Circles of Snow, Sandi

Today is a quiet marker honoring and celebrating

Sandi's long path of healing and inner peace.

Supported by loved ones and friends,

she nevertheless has travelled this path solo

with only herself for company.

Today is the closure of one circle.

Circles of Snow

Yesterday the snow slowly spiraled

in lofty carnations of white.

Mother Earth welcomed the peaceful softness

for a moment's respite.

But all was not as it appeared;

raging wind storms buffeted about,

rearranging the cushy white softness.

Through out the day

the Master Weaver frosted the glimpse of the sun.

It was a day for quiet introspection.

What is the Greatest Gift?

Mary Oliver

What is the greatest gift?

Could it be the world itself--the oceans, the meadowlark,

the patience of the trees in the wind.

Could it be love, with its sweet clamor of passion?

Something else--something else entirely

holds me in thrall.

That you have a life that I wonder about

more than I wonder about my own.

That you have a life--courteous, intelligent-- that I wonder about more than I wonder about my own.

That you have a soul--your own, no one else's--

that I wonder about more than I wonder about my own.

So that I find my soul clapping its hands for yours

more than my own.

M.O.

Sandi you are the flower, standing straight and tall. This morning the Winds ceased their anger and the Sun shines to cast a brilliant palette of dancing light and happiness. May your heart, mind and memories focus on the good, the truth, the splitting open, the distanced travelled the warmth of love that is for you. Mom Sharon

Southern Belles--the Artists' Way

Sarah, kiddies, Howard and I visited an intriguing museum, once a beautiful chateau, majestically over looking the turquoise waters of Lake Geneva. I remember best the sky packed with energy, clouds swiftly casting lavender shadows on the ground below. It was one of those transcendent moments, etched in one's memory. I brought the photo to class, hoping I would be able to recall the beauty of the moment last summer.

(This is the back view from the chateau, looking into the immense estate gardens.)

Charlotte, North Caroline--February 2009

Eighteen eager painters, one teacher (Connie Winters) and workshop organizer (Sharon Schwenk) results in a well planned, fun painting workshop. Host it in Charlotte, North Carolina and you have the added ingredient of SOUTHERN CHARM. My second workshop with Connie was as exciting as the first in 2008. The gracious friendliness of the women still the same. There were about half of the women who attended last year in attendance. It was fun to renew acquaintances.

Connie is a well known, highly respected artist, represented in many top notch galleries through out the states and France. She has a distinctive style, rather like the southern mystique: refined, quiet but with healthy doses of energy, color and sparkle. She is a prolific painter, keeping the galleries filled with beautiful paintings.

We arrive at the Matthews Community Center each morning at 9:00. Everyone is chatting and eager to start the day. Connie, a true professional, starts promptly at 9:30 with her daily demonstration. Working from a photograph she has personally taken in France, she works through her steps "on stage." She is patient and happy to answer the questions, which are numerable. Periodically she stops so that everyone can line up and take a photo. This is always interesting as some of the women with "fancy-nancy" cameras really aren't sure how to use them!!! You have never seen so many lah-de-dah cameras in one room.

This painting is as complete as Connie will make it during the workshop. She completes the painting at home. The women can purchase the workshop demonstration canvases, completed and framed.

Connie has "time proven" steps in constructing a painting. The steps help us be more successful with our own paintings. It is a real treat to have a teacher who knows how to share her style of painting, is patient and wants her students to succeed. This is the last day of the workshop. Sharon is moving paintings around for Connie to critique.

On Friday, after the last demonstration and a delicious lunch provided by Sharon, we clean away all of our painting gear...packed off to our cars. The room suddenly looms vast and empty. Moments ago it had been overly full.

The rest of the afternoon is spent listening to Connie individually critique one canvas each painted by the artist. For me it is an opportunity to look at other's art, see for myself what are the strength and weaknesses, then compare to what Connie has to say. Sharon looks pretty tuckered in this photo. She has such a big responsibility to keep the workshop flowing smoothly, help anyone who needs help and prepare three delicious lunches.

This year there was a couple, Melanie and Tony Alexander who attended the workshop. She is a faux finisher. They have been taking workshops together. I stood next to them. They produced some lovely paintings. The easel to the right of the photo is the "Cadillac" of easels....way over my budget!!

Another view of the classroom. The first day of class, three different floral still life arrangements are set up. The floral arrangements are lit with spotlights. We all juggle around to find the still life we like and a spot to put our easel. My first choice arrangement was too crowded, so this was my second choice. This is my version of the still life. I love the yummy yellow. It is a happy painting.

My easel is next to the women, back to viewer, bending over the table. I was by the outside door and the table where the participants got their paint thinner, paper towels, etc. People were always passing by. A rather "chatty" corner of the room.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday we would line up for a fun lunch. Sharon was once head of the school district's school lunch program, and herself an accomplished cook. The food definitely had a southern sensibility to it. Eating-in was fun because it gave us time to visit with one another.

Here we are eating. Sharon is in the left corner, Connie next to her and Lynda Baddour with the silver hair and glasses is from Chapel Hill. Her husband is the athletic director for the North Carolina University. Hunter and Howard were pretty impressed when I told them who I had met....not that I knew he was so famous! She was one of the ladies who went to the Thai dinner with us on Wednesday evening. (previous blog) Lynda is a newer painter, caught up in the painting fever!

This painting was inspired by a photo in a little village outside of Aix, Provence. Matthew, Sarah, kiddies, Christopher, Howard and I climbed the steep hills, peeking into charming homes and patios, spotting views from the many slate rooftops standing as sentinels over the lower valley. I recall turning a corner, happening upon this little cubby hole of charm

Cezanne's atelier in Aix, Provence is where we spent a few hours, day dreaming inside Cezanne's studio. It stands as it was when he passed away. Props we have seen in so many of his paintings lined the walls, bushy brushes, tattered hat and coat casually tossed on a coat tree, dusty frames, unfinished canvases, bent and spent tubes of paint gently coaxed us into his world. One could feel his life force within the walls.

Outside, the sun was brilliant, the shadows deep and purple casting long fingers on the dirt paths. Tables were filled with visitors and sleepy lazy cats. How could one not want to paint it?

Adieu Dear Valentine

Roses are Red,

Violets are blue

Children are sweet

And love ART, too! Happy Valentines from the Boys and Girls Club

Two weeks before Valentines and all through the room, were the sounds of crinkling tissue and paper being clipped. Soft pastel was sketched on banners filled with hearts and hands. No one could resist the tactile softness of smearing pastel. Glue was applied by finger or brush. One cutie pie accidentally popped the lid off the Elmer's Glue and glue flooded down her new jeans and dripped into her "Lugg" boots. We nearly set off the fire alarm over that one!!!! One afternoon was devoted to creating valentines for loved ones and friends. They sure had a whole lot of friends, as fingers were flying creating little cards for giving. Some didn't forget a special card for a mommy or daddy.

The "teens" at the club put on a Valentine party for the "young ones" meaning those in elementary school.

Games, pizza, and staying an extra hour at the club.

Valentine Day was spent driving to North Carolina,

to visit Kayla, Luke, Hunter and Molly.

We haven't seen Luke since November. What a BIG boy he is!!! Personality, smiles and appetite galore!

His smile melts a grandparent's heart.

One doesn't walk very far holding Luke, sitting is much easier and safer.

We all think he will be crawling in March!

Miss Kayla welcomed us with adorable handmade Valentines all covered in candy hearts. Not a single candy heart was missing!

But in this photo, it would appear that she is getting away with something...hmm, maybe eating all those gorgeous blue and green "PEEPS."

Or perhaps it is Luke who is munching the PEEPS! He looks like he will keep his secret for awhile longer. Howard had some needed dental work done, spent one day driving around the Carolina countryside and playing with Kayla and Luke. Sharon was painting at a workshop, meeting more southern artists, and enjoying her Carolina artist friend, another Sharon. Sharon invited Sharon and a few other workshop attendees to her home for wine and "good old cold water," a tour of her home, studio and art and then dinner at a Thai restaurant. It was so much fun to go out with the painting ladies! Southern women are gracious, friendly and lovely to be around. The workshop was successful. Evenings were mostly spent at home with the children, tucking them in bed at night, reading and playing hide and seek. Grammy hid so well from Kayla, that when Kayla finally found her, and Grammy yelled "boo!" Kayla promptly shrieked and fell down on her bottom. We laughed a long time over that one. Our last day in Charlotte we drove to where Hunter has his dental practice, and ate at his favorite BBQ restaurant. Pretty good fare, especially tangy coleslaw on top of BBQ pork. Later in the evening we all went to see Madagascar at the dollar theater. Luke slept through the movie, along with Grammy, who was all tuckered out! Then the long drive home....to Havre de Grace taking with us sweet memories of a special Valentine week with Family.

Women for Women-Hand to Heart

The day was gray and biting cold, below freezing. Howard and I drove to DC, parked at a metro stop, taking the train to Metro Center, DC. Sitting in the barely warm, vacant metro car, I pulled out my invitation from Women for Women, to attend a gathering of country directors, board members, supporters and friends, facilitating an opportunity to mingle and share stories. Four years I have had the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful organization. This event was my first time to actually meet those who make it all happen, the directors, the sponsors and the women who serve as country directors.

It seemed so appropriate to hold this event at the Museum for Women in the Arts. A museum dedicated to women artists through out the centuries.

Hanging from the balcony was a banner honoring women from around the world who rise from the ashes of war fortified with courage to start life anew. These are the courageous women. These are my heroines.

The woman depicted on this banner is working with her strong hands making the stubborn red clay more malleable so that she can create pots to sell, providing the only source of income to sustain her family.

Notice the strength of her hands. It is interesting to reflect upon our hands. Our hands birth babies. Our hands bathe children. Our hands prepare food. Our hands provide shelter and comfort. Our hands tell stories to our children. Some women use their hands working in gardens and growing their family’s food. Some hands create pots, baskets, jewelry, blankets and other items for income or personal pleasure. Some hands work at other types of jobs. Our hands offer hugs and encouragement. Our hands prepare loved ones in death. The story of our lives is etched into the furrows of our hands. Hands are co-partners with our hearts.

Despite the cold, hundreds of women and a handful of men arrived full of enthusiasm and renewed commitment. Others came to learn more about the organization and perhaps join.

Two tables were laden with delicious finger food, served with linen napkins. The hummus was creamy and fragrant, very yummy. The asparagus spears were perfectly tender and crisp. Cheeses and breads, a date loaf dense and sugary teased our appetite.

The museum walls enveloped us with magnificent paintings. This painting is particularly appropriate with its table laden with fruits and vegetables. Standing erect a younger woman helps to lift the burden of another. This is the essence of Women for Women, lifting the burden of another.

Stronger women, Stronger nations. The dichotomy of crystal chandeliers, elegant walls lined with priceless art, linen napkins, marble floors and the feet of women who despite their personal stories of tragedy, now live lives of quiet dignity and service to their fellow sisters.

Niger, Bosnia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Republic of Congo, Kosovo, Sudan--are countries that hold tight to their breast, unbelievable stories; stories of women and children overcoming the odds of death, rape, hunger, torture and loss of loved ones. On this beautiful evening, we paid tribute to these women who now serve as their country's director. As they once were helped by Women for Women, they now help their fellow sisters.

Each director spoke to her country's needs. Expressed gratitude and humility for all that is being done for them. Their stories inspire us to do even more for others. It is so easy for us. These women are in the United States for two weeks, touring and meeting people from government officials to ordinary women living extraordinary lives. I wonder what impressions they will take back to their own countries.

Each month over 10,000 letters are exchanged between sponsors and women. It is the beauty of the program, the personal touch, the reaching out. I like to think of each letter having wings attached to its words and flying into an other's heart.

www.womenforwomen.org