Croning My Way Through Life
You can call us pumpkins
Cuz we’re soft and round
We chase each other
All over the grounds.
We hiss and bark
Yet love to cuddle
We want your food
And are not subtle
We are your pumpkins
lovable as hell
Happy Halloween!
Wishing you well!
Paul Stone specializes in traditional still life compositions, often with a contemporary twist.
Painting in oils, in the style of classical realism, Stone employs an accomplished use of light and shade to create a sense of texture and atmosphere in his work.
After graduating in professional fine art practice in 2008, Stone made the decision to become a full time oil painter, and has since established a reputation in still life excellence, winning numerous national awards and building a growing base of appreciative collectors.
Having grown up on the coast of Suffolk, the artist initially studied design at Lowestoft College, then spent many years in various professions, including teaching children with special needs, before discovering his love of art history, and his devotion to still life painting.
His focus is on showing the beauty of natural design in organic objects, with simple, elegant compositions, enhanced by dramatic lighting and studied detail.
The result is works showcasing traditional oil painting techniques, with a contemporary feel and presentation.
More of Paul Stone’s wonderful paintings can be found at https://paulstoneart.com/
Patience is not simply the ability to wait — it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.
~ Joyce Meyer
Another wonderful, fun way to look back at Galleries through the years — find a topic and share it all over again!
I hope you are clicking on the titles and getting the full feel of topics like Glassworks and Wire Sculpture … the artists I have come across have such a wide range of talent, it’s hard to love one over the next!
My first recap of mini things was back at Still Looking Back! — Mini Things. So let’s continue our journey through galleries of mini things!
I’ve been having a lot of alien dreams lately. Lindzeanne (Lindsey) is an embroidery artist based in Tokyo, Japan.
Her work is inspired by traditional Japanese textile traditions such as sashiko, indigo dying, and the concept of “mottainai” or “waste nothing”.
Lindzeanne’s work uses only second-hand or vintage textiles to create colourful, vibrant, highly textural hand-stitched pieces.
Through her work, the artist aims to catalogue the passage of time and investigate the relationship between color and form by making the unseen seen with simple needle and thread.
Lindzeanne began stitching in order to upcycle clothing, a practical hobby that quickly became more of a drawing practice.
Embroidery floss isn’t common in Japan, so the artist instead picked up basic hand-sewing and traditional sashiko threads that she stitches into second fabrics.
The resulting works are rife with patterns.
“To me, colors have a personality to them, and shapes have a weight and character to them, so when I’m thinking of a piece in my mind, or sitting down to cut fabric, I’m always imagining the push and pull, or the gravity that certain shapes and colors have with one another,” Lindzeanne says.
More of Lindzeanne’s intricate stitchery can be found at lindzeanne.com/
Caturday and Doggerday are silly days. Just check out the name! So what’s a Saturday without a couple of dumb jokes to start it with?
What do cats like to eat on a hot day? A mice-cream cone.
Why do cats always get their way? They are very purr suasive!
How do two cats end a fight? They hiss and make up.
What should you use to comb a cat? A catacomb.
What is a cat’s favorite movie? The Sound of Mewsic.
What’s a cat’s favorite magazine? Good Mousekeeping.
Why did the cat wear a fancy dress? She was feline fine.
What’s a cat’s favorite color? Purr-ple.
Why was the cat afraid of the tree? Because of its bark
What did the cat say when it was confused? “I’m purr-plexed!”
What do you give a dog with a fever? Mustard! It’s the best thing for a hot dog.
Policeman: “Excuse me Mister, but were you aware that your dog has been chasing a guy on his bike?” Dog Owner: “Are you nuts? My dog is not even able to ride a bike.”
Why did the Eskimo name his dog “Frost”? Because “Frost” bites.
Which dog always knows what time it is? A watch dog.
Why is a noisy yappy dog like a tree? They both have a lot of bark.
What do you have if you breed a cocker spaniel with a poodle and a rooster? A cockerpoodlepoo!
Why do dogs make terrible dancers? Because most of them have two left feet.
What is the difference between a dog and a marine biologist? Well, one of them wags his tail and the other tags his whales.
What do you call a dog magician? A Labracadabrador.
What kind of dog is the quietest sleeper of all? A hush puppy.
Happy Caturday!
A beautiful repost for a Friday from Boundless Blessings by Kamal — it touches so many of us in so many different ways.
Time the greatest Healer…………
Time is said to the greatest healer
Though, it’s difficult to comprehend
You wonder, when grief or loss is felt
How your heart will ever mend.
It’s a subtle transition, over years
It isn’t apparent from day to day
In fact at times you start to wonder
How you will ever find your way
But when you look back over time
You realise your heart is stronger
And although you may never fully heal
You’re not struggling any longer
You come to realise that you’ve changed
And won’t ever be the same again
But you embrace the faith you found right now
Whilst coping with the hurt and pain
Love will come just in time
With happiness and joy waiting to come
Fresh smiles and laughter will fill you
And you will again be the lovely person you were
And, eventually time teaches us how to cope
Just how strong we really are
And although the journey was long
We feel proud we made it so far……………………………
Born in 1857 in Iowa, Andrew Clemens contracted encephalitis as a young child and lost his hearing and much of his speech.
He eventually attended the Iowa School for the Deaf, and during his summer breaks visited Pikes Peak State Park along the Mississippi River.
Near the aptly named Sand Cave in the park, Clemens found and collected grains of sand that were vividly colored from naturally occurring iron and minerals that leached into it. He also collected sand from the sandstone cliffs at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
He used these to create his sand art without the benefit of glue or artificial coloring and amazingly, he created these mostly upside down, as the bottle’s opening, sealed upon completion, would be at the top.
He used tempered hickory sticks with specially designed tips or fish hooks to deposit and position naturally colored grains of sand inside the bottles.
Clemens created elaborate designs grain by grain, using only different colors of sand in much the same way an artist uses paints on a palette.
Clemens’ meticulously crafted masterpieces were painstakingly time-consuming to make, with some requiring over a year of labor.
Many have since attempted to duplicate his technique but his works of art remain unmatched.
More of Andrew Clemens’ amazing sand bottles can be found at https://www.antiquetrader.com/art/rare-sand-art-by-andrew-clemens-sets-world-record and https://americanart.si.edu/blog/andrew-clemens-sand-art.
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, 1926 –2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 1952 until her death in 2022.
She had been queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime, and was the monarch of 15 realms at her death. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days is the longest of any British monarch, the second-longest of any sovereign state, and the longest of any queen regnant in history.
Born in Mayfair, London during the reign of her paternal grandfather, King George V, Elizabeth was the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother).
Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother Edward VIII, making the ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth the heir presumptive.
In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark. Their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in 2021.
They had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew, and Edward.
From Elizabeth’s birth onwards, the British Empire continued its transformation into the Commonwealth of Nations. By the time of her accession in 1952, her role as head of multiple independent states was already established.
Elizabeth was known to favor simplicity in court life and was also known to take a serious and informed interest in government business, aside from the traditional and ceremonial duties.
Privately, she became a keen horsewoman; she kept racehorses, frequently attended races, and periodically visited the Kentucky stud farms in the United States.
More about Queen Elizabeth II can be found at https://www.royal.uk/queen-elizabeth.
Just about the last nice day in October where the sun is bright, air is warm, and breeze doesn’t knock you over with its enthusiasm.
I love the precision of needlework and the intricacy of fiberwork. The ability to concentrate on minute details is something I find amazing. The skill, the patience, all makes for amazing work. Let’s visit a few more talented artists….
Artist Ivan Guaderrama was born in Chihuahua, but raised in New Mexico and Colorado.
Initially, Guaderrama had initial plans to be a doctor. However, four years into his medical studies, he realized that his heart was deeply rooted in art.
Drawn into the Gospel’s core, Guaderrama dedicated his life to a fervent pursuit of innovative art forms that transcend conventional boundaries.
Guaderrama’s journey led him to incorporate pioneering technologies into his work, birthing masterpieces that converse with the audience through touch-induced sounds and three-dimensional visuals that spring to life via the “Ivan Guaderrama Art Gallery App”, an application he developed as a skilled programmer.
His artistry transcends traditional painting and sculpture by embedding robotics interfaces, the intelligent brains within his pieces, establishing a new paradigm in immersive art.
Guaderrama’s creative spirit expanded as he deepened his relationship with religion as his eternal inspiration.
His art touches the hearts and spirits of those who encounter it, pushing the boundaries of emotional engagement.
More of Ivan Guaderrama’s inspirational paintings can be found at https://www.ivanguaderrama.com/.
Fill up your own cup, and let them fall in love with the overflow.
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Another day, Another world!
I had such a magical time wandering through the old world over Europe way. Even with the occasional McDonalds and souvenir stands on every other corner, it was an amazing glance at the past. Brick roads and plazas, statues everywhere — living in idwest United States your mind cannot fathom what it’s like to have ancient art everywhere you go.
For today’s blog, let’s try some pediments, cornices, tympanums, and whatever other words mean decorative pieces above doorways and arches….
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You spin me right ’round, baby, right ’round
Like a record, baby, right ’round, ’round, ’round
~ Flo Rida
Cool breeze this dark night
smooth night jazz in the background
friends who have passed away come back to say hi
It’s a good night.
Two Great Horned Owls…
Solidify their pair-bond
Sharing thoughts in tenor and baritone
It’s a good night.
This hour of the night
Makes madmen sing
And dreamers fly.
It’s a good night.
A strange point of view — talking about what you’re doing at the moment. Like wondering if making homemade spaghetti sauce is old fashioned.
Some people love doing it; others are so busy with their lives it’s much easier to doctor up a jar of the red marvel. Of course the end result is “worth it: — but is it practical anymore?
Have we trended out of one form of expression only to discover the next one that lies around the corner?
I spend a lot of time on research for my art blogs. I myself love doing nitty gritty like that. But many don’t. And many don’t have time to read blogs they’re signed up for. What started out to be an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes has more likely become a chore.
And we all know how we love chores.
Sometimes I sit and reflect that there’s really nothing left to blog about. I can’t stand half of the world affairs, and no amount of blogging will change the players involved. I don’t do recipes or instructions or celebrity gossip. The art I find I share, but not everyone is interested these days.
I’m not taking offense if blogging is on it’s way out as a social trend. Fifteen years ago blogging was just coming into vogue. A few years before that it was Facebook and Instagram. There was always a way to be heard.
Now with apps like Tic Tok and What’s App and dozens more you can be heard and seen everywhere all at once. I suppose that’s good and bad.
But back to blogging.
I know in here I’ve said from time that feel a slowdown coming. A change of ways. After all, what is life without change?
People evolve. So do their forms of entertainment. What was fun and innovative five years ago is now old news. People used to write in journals and give each other calling cards so they could keep in touch. Letters turned to hardcover books which turned into paperbacks and now most anything you want to read can be found electronically.
This is not so much a wondering blog as it is an observational one. WordPress used to (and still might) be the most popular writing blog. But, as evolution shows, now it’s in competition with Bluesky, Substack, and who know what else.
Today’s blog is more about keeping connected.
Just as hardcovers evolved into Kindle and hand written letters turned into texting, so blogs will continue to evolve.
I hope you continue to use the tools of the Internet, not to waste, but to create. Explore, research, wander. But always come back home.
It’s where blogging will be waiting … along with some kickass homemade spaghetti sauce …..
Volker Hermes (-1972) is internationally artist renowned for his ‘Hidden Portraits’ that make digital interventions into historical portrait paintings.
Hermes revisits historical portraits by incorporating diverted ornaments inspired by costumes from the 16th to the 19th century, which invade the picture.
Taking textures and patterns from within the antique image, he creates masks and new adornments that obscure the sitters’ faces and in the process sheds new insight on how fashion functions in historical imagery.
Volker’s ‘Hidden Portraits’ are playful and mischievous; they delight in the sensory exuberance of historical dress.
For the last decade, Hermes has used digital-imaging software to manipulate classic portraits from museum collections around the world.
The entire face is covered by an absurd mask, piled-up fabric or a ceremonial wig. But nothing is added to the paintings. All the changes come from within the original itself.
Hermes’s meticulously described collages pay homage to their sources while gently ribbing the social pretensions and ambitions of the courtly classes.
His practice plays with the limits of perception and tenderly mocks human folly, whether it’s the desire to capture and tame the natural world or to flaunt the latest fashions.
More of Volker Hermes surreal paintings can be found at https://www.hermes.art/.
See — my compatriots celebrate Caturday — even if they don’t realize it!
Here is a great post by my friend Georgiann over at Rethinking Life sharing more insights into the world of Caterday!
this is what our cats do
when we leave the house
they get dressed up
go out and meet friends
why would they stay home
waiting for us to return
when they could dress up
in beautiful clothes
and have fun
so start buying your cat
well made top coats
a few ties
hats and scarfs
instead of
catnip mice
and squeaky toys
I think they’d appreciate it
Photo: William Tyiilijura
Pixabay
Once you have tasted the taste of sky, you will forever look up.
~Leonardo da Vinci
How often do you ask this of others?
How often do you ask this and mean it?
“How are you?” is one of those phrases we throw out constantly, often with emptiness behind it. Kind of like a courtesy call. “How are you?” is about as cliché as “What’s New?” but not as specific as “Did you -___?” or “How was ___?”
I’m not picking on us. It’s a courtesy in and of itself just to speak to someone else. These days it’s easier to walk eyes down or stare at your phone and ignore a possible interaction than to actually engage in conversation.
“How ya doin’?” is often an ice breaker. Depending on the response (not only the actual words but someone’s body language) you can instantly judge if you want to continue the conversation or move on.
“How are you?” gives you room to instantly judge a situation and your reaction to it. Which is not always an accurate response.
People who are in pain or who have just lost a loved one often say “I’m doing fine.” They protect their hearts and minds with those three words, keeping the world at bay while they deal with whatever.
“I’m doing fine” also is a knee jerk response to the constant repetition of the question they hear all day long. After all, how many times do you need to explain your feelings about frustration or depression or, the other side of the coin, bliss and contentment?
Emotions are a strange reaction to the world around you. Heaven forbid you are too happy or too sad. Middle-of-the-road Q&As make life easier. How are you. Fine. Move on. How are you. Fine. Move on.
I’m not saying every conversation needs to be a confessional or a gut-wrenching response. Sometimes you are just fine. Sometimes you are just being polite.
But I don’t want to turn into a robot who asks the same questions a dozen times a day and get the same dozen answers. Sometimes I want the other person to know that I really am interested in their well being and their psyche. I don’t need an in depth conversation of what’s bothering them unless it’s obvious that they need one at the moment.
Reading people is nearly impossible. We all have such heavy armor around us it’s hard for us to experience the world as it’s meant to be experienced.
But know that sometimes when someone asks you “How are you?” they really want to know. They, too, are tippy toeing around sensitive subjects yet want you to know they’re there for you if need be.
So ….
How are you?
Good Morning! Welcome to our Art Gallery Review!
Thought this morning we could continue our wandering through Sunday Evening Art Gallery galleries — how about statues? Part Two?
Sounds good!
Creativity takes courage.
~ Henri Matisse
Well, I’ve certainly not been bored lately.
How wonderful, you all think. Something to do all the time. Someone to do it with.
While I agree with your assessment (I am indeed blessed), I am in need of some alone time, too.
Some people HATE being alone. Past experiences, relationships, current mind chatter, all work on our psyche for good and bad. One bad carrot in the bag and we tend to throw the whole thing away.
I’ve actually been trying to EAT my carrots lately.
I’ve been busy with grandkids, camping with daughter-in-law’s parents, rearranging rooms, and today I’m moving in all my plants because of the cold nights coming (The funny thing about that is … why does it seem there are many more to bring in than were brought out last spring??) I was busy making purse charms and selling them at the art fair, shopping for products for my next art project, and collecting pics for future blogs. That’s not to mention washing tons of laundry and the ever-hated full sink of dishes.
It’s about time I pay as much attention to my body as I do picking out glass beads.
I am the heaviest I’ve ever been. I’m the most tired I’ve ever been. I am the flakiest I’ve ever been. I’m the oldest I’ve ever been, although that is a mute point. I’m also, in some worlds, the happiest I’ve ever been.
But if I don’t start working on this weight I won’t be around long enough to make any more “ever beens.”
So ONCE AGAIN I am working on a behavioral modification. I don’t do the “D” word or the “E” word any more. Those words just reflect dozens of failed New Year’s resolutions and bright spring morning starts.
I hear some of you say well, it’s too late for me. I’m too old to change my ways.
No you’re not. If you don’t start changing now, you won’t have a tomorrow to complain about.
What do dietitians and life coaches and psychics say? One day at a time?
I want to walk across a soccer field without getting a winded pain in the chest. I want to be able to lift my leg up to cross it on my other leg without pulling muscles. I want to eat healthier, sit outside more often, and be able to bend over without going “AAArrrrgggghhhh….eeeeahhhhooooo… jeeeeeezzzz.
So this Monday morning, before making a grocery list, before listening to smooth jazz jams and making homemade breakfast burritos, I am patting myself on the head and saying, “Go Girl. This time is the real time. One day at a time.”
I want to be around for my grandson’s high school graduation … heck… my seven-year-old’s high school graduation. I want to plan vacations where I can actually walk across a plaza without having to find a place to sit and recoup. I want to eat fresh foods and learn to cook all over again. I want to learn to walk and dance all over again.
If i can do it, you can do it. Do you need to do it?
Let’s get on this atta-boy band wagon together!
Arizona-based artist Kathy Klein uses a variety of organic materials to produce a series of eye-catching mandalas referred to as Danmalas – a portmanteau of the Vedic Sanskrit words “dan” and “mala” which respectively mean “the giver” and “garland of flowers.”
Klein studied both Painting and Art Education at Arizona State University.
Each piece in her ongoing collection boasts a brilliant sense of geometric symmetry and energetic life.
Taking inspiration from traditional Buddhist mandalas, Klein’s danmala’s use shells, seeds, pine cones, rocks, vegetation, and a diverse supply of flowers (including carnations, daisies, goldenrods, hydrangeas, junipers, marigolds, and tulips) to present a circle of symmetry.
After assembling each visually enriching combination, she leaves it out for anyone to come across.
There’s a meditative repetitiveness to each creation that is both awakening and relaxing for those who discover her work in person.
“Mandalas are deeply imbedded in our collective consciousness,” Klein explains.
“They can be used to describe all of creation and are a reflection of the Sacred, which is inherently present in nature’s perfect geometry.”
More of Kathy Klein’s magical designs can be found at https://kathyklein.org and https://mymodernmet.com/kathy-klein-danmala/
While attending the International Fireworks Show in Ottawa, Canada, photographer David Johnson had his camera in hand to document the night.
When Spain’s entry into the competition began he decided to try something a little different.
The technique he used was a simple refocus during the 1-2 second-long exposure. 
To produce these images, Johnson started out of focus, and when he heard the explosion he quickly refocused.
The captured abstract beams were transformed into a series of unusual, striking shapes.
By shifting the focus of his camera, Johnson delivered both hazy and evidently detailed pictures.
“The shapes are quite bizarre, ” Johnson says.
“Some of them I was pleasantly surprised with.”
More of David Johnson’s marvelous photography can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveyjphoto/ and https://mymodernmet.com/david-johnson-fireworks-photography/.
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Humoring the Goddess 