Vaildation

I flew to North Carolina this past month for vacation. Whenever I am going to fly somewhere, my mind prepares for the worst, i.e., plane crash. I am not afraid to fly, I just start getting my house in order, in case I don't make it home. I call my sister and visit for hours, just in case I don't make it back. I make sure the bathroom is clean! How bizarre is that? I would hope my sons would be so overcome with grief they wouldn't notice that the bathtub wasn't clean. And really, do they even notice when I am alive? I hope not!

The weekend before we left, I cleaned my 'studio' aka Quilt Room. As I sifted through the piles, I wondered how my sons would react to the half (or less) finished projects, the scraps, the minute pieces of ribbon, fabric, paper, and all of the "ephemara" I collect. Would they appreciate it's value, or enjoy one last "Make fun of Mom" moment together? I tried to throw some of it out so they would not have to deal with it, but it didn't happen. It is organized now, banded and clipped together in neat boxes, piles, shelves, floor, etc.

We went to North Carolina so I could join an old college friend in a Jane LaFazio Sketch and Watercolor class in person. We stayed at my friend's Dad's house in Hendersonville (she is from New Jersey). Her mom had passed away about 4 years ago. Her mom, Barbara, was what I consider a "REAL" artist. Her paintings had been exhibited, hung in galleries and were absolutely fabulous. After the class, we were inspired to keep the shared creative process going. In doing so, we rummaged through what was left of her Mom's supplies. What a treasure! Here were stacks of half (or less) finished projects, the scraps, the minute pieces of ribbon, fabric, paper, and all of the "ephemara" she had collected. As well as her experements in color and techniques. We incorporated some of it into our art work.

It was a wonderful validation of Barbara's, her daugher's and my work and creative process. It was very powerful. Her artwork is in this "recycled circle" from the Jane LaFazio class we did not take, but wished we had!!

Now, I imagine my sons and daugher-in-laws and grandchildren exclaiming in delight "Look what I found" when they go through my Quilt Room.

Playing with Aidan

My grandson spent the weekend with us this weekend. We had so much fun! We went to Chatfield Reservoir and he rode his bike on the trails and played on the shoreline; tossing rocks and sticks into the water. We also spent some time playing with watercolors. He created this wonderful page of color. I can't wait to add something to it; perhaps somethings we did together this weekend? Today, we went to the Pirate exhibit at the museum. Argh, matey!

Family History

This was a little "Journal Spilling" ala Donna Trout. Loved being able to write the family secrets and cover them back up with collage.LOL

Ride the Wind

First bike ride of the season. What a great day, weather was perfect and I had so much fun. Stopped and took some pictures for my next on line class "She had Three Hearts". I love to ride. My bike is so light is like riding the wind.

Little like a link of chain

This is another tune I like by Chris Smither.

I've been working on this for a few days. This is one of my favorite songs and it just needed to be put on the page.

Resist Worksheet

Trying out different resist techniques. Loved the Friskar applied to rubber stamp the best.

Memories

Aren't memories a funny thing? They are constantly pulling at your mind and heart. Some little thing will trigger them and before you know it, you are re-living a moment; sometimes the emotion; pain, happiness, silliness is as intense as the day it happened.

I am taking an online class with Laure Ferlita called Artful Journaling. Our 2nd assignment was drawing a watermelon. I started working on the assignment and was soon re-living a moment (or two, or three) of going to a Boy Scout function (didn't they have Blue/Gold Banquets??) with my brother and Dad. Always at these things, they sing songs that invlove some pantomine. I can see those Scout leaders singing "WATERMELON, WATERMELON, WATERMELON RIND" while pantomining eating across a watermelon slice like an old fashioned (but not at the time) typewriter. And at the end of the song, everyone SPITS OUT THE SEEDS with lots of noise and moisture, as only boys can do. Nice memory to accompany me while drawing. I miss my Dad.

What is more Constant than God's Love and Forgiveness?

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Constantly Creative

Being created by the Creator in His image means we are creative beings. The first thought that comes to me when I think of the word create or creative is the formal arts - painting, drawing, sculpture, music, poetry, prose, architecture. However, we are constantly creating something just living our lives.

When we get up in the morning, we take food stuff and create a breakfast. Our minds focus on the things we need to get done and we create a schedule, a 'to do' list, a plan of action. We get in the car and create energy, movement, a trip. If we have a fender bender, we've created a scene! Speaking with our co-workers, friends, family, we create dialogue. Working through problems, we create solutions. Caring for one another, we create community.

Humans also possess the desire to deliver a tangible work that expresses or reflects what goes on inside of their souls. Those folks that seem more in tune with that desire we call Artists. And they have produced beautiful work throughout the centuries. I believe we are all artists, each one of us at a different point of being in tune with our creative needs and meeting those needs in different ways.

I've spent my creative energies in needlecrafts for many years; crewel embroidery, cross stitch, quilting. I learned lots about color and design working on quilts for 30 some years. Now I am exploring paper, paints and drawing. Learning new skills to channel that creative desire. And having a great time doing it. I am thankful to be created in the image of a Creator.

Love's Constant Flow

For Valentine's day!

Love is a constant. Even in the absence of love, love exists.

When I was 23, I gave my heart away; when I got it back at 30, it was broken and incomplete. It was missing the love of a husband, friend, companion. It had a hole that threatened to swallow me and drown me in sadness. Yet love abounded everywhere for me; God's love, my parents' and siblings' love, the unconditional love of my children, friendships forged years ago and not least, my ability to give love.

Our failure to focus on love, embrace love and trust love, does not mean it isn't there.

Just Me

My name is Connie Jo....I've had three last names in my life. Brewer from my father; I was Connie Jo Brewer for 24 years - minus one week. Some people still call me 'Brewer', and I like that. I was Connie Jo Bennetts for 25 years. Bennetts is the name of my three sons and grandchildren. Now my name is Connie Jo Maeran. I like that name. I've been Connie Jo Maeran for 8 years.

The contstant is Connie Jo, that is who I am. Most people call me Connie, but I love it when people call me Connie Jo. My boss, Lambros, says it best; next Jay who works with me on occasion, and of course, my mom. She hardly EVER calls me Connie Jo, but she ALWAYS refers to me as Connie Jo. My niece calls me Connie Jo and I love it.

The root of my first name is constant. I think I will explore that word this year!