Received a fun piece of mail from my sister Amanda the other day. A piece of "junk" mail she received from the bank inspired her. Her note read,

"Here is a challenge for you! I don't know why the bank was sending out this glossy book that says absolutely nothing about banking, but I decided not to let it go to waste! Pick a page and do what you will, then send it back to me. You don't have to go in order (I didn't). Have fun!"

The mail included words like

Opportunity

Simplicity

Confidence

Clarity

Amanda worked on the "confidence" page.

Love this idea.

Crash!

I have this image in my mind - it has been there for a while - of a painting - of a dancer. Inspired by a photograph taken by another dancer. I try to paint it. Somewhere between my mind and my paintbrush it gets lost. I get frustrated and after weeks start on another canvas. Trying to convey that same image. It still does not come through. Paint over it. Try again. Paint over it. Try again. Still no. The other night I was walking through my kitchen with an armload full of stuff. Knocked over my easel. Paint flying. The canvas landing just right - so that the end of the easel punches a hole right in the middle of it. Ok. I give up.

Precious & Sweet

Had the most wonderful day with some of my girls a few weeks ago. (Scarlett, Ellen, Susan, Sherry, and Cynthia). On the hunt for a dress to wear to my son's wedding in June. What a great help it was to take the posse. I am NOT a good shopper and they were patient & persistent with me. I was told that the wedding was going to be "elegant southern". The joke between my friends was how was Minty going to pull that off? I was brought lists on How To Become A Southern Belle - with lots of (not) helpful hints, and pictures of Scarlett O'hara type dresses with my head pasted on them. One of the items on the 'how-to' list was to use precious and sweet in every sentence.

We had such a great time, giggling, shopping, eating (a fantastic lunch) and it meant so much to me that these friends shared this day with me. And we found a dress!!!

When I got home, I quickly sketched this cartoon. Named it "Precious & Sweet".

In honor of all my girls, who are all precious and sweet, and have blessed my heart. :)

Art in a Carton

Art in a carton is an art swap I joined a few weeks ago. Be sure to check out their blogspot to see the fun stuff going on. Thanks so much to Norma Soulet! I received my first carton this week. A bright and cheery painted carton contained adorable treasures. A cute fabric postcard with the message "Hope you like Halloween" was perfect - Norma: my birthday is on halloween. A beautful framed ATC. And I love the doll! - a sewn paper/painted doll - so wonderful. Thanks Norma!!!

To see more of Norma's work, visit creativityhasnolimits.blogspot.com

http://art-in-a-carton.blogspot.com

An experiment - not my usual style - so fun to try something new.

Spread your wings and try a new style.

Blue Splatter

So much fun to do. Just splatter splatter splatter.

Grace Artists at play

The third Sunday of every month, a group of artists gather together to play and experiment with different media. This month we played with watercolors. Was a little tired from hiking all afternoon, but really enjoyed it.