update

Hello all--Gone a long time again, things are just very busy. But I thought I'd give a little update even though, as usual, I have no photos to back up my story.

Let's see...son Chris graduated from high school at the end of May and turned 19 the next day, so there was a lot of celebrating going on. He now has blue hair. Don't ask. He also won a 2nd prize ribbon for a really nice reduction print at the county student art show, we're very proud of him.

Dylan is enjoying the summer. He's had tennis lessons for a month, goes to the water park, and is participating in the library's summer reading plan.

Our married kids, Adam & Emily, are doing fine. They seem to have adjusted well to being wed.

David and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary in May. My parents observed 50 years just last month and all my siblings and their families will be here in a couple of weeks for a reception and family dinner in their honor.

I have a busy summer and fall planned art wise, with several shows and artist-in-residence opportunities. I recently had the honor of being asked to exhibit my jewelry in the gallery of a noted sculptor, Dr. Richard Bergen, whose statue "Ad Astra" is atop the dome of the Kansas State Capitol building. The reception/gallery walk for that is actually this evening. Here's Dr. Bergen's website http://www.bergensculpture.com/index.htm

We have decided to convert more of our basement area to studio space, more for my son and husband (both into glass) than for me, although I will set up my 2 kilns in that room. David enjoys stained glass and we're all anxious to explore fused and slumped glass, plus Chris can have his torch permenantly set up.

So life is busy but good. I will make a valiant effort to take and post more photos. Especially of Chris's hair.

Oh, I forgot to mention I have lost a total of 37 lb. to date, with the help and support of my nutritionist Suzanne. I'm doing Pilates, walking, and gardening for exercise.

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying summer or winter, whichever hemisphere you're in.

this and that

Surprise!! Two posts in two days.

I don't know why this is, but whenever I am of necessity pushing one medium exclusively I get a near overwhelming urge to do another. In this case I've been making a lot of jewelry for my upcoming shows in various places, and I'm DYING to make mixed media. Aaargh! Maybe I'll check out doing some mixed media jewelry and take care of both things at once. It's an idea, anyway.

I wanted to share this photo of our new library stained glass windows, part of the much-needed library renovation and expansion finished recently. Since it isn't my photo I'm posting a link to where it is on twitter http://twitpic.com/53b0l These are in the adult section. The children's section at the other end of the building has its own three wonderful kid-related windows including one of a reading dragon. They're gorgeous.

a wonderful surprise

I have just had a most embarrassing and yet gratifying experience.

It all started on Saturday evening at a reception held at the VAAM Gallery for the guest artists involved in the new mixed media exhibit there. The place was packed, and everyone was having fun eating the marvelous chocolate goodies provided by the VAAM board and conversing as much as they could amidst the din of that crowded space. I noticed an older man looking at my necklace display, so I made my way over and chatted with him for awhile. He identified himself as an artist from Salina, a larger town about 30 miles north of McPherson. He said he had his own studio and participates in the monthly open studios tour in the art district up there, and asked if I'd be interested in exhibiting my jewelry in his gallery. Of course, I jumped at the chance. He ended up buying the necklace and asked me to hold it until he could get me the money. I took it home with me and waited to hear from him.

On Monday morning he called and asked if he could drive down and pick up the necklace. We arranged for him to come to my office. He did, and brought his son who is also an artist. Since there was much better opportunity to chat in my office than there had been in the noisy gallery I asked him about his history, etc. He is a painter and bronze sculptor, and as a young man came to the midwest to study Birger Sandzen, Kansas' answer to the French impressionist movement. 

It wasn't until after he left and I looked up his studio website that I discovered to my utter shock that he is Dr. Richard Bergen, the sculptor whose work is atop the Kansas state capitol building (see below), part of memorials, and in many private collections. In other words, he's rather a celebrity in these parts. Obviously an unassuming man since he mentioned not one word to me. My embarrassment was mitigated somewhat in that, although I hadn't recognized his name, I definitely recognized his work.

You can read more about the history of this sculpture here and see Dr. Bergen's website here. And this lovely man wants to exhibit my jewelry in his gallery. My goodness.

you know it's been a long time since your last post when...

...you have trouble remembering your password.

I am here and all is well. There's a lot going on in our family right now, and life is just very busy. Our second boy, Christopher, will graduate from high school in a little more than a week, so we've been doing graduation parties and receptions for him and other graduates. Also, this week is our city (actually county) celebration of All Schools Day, the 96th annual event. It is a HUGE deal here. Nothing gets done the last 2-3 days of the week except one fun thing after another, including a parade, a carnival with actual big rides and games, concerts, art shows (I'm in 2) and other assorted hilarity.

My brother and his wife from Kansas City will be down for the hoo

pla, and we'll all have dinner together Friday evening. Saturday my mother and I are going on a walking tour of stained glass in the downtown area, including old and new installations. The new library expansion includes 6 huge and wonderful stained glass windows. By the way, for those of you who remember that my mom has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer, she's feeling good and only has 2 more weekly treatments before she's done, hopefully forever. She does appreciate your well wishes. 

I have four, count 'em, FOUR art shows lined up for this summer/fall, including one next month at the Flint Hills Symphony in southeast Kansas, one in September at the Fair on the Square in Lyons, then two in October, the Halstead Fine Arts and Crafts show, and my all-time favorite event, Artful Taste of Autumn. So I'm going to be even more busy. Not to mention, I currently have several mixed media/fibers pieces on exhibit at a local coffee house. Not bad for someone who only makes art in her (precious) spare time.

Since I still do not know what's up with my camera and couldn't even find it last time I went to look for it, I have no pictures of anything I've mentioned in this post. However, I have stolen a photo of the shoes I have on today, which I thought might tickle your fancy. Mine are like these, only lime green. 

dylan can see!!

A couple of weeks ago Dylan came home complaining he couldn't read the writing on the overhead projector. So it was off to the optometrist, and this is the result. He's doing well with them although he's left them on the floor a couple of times. He's holding Paul Revere as he was interpreted for a biographical report Dylan gave at school.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

joyous easter

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Matthew 28:1-9

Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Easter Sunday.

behold the man

How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished.

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything-

No gifts, no power, no wisdom;

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer;

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom.