Remembering Kurt Vonnegut

 Go into the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something. ~Kurt Vonnegut

(Book: A Man Without a Country)

Member's Show Monroe-Walton Center for The Arts

 I have three paintings in the MWCA member's art show. The artwork in this show is fabulous. You need to stop by and see the show. Link to MWCA's Facebook Page, like it, and keep in the flow of all the wonderful shows, classes, meetings, events, etc.  Link here to like and get all the scoop on what an art center can offer.

My work:

Dove

                                                                       Pink Jungle

                                                                     Blackbird Garden

I like to visit thrift shops and pick up vintage cardboard framed prints. Like to paint my own images and voila, it's already framed. The first two paintings were on recycled framed prints. The last one on a canvas and in an old Victorian frame. Recycle, recycle, recycle. I never paint over someone else's original work. I honor their paintings - good or bad - as original art. Most of the time a piece will wind up in my personal collection of art by other artists.

2023 Time To Bloom

 

     I'm not making any promises about changes in 2023. Sometimes old, comfortable habits are the hardest to break. And what do I think I want to do differently in 2023? I have a sweet life that works for me - my house, my friends, my long distance sis and brother, my books, art, and of course the dogs. The cherry on top is the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts. Who could ask for anything more?

     Yet at night sitting in the den I love to sit and create in, surrounded by my dogs, I wonder what is missing. And I'd already figured that one out at the beginning of November. People are missing. I rarely have anyone over to visit, have dinner, a glass of wine (or in my case diet soda). 

     I've decided it's time to open my doors and invite friends to join me. I'm going to bloom friendships this year. My excuses that the house is a mess with my painting supplies, art stacked everywhere, thrift store purchases on the dining room table, and four naughty (but darn adorable) Chihuahuas who still will poop on the floor in front of company no longer will be my excuses.

    The house got straightened up for the holidays and a few friends stopped in. I was in heaven. This will continue, I promise myself. And my friends are awesome. No one blinked an eye when Odette peed in the hallway and then came dancing back out to sit on someone's lap.

     I'll keep you posted. And don't be surprised if I invite you over for dinner. The next big hurdle for me. Cooking.

     Wishing everyone a glorious and loving 2023.

Bears, Bears, and more Bears. Confession Of A Bear Addict

Every year I fall into the same pattern beginning in November and carrying through to mid-December. I either buy vintage quilts or old worn bears. This year it's bears. My doctor told me I'm very insightful on my motives for doing things. I do analyze myself more than I should. The reason I've written my two memoirs. Writing helps me figure out what I'm doing. It's a  healing process but at times it points to my neurotic side. Mostly my purchasing of quilts and bears at Christmas.

This is what I know. I buy things around the holidays that remind me of my younger years. When I had my husband and my mother. Happy times when I sold on eBay, too. And as an antique dealer for so many years, buying for resale. It's a hard habit to stop, buying for resale when you no longer do shows or have a booth. I forget that. The thrill of my purchase, that special find, so comforting and exciting.

Bears remind me of my mother especially. She collected newer bears and they filled a cupboard in her living room. For me, the bears had to be antique. Worn mohair to the point of baldness, shoe button or glass eyes that hung loosely, and joints in as bad shape as my own joints. I've gone overboard this year with bears, way too many purchased, but as a former antique dealer, I sought out those on eBay that were underpriced. Twenty to sixty dollars for old as dirt teddy bears, where others were several hundred dollars. With the money I spent, I could have bought a most awesome bear for big bucks, but that is not what I do. Many bears, the more the merrier, at affordable prices. That way, if I need to sell a few, I can move them quickly. Chances are they will all stay with me as I'm very fond of each and have given them names and stories. 

By January I'll shake my head and mumble "What was I thinking?"  But for now, I'll share some photos of my stash. As I told a dear friend recently, buying bears is better than large cupboards (another big passion of mine) and to make those around me happier, I'm holding off on adopting another dog. (for now, no promises for later),

I'd like to say living alone all these years has made me a little odd, but if I look back, I've always loved old things (except old men, but that's another story for another day). My buying habits quirky, but money spent on recapturing memories and still have things I can sell on days I need more cash. 

Could you pass up these sweet bears if you were on a shopping spree? It's not just about the bears, but all the memoires they bring with them.

My Christmas Novella Takes Flight

 

I don't feel I've written a book unless I take it on tour with WOW! Women On Writing, and A Wingman for Christmas is no exception. Online tour starts November 28th. Here is a link to the kickoff and dates I'll stop by to chat!

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2022/11/a-wingman-for-christmas-by-barbara.html

Book Launch "A Wingman For Christmas" at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts

 

My official book launch for "A Wingman for Christmas" at the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts. A perfect setting at my favorite place. All sales rang up as a donation for the Art Center. A glorious day filled with friendship.

Chicken Love - No Not A Recipe Post - An Art Post

 

I really wanted chickens, but with all my Chihuahuas, decided it was best to let that idea fly the coop. Instead, I started painting my ladies with their pet hens and roosters. Above are two of my favorites. They have since sold.

One of my favorite books, and I have to say I'm a proud owner of it, is Once Upon a Flock: Life With My Soulful Chickens by Lauren Scheuer. It is delightful with her experiences and drawings added on top of photos. A gem on Amazon.