Getting Ready to Leap!

“To live, to TRULY live, we must be willing to RISK.

To be nothing in order to find everything.

To leap before we look.” 
~ Mandy Hale

Signs for my New Art Gallery at 33 S. Main, in Medford, NJ.

 And a new adventure begins ....

Sign Design for my New Art Gallery - Opening Soon!

This is my first project layering, cutting and applying vinyl.

After over a 20 year hiatus, it really feels great 

to be back in the sign making business.

"If we never had the courage to take a leap of faith, 

we'd be cheating God out of a chance to mount us up 
with wings like eagles and watch us soar." 

- J. Stephens

Thanks So Much for Stopping By

X ♥  O

Hey, Is That Michael Jackson?

"Well begun is half done.

~ Italian Proverb

Phase One - MAC Scarecrow

Jerry started working on our Medford Arts Center

entry for the Annual Scarecrow Contest in Medford, NJ.
It still needs a lot of work, but it's fun work,

and we're both happiest when we are creating.

Hey, is that Michael Jackson?

 

Happy Fall and

Thanks So Much for Stopping By!

X ♥  O

My Solo Show Is Now Up At The MAC

I am so happy!

Everyone keeps telling me that the show,

 "An Evolution of Passion" 

looks really fabulous!

The exhibit opened yesterday and the time went by really quickly.

New friends and old stopped by to help, visit, get a speak peek,
 bring flowers, buy some art and in general, wish us luck.

When I envisioned the show, I knew it would be the biggest collection 

of Sandy Sandy Art ever displayed in one location.

(Several have already "left the building", lol.)

Thinking conservatively, cautiously I told people that 

"there would be over 100 original paintings on display".

Little did I realize, until after two days of set up, that there are

well over 400 original pieces of my art on display and for sale.

WOW! That was a shocker! 

Find out more about the show:

Don't Miss -

Reception this Friday

Free Demo this Saturday

Discount Purchases

Gallery Hours

here!

Hope to see you soon.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

X ♥  O

An Evolution of Passion - Solo Exhibit

"An artist must evolve to quell the voice within 

and find new ways to speak unspoken ideas." 

~ William Scott Jennings

Don't miss this "Once In A Lifetime" 
"One Woman"Show!

 "You have to evolve as an artist, 

and this is really a lifelong process." 

~ Mary Beth McKenzie

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP of SAND SCULPTING

I went to ATLANTIC CITY this week to check out the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF SAND SCULPTING COMPETITION. It was awesome!! Check out MY SLIDE SHOW here! Can you guess which ones were my favorites? Which one(s) did you like the best? 

In The Meadow - En Plein Air

  May all your weeds be wildflowers. 

In The Meadow

11.5" x 15" hand painted 'en plein air' watercolor on Yupo paper

16" x 20" double matted w/ foam core backing

See purchase information here.

This image is available for license here.

Yesterday I competed in the Medford NJ, "2013 Paint Our Town - Plein Air Challenge". Although temperatures soared into the mid 90's, I managed to find a shady spot and held up pretty well. This year the event took place on the Medford Leas Retirement Community's 160 acre impressively landscaped grounds. It was lots of fun and a very well run event. Upon arrival, our painting surface was marked and we were supplied with maps and information about possible painting locations.

Here is my set-up.

I learned so much, on many levels through participating.  I haven't really painted on location in years and setting up and working outside is not like being in the studio where everything's at your fingertips! The only thing I forgot was a spray bottle and my paints kept drying out.  I'm planning on putting together a "Checklist for Plein Air Watercolorists" in my next newsletter. Be sure to sign up to receive it in your inbox.

This picture of me  was taken by Beth, a sweet resident I met
who contributes to the community newsletter.

It was really good for me to get off the property. I tend to be a hermit. Most days, I'm here in my studio, painting, on the computer or hanging out with my critters. It was good to get out in public and it was definitely good to get out of my routine and comfort zone. Even though it was a lot of work, I'm charged up to do it again, hopefully when it isn't so darn hot.

Cutie Pye inspects the maps, brochures, and winnings.

Everyone I met or was reacquainted with was so nice! There was even a reception with food and wine after the judging. I am happy to report that I got a second place award and a cash prize for my painting of Katzell Meadow, titled "In The Meadow". That was just the icing on the cake though. The true prize was just being there in the moment, observing, feeling, painting, outside, in the zone, in the meadow.

Go to the meadow to stretch and grow

Get lost in her plume topped amber glow

Sparkling with gems in every color and size

Joyful appreciation the true grand prize

When is the last time you tried something
out of your comfort zone or routine?

What was it?

  What did you learn from it?  

 As Always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by!

Boardwalk Empire Facade on the Atlantic City Boardwalk

Here's a few snaps from yesterday, of the 'Boardwalk Empire' facade on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Check it out.

 It's pretty neat!

"The 180-foot long display is in front of the West Hall of Boardwalk Hall, near the intersection of the Boardwalk and Florida Avenue. It is a re-creation of some of the sets for the HBO television series, which is itself a translation of Atlantic County Superior Court Judge, Nelson C. Johnson’s history of Atlantic City." ~ PressofAtlanticCity.com

Another Road Trip! Atlantic City, NJ

Yesterday, my Nikon buddy, Nano, took a ride up to North Jersey with me. O.M.G. !  I came home with a beautiful new setup. With this new, popular, lighter weight body and zoom lens, I'll be doing some serious shooting. I'm anxious to get it all sorted out and set-up. 

Today I got up early and headed down to Atlantic City Boardwalk with college classmate, friend and photography mentor, Nancy Louie, aka; Nano. Because I haven't even had it out of the box yet, and because my main goal was to assist my friend, I didn't take my new baby. I took my little point and shoot Cannon PowerShot A590 instead. Here's a few of the untouched snap shots I got.

The morning shadows added to the atmosphere.

It was a beautiful morning. The early risers included bikers, walkers, families and seniors.

Although the background remained constant, the flow of people was ever changing. 

 The guys with the push carts were waiting in line. 

When the cart by the casino door got a passenger, the next guy in line would move up to the door.

Any time of the night or day, the Atlantic City Boardwalk is an interesting and unusual place. It's got a unique mix of the old and new with a "Down the Shore,  Jersey Style " gambling town character all of it's own. A great place to people-watch for sure!

We've done a lot of things to get across the message that the city center is not just a place to buy things. It's not just a commercial place. It's a place where you come in and sit on the boardwalk, have a cup of coffee and look around you.

~ John Fitzgerald

Action Packed Halloween 2010

From October 24th to October 31st my parents and sister Gaile, visited my other sister, Denise and I and our families here in NJ. Living in "the hell hole" as Gaile calls it, they all really miss the change of seasons and especially the fall foliage. You couldn't have hit it at a better time than last week! The color here was peek. I don't believe New England could be any prettier. The temperatures were mild and for the most part, very pleasant. We all had an action packed week which included pumpkin picking and carving . . .


bonfire, family gatherings with great food, picnic lunches, walks in the woods and always great dinners. And as an 80th / 78th birthday gift from us daughters to our parents, an all expense paid, overnight trip to Cape May New Jersey. The trip included more great meals, front row seats to a hilarious play, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), at the Cape May Stage, (where my dad and mom even got picked to participate in the show), a little bird watching and a great private tour through the Cape May County Museum. The next night, an 80th and 78th birthday PIRATE PARTY was fun for all.


After my parent's departure in their motor home, we sisters spent the last day at Grounds For Sculpture,


followed by a trip to Borgota for dinner and some gambling fun. One last picnic lunch on Sunday and it was over until the next time we meet up again. I've put a little slide show together with some of my point and shoot snapshots if you'd like to see more here.

The Beauty of Snow

We just got dumped on here in Southern NJ! I am thrilled. The last time we had a snow like this was in February of 2006. It's been gray and snowing all day here, so I haven't had a chance to get out with my new camera yet, but I will! These shots were taken by me three years ago out in my neck of the woods. I was using a Cool Pix 880 digital at the time. I'm planning on getting out in the next few days to get some fresh new snow shots with my d2x. I'm chomping at the bit! I put together an album of photos taken this morning with my point and shoot, Cannon A590. It's a great little camera for capturing the moment. If you are a friend on Facebook, please check them out. If you are not on Facebook or we are not friends there yet, what are you waiting for? :-D

It's No Snow Day, It's Show Day!

We got about four inches of snow yesterday and last night. I called the school this morning and was happy to hear that Medford schools were open and that the Chairville School Art Show will still go on as planned tonight. Sometimes here in NJ they call off school for just the threat of snow! I've got lots of things to accomplish this morning. My friend, Nancy Louie is coming over at lunch time and bringing another photographer friend to shoot. What fun!~ I took a short walk this morning in my "yard" while the snow was still clinging to the trees. Absolutely G E O R G E O U S ! Here's a couple of my shots. More to come later!!

More Fall Pictures

The bog at the end of my road looks serene any time of the year.


Some of Jerry's "Yard Art" watches over our property.

AFTER THE FALL IN THE NJ PINES

WELL, JUST LIKE I SAID, IT WON'T LAST. This is the same view of our wood's edge that I posted last time.


Now we have to get used to a grayish brown dominance to the landscape for the next four or five months.



Thank goodness Jerry's pretty handy with the blower!

I'm glad he's been keeping ahead of it.


We'd be more than knee deep in fall foliage by now.

FALL IN THE NJ PINES

What a beautiful time of year this is!

Here in the northeast, my environment changes dramatically.


As the foliage of our mixed deciduous forest changes hues, the results can be breathtaking. Everything outdoors seems to reflect a special warmth.


I must make time to savor this ultimately fragile, fleeting brilliance. It may be gone tomorrow.



The next rain and wind storm will most likely dramatically change the physical view of my world!