Moore Girls Picturing Poe

Moore College of Art - Illustration Major Classmates
L/R - Nan, Sandy, Carmella

On Sunday morning, a mini college reunion took place.

Picturing Poe:

Illustrations for Edgar Allan Poe's Stories and Poems

at the Brandywine River Museum

Our get together was just the spark needed for we three, ever searching middle aged creative friends. Even now, well into our fifties, we are all still trying to evolve and reinvent ourselves as artists. What will be our next new interest, project or direction? We talked about college, old times, teachers, art, artists, creativity, jobs, family, growth, expression, creativity, style, blogs, ruts and goals. We got absorbed in the art of more than two dozen artists featured in the exhibit, including some of my favorites; Édouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, Aubrey Beardsley, Howard Pyle and Arthur Rackham. We also went through the N.C. Wyeth and Andrew Wyeth exhibits. It was all very exhilarating. After a delicious lunch at the museum cafe, we strolled by the river and enjoyed the beautiful warm sunny autumn day.

Watercolor Sketch of Edgar Allan Poe

License this image through iStock here.

Thank you Nan, thank you Carmella, thank you Edgar;

for a most memorable and enjoyable day! 

♡

Whooo Doesn't Love Halloween?

Night Hawk

Northern Spotted Owl

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted - $85.

acid free, white core mat with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

SO, Whooo  doesn't love Halloween?

Because of Hurricane Sandy, today is "officially" Halloween here in NJ, according to our governor.

My car is still decorated.

I took all this stuff, plus costumes, down to Virginia with me for our Sandy Family Reunion.

(More about that to come.)

We put up the many decorations in our condo right away, but because of Superstorm Sandy, my sister, Denise, and I had to leave a day early, without having our full blown Halloween Pirate Party.

ARRRRRRRRRRR!!

To me, (and the whole Sandy family), Halloween just isn't a whole lot of fun without costumes! Our family has had some really GREAT Halloween masquerade parties over the years! They continue to be topics of conversation at many of our gatherings.

So, all ya landlubbin, scallywag scoundrels got 'til next year an' ye better be ready! 

Talkin' the talk be dandy, but ye better be walkin' the walk too!! Or ye'll all be visitin' me plank, beggin' fer me mercy. Listen up wenches; don't be actin' phony, like scurvy bilge rat dogs, ya hear?!

ERRRRRRRRRRRRR!!

Happy Day of the Dead and Extended Halloween

As part of a modern, global community, we are exposed to many traditions from varied cultures. With a festive attitude, many folks are embracing some of today's more unique celebrations. For two consecutive days just after Halloween, "Day Of The Dead" from Mexico, is a well received pagan holiday which is rapidly gaining recognition and popularity in this country and beyond.

"Day Of The Dead" *Sold

===================

Some quotes on "Culture" :

"Culture is the passion for sweetness and light, and what is more, the passion for making them prevail." (Matthew Arnold)

"All art is an individual's expression of a culture. Cultures differ, so art looks different." (Henry Glassie)

"I am sure that only art will bring together all the peoples of the world." (Ousmane Dia)

Here in NJ, because of HURRICANE SANDY, Halloween has been moved to Monday, Nov. 5th. It seems strange and of course there's a lot of confusion and contradiction about it. Anyway, in my opinion, any time Halloween is extended, it's a good thing. I am thankful that my namesake, HURRICANE SANDY was very kind to us. We never even lost our electricity. Storm damage was minimal here in Sandy Land. Since we just got our cable (internet, TV and phone) service restored last night, we've been out of the media loop. Thanks to everyone for your concern. I hope SANDY was kind to you as well.  My heart goes out to the many who are struggling with the aftermath of this powerful mega storm.

♥

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

Chased Home By Hurricane Sandy

We got chased home from our SANDY Family Reunion in Virginia a day early by Hurricane Sandy! Quite ironic since the whole "Al SANDY Family" planned a Birthday / Halloween / Site Seeing /Reunion this past weekend in Williamsburg Virginia! It was the first time we were all together since 2008. Even though our trip was cut short, I am glad to be back safely in New Jersey! Many of the roads we traveled from Virginia last night are now closed. I just heard they are experiencing snow and blizzard conditions in North Carolina and Ohio. It's just crazy!
 

Jerry got everything secured on the home front over the weekend.

Rudy thinks it's great. He loves the rain.

I had to call him in at lunch time.

He is warm and dry under his waterproof blankie.

If it gets too nasty, I'll have to lock him in.

Jerry's making sure the paddocks are draining as well as possible.

No need to close the other horse  in!

Princess Rita remains high and dry in her stall.

We sprung a leak in the barn, but so far Hurricane Sandy has been very kind to us.

Emergency conditions prevail in our area and all along the Eastern and now central part of the U.S. We have heard from the township, cable company and the electric company to expect outages. I am trying to get this out as fast as possible. It is blowing and raining like a bear!
Wanted you all to know we are fine and I hope you all are too! I never thought I'd be living through a major hurricane named SANDY!

Stay safe! 

X ♥ O

Another Witchy Wordless Wednesday!

Insulated Outdoor Cat Shelter for Feral Cats

This is Eva. She got dumped off here last spring.

Although she is somewhat feral, with patience and kindness,

she is starting to come around.

She has taken to sleeping in a little bed outside of my studio on the covered porch.
With cold weather upon us, I started looking online for instructions on building an insulated house for her.

I came across this step by step YouTube video with detailed instructions on how to make an insulated outdoor shelter out of a cooler! Jerry immediately whipped up two of them out of a couple he had on hand.

Eva took to it right away. Now she will be safe, cozy and warm all winter long.

We put the other one in the barn and think that Ja Ja is already using it too.

We will continue to try to get her to come inside at night, but until she is ready, she has this wonderful new house. It's a marvelously simple and economical way to provide shelter for your outdoor kitties.

Evie definitely gives it her seal of approval.

♥

and Eva

Kittens Win The Witchy Cat Contest!

Last week I entered a couple of photos of Pye Pye and Opie in a Witchy Cats Halloween Photo Contest hosted by Kim of Witch Cats and The Wiccan Life Blogs.

Today in the mail, we received our prizes! I love this wreath with a ribbon pentagram and cute witches and cats that Kim made. Such an original idea and so well executed! I found the purr-fect place to display it and this great seasonal decoration has already been hung on the wall. 

Kim also sent the kittens a handmade catnip toy mouse.

I woke up Opie from his nap and he was too sleepy to play much.

But Cutie Pye really got into it.

She gave it (and herself) a real good workout.

And with an exhausted grin, she says;

THANK YOU VERY MUCH Auntie Kim!!

We love our fun loving, like minded blogging friends!

♥

Pye Pye, Opie

and

Wordless Wednesday

♥

Witchy Wordless Wednesday