IT'S SPRING...REALLY!!

March 21, 2013

Spring's in the air...snow's melting!

Hi Folks,
There are just strips of the off-white, formerly pure white fluffy stuff left around our garage...the last remnants of winter. Haven't seen any new green growth pushing up through our thawing earth yet, though! Has Spring "sprung" where you live? Last year at this time it was in the 80's here in Central New York. Today, it's a mere 21 degrees!! Amazing difference...

The art blog challenges for this week are varied. CRAZY AMIGO blog is thinking ahead to June I think...they want participants to do a piece about weddings. I used the wedding photo of a sweet girl I've known since she was 6 and came to our city for open heart surgery. She lives in Russia and we've kept in touch all these years. Now in her mid-20's and a mother of one (so far,) I put her and her husband in a vintage book...

Flicker's DIGITALMANIA has us inspired by two artists...one this week and one for next! This week it's Jacub Gagnon, a Canadian artist who does whimsical, surreal renderings of wildlife set against a stark black background. 

"Bath Time"

The second artist is a young Korean man who works primarily with faces and bright colors. His name: Minjae Lee.

INSPIRATION AVENUE is curious to see where we live. I was born in New York City...my piece is about taking the subway trains! It's vintage because some of the older women dressed like this when I was little and was taking the train with my Nana!! Seems like yesterday...

Mail Art is this week's TAKE A WORD theme...

Finally, THINK MONDAY-THINK ATC asks to see anything about fashion. I created a girl perusing a vintage fashion magazine...

Enjoy your weekend and your week upcoming...see you again sometime next week (I hope!) Thanks for stopping by- Happy Spring!

Hugs,
abbyj

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