ART and SOUTH AFRICA 
August 13, 2012 

"Reading a great book...NIGHT CIRCUS"

Hi Folks,

Hope you're enjoying your week. I'm trying to make time to JUST READ and have found an intriguing book to capture my attention...NIGHT CIRCUS. It's about... well, ostensibly, a circus of a different sort that's only open from sunset to sunrise! I'm only 1/3 into it and am loving it thus far... definitely one of the joys of being retired!! 

I have found time to do some art blog challenges... starting with my year-long Art and Sole Postcard Challenge 2012 where Darcy (our host) has us making a looooong flight to South Africa. I was able to use my own photos for this one as the African continent is like my second home...my favorite place on earth!!  In South Africa, there are 25 different languages spoken so you can imagine how many varied ethnic groups or tribes are represented. Culturally diverse, colorful, beautiful and a place that's fabulous to visit!! The people are so creative and inventive...artistic and musical. Here is my book page and my card... 

Other blog challenges include the SOARTFUL CHALLENGE to create a circus-type piece using red and white stripes, blue and yellow...

SUNDAY POSTCARD ART asked participants to think "travel..." and all I could think of was how much fun it USED TO BE to fly...not now with all the security precautions!!!  :(

Finally, THINK MONDAY-THINK ATC left us all in a field of poppies... sweet!!

 

Here's hoping you do something that relaxes you and "lulls your soul" this week.

Hugs 'til the next,

abbyj

CHALLENGES

ART BLOG INVITATIONS 
November 17, 2011 

"Rafters of turkeys in our backyard..."

I can't help but wonder why it is that we only see large rafters of wild turkeys throughout October and November... exactly when they're "in season" and should be making themselves scarce! Strange...don't you think? They are interesting creatures...always seem to be RUNNING. Are they running to or from somewhere?

"Coexistence... what the farmer does with the turkey...until Thanksgiving!"   Mike Connolly   

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Memories of summer are found in the SUNDAY POSTCARD ART  invitation to create an art piece about POPPIES...

"I am a being of Heaven and Earth,

                          of thunder and lightning,

of rain and wind,

of the galaxies."  

Eden Ahbe

Thoughts of our fast-approaching winter are found in 4X4 FRIDAY's art challenge... to create  a piece of art representative of a FROST QUEEN...

Frosty morning trees

start the day by promising

better things to come

It's usually during the winter months that all the carnivals and mardi gras occur... INSPIRATION AVENUE nudged artists into the mood with its call for HARLEQUIN-themed art...

Carnivale time...

evil and funny faces...

which of them are real

Finally, we learn about all this and more in school. I wonder what kind of teacher Albert Einstein would have been... The folks at the COLLAGE OBSESSION challenge blog really like the guy and invited artists to create a piece of art featuring THE MAN...  In a small tribute to him, I gave him a vase of POPPIES!

Thanks so much for checking in with Life...The Vivere. I hope you'll return for my next posting...

Happy Holidays...off for Thanksgiving!  Hope yours is wonderful and blessed!

xox,

abbyj