JUST THINKING...

About Things   
November 12, 2011 

 "Connect with friends old and new"

  

I'm in awe of the technology that enables me to find and reconnect with friends from long ago who may or may not be far away: people who were dear to me but have moved residence or those with whom I became friends after brief, fleeting meetings...friends with whom I've lost contact although they're still in my heart. My 6 word memoir today is a tribute to FACEBOOK and its co-creators. Through FACEBOOK, I have reconnected with friends from decades ago, friends with whom I grew up, friends in far away places, other countries...it's a brilliant means of keeping in touch with dear ones past and present, far and near...AMAZING!!

 Blog challenge site, THREE MUSES invited artists to explore their thoughts about WINDOWS. My thoughts turned to two of my favorite art subjects...trains (above) and graffiti...

Two of my favorite challenge blogs, the COLLAGE OBSESSION and THINK MONDAY-THINK ATC, both had artists thinking about black cats...STILL! The particular cat in my picture has a fascination and curiosity with graffiti... just as I do. She especially loves the window sill overlooking the alley with a huge crow. She can be found there just gazing out (or sleeping) for hours at a time! It's her "go to" place!

Yet another of my favorite art subjects is the Roma or Traveler population found throughout Eastern and Central Europe... the Gypsies. Happily for me, Gypsy Spirit is the subject for this week's blog...  SOARTFUL CHALLENGES.

Thanks so much for stopping by for this short posting...hope to see you for my next!

xox,

abbyj

PAIN FREE and NEW ART

BLESSINGS and IMAGES 
July 22, 2011 

WooHoo! My back surgery was successful and I'm pain free as of July 20, 2011. With a bit of physical therapy for my right foot when the doctor deems it safe to return to any kind of exercise, I will be totally back to normal... (whatever NORMAL is!)  This has been a deja vu experience for me as I had the same back injury (herniated disc) in 2006 and recovered completely. About the hospital, though...

it's definitely not a place to go for some R&R. One would think that after major surgery, sleep would be important...even crucial. Not so...it's more important for nursing staff to turn on all the lights in your room every 30-60 minutes to check your pulse, blood pressure, temperature; administer medication; check how your body parts move... Finally, after realizing that they were doing it all for MY benefit, I threw in the towel and decided I'd sleep at home. So frustrating, though. Well, here I am at home and am still having trouble sleeping!! Aah, life is good!

I have had the opportunity to work on several art pieces...challenges and otherwise...since I've been home. I work both standing and sitting to remain comfortable.  
THREE MUSES  asked artists to submit something with an ORIENTAL flavor... 

THEME THURSDAY asked us to think ROMANCE...

INSPIRATION AVENUE  had us employing WINGS in our art... 

COLLAGE OBSESSION asked us to create a sunset view...when Michael and I were in Myanmar, we saw an unusual way of fishing practiced by the INTHE fishermen....they row their boats with their legs. This happens on the "other side of sunset" as the waters of Myanmar are usually quiet and peaceful. But in this little corner...

Over the last few weeks, I've been responding to some challenges and entered some "swaps" with some of my favorite online artist friends and groups...from PAPER TRADERS...
These for an ANATOMY swap...

and these for a Word Prompt Journal made up of words for life...

 That's it for now, folks! Thanks for stopping by yet again, I really appreciate your interest. Wish me well on my recovery...I'm grateful for all of you.

xox,
abbyj