago, will be heading over to the Cedarburg Cultural Center for their annual Miniatures show. My first juried show of the year, and I'm really excited to see what kind of work these little guys will be hanging alongside.

If you're in the area, the show opens January 29th, and closes February 27th...definitely stop by and check it out.

We've got a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, but it's crazy cold out, so I think I may stay inside and make some pumpkin muffins and maybe paint the hallway. Next week I'll try to get some shots of the latest I've made for sincerely handmade...some fun stuff came out of last weekend's trip to Madison for antiquing and crafting!