MUCH ADO ABOUT...

March 14, 2013

                                            Dear Audrey passed one year ago.

    

This is a week of important events...in my life as well as that of people around the world. For me, personally, it's the first anniversary of the passing of my dear friend, Audrey. I honor her memory and treasure all she taught me. I'm grateful for my ongoing relationship with her family...always. Thank you, Audrey!

Globally, Pope Francis, the new Il Papa from Argentina, has been elected the 266th pope and the first non-European pope in 1000 years. Touted as a man of peace, poverty and simple living, perhaps he'll clean up a church that needs a new heart (and new ethics.) He asked everyone to pray for him...I certainly will!

Finally, St. Patrick's Day...the wearing of the green. Hope your day is filled with the good times and celebration associated with the day!

On the art challenge front, THINK MONDAY-THINK ATC is in the mood for Spring (as it continues to snow here in Central New York.) They asked to see birds...

I found a new artist who's style I really like...his name is MINJAE LEE. He's South Korean. Here's his art...

and here's how he inspired me...I used one of the children (also named Abby) in one of my adopted tribal families in Southern Ethiopia. I know I did too much considering the face...Will try again. Anyway, here's Abby a la Minjae Lee...

That's it for this week...enjoy your weekend and be joyful. We have so much for which to be thankful!

Much love,
abbyj

"MOTHERING SUNDAY" 

in the United Kingdom

March 10, 2013

Remembering MY Mom with love today!
(for SUNDAY POSTCARD ART's Mother's Day challenge)

Today, the 4th Sunday of Lent, is MOTHERING DAY in the United Kingdom. But I'm celebrating it as well (even though Mother's Day in the United States isn't until May.) My Mom's image is drawn in chalk on a blackboard (above)...appropriate because she was a teacher (as well as a musician.) She passed away 15 years ago...I guess I'll miss her forever, especially the last couple of years I had with her. Thinking of her makes me smile... HAPPY MOTHERING DAY to all who are celebrating!! Below is a very old picture of Mom and me...

Yesterday, in our city, there was a huge St. Patrick's Day parade...after all, it's almost THE day!! The TAKE A WORD challenge blog, perhaps in honor of the "wearing of the green," requested that artists create a piece of art with green as a major color...I did the green and only paid a small tribute to the day- not intentionally, it's just what my muse dictated.

The THREE MUSES challenge blog asked artists to include children in last week's art... and STEAMPUNK  for this coming week. I combined both in the piece below. (For those of you wondering what STEAMPUNK is, it's a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery inspired by Western civilization during the 19th century. This fantasy-laden art includes retro-futuristic inventions as the people of the 19th century might have envisioned, as well as fashion, culture and architectural style.)

Last but not least, Flicker's DIGITALMANIA challenge for the week... our "model" artist is a young Canadian man who's art style is surreal...his name- Jakub Gagnon. Here's an example of HIS art...

and MINE (with Gagnon's inspiration.) It IS bizarre...I know. But it was fun to create!! Digitalmania is always a real challenge and a wonderful introduction to artists I haven't "met" yet!!

Wishing you all a "kick-up-your-heels" St. Patrick's Day...green beer, green bagels, etc. Looking forward to your next visit.

Thanks...

Big Green Hugs,

abbyj