Here’s the other painting of mine hung in the Glen Echo student exhibit — the Biloxi skies on the morning of my brother’s funeral.
Even the skies cry for Jody
My second exhibit offering
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I’ve been busy and shy
I’m still reluctant to put that toe in the water, but my recent classes at The Yellow Barn in Bethesda are encouraging me to put myself out there a bit more. I’m currently in my first ever exhibit — a student show in the Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park.
Here is the first of my two pieces:
One fine afternoon at MakePiece. Oil.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
No matter our level of talent, nothing much really gets done without practice. Over the last few months, I’ve been working at my oil painting — and the drawing skills that go with it — and I’m seeing real progress.
Chef Chaouen's 'Red Sea', oil on canvas, 16x20"
And I recently revived my long-standing interest in tai chi and started a new endeavor that’s gonna require a lot of work — belly dancing! I always thought it would be fun (as with tap dancing and the tango), but I never pictured myself really doing it.
Gratitude
As I was reading the newspaper a few minutes ago, I realized there is yet another thing that I’d like to do more of this coming year: express my gratitude and appreciation.
I’ve always been fairly good about expressing gratitude in the moment and in person to someone who has done something special. But I have totally neglected the quick message to strangers who have moved me with their kindness or excellence. I suspect it’s been from fear of being pegged as a ‘fan’, writing ‘fan letters’.
I took a first plunge a month or so ago, emailing Ellen McCarthy, a writer at the Washington Post, to compliment her consistently beautiful and moving vignettes of a recent wedding. Her work is always carefully researched and lovingly recounted. Though I’ve never particularly read wedding announcements, one day I tried a story of hers and was charmed, both with the couple showcased, and with her writing. I was hooked.
So when I happened upon yet another great portrait last month, I jotted off a quick email to tell her of my appreciation. It felt good to do that and I was happy to hear back that my message had made her day. Thanks again, Ellen!
Crossing The Bridge of Time into 2011!
Crossing The Bridge of Time into 2011!.
Jorge's Tulip Bouquet
I couldn’t resist sharing this beautiful mosaic done by my new friend Jorge Somarriba. Check out all the lovely things on his blog.
And his wife Eneida also has a blog — hers is wonderful too. We must persuade her to post more often!
Eneida's Bird
Happy New Year!
My hubby Pat and I tried to watch the ball drop last night and actually stayed awake til the magic moment. We heard the crowd count down and saw all the resulting fireworks but didn’t see the ball drop! Channel 4 had such a long shot that we missed it. Oh well, 2011 still made it in the door. We’re hoping for a good year and feeling optimistic.
My toe in the water (last October 8th) barely got wet. I saw the wordpress challenge to blog daily in 2011. Will see what I can do. Over & out — I don’t want to wear out my words by overdoing it right at the start!
Magpie
I can’t resist clipping newspapers and mags (so far, my books are sacred), collecting pretty or interesting things I happen upon along the road, and now saving digital copies of meaningful words and beautiful images I find on the web. Even my extra-huge hard drive is at risk. But I love to have my pretties at hand. Knowing where they are (or, worst, were) is simply not enough. I’ve got to be able to lay eyes on them when I want. The wonderful thing that caught my eye today is a collection of photographs by Hans Silvester, capturing the beauty and dignity of Ethiopian tribespeople.
What dignity!