NEST

I LOVE my friends.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by the most amazing women on the planet.  Each one of them bring something so special to my life and I can't imagine my world without a single one of them.  I have a lot of artsy friends and tend to hang out with creative people, but one very special circle in particular is a local group of professional women.  We all met and became friends through our children.  That was our common link, but we remain friends because of our love, respect and understanding of each other.  Once each month, we get together for a 'Girls' Night In" where we have dinner together and spend a couple of hours playing in my studio.  These women love the art!  They have told me how relaxing it is for them in their hectic lives.  They've used words like "therapeutic" when describing our evening together and the most amazing part to me is that each of them bring their own style to every project.  They are quick to remind me when I forget to schedule our monthly get together and they get excited when we head into the studio for the "reveal" when they find out what we're making that night.

 I thought I would share this month's project.  I try to theme each get-together and since each of us have a child who is a senior in high school, we all have chicks leaving the nest . . .

I have an obsession with birds in my art . . .

I can't get enough of these Tim Holtz Die Cuts.

I love the tattered, shabby look and always try to add vintage sheet music and old book paper into my mixed media art.

Lovely Sus!  She actually is extremely artistic and trained professionally in oil painting.

Sweetheart Cathy!  Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator and amazing mother!

Our cheerleader of the group, Denise, who is a photographer!

Awesome Deb, High School guidance counselor!

Smiling Shirley, amazing golfer and all-around athlete!

Hilarious Rita! Our French Canadian beauty who keeps the conversation lively!

Crazy Berit, attorney at law!

Berit's interpretation of the project - so beautiful!

I loved this project . . . and did I mention, I LOVE MY FRIENDS???

Sketchbook Project 2012

What if you could submit your artwork to an organization to be exhibited and it would not be turned down?  What if you were told it would be displayed and it would travel and it would be SEEN and there would be no judge or jury--only people who would appreciate it and admire it?  What if you knew your art work would become a permanent part of an exhibit where generations to come could potentially see your talent?  If you knew all of that, wouldn't you submit your work?  Wouldn't you just put it out there?  Well, guess, what?  You CAN do all of the above and there is still a little time left to get your Sketchbook.  The Sketchbook Project is sponsored by The Art-House Co-op.  Check out their website and sign up so you can share your art with the world!

I've started mine--here are a few pictures of the process . . .