My Obsession with Golf...

...is starting to get in the way of my art when I have any spare time! This time of year (I am a fair weathered golfer only!) I really get the itch to get out and play. It's really the only outside activity I do besides some lightweight gardening and sitting on the patio relaxing. I have the best golf pro in the world that I took a lesson from last week and now I am bound and determined to make my golf swing look like a pro...ok, maybe not a pro, but much better than it is now! For all of you that have young children that may have an interest in the game, please find a way to get them some lessons! I really wish I would have played at a younger age - 31 was a little old to start, but at least it's a game you can play until you can't get around well anymore! My hubby is a great golfer and of course, encouraged me to start. He sure didn't know what he was getting into when he bought me my first set of clubs!! We do have a great time playing couples tournaments together and on our weekly night play on Thursdays. I do take my camera some and enjoy taking lots of pictures of our friends and different things you find on the course. You never know what you are going to see. Last night we saw huge bass fish trying to eat some baby ducks - it was the strangest thing I've ever seen! It is beautiful and peaceful, for the most part, to be out there and enjoying the scenery and good friends. I hope you all have something that you enjoy doing that is a great diversion from every day life...

Art in the Park for an Important Mission

This past Saturday, I actually did something I've never done before...put my art out for sale to the public (minus hiding behind my etsy storefront!)...now that doesn't sound like a big deal to some, but for me, it was. I've pretty much kept it to myself, in my little room for me to see. I think I had a guilt about actually collecting money for something I did to help myself, for my own mind and well-being and for the pure enjoyment of it. It was an absolute blast! My friend Robin talked me into doing it...and of course, mom thought it was a great idea. Robin is a co-worker of mine at Coldwell Banker Complete and she serves on the Board of Directors of The Robert Elliott Foundation, a foundation whose mission is to educate and be a resource for those suffering from depression and need help. Dr. Robert Elliott is the father of a very dear friend of mine, Mark (in the center of photo of the 3 guys! Along with him is Jimmy Simpson, another friend I love - I've known them both since 9th grade! Keith Pike, family friend is on the left) and father-in-law to Mark's wife Leah, one of the most beautiful and inspiring people you will ever meet on the planet. Dr. Elliott was a wonderful physician and member of our community and has been sorely missed since he passed away. His family and friends strive to help anyone in need from going through what they have and to keep Dr. Elliott's work to help others alive to this day. You can check out the foundation at http://www.robertelliottfdn.com/. I actually sold 5 paintings that day...it was a beautiful day. Lots of sunshine, kids, a 2k and 5k run, a petting zoo with I swear, the ugliest cow on the planet and wonderful laughter. My mom and dad came to see me, along with my grandpa and Aunt Sandy. It was like my coming out party! I will definitely do it again and am glad to finally be getting my name out there...it's a journey all in itself, but one I love going on...the paintings I sold are pictured above and I hope the fantabulous people who made purchases with me enjoy them as much as I did painting them....

Happy Mother's Day.....

to my beautiful mother and to all of yours as well. I am very lucky to have my mom close by.....we talk daily, well, usually multiple times throughout the day. It's why I live where I do - can't imagine living somewhere off and not get to see her all of the time. She keeps me calm, which is a chore, is the rock of the family and is so encouraging and postive - the polar opposite of my dear father! It seems as if she fixes everything and is always there to try and make things better. Mom has an etsy store as well, http://birdnestontheground.etsy.com; a place with beautiful handmade items such as quilts, pincushions, and very pretty pillows. Our tastes are not the same whatsoever, but we share the fun in having a place to sell our craft. You should really check it out - I am very modern in style but am so amazed at her level of talent and admire it very much as do many others in her field. I love you mom and hope you have a PIECEFUL day..........

Digital Enhancements

It is so amazing what you can do with images these days. I am always looking at the great photographers on etsy and admiring what they come up with. I have enjoyed so much, learning some of these techniques and just having fun with the outcome. The images here were taken from one photo of a tree limb. You can do anything if you try and want to know bad enough.....although I have to say, I'm not focusing very well because every time I turn around, there's something else that piques my interest! We had storms with heavy rain and tornados yesterday afternoon so I sat, once again, with my laptop and played on the computer. I really should quit messing around with nature pictures and get outside and get my flower beds in order!!

Photography Craze

Ok.....I have had my new Canon Rebel xti for about a month now.....I have probably taken over 3000 pictures in that time - I haven't really counted! I am driving my friends and family nuts but in all actuality, I know they like looking at all of the photos! I am absolutely having a blast! I'm keeping organized albums for easy future reference and really trying to learn to use it in my business as well, both in art and in real estate. It takes the best pictures and is very user friendly for a novice. Of course I read all of the reviews before the purchase and for the price range I was wanting, this one was perfect and had all great comments. I have fallen in love with naturistic images and this is one I took of some grass beginning to pop up in my flower beds - I just had to play around with digitally enhancing it.......I am so glad to be learning something new. I said to my husband the other day while we were relaxing out back that I wondered what I would be doing with myself, or how I would be feeling about my life at this point without my art......I don't know why I said it - and he sure didn't have an answer.......