Went to my first Springfield Art Museum board meeting this evening; everybody was very friendly and I enjoyed being there. It took about two months to become official. Of course first there was the interview with the assistant mayor and the director of the art museum. Then the city council had to approve my nomination, and finally I was sworn in at another city council meeting. Verrry Interrrresting…. 
Portrait of a Gentleman
Yesterday morning I stopped at a garage sale near my house. I was enjoying seeing what all was there. My eye was drawn first to a small yellow frame, then to the small portrait. It looked very much like my work from several years ago. Looking closer, I discovered my own signature on the painting! What a find!
In the late sixties through the eighties I painted quite a few miniature portraits on commission. Needless to say, I no longer remember who this gentleman is. (Does anybody happen to recognize him? If you do, I would appreciate your letting me know.)
When I went to purchase the painting (along with a few other items), the fellow in charge of the garage sale started “singing the praises” of this “actual painting” (as he put it). When I told him I had painted it, he smiled and said, “Well, you can just have it!”
And now, one little painting that left my hands twenty? thirty? years ago is back with me. It brings a smile to my face.
The size of the painting
A quarter helps to show the actual size of the miniature painting.
My son-in-law and I spent the afternoon in Branson marveling at the creativity shown by all the sculptures there. Watching the artists at work was fascinating! The weather was way too warm, though, and made their job much, much more difficult. The bright sunshine was a major hazard; even an overcast day would have been better for them. I, however, was thoroughly intrigued watching how they added pieces and reattached parts that fell off.
Of all the tools the artists used–chainsaws, chisels, drills, etc.–the most unexpected was the ye ole household iron! The combination of applied heated board to one surface and dry ice to another seems to act as a glue when the two pieces are then put together.
This was the first time I have seen such an event. It will not be the last!
Well, folks, it’s winter. Winter and I are not the best of friends. I don’t like the skeleton trees or the cold. I hate the short daylight hours and the insipid grey days. Sometimes it’s even difficult to think.
When it seems like there is not enough time for everything in the summer, I think that in the winter I can do more; especially since then there are no outdoor summer chores that need to be done. And then winter comes and I realize once again…
It’s published!
It’s a great children’s story. If you can read Dutch, I encourage you to buy it for your children.
(Maybe one day it will be translated into English.)
I have always loved to draw and paint. In high school I got caught drawing a teacher. I knew I was in big trouble when she took the drawing and left the room. Sure enough, I was soon called out. But what happened astounded me. My schedule of classes had been quickly rearranged and changed to include art! If anyone had told me then that I would teach art for over thirty years, the size of my eyes would’ve outgrown my face — that was so impossible!
Writing crept up on me while I was busy teaching and raising a family. Finally, encouraged by my husband I enrolled in the Institute of Children’s Literature of West Redding, Connecticut. I was amazed at what began to flow from my pen!
As an educator I was always looking for something to enhance the classroom experience, something involving looking at things in a different way — both literally and figuratively. I experimented, researched, and sometimes learned along with my students.
These days I’m painting for myself, currently ocean scenes in watercolor. I also make one-of-a-kind pendants from seashells. I’ve illustrated a children’s book which has been published in Holland. I’ve begun writing again. Currently I am working on two books: a picture book and a fictionalized biography.
