Tag Archives: Art

Use it or Lose it!

I have heard that expression a million times but usually it refers to skills! During this pandemic, it has taken on a new meaning for me.

I have a room dedicated to creating.  First it was the craft room.  Well I do not really craft so much.  Then it was the bead room.  Then it became the sewing room. Then I started mixed media art and I called it the art room.

I usually have a very busy life-I never had much time in there.  I am in bookclubs, have girlfriend groups I meet with…so when I did a project, I would drag things to the dining room table, do the project, then dump (and I do mean dump) everything back in the art room.  I created on the dining room table because it was a nice space.  I was constantly running back and forth though to get supplies.

Then the pandemic came…and I had more time to create.  Suddenly I was tired of the mess in the dining room but there was no room to create in the art room because of the dump piles.

When the pandemic started I admit I was like a slug. No motivation.  Then after a while I realized I was going to be really angry with myself when it was all over and I had nothing to show for it. Also, there was nothing but politics on the TV.  So…I tackled the art room.  Turns out I have tons of great art supplies.  I was not using them to their best as they were lost or not organized so I could find them.  Some items (markers and such) were not good anymore because of lack of use.  Less is more-I get it.  I gave several duplicate items away. to people I knew would appreciate and use them. Completing this project has been life changing. Now I have spaces to work, my supplies are at my fingertips, and the dining room looks like a dining room. Now I wonder what took me so long! What I thought was an impossible task has made my life so much easier. Instead os spending time looking for things-I am creating!

Pictures below of  before. After pictures to come soon-as well as my new plan for finish in Friday.

Wait till you see the after! What project is hanging over your head???

Sanford & Friends

I tend to be a workaholic-thank goodness for wild and crazy art friends to remind me to have fun! My friend  Mychele is on a roll with her creativity and is inspiring me to make time for creativity as well.

Artsy girls need to see art! Our friend Jaci suggested that we all go to Sanford to the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art Gallery when our friend Tracy Stilwell would have an exhibit there.

While this may be a bit blurry, I love this shot of myself, Mychele, and Jaci under Tracy’s eyes.

Jaci and I drove over from my home and Mychele met us there.  We all, for some reason, thought this was a small gallery but it was not! Not only were there many rooms of art but rooms where artists worked on site.  Our hostess with the mostest, Bailey, told us how the gallery was laid out and got us going on our adventure.

     

I really enjoyed one couple we met-The Abbots.  Debe  had an eclectic collection of work as did her artist husband, Kevin. They have been doing art together for thirty years I think they said!  I admit my favorites are the rooms she creates.  You can see this process on her blog at Evolution of a Painting.   Mychele and I agreed she had painted our dream room/house.  We spent a lot of time talking to Debe and Kevin-great people!

              

Of course our main mission was to see Tracy’s work so we headed to that area and enjoyed seeing her Garden Girls and fabric creations.We took several photos and left her a love note at the comment area. Tracy’s fabric creations each have their own story.  They are filled with images and details-each one takes time to see fully.

                    

We were surprised to see a small collection of work by another friend Midge Beaudoin.

Midge and Tracy have both taught classes at Art More Place in Melbourne Florida. That is how I met these two artsy gals.

This not so little gallery is very impressive and I cannot wait to go back.

While shopping in the gift area, I was thrilled to find a fused glass bird pendant. I loved it immediately , bought it, and named her Sky.  I have worn her every day since and get at least two comments a day . The artisan is Martin Cheek .

After all the fun at the gallery-we asked our hostess ,Bailey, about lunch suggestions.  She and Debe gave us lots and we ended up next door at Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe. My stepdaughter-Katie, quite a connoisseur, had recently suggested this place when she heard I was going to Sanford.  When she says you MUST go there, trust it.  It was right next door and I had read on yelp that they were great at helping with gluten-free/vegetarian choices.  Turns out they had a vegetarian menu! Our server Dalton was amazing! I was very hungry and therefore overwhelmed with the extensive menu.  He helped me pick something out quickly which I great appreciated.  He described the different sausages so I could make a choice.  I admit, when selecting sides, etc I went with his favorites-and I am glad I did. Dalton helped me select a sausage plate and two sides. It was delicious! The decor in this place was German of course-loved everything about this place. Although I did not have any, it seems there were many great beers on hand.

        

After lunch we strolled just a bit more.  We found a bookstore Maya Books and Music.  Well of course I was going in! (for those of you that don’t know me personally,Maya is my poodle’s name) This bookstore was packed with stacks and stacks of books.       

Then I found Magpies. I LOVED this place!  Just a room full of unique treasures!  I found soaps, gourmet cotton candy, jewelry, clothing, and small unique home decor pieces.  Cannot wait to go back! I set up the place on yelp because it was not on there and it deserves to be seen! Don’t miss it if you are in Sanford.

      

Sanford was a beautiful town and I admit I plan to get back there as soon as I can.   Even the walls of the buildings were unusual-encrusted with memorabilia. I did not have enough time that day to explore as much as I would have liked.

Mychele taking a shot!

View down the main street-there are many side streets as well!

just one of the encrusted walls.

Another encrusted wall-I thought this was fascinating.

A shot down the other side of the main road. Everything was so beautiful!

Sanford is now one of my favorite towns for a getaway.  Who wants to go?

Mychele also wrote about our day.  See her version here!