In Memory....

Happy Memorial Day to all the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Is there anything better....

...then lazily sitting by the pool on a hot Memorial Day weekend with good friends, trashy magazines and one "honkin' huge" ice coffee....I think not!!

A Snake in the Grass....

Today we had a few unexpected guests join us for opening day at our pool...a trio of harmless little snakes that just wanted to sit in the sun along with us...the lifeguard was a little freaked out by them, but not moi...I just wished they would stay still so I could snap them longer!

Not exactly Polar Bear Weather..

The temperature shot up to almost 90 degrees today...and while I do appreciate a summer day....I would have liked to at least had a few spring days before we shot into a heat wave....not polar bear weather, indeed! (This cranky polar bear was done by a 4th grader at CIS Art show I went to).

Jim Dine Project

Working on next project ...thinking of doing some Jim Dine Hearts...can you feel the love?

Now That's an Art Show!!

Lauren and I joined Leah tonight at the Opening for her school (Canton Intermediate) art show...we were blown away by the talent we saw, and the art teacher did an amazing job in setting up the gallery...now that's how it's done!!

Good Enough to Eat!

Today's "Monday with Monet" Class worked on delicious watercolors inspired by the Pop Artist, Wayne Thiebaud's colorful dessert paintings...the results were good enough to eat!!

A Great Place....

Spent some time in River City Art Studio this morning, talking to the owner about her wonderful gem of a place for young artists to get inspired....I know I left feeling a bit more inspired myself!

Quiet Waters...

"Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is there adequate perception of the world."-Hans Margolius....(the Collinsville Ax Factory on a quiet, still morning)

WANTED...

as we prepare our " Wanted" posters with the kids for Open House next week...the kids decided we needed to dress up and let them take a photo of the two most wanted amigos in these parts....what we won't do for these kids!

A Wonderful Night with Friends and Family...

Spent a wonderful evening at Flatbreads in Canton tonight to raise money for the Immaculate Conception Homeless Men's Shelter...My whole family joined me, along with many friends and supportive caring people. Linda did a great job, once again...it was a huge success and will be a great help to this shelter.

Feelin' a little cranky...

After three straight days of cold and rain...with more rain to come...I am feeling a wee bit CRANKY...and this little alien in the school window seemed to feel my pain today...kindred spirits!

Laurel Burch Inspired Cats...

Today we started our last session of "Mondays with Monet" for the school year...lots of returning students...first on our agenda...a modern twist with Laurel Burch's fantasy inspired felines...such colors!!

Therapy sessions...

"Dreams are free therapy...but you can only get appointments at night." (A pillow sitting on a chair in Collinsville Sweet Shoppe this morning)

Bring on the Spring...

The trees around me are bursting out in glorious shades of purples and pinks...and the scent of lilacs is heavenly to me!

Anticipation...is making me wait....

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides."-W.E. Johns....Lauren helped me plant my Mother's Day flowers after dinner tonight...now we just have to wait for the bulbs to burst through the dirt and the vinca vines to travel lazily down the sides of the copper bucket....I am not good at waiting though!

Mothers....daughters...grandaughters...

Mothers Day...and I miss my mom...but I am blessed with two beautiful daughters...I am only sorry that my daughters never got to meet their grand mother...they would have loved her and she would have so enjoyed them!

It Goes Without Saying, always....

A huge sign in Soho

Cubist Portraits in "Imagine That" Art Class

"Are we to paint what's on the face, what's inside the face or what's behind it?"-Pablo Picasso....in the case of these art students, I think it's a combination of all three.

Lauren's Art Show Opening Reception

Tonight was Lauren's yearly townwide art show reception at North Branford Public Library...it was Fantastic....her students did a great job, but then what do you expect, they have a GREAT art teacher!! Bravo Lauren!!

Natural Beauty...

Sometimes you just see a work of art and design in the simplest of things....how did God create such beautiful designs inside such an ugly shell....just goes to show ....it's what's inside that counts.

Paul Klee's "Castle and Sun" Project

Our last "Mondays with Monet" class worked on painted paper collages inspired by Paul Klee's colorful painting, "Castle and Sun....fantastic results!