Rockford City Market

Here's some photos from Friday night 

at the Rockford City Market.

My "partner in crime" this summer, Samantha Rae.

After a 10 hour road trip from Columbus Ohio, and being routed through downtown Chicago rush hour traffic, Terri might have been tired but she still had smiles to share. I bet that beer tasted really good.

The boys; Mark and Matt.

Savannah and Sandy.

The weather was a perfect 82 degrees with a bit of a breeze.

Channel 13 was right across from us. It was fun watching them broadcast the news on site.

Thanks for my cool chalk sign Savannah.

There were a ton of people there. We were by the food vendors - a popular spot.

Savannah and Sandy tease me.

Just about finished with this piece.

Thanks for the thumbs up Savannah. Cooper loves you.

I had a great time and will be sure to come back again.

An Unforgettable Day

A good cause and a great day at the

Unforgettable Art - an Affair for Alzheimer's event.

This year's UA was held at U of I Medical Center, such a beautiful location. I had the best seat in the place where I could almost see everything... and what incredible work did I see! I couldn't believe the talent and so wanted to run around and talk to everyone but didn't.
My work typically takes several days so I was anxious to get going.

Cristi Kniess

Beverly Broyles

 My piece started out slow as I first drew it out with masking fluid.









I bathed the canvas in color and so started it's ugly phase.  I learned something when Cristi came over and said,"Let's get some chocolate". Now Cristi is probably 100 pounds if that and I'm pretty sure rarely eats sugar. But she wanted sugar. I always knew almost every artist's work will have an ugly phase- I just didn't know it was at about the same time in everyone's works.





Interestingly enough even Jim, who's work I had been admiring all day was going through a period of frustration. I certainly didn't see it in his work. Anyway, everyone managed to push through it, whatever challenges they may have had and the night went on.

The band started playing, the people started coming and the wine and h'orderves were served. We all finished our
 pieces. I had about 15 minutes to spare.

 

Matt and Mark

R L Webber

Marsha

Ron Clevenger

ChuckGregory

The evening ended with the auctioning 

off of everyone's works. 

Very exciting.
And all for a wonderful cause.

The Joy of Christmas, The Gift of Returning Back to Work

So Christmas is over and Beth and Adrian have gone back to Ohio. The house is quiet although we still have two at home. I'm craving painting the way I crave warm sunny days or chocolate. But first, I feel I need to touch basis with social media which I have ignored for several days. I had to make a choice work or family? I choose the family of course with no regrets but will make a note to self; "Self plan out December's Social Media end of October beginning of  November." (Shopping before Thanksgiving would be cool too. But who gets their kid's wish lists that early?)

With three of my five sisters; Karen, Lynn, Me and Kim

 

I made a lot of crafts this year and did a lot of baking. None of which made it to my web page.

 

Next Year.....

 I know I need to spend some time looking back on 2014 and evaluate how I did on the goals I set but I can't help but be excited about the upcoming year. 

I'll start the year with works on display at Emerson House, then it's on to the Nicholson Conservatory show. The Art guild is planning a moving show of sixty local artist and there will be a show at the Rockford Art Museum (my first museum). In April my works will be on display at Katie's Cup along with the Spring Art Scene. And that doesn't include any of the Art shows I'll schedule for the year.

 It all starts New Year's day with the first day of the January 30 in 30. I also got an early Christmas gift when I won a marketing consultation with Leslie Saeta! My web master and I have a lot to do making the changes we've been planning for the new year let alone the new recommendations we'll get from Leslie. And on top of all that I have several new prints available and am hoping for at least three more in Febrary. 

It sounds like a lot but I absolutely love it and I feel so blessed to wake up each morning and do exactly what I love.