Why am I here? 
I mean why am I at my blog page really wanting to write after at least two years of letting the blog go? I guess it's because I feel the need to connect with you and those who follow my pages through the social media on a deeper level. I guess that's no surprise after we've been sheltering in place for 41 days. But the truth is I miss you. I miss the people who come into my gallery in Rockton and pull up a chair and tell me about their lives. I miss the person who comes to paint with me and swears they can't even draw a stick figure only to find they have their own unique style in painting and they're not bad, not bad at all. I miss my artist friends who stop by the gallery with their latest creations hoping that others will appreciate what they've made, or the shopper who is looking for that special unique one of a kind gift. I miss the other shop owners up and down the street who have become my friends. I miss the people who used to read my blog and make some comments here and there.


So I will listen to this craving of wanting to write in a totally informal way and start up my blog again. As you know times are very uncertain right now. Somehow, in the middle of all this is this bursting amount of creativity. Everyone is reinventing themselves, learning how to move forward in this world of social distancing. We are learning to connect in new ways. Heck I now Zoom and use Duo. ( Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?) My gallery is changing too. In trying to survive... well, I shouldn't put it that way. My business is called Finally Art - I'm finally here. I'm not going anywhere. Turns out I can be pretty scrappy and stubborn. I'm here to stay. but business is changing and to be honest... some of it may be for the better.


So I plan to write about this new world and how we are reinventing ourselves as we navigate through it. I don't know how often I'll post it's all new again. We'll see.


How are you reinventing yourself? How are you doing my friend? I'm happy to be reconnecting with you.

February 30 in 30, Day # 11

30 paintings in 30 days.

Today is a commission piece.

I had a great time at the Nicholas Conservatory last night. We were painting orchids as a part of the In Full Bloom; The Orchid Exhibit. It was a great opportunity to tell people about the Rockford Art Guild and JR Finally Art.

Crab Apple BlossomsII

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

NFS

New friends, Jim and Vicki

Pam, The Guild President

Cristi

Beth and John, the Vice President.

February 30 in 30, Day #10

30 paintings in 30 days

In celebration of  In Full Bloom; The Orchid Exhibit at The Nicholas Conservatory, The Rockford Art Guild wild be hosting a  Make and Take this evening, 5:30 -7:30pm. Come on down and paint an orchid on Yupo paper with alcohol inks. It's free to everyone that has purchased a ticket for the exhibit. These are the sample orchids hopefully showing the many varieties and colors they come in.

Be sure to visit the Conservatory again next week as the Rockford Art Guild has a show of art February 14th - 25th.

Nicholas Orchids

Alcohol Inks and Pen on Yupo

The exhibit runs through March 11th. 

For More Info on the In Full Bloom- the Orchid Exhibit click here 

February 30 in 30. Day # 9

30 paintings in 30 days

Today's post in in honor of Galentine's Day. Galentine's Day is the day before Valentine's Day. It's an opportunity for women to celebrate their gal pals. Downtown Rockton will be hosting a big party with lots to do at each shop. Their will be photo booths, waffle bars, Margaritas and a lot more including a chance to win a 16 bottle wine refrig filled with goodies from the local shops. JR Finally Art will offer two Make and Takes. A friendship bracelet and these Love Tiles.

Love Tiles

Alcohol Ink and Pen

Come on down to JR Finally Art Tuesday night and make on yourself for $5.

JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery

210 W. Main Street

Rockton

February 30 in 30, Day # 8

30 paintings in 30 days.

Do you remember spin art when we were kids? You dropped paint onto a paper that was spinning and all the colors would expand out to the edges of the page in a really unique design. I've been wanting to try that with alcohol inks for some time now. So I asked for a Spin Art set for Christmas, $10, Walmart. The 30 in 30 gave me the perfect chance to try. I will say the Spin Art has gotten really cheap since we were kids. It is no longer battery operated. You need to pump a button to spin the much smaller paper. The paints they give you to use are pretty useless too. BUT, I was able to try it using Yupo paper. Here are the results. Okay, I've had enough. A bit disappointed but that's okay. It's just that I remembered it so much cooler than it was. Maybe I was thinking about Creepy Crawlers.

Spin Art

Alcohol Inks on Yupo

February 30 in 30, Day #7

30 paintings in 30days.

I had a hard time with this one. I will admit it. It started out as a piece about recommitting to goals and not letting little stumbles get in the way of the directions you want to move in. I wrote myself a lovely little pep talk in silver across both pages knowing that enough of it would be covered up and that my private pep talk would stay just that. But then I lost the direction when I stenciled with molding paste. I like them very much but they are way too centered and there's four of them, an even number, I know better than that. Anyway, I was never able to get back to any kind of a focal point after that. I decided to stop trying so hard and doodle my way through the rest of it. So I let everything dry and plopped down in front of the TV and casually doodled. It still doesn't have a point of interest, but I'm okay with it.

Celebrate the Ordinary, See the Extraordinary

Mixed Media

February 30 in 30, Day # 6

30 paintings in 30 days.

This is a commission I was working on.

Dahlias II

Alcohol Inks and Pen

11" x 14" on Yupo Paper