Lake Mary Art and Wine Fest August

August is the Hades of the summer, well, September too. In Florida we hope to get a pass on hurricane season, nothing much has affected us since 10 years ago, kinda scary!
The weather gets more extreme as does the quality of art out there. there are so many innovative artists. people seem to grow more imaginative all the time and last night was no exception in downtown Lake Mary, Wine and Art.

First of all I must mention that the sky has been extremely beautiful, lately the clouds are majestic, they could not be more beautiful as we wait for the mostly daily dousing of rain. The summer mornings are dreadful, few clouds,  a menacing sun pouring lava humidity and heat upon us, we fry! Then things change and the clouds come into play just waiting for their own chance to meet and greet and bang! Here’s a look at how it’s been. I look up all the time, it’s second nature. When I drive usually my camera is at my side, the sky is always ripe somewhere. And many nights have been extraordinary in deep pink and blue.

  an early morning etching by Sol!   

  the sunset over at the Sanford marina. Sky watching is my zen.     It’s fun imagining the shapes and motives that form

 

By Tuesday decided that sepia was the mode to use:     The tropical storm in the gulf was making the air unstable which leads to great viewing.

So Wednesday night saw the sky to the east and figured I should go to The lake Mary Wine Art they have each month on the first Wednesday at City Hall. I haven’t done one as an artist in a while, and when I did it, we had tables on the streets near the businesses. Not anymore, all art is under tents around the beautiful city hall. The organizer, Drew Woodall was one of the first people I saw,  he is truly dedicated to keeping this up and running! Drew had longed to get the art going a couple years ago and he organized and it keeps him on his toes. He strives to keep it fresh and energetic and he’s doing a super job. Hats off to Drew! (And he’s just as goodlooking as he is kind! A Good combo!)

Since it was only about 6:15pm, it wasn’t too packed, but people were taking advantage of the food trucks –   Sky was churning from the north east, but didn’t look too bad.
Orlando artist first, Ana Jones, was across from Crazy Greek restaurant, She had such whimsical paintings — her web-link is   Ana’s Jazzy Art   
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/ana-jones.html  – there was one young girl selling art to try and make money for college, missed her name was going to head back when I left, wanted to get her card and the glass maker next to her on way back to my car as they had people talking to them, rule is, never interrupt the potential paying customers!
One of the first artists that caught my eye big time was Phil Curren,   http://philcurren.com/  his painting on lawn chairs was so much fun! Even his card was cool! 
  There were many jewelry makers along the path and saw my old friend, Steven Monser the glass maker, he’s so amazing, his glasswork is beautiful.
http://monserglassstudio.com/       Oy, I was melting the heat and humidity were so thick! Then stopped by Donald Grannan, his “Photographs in Motion” were all they said they were! He’s an architect and you can see how he incorporates everyday details into his work, we chatted a while and luckily he had a fan! http://www.photographsnmotion.com/   
Don was fun to chat with and boy did he know his Beatles trivia! He has rigged his camera to take on the energy he sees, it was very beautiful work!

Sky grew  darker, can see signs of storm welling when I looked up. I hoped it would blow over as many of these were ‘newbies’, fresh artists on their first night. You always hope they get plenty of people out to buy from the locals.
   you can see how the sky was moving-
Newcomer nature photographer Randal Senus was full of youthful enthusiasm, keep up the good work! 

While next door, Julie McDaniel had done her work on aluminum and really inspired me to try that too, it looked amazing!    http://reelwomenflorida.com/art.html      The sky was growing impatient, it was a fairly long walk back to where my truck was parked so I began going in that direction. Vaughn Belak was next in line with very cool work, loved his Alice pics, catch him on Facebook to see his style 

The next was AlexWorx –   https://www.facebook.com/ALEXWORXMURALS  he had painted furniture, remember, most of these people have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.

Onto Vintage island Designs which were adorable, Brenda  had handpainted purses, pillows, jewelry.

Nick Seyler   at nix Abstract had lots of colorful motion and texture to his work  http://www.nixabstract.com/  He was a firefighter and paramedic and has work around various places in Orlando as do many of the artists, Don Garran has also sold internationally as I’m sure some of the others have.  Sorry Nick, don’t have picture so hopefully people will visit your website! And last I saw the the Borges, Joanne and Tony, always a smile and welcome since we first exhibited side by side at Alive After 5 many moons ago! She and Tony have always been enthusiastic art promoters and they have a lot of talent between them! Joanne makes beautiful ceramic pieces, Tony is into wood working and together they have many years of laughter and love and art, a great combo!       After a hug and meeting their son and girlfriend, the wind began to howl and raindrops could be felt! I shoved my camera in my purse & stopped at Dragonmun Studios tent for shelter. Wind began grabbing the loose parts of the tent as she tried to get her stuff down.
We both held a tent leg as the wind almost pitched the tent and her artwork sailed out onto the wet grass, horrible sight!  http://dragonmun.wordpress.com/
I bolted for my truck and got soaked. Where I live just a couple miles away the sky over head was threatening when I arrived, but not raining, lightning was overhead, it actually looked rather clear to the west where the sun would set.  The clouds moved quickly   by the breath of the hidden sun, the sky took on a yellowy hue,  the moon was out, but it was covered in clouds.  Still the sky grew into a pink, passionate  sunset.
      AS an artist who no longer does outdoor shows, I can appreciate what these people do to set up and take down and know that the weather might not cooperate,      So when you go visit these outdoors exhibits keep in mind the energy and love it takes to do and go thank an artist!

The day was a busy one too, went to grab a meal and the grim reaper was off by himself in a booth, I didn’t make eye contact    But the details of the place made me take
notice of many angles —       so look around and always be inspired…
whoops, published on old blog, new address is http://abbesworld2.wordpress.com/

 

 

Lake Mary Art and Wine Fest August

August is the Hades of the summer, well, September too. In Florida we hope to get a pass on hurricane season, nothing much has affected us since 10 years ago, kinda scary!
The weather gets more extreme as does the quality of art out there. there are so many innovative artists. people seem to grow more imaginative all the time and last night was no exception in downtown Lake Mary, Wine and Art.

First of all I must mention that the sky has been extremely beautiful, lately the clouds are majestic, they could not be more beautiful as we wait for the mostly daily dousing of rain. The summer mornings are dreadful, few clouds,  a menacing sun pouring lava humidity and heat upon us, we fry! Then things change and the clouds come into play just waiting for their own chance to meet and greet and bang! Here’s a look at how it’s been. I look up all the time, it’s second nature. When I drive usually my camera is at my side, the sky is always ripe somewhere. And many nights have been extraordinary in deep pink and blue.

  an early morning etching by Sol!   

  the sunset over at the Sanford marina. Sky watching is my zen.     It’s fun imagining the shapes and motives that form

 

By Tuesday decided that sepia was the mode to use:     The tropical storm in the gulf was making the air unstable which leads to great viewing.

So Wednesday night saw the sky to the east and figured I should go to The lake Mary Wine Art they have each month on the first Wednesday at City Hall. I haven’t done one as an artist in a while, and when I did it, we had tables on the streets near the businesses. Not anymore, all art is under tents around the beautiful city hall. The organizer, Drew Woodall was one of the first people I saw,  he is truly dedicated to keeping this up and running! Drew had longed to get the art going a couple years ago and he organized and it keeps him on his toes. He strives to keep it fresh and energetic and he’s doing a super job. Hats off to Drew! (And he’s just as goodlooking as he is kind! A Good combo!)

Since it was only about 6:15pm, it wasn’t too packed, but people were taking advantage of the food trucks –   Sky was churning from the north east, but didn’t look too bad.
Orlando artist first, Ana Jones, was across from Crazy Greek restaurant, She had such whimsical paintings — her web-link is   Ana’s Jazzy Art   
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/ana-jones.html  – there was one young girl selling art to try and make money for college, missed her name was going to head back when I left, wanted to get her card and the glass maker next to her on way back to my car as they had people talking to them, rule is, never interrupt the potential paying customers!
One of the first artists that caught my eye big time was Phil Curren,   http://philcurren.com/  his painting on lawn chairs was so much fun! Even his card was cool! 
  There were many jewelry makers along the path and saw my old friend, Steven Monser the glass maker, he’s so amazing, his glasswork is beautiful.
http://monserglassstudio.com/       Oy, I was melting the heat and humidity were so thick! Then stopped by Donald Grannan, his “Photographs in Motion” were all they said they were! He’s an architect and you can see how he incorporates everyday details into his work, we chatted a while and luckily he had a fan! http://www.photographsnmotion.com/   
Don was fun to chat with and boy did he know his Beatles trivia! He has rigged his camera to take on the energy he sees, it was very beautiful work!

Sky grew  darker, can see signs of storm welling when I looked up. I hoped it would blow over as many of these were ‘newbies’, fresh artists on their first night. You always hope they get plenty of people out to buy from the locals.
   you can see how the sky was moving-
Newcomer nature photographer Randal Senus was full of youthful enthusiasm, keep up the good work! 

While next door, Julie McDaniel had done her work on aluminum and really inspired me to try that too, it looked amazing!    http://reelwomenflorida.com/art.html      The sky was growing impatient, it was a fairly long walk back to where my truck was parked so I began going in that direction. Vaughn Belak was next in line with very cool work, loved his Alice pics, catch him on Facebook to see his style 

The next was AlexWorx –   https://www.facebook.com/ALEXWORXMURALS  he had painted furniture, remember, most of these people have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts.

Onto Vintage island Designs which were adorable, Brenda  had handpainted purses, pillows, jewelry.

Nick Seyler   at nix Abstract had lots of colorful motion and texture to his work  http://www.nixabstract.com/  He was a firefighter and paramedic and has work around various places in Orlando as do many of the artists, Don Garran has also sold internationally as I’m sure some of the others have.  Sorry Nick, don’t have picture so hopefully people will visit your website! And last I saw the the Borges, Joanne and Tony, always a smile and welcome since we first exhibited side by side at Alive After 5 many moons ago! She and Tony have always been enthusiastic art promoters and they have a lot of talent between them! Joanne makes beautiful ceramic pieces, Tony is into wood working and together they have many years of laughter and love and art, a great combo!       After a hug and meeting their son and girlfriend, the wind began to howl and raindrops could be felt! I shoved my camera in my purse & stopped at Dragonmun Studios tent for shelter. Wind began grabbing the loose parts of the tent as she tried to get her stuff down.
We both held a tent leg as the wind almost pitched the tent and her artwork sailed out onto the wet grass, horrible sight!  http://dragonmun.wordpress.com/
I bolted for my truck and got soaked. Where I live just a couple miles away the sky over head was threatening when I arrived, but not raining, lightning was overhead, it actually looked rather clear to the west where the sun would set.  The clouds moved quickly   by the breath of the hidden sun, the sky took on a yellowy hue,  the moon was out, but it was covered in clouds.  Still the sky grew into a pink, passionate  sunset.
      AS an artist who no longer does outdoor shows, I can appreciate what these people do to set up and take down and know that the weather might not cooperate,      So when you go visit these outdoors exhibits keep in mind the energy and love it takes to do and go thank an artist!

The day was a busy one too, went to grab a meal and the grim reaper was off by himself in a booth, I didn’t make eye contact    But the details of the place made me take
notice of the place       so look around and always be inspired…
whoops, published on old blog, new address is http://abbesworld2.wordpress.com/

 

 

NEW BLOG ADDRESS www.abbesworld2.wordpress.com

check out new blog as I have run out of photo space and am being held for ransom to upgrade with $$$$, so rather than that,
have moved to making new blog, www.abbesworld2.wordpress.com
Please click and see what’s new in art and wildlife in abbesworld2 —

Big Visitor Has Come Calling (and other wildlife in Sanford Florida)

Well here it is headed toward the middle of December, there is a black hole time bandit, I have no idea where the hours go!  All I know if I spend very few of them in slumber!
First I must mention and congratulate my neighbors, Kim and Steve who bring the Christmas spirit to a high with their  fancy, decorated golf cart. They took first place AGAIN in the Sanford Parade last night. Not only did their cart get recognition, so did the float they also worked  hours and hours of making an outstanding festive display of lights! Great job you two, can’t wait for our small neighborhood parade in a couple weeks!    This picture can’t do it justice for all the detailing done to the cart, it’s fabulous!   
Suddenly this week we added a new visitor, one that neighbors have never ever seen upon this lake. I was panning Turtle Island for all the turtles grabbing some rays and came across a gator, not a small gator, but one I would say that has to be at least 8 feet at the shorter guess. I was amazed as were my neighbors. I did call Fish and Game and ask if they relocate them, they said no, if someone makes a complaint, they “harvest’ the gator, kill it and use the skin. So far my neighbors have been really cool about leaving it alone. The Gator has plenty of food all around it, ducks, birds, fish, turtles and gars. As long as it minds its’ manners, I think the neighbors are cool with it hanging out. I find it fascinating to have a resident gator.
The other cool thing was that  the heron came flying up into my tree near the old nest, it’s time for them to get ready and select a mate. The heron then flew back to my neighbors pine where there is also a nest. So we will see within a few weeks of where the locals will be building or refurbishing. I won’t clog up the blog with a lot of words, I’ll let you feast your eyes on what I am privy to! And please, if you have a chance, I have work in downtown Sanford at The Twisted Vine on First Street         Also, check me out for the month of December at Rhapsodic Cooperative Bakery, 710 Mills Ave in Orlando, a bakery with lots of gluten free goodies!     sorry about the blurred view, you have to go there and grab some muffins or cupcakes or something sweet to make your day!      long gator!          On a sad note, our local neighborhood has been hit with a bad fungus affection all our citrus, the lemons and oranges, tangerines are all staying small and rotting as the branches die. It is not treatable from what I have heard so far. A very sad state as most of us so enjoy the fresh oranges and other fruit! My lemons are doing well, my grapefruit tree has lost half the branches on one side.

scaup ducks            

  hey that doesn’t look like one of my cats on the table.      
Happy Hanukah!

!

Fishing On A Perfect Night

I don’t know why, I have not really put my heart into fishing since my cat, Ringo died. I was reminded of him today when my high school friend and incredible Author, teacher, and Photographer, David Ulrich had an article about his cat dying and what these animals bring into our lives.  He’s very eloquent and philosophical in his thoughts.    http://theslenderthread.creativeguide.com/blog/?p=1032
It made me stop and think of my Ringo, I miss him each day.       So I thought maybe it was time to go out and fish. The night was so perfect, the sun sliding down, the sky growing with a tinge of pink, why not throw out a line?

The cranes were down by the water and walked toward me thinking I had food for them, when I walked past them, they began their silly dancing. I always enjoy their fancy footwork, and watched them put on their show,
     Above me crows came in a ‘murder’, caw-cawing as hundreds passed overhead, reflecting near my bobber in the water. They were headed to the south.          Ibis flew in patterns, first they were all in a line, then someone wanted to be the leader and they fell out of order. The cranes flew across the lake too and stood on a mud island.  Turtles were too anxious to take my hook. I could see their shifty eyes surface looking to see where I was throwing bread. I had to anticipate how fast it would be till they got near my hook so I could pull it out without hoking them.
       I watch them, they watch me, it’s a constant stare down!  Until I caught a bass close to shore, it look my bread almost as soon as the hook sunk.      I took it’s pic and looked it in the eye and assured it I was not keeping it to eat before tossing it back. About that time, maybe resulting from the big splash, a heron came out of nowhere, a heron who must know how I operate. It sat high in a tree grooming itself and waiting. That’s what used to make fishing fun, when the herons and Ringo would almost ‘tangle’ over the fish I caught. This was a heron who had to be familiar with my generosity.  I assumed it was one of the previous nesters that come to lay their eggs in the nests in my trees, they are aware of me being a pushover.

I looked around, across at Sonja’s house and the way it reflected off the still water in the late afternoon, it was a still-life beautifully framed by the sky and water and trees.      Then a hard tug on my line and I thought I hooked a shiner, but after a good fight through the lilypads, it was a nice sized bream and the excited heron followed me around anxiously as I unhooked it and let the excited heron fly off with it’s dinner to the neighbors little marsh.    As I wound up my line, I smiled. Luna was busy flashing around near trees, she respects these big birds on her territory.     She had earlier had a run in with the crane family.

I realize I had missed the peace of no TV, no election,  no Facebook or social outlets. I had missed the isolation; forgetting the pace of human life to enjoy this easy leisure that presents itself so generously when one is lucky enough to have a little waterfront, (and no, I didn’t see a gator.)  It’s tranquilizing, nature as Xanax, I stand still as bird traffic wings overhead, hurrying in their rush hour to get back to their nests before the dark. I watch heads pop up out of the water like periscopes waiting to mooch. Fish break the surface going after other fish. Soon it will be otter time, always love a good otter sighting. The fishing still makes me feel guilty, though I love watching the heron spread their wings and come walking toward me for their catch. It’s so so simple, it’s so Walt Whitman, easy and nice and comforting. This is what I had missed. And of course, I still miss Ringo not being a part of it, but Luna has proved her worth as a hunter, she regularly brings rats and mice, birds, lizards and frogs and presents them to her big sister Sasha out of cat respect for age.

Last night I was so excited by trying to plug into Jupiter with my camera, zooming in and out, trying hard to get that planet to dismiss the great distance and atmosphere and find it’s way into the box on my viewfinder and then press and have it come out as a planet with moons and not blobs. The moon too was waning and through the lens looked so beautiful with the lumps and bumps, I have to linger over the moonscape, it makes me wonder how it looked as those big meteors rammed into the surface blasting out their niches. 
I am too simple loving this the way I do, but maybe it’s really a privilege to enjoy such simplicity of  having a simple mind and the camera’s lens to share it.  

Hurricane Sandy Passes over Florida

We are almost out of Hurricane Season, one more month of wondering if something tropical and wet could ram Florida. So far once again we have been lucky –even the latest, Sandy has moved up the coast away from us, but not before giving us some good rain and even rainbows.

Thursday it came in spurts of a few rain bands, just some blowing wind and light rains not lasting too long. I spoke with relatives in Jupiter area and they said the waves were about 10 feet high and the beach erosion was terrible, lots of pounding  for them. It was supposed to be messy for us too.  On Friday they predicted electric outages, big rains, lots of wind.  I went by the marina at noon Friday and though the water was wavy, it was not too crazy , maybe 2/3 foot waves of tea colored water. The ducks were sitting onshore, even the osprey weren’t fighting the wind, they seemed to be sitting tight on their posts as the winds seemed to whip around.

    That sailboat must have gotten pushed by the wind –    The new Riverboat Romance was docked in the protection of the inner marina. It’s supposed to set sail on it’s maiden voyage the 31st of October. It’s an old boat, had a fair amount of rust, looked like it could use a good pressure washing. It’s not as large as I imagined, but maybe I’ll try it one day.
The waves were rather exciting. We wondered how bad it would get, the imagination fueled the energy around us, afterall they had nicknamed that storm, Frankenstorm. It seems the path as it was heading now, by the time it reached Virginia or New Jersey, the conditions in the atmosphere were enough that it might be a ‘perfect storm’ scenerio! They could even have a hurricane with snow coming from a cold front and mingling forces by next week.

         

   
Friday afternoon passed with no rain. Since Friday night was the Sanford Art Walk I debated about going wondering if ‘Sandy’ was going to give us a pounding. Plus I could feel a cold coming on and didn’t know if I wanted to get cold and wet. All afternoon I worked on pictures for a ‘fairy’ book, had fun with my granddaughters giving them wings and animals to make pics exciting.

The evening suddenly changed around 6pm, as I headed out. I called a friend who earlier had wondered if I could give her a ride and headed to pick her up. The sky to the west was sunshining as I left, but to the east dark clouds began to head over the street. . As I stopped by the railroad tracks as a  ‘shelf cloud ‘ came calling.
      

At the intersection I looked up and saw a faint rainbow – (hope it can be seen on this page.) It faded very quickly and I knew I was driving into a storm ahead. I picked up my friend and fellow artist, Marjorie and we drove down block after block into a heady storm. The wind was suddenly whipping over us, the rain blasting the truck as if bolted to a car wash track and being put through the washing and rinse cycle. We decided to drive around the marina since there was no way we even wanted to get out of the truck. As we approached Lake Monroe, a rainbow’s remnants was stabbing into the water. Rain and clouds quickly robbed us of that vision, but what was so energizing was the bashing waters and the fact that it looked like a high tide where the water could come over the sea wall and snatch us! The water had risen several feet higher than what I had experienced at noon so we continued to drive slowly watching as waves smashed against the seawall and froth burst up from the swells. I tried taking pics, but the wipers and rain made it a bit of a challenge.
The sky  doused the vehicle with heavy water as we made our way up Palmetto Ave. and wondered if we could even get out of the truck it was pouring so hard – and of course, there was no parking where we wanted to go. But we parked and as if perfect timing, the rain stopped! The wind continued and pushed us around down the street a bit, but we enjoyed the 2 hours we spent looking at the galleries. I enjoyed meeting Carolina Cleere and her very imaginative art at Jeanine Taylor’s Gallery on First. It’s very symbolic art using photography and mixed media and kids are her subject, sometimes in a dark way, but still fascinating and most of the work is beautifully colored/painted.
We continued to the other galleries, people were eating at the restaurants, the galleries were about empty. A reminder that tonight Twisted Vine will be having a costume contest!
Saw the Imperial Bar at Washburns, many people around our age inside. We walked through and I nabbed some pictures. So here’s the rest of what I took – have a great weekend and watch for that Frankenstorm if you’re in it’s path. Our part was just tropical, if it hits hurricane strength near land, it WILL be landing some big blows! Good luck up there!

         

     

Alive After 5 Octoberfest, Spirits – Jeanine Taylor Folk Art

October seems like one big event, day after day. Thursday was Alive After 5, it was busy – went there mainly to see Toelle Hovan’s exhibit at Art Affair Gallery. She has worked so hard and had an injury to her leg in which she had to keep still so she painted and painted as therapy and the result is exciting as you will see.   She has been an artist at Art Affair for a few years now and I have enjoyed her colorful brush strokes on paintings, tables, purses and more. The colors draw you right in.

On Saturday I popped over to Spirits In Sanford at Jeanine Taylors Folk Art Gallery. Each year they have a wonderful exhibit full of artists with their Halloween goodies – This year was probably the best ever, so many artistic endeavors with faces and shapes to remember! It was a true Halloween treat and the gallery will have many items available thru the month, go and be prepared to smile and open your mouth in awe! I have enjoyed Melissa Menzers work for years, her details are so well thought out. There were others who really drew my attention, Lenea Howe comes to mind with her toothy fish and her witches with their real teeth were head turners. There was a lot to take in and I missed a couple artists because their tables were busy and I forgot to go back. Be sure to visit before the end of the month! I guarantee you will have a hard time making any decisions about what to buy! OHHHH, want to add, it was so good seeing Kevin and Debbe Abbott are back! I got to speak with Kevin and tell ya he looks like he was in a time machine on vacation, “you look mah-valous” – (think of Billy Crystal saying it, not me.)
Sanford also has it’s yearly Biketoberfest and motorcycles were whizzing by left and right. There was a big production going on at Ft. Mellon Park, (the rumble of engines is still something I hear as I sit at my desk.)

After visiting the Gallery I was hungry and decided upon lunch. I had run into my artist friend, Marjorie earlier who I think of as an organic and natural type person who puts these same natural organics into her principles, art and body. She was leaving the Gallery as I was popping in and  headed to one of the local places that offered fresh veggies for a wrap or something good.  Not me, I ran to The Colonial Room, an old family type restaurant where no one cares about calorie count and saturated fat.  My vegetable soup had about 1000mg of salt with each tablespoon and my onion rings were doused in lots of used oil and fried just the way I like em. I would have been embarrassed for her to see me patting the oil off the rings – (and no Marjorie, I still haven’t taken the nap I talked about.)
I downed my food with a fountain Coke and probably have some clogs after all that! But as I tell people, if I’m going, I want to go fast, heart attack and get it over with! Why be healthy only to end up lingering in some nursing home for months and months at the mercy of hourly wage earners eating lousy food with no salt and fat? HAHA

At 7:00pm I stopped by the Lake Mary City Hall for their Jazz In The Park where I walked around the vendors, saw no one I knew. Listened to some “elevator jazz”, was fed pizza by a new restaurant, Tutto Bene at 601 Weldon Blvd near the college. They walked through the small crowd and vendors feeding everyone – it was very good pizza. I did  ignore the samples of Dunkin Donuts if you can believe it because for two days on Facebook I have been showing trays of awesome donuts at Donuts To Go on First Street in SAnford right next to hospital where I display my work. Anyway, I grew bored, there’s only so many times you can circle and circle the small park by City Hall and after twenty minutes grew bored and came back home.
So here I am, and you will see the incredible job they do at Jeanine Taylor’s Gallery – Mary K, my friend, you and Jeanine and whoever helped did an excellent job of making it work! Props to ya! – Thursday at Alive After 5 and Spirits in Sanford:

      

        

      Always a visit to the marina before I go home. I missed the sunset, but with weather so clear, they are a straight shot of sun drowning alone.

Gallery of First:

   http://www.spookytimejingles.com        

         

   Melissa Menzer  – http://www.jtfolkart.com/artist/melissa-menzer/            Melissa Menzer has been in the gallery for years and is a favorite of mine!

            

     http://halloweenjinglesbellsboo.blogspot.com/     

         

          

            

Art Event Through October Every Tuesday – Lake Mary Event Center

          I always am a sucker for a local art event, enter Drew Woodall, CPM Media, www.cpmmediallc.com  — Drew is an energetic guy anxious for artists to succeed and has booked the Lake Mary Event Center on Country Club Blvd on Tuesdays through October and possibly for November and December. He is trying to bring in at least 15 artists to enjoy the gorgeous rotunda room in the Event Center to sell their wares. Drew is hoping to draw a niche into Lake Mary for those wanting to enjoy artwork on Tuesday nights – the surroundings could not be better. Though the venue was very quiet. Drew sent out mass mailings to certain neighborhoods through out Lake Mary.
The idea is a wonderful and generous  one for artists to have a venue that costs them a  $30 table fee for a four hour spread from 6pm-10pm. The trouble I see is needing signage on Country Club and on Lake Mary Blvd trying to catch impulsive art lovers and maybe flyers on the windows of the local restaurants, spas and retail stores around town. This is a fledgling operation, I hope it can draw in the customers to make it thrive, hey you have to start somewhere. Tonight there were two artists, a jewelry maker and a ‘skinwrap’, health suppliment dealer.
Randall Smith I have known for a few years as we both did Lake Mary events that were outside probably about 3-4 years ago. Randall has a robot fetish and paints with expressive feeling all types of  ‘bots’  and cartoon characters. He’s a graphic artist, does commissions, murals, custom toys – his website is www.randallpaints.com  – he was busy painting Sesame street characters for a weekend venue in Winter Park that is a tribute to the show- The Renegade Theatre  1824 W. Washington St. Orlando Florida  is having the Third Annual on October 19, 20, & 21st  (407-385-0204) I don’t know all the specifics, but I was told that usually a member of Jim Henson’s family shows up for this. Looks like an exciting show! He had a good assortment of art and even postcards for sale. Randall seems as if he has a good sense of humor.
I met Brandy Renee a painter who was painting a skyline when I arrived. I watched her using a palette knife as her brush, twirling and blending as though doing a dance on canvas. www.BRenee.com   – she had many originals for sale and her work is a good blend of  modern/contemporary art.
The jewelry maker was Lauren J. Clauss owner of Lauren’s Tiny Treasures —  www.etsy.com/shop/LaurensTinyTreasures – she has all handmade items and accessories  made of silver and stone and beading
her jewelry has been made as a way to help pay for her thyroid cancer treatments. Her Etsy shop will show you the wide assortment of designs
Diana Skinner is an independent distributor for skin wraps that are supposed to tighten and tone excessive areas on your body by topical botanically based wraps  – results in 45 minutes, her website is:
dianaskinwraps.myitworks.com  – its all about using natural ingredients to shrink and tone the body.
Here’s the photos, and if you have questions, call Drew 407-486-8478

       

       

       

      

Nights Of Spendor & Beauty & No Control

The month of September was greased, it slid into October as if there were no days to record. October is my favorite month – I got married in Ohio in October back in the 70’s – thought that was a perfect time for marriage after living together for 4 years — we  figured we might as well make it legal.

I always loved how Fall assaults all the senses: the smell of burning leaves, trees dressed in reds and yellows as decay brings out the colors so alive, the feel of crispness associated with that cold edge to the wind and autumn working it’s way into winter.  It’s the season of expectation and excitement, a festive feel for becoming a Mrs.

I wore a long, patchworked skirt, he stood in pink shirt and navy and white tiny checked suit, (no, his name wasn’t Pee-Wee and hey, he was hot back then, it looked great on him!)  I didn’t want a wedding, they reek too much of pomp and ceremony for my taste, I just wanted it to be another day with no pressure. So we grabbed a few family members as witnesses, (None were our parents)  and went before a judge at the courthouse and said our “I do’s”.  I don’t even have a wedding album,  this is the only one picture I could find taken after the wedding –  

‘I do’ made it till about 2003 and after almost 30 years, I said, “I don’t anymore” — the relationship began to ‘decay and change color’ and for the sake of getting back to the subject of ‘beauty and splendor’,  I’ll just say I still do equate October as a joyous month. I can say love was the highest high and the lowest low.  It later brought three of the best children ever into my life – I loved being in love! But the other end of it was great  disappointment, as many of you have experienced too I’m sure. I’m still a big fan of love and marriage, just not for me, been there, done that, no thank you!

I have lived in Florida since early 70’s, I’ve missed the falls in Akron and I do miss the sensations associated with the change of seasons, something we don’t share in Florida, in fact it’s still hot as Hell, 90’s each day through into October. But the clouds and sunsets have been spectacular lately and that’s what I want to share – one of my loves is for the absolute glory and fascination of nature and science and the  creatures that cross my path daily, you are obviously aware of that from my postings. It’s become an obsession for me to use my camera and share this vision, and that’s what I intend to do, give you some images to enjoy, to make you want to go out, take even fifteen minutes out of your  day and let everything else in your mind go slack and be at peace with nature, let beauty and splendor absorb you. Simple as that — I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. And when you sit there, (and hopefully it’s with someone you love or enjoy,)  watching that storm or cloud, the moon or stab of lightning, butterflies, even bugs, say these words in a whisper, “Abbe, thank you for nagging me, it was worth it!” The wind will carry it back to me and we will all be happy in our shared cause of loving and seeking everything that we have no control over!

     

       

     

     

     

         

Upper Crust Bakery -Alive After 5 – That’s How The Cookie Crumbles

Had to run to my printers to pick up a print this morning. When I arrived they told me it would take another 15 minutes. So we chatted and then I asked if the bakery at the end of the shopping center was open. No one knew, they had not been there yet. So yours truly took it as a challenge. I could feel it calling to me, sugar is a magnet. I walked to last suite in the center and yes, it had an open sign and one sign stating it was “Gluten Free Friday”.
“The Upper Crust (UC)”  was the name and when I opened the door, there in front of me were smiling faces and a glass case full of all kinds of treats. The aroma invisibly absorbed under my skin and I was ready for a treat or two or three! 
Almond tea cookies, oatmeal cookies, muffins, cookie bars, well you can imagine my veins were pulsing, my mouth watering, everything in me wanted to open that case and sample all! But I had to restrain myself and get the story behind this new business that began on Valentines Day by married couple, Dorema and Jeff Kutner. They were students together in Culinary school in Valencia College and knew this was their mission after graduation. The menu is full old family secrets that Chef Dorema has arranged on the shelves of the glass case. In her brochure, Dorema says, if you can dream it up and describe it, she can make it. She can also help with those having dietary restrictions. The site is  http://www.uppercrustdesserts.com/

Located at 1830 Longwood Lake Mary Rd. They have retail days Tuesday thru Saturday – 9:30am -6:00pm. They have gourmet coffees, can make anything custom like cookie towers, decorated cookies and treats, even decorated, personalized cookie tins.  They love working with businesses and individuals and will ship anything anywhere. They have sent soldiers in Afghanistan goodies!
You can email them at    uppercrustdesserts@gmail.com or call 407-388-2011 with questions or requests. In the meantime, stop in and try some of the wonderful looking sweets staring you in the face! I bought a tea cookie and fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies to take back to the print shop! The almond tea cookie was absolutely out of this world, I could have eaten the whole plate! Have a look  –            

       

Patronize our locals, I can tell you, it was a pleasure to explore this sweet place just off Ronald Reagan Blvd and Longwood Lake Mary, behind the 711. And get one of those almond tea cookies, it melts in your mouth just like the fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies. Muffins next time –

Alive After 5 was packed last night! Must be that the breezes have picked up a bit and the heat has tamped down a notch. The place was rockin’ — many people came out to pay their $7 to eat and drink and enjoy a great night of art and music and most of all, food! I counted 5 bands playing, people were literally dancing in the streets!  The Alley had a band, as did the Clock Tower Square, Art Affair, in front of the music store, across the street near the Welcome Center, music in many forms assaulted the ears in a good and happy way.  The whole thing began on  the first block of downtown on First Street. They had a group demonstrating exercise, there were massage chairs under one tent, and many business offering discounts under theirs. Dogs were everywhere too, the street was one flowing motion! Even doggie were there for adoption, Pet Rescue by Judy.
The Hyder Fine Art Gallery had new art by Doug Powell who has taken a break from his heavy duty works of arts made of computer keys or puzzle pieces, check him out on my past blogs.     Sharon Hyder took me to the back door and showed me her murals on the back walls and also a beautiful dragonfly drawing she is teaching her classes
    

Up the street at Gallery on First I ran into Mary K and I am so excited for her, she had one of her pieces selected for featured in TV show, Drop Dead Diva, how great is that! She also has a wonderful traveling notebook that goes various places like bookstores and galleries along with many others who have kept journals and are letting people see the work inside at these venues, I missed it the other night, I saw it in it’s almost final stage and Mary K. Shaw is a talented woman with a great imagination! And talk about imagination, they Halloween art is outstanding as it is each year, the middle room has work by two collage artists and it is a place you have to walk around and around to see more and more details on each piece. The two woman have a great sense of placement of objects. The place looked exciting! Fun fun stuff!

Art Affair Gallery was another place that was hoppin! Dlynn’s husband Jim was behind the drink tub selling liquid nourishment left and right, Ronda was busy helping her customers, it was heaped with people and a pretty girl and ukulele. Talked to Dlynn who was selling her cool jewelry. The artists on Palemetto were set up trying to sell their goods. I love the artists sign posted with great desperation, “name your price and take it.” Ballsy for sure.          I saw Alfredo doing charicatures, Saw painted car Car Hoods by Julie and Judie, (Julie Kessler was one of the J’s) Saw the Borges and their ceramics and wood working items.  I walked around, chatted then wlaked to the marina for sundown, it was actually a rather boring sun down, but the laughter coming from downtown made everyone happy – and that’s that, enjoy the pics

       

                

A Personal Thanks For Making The University Club Reception A Success!!!

I can’t thank friends and family enough for coming out to our 3 artist reception at the University Of Winter Park! You all made it such a success! We are all so lucky to have had such a good crowd despite repeated weather warnings. Let me back up on that. By Friday we were hearing that former Tropical storm AKA Hurricane Issac AKA Tropical storm Issac which had struck new Orleans and made it’s way north and then looped around around into the gulf  again was going to give us big rains on Sunday. When I heard this I thought what a pain, first I wondered if people would come out despite the warnings and secondly I knew I had to repack everything in plastic trash bags so they would remain dry when carried about 200 feet from truck to the building. On Saturday the weather people who should be called, the “maybe weather reporters”, were telling us to prepare for big rains, alter your plans, keep tuned! So on Sunday morning as I was looking out and seeing dark sky with a light rain over the lake and my outlook was downbeat. It was going to go downhill.

My son and I packed the trip for the 1/2 hour journey down the road  .     The sky looked threatening, a light rain fell as we drove along, but hardly a drop fell upon us as Adam and I unloaded. And it was wonderful of Nita who does so much for helping the artists at the University Club to be there even a bit early so we could get in before the storm.

When the two other artists all arrived, we spoke of the weather, would we have a good turn out? They announced Saturday the closing of Sunday’s Farmers Market downtown due to the rain. So as we prepped food, drinks and art tables,  we crossed our fingers.      

Even after the opening, it was fairly quiet.  GK Sharman, my friend and photographer was one of the first guests to arrive, that made me smile and it was so good to see her! Slowly  more and more people arrived, even my granddaughters and children came in and the weather became a non-issue, no rain came, just a few clouds. It was great to see the place expand with inquisitive faces eager to see what we had done.

Our three styles worked well blending harmoniously. Linda Amundsen, oil painter is a member of several art groups in the area and has won many award for her oils.  http://www.lindaamundsen.com    She has a following of collectors and had invited many to the reception. It was actually Linda who gave up her slot at U-Club for a single show to let Jennifer and I join her, quite generous I would say.

I had not met Jennifer before, but Linda suggested I look up her work and I will tell you I was quite impressed. Her pen and inks are so delicate and beautifully woven together. She calls herself a ‘visionary illusionist’ and that is correct, she has quite a trained eye. Jennifer has won numerous awards in her 30+ year art career. www.art-exchange.com  She too is an international selling artist.

And then comes me, the digital art manipulator photographer, known around Sanford, I have shown in many local places, but have no awards, no following unless you count Facebook, chuckle chuckle. I have been juried into shows, and still,. my wacky style seemed to balance with theirs.  I can say without hesitation, if the walls could talk, they would say, “good job”!  I am really excited about how it came together and it will be on display until September 26th.  If you are wanting to see it, call the University Club and ask. They are one busy place!  http://www.universityclubwinterpark.org/   And as always, our hostesses, Daphne and Nita are more than enthusiastic long time members and volunteers, they are art supporters and always do it with a lot of charm.

Have a look —        This is just a preview of the 45 pieces in the show.

This is where it gets mushy and I feel if you have good things to say to people, tell them while you’re still alive! So here it is: These are notes to those who attended and I’ll start with family, thank you for always being there for your Mom, that includes Lee and Heather. My sweet niece Stacy always comes to give her support and it is always wonderful to see her and this time Kylie came with her, the cousins enjoy seeing each other.    

   and to my special help, Adam,     who gives me all his attention to details at my exhibits. He has hung art, made platters, set up my set ups and is always there to help take it all down, Adam, I so appreciate all you do to help your Mom, thank you for the hours you have taken away from ‘doing your thing’. All my artist friends who know you think so much of what a wonderful man you are!
I can’t thank you enough for all the hours you have lugged around helping! I am so very lucky to have such fine and dedicated kids!  And ALexis and Luis, it’s always fun when you join in, I’m so so happy you came over afterwards so we could share your company – love this extended family!

Judy Segall, thank you for being my gateway into the art world and my first mentor who gave me 100% encouragement — without meeting you and the members of Womens Caucus for Art Central Florida, I would probably not be exhibiting and all my work would be sitting on the desktop and I’d be saying, what do I do now? But you alone have been responsible for me meeting others in many medias who I have become friends with –you gave me the support to do exhibits, though when I look back, I see the difference in work and I attribute that to you and how you look at life and art and  growth – you came into my life at at perfect time and I will always be grateful for your help!
Bobbo and Lindy, you two push me on and make me feel so good about my work, thanks so much for all your kind words and even criticism. Thanks Bobbo for loving that hawk photo,  that majestic bird gave me a look of ‘blue steel’ and I did my best with it –   I will get it printed and to you this week. Lindy thanks for including me in your art venue and promoting my cranes! You are so loving and sweet and always a smile on that welcoming face. Plus you and Bobbo do many acts of goodness for others besides yourself, you both have really done so much for the local animal groups and it is noticed and appreciated! I thank you and the animals do too!
All Adam’s friends, I can’t tell you how it makes me feel to see your fresh, shiny faces at my venues, thank you thank you for taking the time to come when I have events, it means a lot!!!
Leslie, you have been there for me many times, I appreciate your taking time out from writing your books and coming. (And here’s a plug for her latest poetry book):  http://www.amazon.com/Rub-Scrub-Clean-Tub-Self-Image/dp/1478254750/ref=la_B001H9PJT0_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347304032&sr=1-1   this is a poetry book for children in collaboration with Oral, her very wonderful friend and fellow poet) – Oral, I am always happy to see the both of you come out to my exhibits and be so supportive of my work. And thank you for the purchase of my angel, that photo has a lot of meaning!
Gk, Rae Marie, Alfredo, Nancy, Leon and Tom – (my Sanford-Lake Mary ‘homies’ — it meant more than you can imagine having you come out! I feel so lucky  to look over and see your faces, it makes me feel wonderful to have your support, I mean you didn’t come to just eat did you, (haha)  But you make my heart feel good! Rae Marie, your words to me were so powerful, more powerful than you can imagine! You know how I love supporting our local artists, so having you and Alfredo come and meet all my family and give me your support is just more happiness in my life. Thank you my Sanford artists for your continuing support!
Bev, you really push me on with your comments, you have been a wonderful friend and neighbor, I so admire your exuberance and always sharing the beauty of our cranes and wildlife right on our street or on our lakes, thanks for affording me the views from your property, you have been very generous! Thanks for being there for me! It give me great joy to see you there at my venues.
Mary Elizabeth, thanks for being such a huge supporter of the arts, it’s always good to see you at many events over the years. And now with your photos, I suspect we will get to see one of your own exhibits soon.
Mindy, thanks for coming and being there, it’s nice having people share with us.
Harriet and Mila, I am so happy to have met you both and appreciate greatly that you came to attend. Harriet we must chat more and continue our interesting conversation. Mila, your husband Russ has been writing his beautiful words many times when I post something, it usually seems to flow with my art, this is where Facebook is plus in a gathering of people coming together and putting their ideas and talents together. One day Russ we will collaborate on a book together. Thank you for making me feel my work has some value to others who are inspired by nature, that’s a main reason I do digital art, to show people either straight up nature, or a slant on it. I hope people will look at my work and think of the environment and it’s importance, you make me feel like the message is getting out.
It turned out into a nice love fest, strangers asked me so many questions, I sold some art as did Jennifer and Linda. Linda’s husband was a terrific bartender and Jennifer’s husband was wonderful in taking pictures which I totally forget many times even though my camera hung around my neck, If only I had taken more!
Thanks to both husbands for their help from start to finish, your help was genuinely appreciated!
And it ended with sunshine flooding through the windows, not a drop of rain, no clouds, maybe it was the joy of the moment when all the happiness in the room floated out and melted through the clouds. Thank you all for making it a successful day – I am feeling positive by those vibes in the room – I can say no more, (plus I need to get working on my October Maitland Library Exhibit – shameless plug) – Love you all, thanks for having my back! HUGS HUGS HUGS! And here’s just a few pics along with 4 pieces of my work – Thank you!
      

     

SpayNSave Grand Opening and Food Trucks

It was a very happy grand opening at SpayNSave! This opening was a mission that took a while to get to, a few years of planning and raising funds. But now the 501(c)3 non-profit organization is operational and applying their professiona; skills to reduce the pet population by offering low cost spay and neutering for both cats and dogs. They have been opened a month and have fixed 400 animals! Think how many offspring they have prevented! I think they should put a “guestimate” after a figure like that!
SpayNSave is open 4 days a week and welcomes both your pets and feral animals if you are feeding strays. They are located at 988 N. Ronald Reagan Blvd in Longwood, Fl. Phone number, 407-920-4894  http://www.spaynsave.org

This group of dedicated animal lovers and rescuers have 20 years worth of rescue experience and with that  they saw the need for such a clinic where people could have affordable sterilization. Animal shelters and rescues are overwhelmed with animals to be adopted. Many people are foster parents till ‘forever homes’ come along and they all know the need for sterilization is a must. That’s why SpayNSave needed to fill a niche.

Phyllis Ayoob, President of SpayNSave is one of those caring people who also runs, Cats-Can Inc. A cat adoption in Oviedo, Fl. She unselfishly gives much of herself in an effort to save the quality of lives of animals. (www.cats-can.org).  The staff is dedicated to making these services pleasant for you and your pet. Right now it costs $50 for owned cats, $40 for strays, dogs have separate prices depending on sex and weight. The price includes Rabies and Distemper vaccine and pain medication for before and after surgery. They will also be offering more low cost vaccines for yearly immunization in the future.
And while the staff is excited and dedicated to their mission, they can use your services as volunteers! Help if you can, make donations to this worthy organization. If you go on their site, they do have a list of needs, please do what you can to help these people with their big hearts and limited resources – show them we are a generous community supporting such a worthy organization. Here’s a look at the new building.

     

  can hardly resist this adoptable faces. Call if you are interested in one of those beautiful kittens 407-349-5255.

Tonight was the first Saturday of the month, so the food trucks were in Sanford, I made my son go as I needed a camera assistant to help carry my camera bag . We did stop at one truck offering flatbread with herbs, veggies and cheeses, it was mediocre at best. Will try something else next time.
I brought both my DSLR and point and shoot and that gorgeous pink moon rose again out of the water, rosy and huge and bright. I had my monopod to balance on, but it swayed and I got crappy crappy shots, it was so disappointing. My weakness is this night shooting for sure. I also need a cable attachment so there is no more camera shake when I press the buttons. I am betting tomorrow night will also be a winner;
     

    Have a great holiday weekend – enjoy your friends and family and be good to the planet –

The Blue Moon Rise Pink Over Sanford Florida

You know I am a moon-slave, I adore our satellite, so what better excuse to go look at the moon then knowing it was a Blue Moon! Explaining it was something better left to copying and pasting so here ya go:
“In 1946, “Sky and Telescope” magazine traced the term to the “Maine Farmer’s Almanac,” where it apparently referred to the third full moon in a season that contains four full moons instead of the usual three.”
All day the sky has been bountiful, so many ways to read the clouds. Some had long stalks and trails, some looked curdled, some looked happy and bouncy, it was nothing to pop in and out off and on during the day to enjoy the movement of air and water vapors. I will show you lots of views of the sky in central Florida. Our sky is full of excitement and we were also lucky to have escaped what Hurricane Issac did to  New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Though south east Florida had a lot of flooding too, but not on the same level as parts of New Orleans again.

When I looked at the clock tonight, it was 7:15pm, I knew I should run to the marina and see how the sunset was and get the view of the moon rising over the water. The breeze was wonderfully generous, the temperature in the mid eighties, perfect night viewing. I drove down First Street and the restaurants were fully packed. Traffic went so slow I missed the sunset! The sun was lost inside a low hanging cloud.
I walked around and snapped just a few shots passing joggers and walkers and lovers. I was in my element scrutinizing everything that passed through the cornea, back to the old optic nerve processing and messaging. Scanning for the tip of a gators head, a wave of a manatee fin, anything that seems amiss, something out of the normal.

As I veered away from the west where the sun was being deflated, I looked to the east and through the boat masts was the faint outline of the blue moon swathed completely in pink. I walked faster to my car to drive back toward the eastern side of the walkway where I could watch that moon rise up over the land.
the moon was huge and had a sense of urgency, the pink ball was rising higher and higher and the color was fading into orange and then into it’s off white. This orb was bigger than I have seen in months and months, maybe since a year ago and a harvest moon. Were people even noticing? I wanted to grab a megaphone and tell people to look at this gorgeous display of nature!
The gravity was heavy upon me, I stayed in one place watching the beauty of it all. This was spectacular, my legs rooted next to a palm tree which graciously let me lean into it as I snapped away. I was hoping my kids were somewhere looking up, especially my little Iyla who shares my love of the moon. I then drove home to watch the moon take place over my little lake. the clouds even cut into it at times. It had ascended high into the sky and the mosquitoes were draining me quickly so I went in.  So here’s a page of clouds and the blue moon. The beauty that surrounds us is something we can’t take for granted, all our days are numbered, we don’t know how long we have, go out and breathe, take in the sights — make sure along the way you find happiness and love and peace, there’s nothing better then having those internal luxuries!
http://news.yahoo.com/photos/august-s-rare-blue-moon-slideshow/

 

     

     

     

     

     

 

Hurricane Prep and Artwalk and Upcoming exhibit, “Florida Au Natural”

It’s been about a week since the weather forecasters have harped on  tropical storm “Issac”. They thought it would ram into Tampa, then it moved toward the west, and further west. Issac killed two people in Haiti as a tropical storm.  Now they say it’s going to be very far reaching and going to become a hurricane on Sunday and bring us lots of rain. Key West is going to get about a foot of rain as Issac passes over it.
It’s supposed to slam into Pensacola as a category 2. Sometimes you just want to shout back and say, “OK OK we get your urgency, shut up already!”  Did I prepare? Yes, got some gas in the car on Wednesday, bought candy, soup, crackers, the regular staples. I’m hoping it’s not going to be this huge blow out that they keep threatening us with. It seems central Florida will be spared the brunt. I really don’t want to pull out the generator, I’m ignoring the forecasters now, go away weather on the ones, go away Issac, shut the Hell up,  I’m already exhausted from the constant reminder.

Last night I joined others out on the town for the Artwalk in Sanford. The first place I ventured to was the Historic Sanford Welcome Center, it looked great — the best I’ve seen it in a couple years! They now have tracks on the walls for the art, the colors they painted were pleasing and they had the wine sampling like the old days. The fiber exhibit this month was first class! Congrats to the team over there, props up!!!  The art was fab! Go have a look, it will be hanging for a month.
Saw Fern Matthews and her handsome son, Ryan. Fern had 2 great pieces entered. Tom Abbott had several too, saw him lurking around, always enjoy  seeing Tom and Leon!
Etta Jean and her Husband Frank Judge were there, I knew she was a talented photographer, but now I know she is an excellent, collage/fiber artist!
The winner of best in show was completely taken by surprised, Janice Kutz won it and it was well deserved.
GK Sharman happened to be there like me, looking around  so we ran to Art Affair to see all the work that Ivaldo had up. His mixed media paintings are so energetic and full of life. I was so happy to see so much new work on the walls. As usual Ronda is busy making changes and doing new things with new artists. They have completed the White Cup conversion and coffee is being sold now along with wine and beer and food!

Ivaldo has been in the gallery for a couple years I think, and he’s a very nice and warm man, can read that he’s full of a passion for life and painting, it  shows! There was new work and I will show the photos below.

Sweet Alfredo and Rae Marie look like newlyweds, Alfredo on his raw diet has gotten the effects he has wanted and even participated in a biking, swimming, running event at Moss park where he took first place for his age group. He was ecstatic! He was beaming louder than sunlight! He’s a changed man since losing so much weight and now participating in sports he had given up due to arthritis. We are all so happy for him. Rae Marie is always a dazzler anyway, she looked beautiful in her dress and pearls at her Framing 508 Gallery! I felt the love inside that place!
The Willowtree was packed to the gills with every table occupied and lines of waiting.. Jeanine Taylor’s Gallery on First next door was busy too, she has been in business now 15 years! What a successful place it is. She was beaming as she offered us punch. Mary K. Shaw looked so cute in her wig and hat, she is such a big part of the gallery as Jeanine’s right hand! Everyone loves Mary K and her optimism, plus she is a talented talented artist! Look forward to their October exhibits, they are amazing!
The Breezeway was getting fuller, everyone lately has gushed about what great food they have. Might have to give it a try soon –
Back over the the Hyder’s Gallery and Sharon was there to greet me and give me one of her warm hugs. She is so excited about the gallery and the success she is having with lessons and her arty wine and art parties where you come in, don’t have to worry about having skills or having supplies, all is there for you. You drink some wine, relax and let your inner artist out! Plus you get art instruction from a certified and inspirational art coach. They also have coupons for a discount when registering 2 people. This happens the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, hurry one will be here soon, call 407-878-7646.
And that was it for me, I decided to get going home. I am preparing for an upcoming exhibit with 2 very well known local artists. Linda Amundsen and Jennifer Myers Kirton who are quite accomplished in their media, both international selling artists. The furthest I have ever sold was to a person in South Carolina.
Linda does beautiful oil painting while Jennifer does pen and ink drawings that are so intricately loaded with detail, you wonder how she has not gone googly eyed. They are both so talented and I feel honored to be part of the team. Come see our work at the University Club of Winter Park! So inbetween a hurricane bearing down on us later today, finishing hanging my pieces and working on getting art for my next to exhibits, the days blur and I don’t have time for a hurricane!
Here’s this month’s photos – will let you know if I blow away, of course I’ll blog about it!
                                    

    

 

 

 

Sanford Florida Student Museum

The Sanford Florida Student Museum was in jeopardy — because of budget downturns it needed a way to keep it up and running. Luckily the University of Central Florida, (UCF) stepped in and has grant money for two years to get it in order and try and keep it self-sustaining. But let me back up. I have lived in the area since 1980’s and yet, had never even thought about going to visit the museum. Even with a glowing endorsement by my neighbor, Dee who loved everything about it, it was not on my list of things to do.  I knew it was there and open and  forgot all about it until I saw a notice that they were going to revamp the old place and needed volunteers to help get it up and running in time for the bell ringing on the opening of the Seminole County school season, September 13.

First of all the sign pointing to the location of the Museum on French Avenue is quite misleading and takes you into a little shopping area that has nothing to do with the museum. It’s actually physically located at 301 W. 7th street, a few blocks from where the sign shows. (I hope that has been fixed.)
I decided to go over and see what was going on a few weeks ago.  I pulled up, it was lunch and all was quiet. I met UCF Associate Professor, Rose Beiler, director of Public History who was so enthusiastic about having the opportunity to get this museum off and running. The building was built in 1902 with a three story bell tower.     Love the brick streets, downtown Sanford is full of them.
In 1916 they added one story wings,  the building is on The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. It’s a wonderful old brick school building reminding me of the school I went to as a young girl called Old Trail in Akron Ohio.
There was something quite comforting about being inside the halls of the old place. I felt at ease walking the long hallways and peeking into the many rooms, some waiting to be fixed and painted and put into order. I absorbed the details of wood working, the old doors and floors, the glass and other elementary parts to the puzzle.

Rose was a wonderful hostess in her enthusiasm for the project. When I pulled into the back of the school I saw teaching gardens: butterfly gardens, veggie gardens and very nice plants and many over grown bushes plus antique fixtures and a gazebo.

Inside the halls were silent, yet spoke well about their history. On the walls and tables along the walls were historical memorabilia to be put into rooms, things were boxed and moved around as they readied the various rooms for their re-opening. Rooms were in stages of being painted, air conditioning was being worked on, most everything torn apart to be put back together in a two week span. There were a few volunteers helping to sort things and pack and get the place back into order. There will also be volunteers staying on and running the building once it is back up and running.
     

UCF plans to continue bringing the Fourth graders through and others too, in Fourth grade they start learning history and the rooms show wonderful exhibits to support many diverse subjects. Here’s a good link to seeing these wonderful rooms as tools for learning from our past, present and future. Check out the exhibits:  http://friendsofstudentmuseum.omeka.net/

Below  are photos of some of the rooms and areas that were visible to me. Rose really gave me so much information and I had no pad to write it all down. I must say that I hope to inspire people of our local community to come and see this amazing building full of intrigue. I was told that many people around Sanford don’t even know it’s there. Believe me, it is worth seeing and telling others about. I will not be able to attend the bell ringing, but I will add photos of the ceremony as my friend and fellow photographer, freelance writer and Associate Editor of Lake Mary Health and Wellness Magazine,  http://www.lakemaryhealthyliving.com/   G.K. Sharman, will cover the photo op for my absence. Please, if you can,  support this wonderful effort and opportunity for a new start to an old and worthy project. The bell ringing is Monday morning September 13 at 9am – support the community, UCF and history. And if you can’t make it, please plan on a trip over there soon and enjoy a treasury of information and visual treats.  I can see it having art venues, even cooking classes with the garden in the back as a catalyst for good nutrition and inspiration for teaching how to plant and sustain gardens of herbs and veggies/fruits. If you have ideas let them know.

Please don’t put it on the back burner, bring your family and check it out, there is something for everyone to enjoy. When the school bell rings this year it is an important step to keeping the past relevant with this historical building loaded with archives; smiles, memories, amazement – GO, SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY, and they always need volunteers. Have a little preview, I can’t wait to see the place all put together. Thank you UCF for taking on this task, thank you Rose for your tour, thank you Ashley Wilt with the UCF Dept. of History who is coordinating all this, and thank you volunteers who give so unselfishly of themselves, thanks to all for their dedications!    http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/Home/NewsPage2/StoryO.aspx

     

   

     

Here’s a look at the Bell Ringing Ceremony from Monday August 13th by photographer/ Associate Editor, G. K. Sharman

     

   

Art Walk, Olympics, Sunrise Sunset

“Sunrise, sunset.
Sunrise, sunset.
Swiftly go the days.
Sunrise, sunset.
You wake up, then you undress.
It always is the same.
The sunrise and the sunsets.
You are lying while you confess, keep trying to explain.
The sunrise and the sunsets
You realize then you forget what you’ve been trying to retain.
But everybody knows that it is all about the things
That get stuck inside of your head…”
That song from Fiddler On The Roof seems that way sometimes, caught up in sunrise and sunsets while the hours in between seem to melt and merge into life’s memories and one day you wake and think, how did I get so old???
Tonight was the opening ceremonies with the Olympics in London. Loved seeing the happiness and excitement. The pagentry, the queen and Sir Paul McCartney. If only the world always co-existed in such a symphony of peace and togetherness. But it’s still a wonderful sight and you can’t help but be moved.  Rock on Paul and the USA Olympians! We are proud! The Queen chose a good color, very flattering, monarchy peach. I want her job when I come back next time around…
Info fact, Seminole High’s Ken Bauman is at the Olympics coaching men’s field and track, how about that! WoW, we have representation from Sanford in London!
Before watching the Olympics I went to the artwalk. It was not too busy, but still ran into new artists/ photographers and my peeps. First I was over at Hyder Fine Art Gallery and met photographer and novel writer, Jess Harris. He was more than gracious and we had a good talk about photography and writing- 
Sharon Hyder had some interesting pieces up also

   And then on to Welcome Center. I ran into my wonderful and generous neighbor Bev who is a gem and I always enjoy seeing her. We got to catch up on our neighborhood crane family and chat about the Student Museum. It’s always good to see people from the neighborhood enjoying the Art Walk. Next I glanced over and there was Steve and Lauren running around greeting guests and answering questions as they tallied the votes for best art this month. I smiled when seeing Leon and Tom, I always run into them and we tease each other like crazy!  Tom had no entry at the Historic Sanford Welcome Center, but we saw some very interesting pieces on display and I met artist glass-maker, Kirwin    http://www.agentsofexpression.com  – he had two glass pieces that were well put together,  here’s the artist Kirwin and his work

     Lauren Williams pieces turned heads and had people taking, the head was sold to someone I know and they are so happy to have purchased the piece, Congrats to the buyer! Good choice!   There were other nice works,    And Trish Thompson was sweet enough to invite me to come to the Princess Theatre at 8pm to see the performances of the Celery Soup Troupe doing ‘Moon Over Buffalo’, it’s there for the weekend and I was so happy she asked, but was afraid I would be end up chatting and be too late, which of course I was. I apologize to Trish and make a note that I will get to the theater to add to my blog, I know Trish works so hard on getting the theater group, Celery Soup Productions together, she’s a vital part of the Sanford community and we appreciate her efforts.
Outside I saw my friend and Artist Marjorie who had just come back from Washington DC and had a fabulous time wasting not a minute seeing everything she could see. I told her we had to go to CityArts and see The Red Chair Project, Tom does have a piece over there,  so next week we will venture over.
Then on to Jeanine Taylor’s where we saw the ever beautiful and amazing Aurore who told me she is painting like a maniac which is a great sign that we will be seeing a show and if it is anything like her last one, it will be no less than incredible! I met Marjorie’s friend and Gallery on First artist    
Anne Marie Colwell had quite an array of awesome work.  Jeanine was busy, the Gallery was hopping with people. We all miss Debe and Kevin, they have been out communing with nature a long time now.  Next to Art Affair, which had body painting tonight and a singer.
The place was slammed! I saw Dlynn and husband, she had very cool clocks besides her jewelry and candles.    She’s always thinking of new things to do and improve!
She was outside the gallery taking in the massive application of late sunlight. It was so very hot, but Dlynn looked completely composed under the sun.  Even Jim looked like he had hardly broken a sweat. Next to her was Bonnie who was painting. Nabbed a pic of her –
She too was not looking touched by the heat. On the inside it was very busy, Ronda was hectic at the bar, there was singing, and body painters and a legitimate photographer with much more intense equipment than mine. Ran into Fern and her husband Mark, it had been a while, loved talking with you, now go busy yourself and make art, Fern is just an incredible talent!  Hello JT, poor JT, I run him around and make him crazy with suggestions.
I left at 8:19 and didn’t get to see the full spectrum of how the models all turned out completely painted. Have  a look at the photos and I will confuse the body painter’s names, but let’s give it a shot:

      The ballet girl I don’t remember who was working on her, but the cards I have of people who body paint were from Shannon Holt and Christine Bryant, you can contact them through the gallery. I missed getting a card from the artist dressed in black up front near the window, sorry! 

And then it was marina time, the sky was brimming with pretty clouds all peachy and shades of blues and grays. I ran to the marina clutching my  coca cola and camera, stopping to snap clouds along the way and the sun was just about down,  but the moon was up – hurry Abbe hurry. So here’s to nature and a full night for Friday, have a great weekend, catch ya next week – cheerio!

   

     

     
and so it’s like that, sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset, aw, it really isn’t quite always the same; 

Sanford Is Movin’ and Groovin’ In The Heat During Dog Days

Whew, I glanced at my temperature reading on my rear view mirror -97degrees!  HOT HOT HOT as it always is this time of year – we sweat continuously for four months – the step into my truck was a foot into Hell — I
pity anyone without air conditioning! You can hardly draw a breath without breathing in the heat!  And I think about the critters being walked across hot pavement – take off your shoes and walk barefoot about 5 steps on asphalt, your feet are scorched! Make sure to be careful when walking your dogs that their little feet aren’t burning on that hot pavement and take potable water to cool them down every fifteen minutes or so when outside, keep your critters safe and hydrated.

So what to do during these dog days? Well for one, you can volunteer and if you live here in Sanford. Think about going over to the Student Museum at 301 W. 7th Street.  UCF has taken over the lease and for the next couple years is hoping to rebuild the museum as a precious commodity: history.  I went today and will be charting the progress. I saw an old school being nurtured and coaxed back into existence as a museum that  displays our local and national history within those walls.  The classrooms will be filled with interesting artifacts. There is one room set up with Indian displays including an old hollowed out canoe and a hut you can walk into. The wall murals are wonderful windows into the past! There will be rooms with science oriented themes, one room is all memorabilia from The Crooms school and the surrounding community and much more to explore — it all makes for an interesting mix. They hope to encourage having a building that can host venues and to continue bringing the 4th graders on their yearly tour. There are teaching gardens, herbs, butterfly, an array of plants and bushes that are kept up by the Seminole County Extension Office – the school is a wealth of info and should be something that people from anywhere will appreciate. I can picture art venues and maybe cooking classes,  there are many many possibilities.  I met Rose with UCF and she is so looking forward to having this all finished by the first day of school which here in our county is August 13th. They could use some extra hands if you have a few hours here and there to help out ASAP, please email Ashley Witt at     Ashley.Wilt@ucf.edu
I finished taking photos, but can only post a couple here and reserve the full disclosure on a blog about the bell ringing ceremony August 13.  

I drove a few blocks downtown and went into Maya’s Bookstore to catch some the cool relief.  Yvette, the owner was busy with customers as I wandered around and had fun looking through albums. It always makes one smile to see “LP” art!  I really am sad that albums are a lost art.  Today’s music videos can be very creative, but somehow it just doesn’t compare to waiting for the new LP’s to show on the shelves, that and Mad Magazine, both were media that we thrived upon back then.   I enjoyed a little cerebral venture down memory lane — scroll down and have a look. It takes old hippies like myself into that turbulent and creative era of  “psychedelia”  during the 60’s and 70’s zone – thank you Yvette for a cool wind of the past fanning my head and making me smile in reverse.

I must mention running into Jeanine Taylor Gallery and chatting with Mary K about the cool new pieces over there. Also chatted with Lauren at the Historic Welcome Center and saw exciting work from the month’s challenge with local artists.
Then on to see Ronda at Art Affair Gallery and found out that White Cup Coffeehouse will be moving in to share space at Art Affair along with Wayne’s World Class Instrument’s which will be displayed inside the room behind the Art Affair bar. This will take place as soon as they get the painting finished. Now if you didn’t know this, they say White Cup Coffeehouse has some of the best coffee around! When they open it will serve from  7:30am till 10pm. That’s just like Ronda, change it up and make it exciting!  Sanford is movin’ and groovin’ — changin’ it up and makin’ for an interesting blend of culture – come see us! There are many wonderful eateries and bars, from belly dancing to rockin’ with country, pop and even a biker bar, Sanford offers a big variety in a compact space.
Tomorrow is the 4th Friday Art Walk, come up at 6pm and have a look for yourself. Body painting going on at Art Affair Friday night, each gallery has something to offer, all have classes if you are interested in learning to paint and draw. Many have artists in attendance. Come on, enjoy the dog days with color and excitement. The albums featured here come from Maya’s Bookstore next to The Willowtree, very well known German restaurant – come here and ENJOY! Thanks again Yvette for letting me ‘veg’ in her album ‘cave room!
“The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy, ( and that of the electric companies).  ” Henry Ward Beecher with Abbe’s bold thought…

         

     

     

           

A Little Shop of Treasures tucked into Sanford

Thought I’d take some black and white shots at the marina. The clouds were good and I snapped a few pics. I decided to go home thru town and came to intersection of Second and Park Ave. I noticed that the beauty salon was gone and a new antique store had taken it’s space. “A Little Shop of Treasures” made me pull a U turn and park in the shady lot in front of the store.
Inside I was greeted by Christine, one of the owners.  She immediately was asking if I was looking for anything specific and was glad to help me in anyway. I told her my intent was to put pictures of this shop on my blog to show others who might not know they were there. She was more than happy to let me snap away at items to show you.
As I was taking photos,  several people stopped in as curious as I was.
They offer sellers a 50/50 split for people who want to sell on consignment. They have a variety of merchandise, from jewelry and art, furniture, cookie jars, lamps, mirrors, porcelain, glass, to wonderful greeting cards and many things in between. Prices are reasonable and you’ll enjoy the many items to browse through.
The other owner walked in and I recognized him, Barry used to have an antique store near the Wayne Densch Theater a couple years ago. I remember the calico cat sleeping at the base of a X-mas tree on an antique table. He was looking for a home for it – he did find one. The other time I was in there was just before he was closing and
had a big sale. As we wandered through my son noticed a cool old typewriter. We were chatting about it and Barry walked over to us and asked my son if he really liked it, which he did. Barry gave it to him, told him to take it and enjoy it telling us he had a lot of stuff he had to box up and was glad to have one less thing to deal with. Adam was so happy, we could not thank Barry enough. How funny that 6 degrees of separation works! It must be the magic magnet of Sanford which seems to keep bringing back people to enjoy the business community. It says a lot about our little town. So I’m telling you, if you are downtown enjoying the sights, walk up Park Ave one black, (about a minute or two of walking and there’s A Little Shop of Treasures, right there at the next stop sign at 2nd Street. They close on Sundays and Mondays, but Tuesday thru Saturday they are there from 10am to 5pm – make it part of your visit. You’ll enjoy the great taste the owners have.

and here was the cat that Barry had on the table at his last store –  So happy they found her a home – for some reason I kept her photo, but you must know I am a cat person by now. So enjoy a visit to our convenient city and see the sights, so many restaurants to explore too, it just gets better and better!

Thursday All All Over – I’m Gonna Die

Okay, after reading studies on insomniacs, I already knew my life was shortened – now they have come out with a study suggesting that people who sit more than 3 hours a day are shaving 2 years off their lives. So that means it could be days or hours or minutes until my life is eradicated – I’m already a junk food junkie, (she says while eye-ing the jumbo Mr. Goodbar that sits within inches of her right hand grasp.)  Good God, that’s a triple whammy — sitting, crap eating and insomnia, I am so doomed – the sitting is just as bad as smoking they say. I heard they make stand up desks, I might need a convertible desk that does both, if only I could pay someone to exercise this shell and leave my head on my desk.

So I’m sitting here anticipating writing and patching this blog together and I know I’ll be here at least 3 hours, it’s crazy! I’ll be here til almost 3am, and maybe I’ll go to bed at 3am and get up at 8am, me getting 5 hours of sleep is like 8 hours for many people, so go to Hell Mr. Death, I’m just too damn busy, someone has to showcase our local artists so lets make a pact and spare me – I’ve got places to go, people to meet and you can substitute me for about any politician, they aren’t worth anything!

We begin with Thursday morning, the clouds began ganging up across the lake from the east around 10am. I was surprised to find 5 young teenage cranes forging at my bird feeders. These are the sub-adults who have been cast off by their parents and form these groups till they pair off and find a territory. I went out to take pictures and found they weren’t shy at all, in fact a couple were very aggressive in getting within  inches of me – they were very used to humans. I have included pics.

Then my regular crane family came about an hour later and the baby has gotten quite leggy and is very shy of human contact. It used to be when they lived right off my property, the babies were very acclimated to seeing humans. I was out taking their pictures every day. Now that they nest away from my property and don’t come as frequently, the babies are in a normal state of instinct and hide from view when they see something that doesn’t sit right with them. I have to try and hide so this new little one doesn’t run too far.

I knew I had 3 venues I wanted to try and make so I had to pace myself. Got on the road to the hospital by 6pm and here are some of the artwork hung at The Healing Wall at Florida Hospital Altamonte Springs.  The topic was ‘Home Sweet Home’, my piece is of Iyla bathing in the sink. Ran into Nancy Chenet and she is doing outdoors shows now. I enjoyed our chat. There was a good turn out of invited guests. They food was a wonderful medley of things like pear and brie in a coissant, chicken marsala, turkey slices with cornbread and cranberry, and best of all, lost so bite sized desserts. I can’t say enough for how they spoil us.
One hallway has the art of Circle Christian School children who did a wonderful job adding excitement to the exhibit.  Thanks again Florida Hospital for giving us artists a generous reception and wall space and lots of encouragement. They always make us feel so welcomed and appreciated – every reception is better than the last!

On I went to Steinway Galleries  – the sky looked like it was festering, it seemed like a tornado was about to spawn, I surely expected to see a flash flood raining down, but nothing happened. When I arrived,  Karen Carasik was  joining  forces with Sally Shishler and Mary J. Gary  for their reception. Karen is a very expressive painter always growing and unafraid of changing it up.  She was speaking as I walked in about the piano she decorated for a raffle for Steinway, it was all done with sheet music.  Kathy and Gary Grimes owners of Steinway Gallery welcome artists once a month. They generously give a good reception with live music and tonight they had a raffle for some art books.  Kathy and Gary participate generously with the community in helping needy children who have talent. but not much money in providing the children with lessons and even a piano through the Steinway Society of Central Florida – their link:  http://www.steinwayorlando.com/society/index.html
All I can say is thank you Grimes for showing the community that you care. They still had 2 other pianos that were also decorated for auctioning, pics included below.  Karen was also speaking of how important it is to show our young children art at an early age to inspire and encourage them to expand their scope of thinking, it tied into what the Hospital does for the youthful artists they work with.  It was great seeing Karen and her art,  catch her at www.karencarasik.com – she also has a booth at Adjectives Market down the road on 436 a few blocks from Steinway – We truly have a great art community in central Florida!

And then at 7:30pm I hopped onto I-4 and headed up to State Road 46 to capture a bit of the Alive After 5 momentum. The sky all around was wondrous, the clouds so dense, all shapes and colors, what a great sky watching day it had been! The rain too had held off from everywhere I had ventured, the temperatures even pleasant.
I was passing the back entrance of the Hospital in Sanford, they have a pond and a fountain and I glanced over and saw two swans – Swans? I found the first right I could turn and then headed back to take a look, upon closer inspection, they were styrofoam, well they fooled me! Back in the car again past the marina and onto First Street which was ‘blowin up with people out in the streets for Alive After 5. It looked like a huge turn out! I immediately went to my home gallery,  Art Affair as they were having body painting tonight by Tabitha Sclafani and Emma and Alicia of Painted Member shot. They also had the center room in the gallery to show off the photography of Emma and Alicia, and I noted a card on the wall called Eye Candy so I hope I have all their info, http://www.paintedmembershot.com    – the body art was so cool as the models strutted around. My friend and artist, Al Fontana greeted me with a hug and new hair cut, it looked great Al and your music was spot on along with Nicky’s singing!
Saw my buds Tom and Leon, I almost fell over poor Tom. Leon, The Lake Mary Food Critic, is now blogger for Seminole Magazine, here’s his article on the food trucks – http://seminolemagazine.com/2012/07/08/food-trucks-in-seminole-county    — Leon got this blogging job via a popularity contest put out by the magazine, they will not be disappointed – (my name was on the list, but I wasn’t very popular, maybe I should have asked more than 2 people to vote for me, haha.) But no hard feelings, I love Leon and anything anyone does to promote our area is a very positive thing! I know he’s an interesting read – GO Leon!

I walked into Art Affair and Dlynn was at the beer tub and she was selling selling selling, beer and softdrinks,  you could hardly walk in the door. I met JT Smalley who I am so excited by his ‘bots’, his work is unique, look at the photos, you’ll love it too! I keep encouraging him to spread those wings!
Ronda was behind the bar which meant she was moving like crazy, I hardly had 2 seconds to talk to her other than to yell hello and I’m taking my books home since they  don’t seem to be selling. Guess I’ll list on Etsy.
All was fun and wild last night, have a look and see what I have seen yesterday, it’s been a blast! Today is Casselberry’s Art in the Park with art and Jazz and food trucks from 6-9pm – you have to go experience that also, I am so excited how Joanne Borges has gotten the artists to fill out the booths for this monthly event, she and Linda Moore have really made this quite a popular venue. The Casselberry Arthouse and City Hall will all be open with their art exhibits too –  Go on over, bring your chairs and enjoy all that Casselberry has to offer!

  The photos from Florida Hospital do not include all artwork that is on the walls, just a sampling to make you want to go see the whole exhibit. It is truly a healing wall that makes you smile. Featured artist was Dr. Puxiao Cen    If you are in the are passing through, stop and see what the hospital  does for the artists, the patients and visitors, they truly appreciate the art community!

Then on to Steinway to see Karen and the sky was crazy looking  
The big dark cloudshelf was in front of Steinway Galleries, it almost seemed like a spaceship would suction us all up to be taken off to populate some galaxy far far away.

  back out on the street to head to I-4 for Sanford’s Alive After 5, traffic was heavy, did some point and shoots toward the sky where I ‘guestimate’ where my camera is actually pointing, I don’t look, I just point and press the button – did get some good cloud shots off the interstate

  and the sky was such amazing artwork, thank you Mother nature for an all day event. Finally in downtown Sanford it was all clear and busy.

That swan really fooled me – okay, it’s 3:44 and I have been sitting 4hours- yikes, I might have died here, I just don’t know it, so if you don’t see another blog, I have passed away from a vast assortment of things, otherwise, I’ll be back at it soon for showing off our wonderful artist and the talent in my county!!! Good morning…

Jeremy Got Bored – The Adjectives Market

So that was that, “Jeremy got bored.” I was told by Greg, Jeremy’s partner and this is what happened, the enchanting Adjectives Market at 1215 E. Altamonte Drive where Skips Boots used to be. It opened in May and is there daily for your optic feasting from 11am to 7pm.

I couldn’t wait to get there. On Friday my friend, Mary K. Shaw was wearing a hat that was perfectly suited to her, ” where’d you get that”, she told me, I HAD to go to the adjectives Market and see the place. And on Saturday I knew I was going to writer/poet Leslie Halpern’s workshop about Dreams and how to analyze and use them in your art, so I knew I would make a bee-line afterwards for Adjectives which was less than a mile away. In fact, I was day dreaming in the dreaming class about what vintage, antique fun stuff they would have. I did learn exploratory things from Leslie and have even been working on my new digital art piece, ‘Earthworms Devouring Earth’, how’s that for a dream and title. That was the one night I had the double vision, that was one of the coolest dreams ever!

After the workshop I drove over and saw the building which looked well suited for a store where individuals have booths, like a mini really classy Renningers. When I opened the door I was immediately welcomed by both Greg and Jeremy and they were receptive to my taking pictures and blogging.

And all one has to do is open their eyes wide be intrigued, to be immediately taken in by the spell of nostalgia that swallows you whole. The place is immaculate and each booth looking designer designed. I have not been so excited about a place since Pieces of Eight that used to be on Orange Ave. downtown. I got a few pieces I cherish from there, one is my ’30’s bookcase, an old carved mahogany piece with beveled glass. It’s one piece that is going into the nursing home with me along with my old lionhead rocker.

I am a lover of antiques especially furniture and more specifically chairs, what does that mean Miss Leslie? I dream of  a huge room with lots of cool chairs!

My Papa was in the furniture business back in 40’s-80’s, he had a very cool store that as a child was like a maze and fun to play among the smell of wood. My sister and I would pretend how our own rooms would look in our imaginary, adult homes. Each year my Papa would go to the furniture marts in Chicago and North Caroline and Atlanta. My grandparent’s home was filled with gorgeous knickknacks and furniture. I loved my grandparents house and apparently so did one of my sister’s best friends sister who is the most recent owner. I still have my grand parents bedroom set and my mother’s John Widdecomb hand painted set from when she was a child. My kids say that when I go, so does the old furniture. My appreciation for vintage either has not passed down or maybe caused a rebellion against my eclectic taste.

I was in my element at Adjectives, I was smiling as I looked at each booth, remembering similar things from my past. I loved the Quimpers French plates, the vintage photographs and magazines, the glassware, pottery, chandeliers: everywhere one looked, every angle, there was a photo-op! And so many wonderful wood pieces, lots of chairs I would have loved to haul home. Loved seeing the old phonographs, radios, stuff wonderful stuff. It felt like being in a time warp, there is an overwhelming warmth associated with antiques and I loved every minute of my hour and a half visit!

Are you looking for art? They had plenty of new and antique pictures. I saw my old acquaintance, Karen Carasik has a Comma Gallery booth, her paintings are quite expressive and I loved the Beetle boxes!
The cabinetry built around the place is exquiste – the upstairs white room in the back is what I would love as a closet. Love the wood detailing.

If you love old jewelry, make this a day to go and have a look at the vintage and new jewelry that different vendors had. There’s clothing too along with everything that waxes antique. Jeremy picked out the right people to fill each booth – get out there today! It’s the perfect day for browsing and buying!

Now eat a good breakfast, then get your rain boots and umbrella and gather a few best friends – get ready not for the rain, but an adventure into a hard wave of nostalgia and happiness – you can’t go in there and not come out smiling and talking about certain items you love or remember or long for – thank you so much Jeremy and Greg — And I must add that they are both so easily accessible if you need help, Jeremy seems like he is everywhere at once, hands on and at your service. Looking for something? Ask him! a BIG P/S  — if Jeremy gets bored again, please send him to my house, I need someone to make heads and tails of my crazy place!