Dedicated to Svetlana

     Yesterday, Robert and I took our Sunday drive and this time our target was the annual shoot for spring flowers.   Robert is the driver, navigator and pointer on all of our jaunts out to the country roads.  What a wonderful drive that was!  We not only found bluebonnets galore, but some other scenes that were even more special and visually exciting. 
     We found spring everywhere in all it's shades of green and freshness.  The day was typically windy and there were masses of rain clouds overhead with the sun peeking out every now and then.   I felt the sprinkles, as I would jump out of the truck to capture that must have picture, but a few drops of water did not dampen our efforts to collect our gallery of pictures.
     I would like to say that these fabulous pictures were mostly taken in Mound, Texas. This is no longer a town, but a community that keeps watch of the beautiful verdant rolling hills and the country roads that seem to unfurl into all those special spaces that only God can create. 
.  Eventhough the day was blustery, with the wind gusting at my back, I enjoyed the sights, fragance and the quiet of these country spaces.  As you can see from the pictures there is a solemn richness to the colors and the light of spring. So I hope that you will take the time to look around you as you drive the roads of Texas or anywhere you might be and enjoy this scenic and special time of rebirth. 

 Spring is the Period
Express from God.
~ Emily Dickinson

    
      
    
    

Ingenuity creates practicality!

     For so long I have struggled with storing my canvases properly and neatly out of the way.  I have tried to place them along the wall or stacked flat on some shelf and sometimes on the floor.  Recently, I looked online for art canvas storage and I found a very nice shelving unit that retailed for anywhere from $500 to thousands of dollars, depending on how many shelves and storage cubicles you added.
     After much thought and discussion with my husband as to how we could design and build a storage unit, we arrived at a very practical solution.  We bought a standard 5-shelf bookcase from Wal-Mart and laid it on its' side to create the compartments.  We stabilized the partitions by placing 1/2" X 3/4" stops  [cut to the width of the side panels (11 1/2")] on either side of the partition.  We simply nailed the stops to the side panel on both sides of the partition, so that the partition (shelf) slides in and out easily.

   
    

This was truly inexpensive as the wood stop that we used was actually purchased as a 12 foot piece, then cut to 11 1/2 " pieces. The price was $4.36. Along with the bookcase, the total price of the project to include the nails was $33.00, give or take a few pennies. What a bargain, easy to make and such a great storage unit to boot!
criselda.artistwebsites.com

Pieces coming together!

    This project was something where a special time and  the creative process was shared with a friend.  Actually, I introduced a friend, CW to the art of Mixed Media.  I provided lots of paper, ads, magazines and acrylic paints and two clean canvases.  I explained to Cee that there are no rules or limits to creating a piece of mixed media and that when completed,  the work is called 'Art' with a capital A.  I encouraged CW to create a self-portrait and use that as a starting point. We worked into the late hour, so engrossed in our ideas, conversation and the projects coming to life that the passing of time became irrelevant. 
      'Falling to Pieces' was inspired by the song 'Breakeven' by Script.  There is a resounding chorus that refers to falling to pieces and when I hear this music, I will always associate it with this picture of creativity and the friendship that inspired it.
    CW's  canvas is still under construction, but already, I see the likeness on her canvas.  Hopefully, soon we will post it and reflect on the good times well spent during the creative process.
     I often say that I am a constant student of Art. With this project I have learned that eventhough there are times when life seems to be falling apart, there is always an empty canvas waiting for your story.   

criselda.artistwebsites.com