River Walking with Avery

I've been here at my daughter's house (apartment) to care for Avery, my 10 yr old grandson, while she is working in San Francisco. We get along great most of the time but we have both been shut up in our rooms for what seems days! He on his game systems or watching Netflix and I on etsy, blogging, or reading...

We've been living like hermits after our one trip to Taco Bell and to get groceries! It is sooo dang gorgeous outside this week and I did at least open windows for fresh air and little breezes, but today the sunshine was calling... wooing me to power off my laptop, pack a goody bag and walk by the river.

So I gave in and it wasn't too hard to get Avery to join me with some snacks and allowing him to bring one of those pocket game versions. We had a lovely walk through the few blocks to the boarded riverwalk, strolled along under the trees full of hanging spanish moss... this little town is truly a gem! I lived in this area myself for many years, albeit closer to the ocean in the thick of the resort traffic and hub-bub. I wish I had come inland 10 miles to enjoy the history and charm of Conway, SC.

It's Me!

Avery ;)

 I don't have any pictures of the town to post right now... I mistakenly took the wrong camera with me but I plan to walk again tomorrow and take plenty!

Cool Concept and Little Lovelies

I love running into someone on the street and feeling like I've known them my whole life.
It's such a pleasure to make an instant new friend! It's good to feel a similar kinship in a fellow artist. One of the members in the Madcap Life team (see links for the team to the left) appeals to me. Maybe it's because we're almost neighbors in Carolina, or his willingness to help other members, or his activity in the group... I think what it really is IS his ability to take a piece of wood (already beautiful- or not) and create something more beautiful that people can use and feel against their skin...

it's important for us to connect to nature. Isn't wearing a piece of it around your neck or gripping it in your hand for support a wonderful way to remember Mother Earth, where we come from, and connect?

Meet Hal Papan! His shops are You Wood Like This (and you would like this!) and Stick Staff Cane.

His favorite things to work with?

Peace & Eco Harmony Necklace

wood
sharp tools
imagination (presumably his own)
inspiration

Please check out both shops for stunning jewelry, ornaments, and other treasures AND if you would like a stick, staff, or cane for hiking and walking. Hal says "I use a cane to keep from falling down."

Wooden Spirit Cane- go see the rest!

Hal has created a new treasury called Peak at the Future: Items Under Construction... as a place for other artists to showcase works in progress, custom orders, or custom items. He plans to create more of this kind and I will, of course, keep you updated. (click Follow now)


This is a terrific concept and he deserves kudos!

Show some love to his most recent addition to his treasury list. Here's a sneak peek:

Jughead by 1234Jackie

Natural Perfume by Sweet Anthem

Enjoy these finds. 
Take your shoes off today and feel the earth beneath bare feet! It's a good thing to do!

How often do you get to sit down with a good book?

I used to read hours every day. Now I get by on a few hours a week... so what I read is more important to me. Right now, I am reading Light in The Wilderness (I will blog about it later) by M. Catherine Thomas.

I come across Friday Reads on twitter and thought I'd share with you. So when you have time to curl up with a cup of tea you may want to be holding one of these;)

Let me know what you're reading now or one of your favorites!
I'd love to hear your comments;)

Day Tripping ... to see my Babies!

I've had such a busy busy week! That's a good thing. Part of it was spent trying to learn more about blogging and tweeting and stumbling... it even sounds tiring! But I've also been having lots of fun with it.

A local church had me do a design for them and I've been airbrushing shirts for the congregation. I wanted to get the first round of them finished before I left town to visit my daughter and grandson. I also did a mock-up for their motorcycle ministry jacket patches. Here's some pix of the shirts they wanted.

This version shows the main design on the front with a gear symbol with church info center back near the collar.

This version shows the main design on the back with the church name and logo on the front.

I think they look so pretty stacked. I'm showing one of each color they chose in this shot.

 

This would be a very cool version of the 'Family Tree', just tweak it a bit to make the gears central to the family's values or the names of each person in the family... or a Club or Team shirt (hmmm)
the 2nd side could be customized with person's name, player number, monogram initial, or other.

This morning I had to decide what I was bringing with me, pack my clothes, pack the car, shower... it was 11:00am before I got gone. Normally, I wouldn't have taken so long but another reason for this trip is to get my daughter to take professional photos of my paintings so I can have quality prints done. I guess I could have quality prints done anyway but I do not know about shadows and light and composition and such... I just sit the painting up and snap a picture on my little digital... who'd want that to hang on their wall?


Stephanie is an awesome photographer! It's how she makes her living when she's not finishing up her last year of college. Check out her website - she is not your everyday snapper! Actually, that is why I come down at this time. She is flying across country to do a wedding! I'm jealous because it is in San Diego and I've never been and I hear it is absolutely beautiful... just like my little girl!

 

I'm looking forward to hanging with my babies... but I brought work with me too. I'm updating my listings and tweaking my shop on etsy. Please check out my shops if you haven't already!

A Little Birdie Told Me ...

http://twitter.com/#!/modBrush
I now have a Twitter account! Chirps all round! Winged applause!!
Please follow my tweets and let me know if you fly around so I can see what you're up to as well!

Speaking of birdies!
One of my favorite pieces was featured in a Treasury called Midnight on etsy. The collection was put together by a charming 14yr old (Taylor) who has a photography shop. Check out Midnight and Taylor's shop called  The Forest Faery.

This is the painting Taylor chose to showcase! 

Blue Raven by ModBrush on etsy.com

Many pieces in my Airbrush Shop and my paintings are birds. I put them all together in a little collection. Which one/s do you like most? Please make a comment below the Treasury itself or come back here and share!  Click on the items in my A Little Birdie Told Me... collection to see larger images and the story or meaning behind each one. Thanks so much for your input! Here's a few samples:

Henna Flower Peacock Cowl Shirt Dress by ModBrush on etsy.com

Tweety I Love Pink Vanity Tag Room Sign by ModBrush on etsy.com

Two Little Owlies Sitting In A Tree K.I.S.S.I.N.G. by ModBrush on etsy.com

I am having so much fun creating new designs, especially owlies and peacocks. I do henna tattoos in warm weather at festivals and have taken that flowing, swirling design as inspiration for the peacocks. I began doodling owls for all the new babies in the family...

I'm also having a good time writing and hope all of you enjoy my ramblings!
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones and friends! I'm excited to see my own out-of-staters this week- Yah!!

It's A Crazy Madcap Enchanted Forest...

I have recently become part of a community of artisans; 
we refer to ourselves as the Madcap Life Team.
We are all artists of some sort: jewelry, clothes, bags, decor, art, handmade supplies...
as artists, we get to do something we love.
I found this quote that perfectly describes our bunch.


"In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed: They must be fit for it: they must not do too much of it: and they must have a sense of success in it—not a doubtful sense, such as needs some testimony of others for its confirmation, but a sure sense, or rather knowledge, that so much work has been done well, and fruitfully done, whatever the world may say or think about it."
In_order_that_people_may_be_happy_in. (n.d.). Columbia World of Quotations. Retrieved February 09, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://quotes.dictionary.com/In_order_that_people_may_be_happy_in

Hope it describes you too (or at least who you want to be)!
 
I've created a special treasury to show off some of these amazing artists! Check out my Enchanted Forest and please let me know what you think about the wondrous works of art you find there...  

Watercolor by lenikae

Green Apple necklace by loopinloop

Little felted fairy Made4ubyMagic

If you'd like to meet the whole unruly bunch, you can do so at the Grand Hall at Madcap University!

Have fun exploring... and remember to come back and share your adventure with us!