Missing My Muse

There is a part of me that would love to blame my lack of posting on the disappearance of my Muse, or maybe I could explain it as my Muse left when my husband retired and she felt her services were no longer needed among the talk and laughter and coffee drinking that goes on in a house with a happy retired couple. There may be some truth to that, my life has gotten crowded, not a bad thing, I just don't have much time for thinking...

My bowl painting has continued. 

One of the bowls I designed and painted for the
Tarrant Area Food Bank
on display at the Empty Bowls Event 2014.

More bowls from the 2014 Empty Bowls Event.  The green
bowl at the top and the striped bowls are "my" dog dishes. 

And I am still painting in the house. 

Will this madness ever end?  You make one little change,
which leads to another little change, then another, and...

I enjoy visiting with my family and friends. I get a little crazy when they tell me they follow my blog - they know what I'm doing and I have no clue what's going on in their life - they read my blog... They are too busy to tell me what they are up to.  I'm not too bitter. 

I'm still reading blogs - o.k., some days I'm so busy I just look at the pictures... Just wanted to say a word of thanks to all you clever bloggers out there. Thanks! ... And if you should spot my Muse somewhere out in this great, big world, maybe you could tell her she's welcome to come home anytime.


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A Garden in Galveston

In Galveston, Texas, at the corner of Postoffice and 25th Streets, there is an antique shop which is closed on Tuesdays.  I know this because that's the day I showed up on their doorstep.  Lucky for me, it was not a wasted trip, just across the street from the shop there is a city garden. 

Not a city garden like Moody Gardens but a garden like you or I might have with raised beds full of all kinds of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  It looked like half a city block had been turned into the most wonderful, and beautiful, home garden.

I had traveled to Galveston to see the beach and was
surprised to see this mostly edible landscape.

I took a picture of the front gate but it appears to have gotten lost in my camera.  The gate was locked or I would have gone into the garden for a walk.

A little covered area to get out of the sun or rain.

Looks like someone was looking for a quick bite.
No, I did not pull this up!

I like the palm trees 'scattered' here and there,
and the raised beds with their lush herbs and veg.

Surrounded by a little picket fence to keep me out.

We got home late on Wednesday.  Thursday morning, still inspired by the Galveston garden, I wanted to get out and work in my own garden. 

Thanks to TAFB for the picture. 
Yes, this is me, the woman with the Heinz 57 hair color. 

But the best use of my time on Thursday, the second Thursday of the month, was to go and paint with my friends. The Tarrant Area Food Bank's Empty Bowls Event is this Friday, February 17th. Join us if you can on Friday or if you'd like to paint bowls  join us on March 8th at Hart Street Pottery.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all.

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Empty Bowls

Next week on Thursday, January 12th, this bowl will be going with me to my favorite local pottery studio, Hart Street Pottery.  I will use it as inspiration for at least one of the bowls I plan to paint. 

I know this will work because in the past I have used other vintage bowls and plates and even a picture or two cut from a magazine for my inspiration.

That's how this:

Became this:

Artist:  cJOY

I have all kinds of plans and never know what I will get done, but I always know that my mom will love them.

Artist:  cJOY

The great thing about this is you can come, too. 

We would love to have you join us.  Sure it might be a bit hard for those of you in Alabama, Utah, Wales, or New Zealand - but if you are in the Metroplex you are welcome to come join the party.  The directions are here and for more information check out the Hart Street Pottery webpage .  Also, click on the HSP Calendar and scroll down to the Empty Bowls section to learn everything there is to know about this event in Fort Worth. 

Janet Rodriguez,  the owner of Hart Street, is wonderful. On the second Thursday of each month she hosts an Empty Bowls Paint Day for artists, and want-to-be artists like me, to gather at her studio and paint bisque bowls. Most of us bring plans and drawings and a few bring their own brushes and we work and visit from 10 in the morning until 6 in that evening.  Some work an hour or two, some work all day.  The results range from Totally Amazing to How Cute to I Wish I Could Do That. 

Artist:  PAULA

Artist:  GLENDA

Artist:  AMY

Artist:  HOLLY

Artist:  JOHN

Artist:  RITA

Artist:  JANET

Generous donors have bought the paint and there are paint brushes just waiting for a bowl painter/artist like you to show up and join us.  The bowls stay at Hart Street where they are glazed and fired and made ready for their big day.   The $3 donation to offset the cost of each bowl will be waived for the first bowl of all new artists who mention my blog on Thursday.  Leave a comment below and show up next Thursday and I'll pay for your first two bowls.

It's creativity for a wonderful cause. We are using our talents to feed the hungry. This link will explain how all this got started and show you other Empty Bowls events around the country - there could be one near you.

If you will be in the Fort Worth-Dallas area on February 17th, and you are in the mood for some wonderful food and amazing art work, get your ticket now (all tickets must be bought in advance) and attend this year's Empty Bowls Event.   Then one of these beauties could go home with you.





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