Spring Break!

Spring is here!

Thank heavens for the relatively warm weather

:)

Time for outdoor Sunday lunch on the waterfront with PW!

New painting!

Grapes from Napa Valley anyone? For sale soon on Etsy...

Could these flowers be any more bold and beautiful?

Especially in the early morning light..

And time to grow various plants in the window of course..

The middle one will (hopefully) be strawberries!

7 more hours and one minute until Spring break... yes I am counting the minutes....

Happy Friday:)

So ready for the weekend--even though I do believe it will be as busy as this week has been!

This gorgeous little flower bloomed in my classroom yesterday after the plant looked half dead all winter... AMAZING! And just in time for the first day of spring!

Up for Auction at PawCasso

A Day at the Winery

Acrylic on Canvas Board, 18 X 14

Three Satin Dresses

Digital Print 8 X 10

http://homewardtrails.org/pawcasso-art-auction/about

So excited to have these two pieces accepted for the Homeward Trails "PawCasso" art auction on April 24th. Wonderful cause, not to mention great exposure for my work! Tickets are only $50...Yes Iknow "only" but it seems as though it will be more than worth it :-)

Cafe Window 24 X 36, Acrylic on Canvas

Finally complete!

I have been having a hard time getting a good photograph with correct lighting so I may edit this post with a better picture.

Time for a new project...Oh the possiblities!

Cafe Window

24 X 26

acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Happy Friday-- I am so very ready for a weekend!

Out of town guests = A very touristy Sunday!

Wouldn't this make a great painting?!

My cousin and her friend were in town on their spring break so we did the monument walk yesterday. Don't believe I have ever walked right up to the base of the Washington Monument before. Being this close and looking up causes a slight unbalance in your sense of direction, that's for sure! Being touristy is great exercise, too and it is always amazing to see the monuments, even though I live less than 10 miles away...

P.S. The "chili with chocolate" was yummy, although no major distinguishable chocolate flavor!

Delicious I hope!

As I type, this is bubbling away in my Crockpot at home. Cooking is my latest up and coming hobby--I'm beginning to consider it art you can EAT! In this recipe, I am very intrigued by the chocolate.....

Chili with Chocolate!

1 lb ground beef

( I like to use ground turkey and in chili you can't taste the difference!)

1 medium onion

1 can diced tomatoes

(I goofed here... bought the tomatoes with green chilies--hope it works out)

1 can chili beans

1 tbsp semi sweet chocolate

1.5 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cumin

salt

pepper

2-3 tbsp garlic (minced!)

Brown the meat, toss everything in the crockpot.

Let it simmer on LOW for about 6 hours!

And since it is Friday, may I also suggest making these over the weekend?!!!

Beer Margaritas

A little lighter, bubblier version of a traditional margarita!

4 12 oz light beers

1 cup tequila

1 can 12 oz limeade concentrate

Salt for the glasses

lime wedges

And while sipping,

close your eyes and pretend you are here:

Almost finished!!

This painting is thankfully SO CLOSE to being finished! I discovered a T-square among my art supplies so I was able to straighten out some of the lines. Although for some reason, I am just now noticing that my camera makes the shutters look a little off kilter. I promise they are not at all that crooked! I'll have to double check that with my fabulous T-square. Last night I focused on details on the vase, curtains, and small lamp.. Tonight I'll finish up the flowers, add leaves in the upper right left corner, and touch up the edges. As tired as I am of looking at this one painting, I will hate to give this one away to my patient co-worker...

Shall I sell prints on Etsy?!

Student projects!

This year is going by way too quickly!!!

The bf and I are making big plans for next year that involve a possible job search for me! Exciting--yes, overwhelming--just a bit! I have lived in the same place for almost three years and have been so lucky to be at a great school with wonderful co-workers. I have very high standards for co-workers and administration now. That being said, it will be nice not to have to drive somewhere every Fri/Sun evening!

And I do feel pretty well prepared for interviews and such. I could literally teach art anywhere to anyone. I have taught students from all over the world who may or may not speak any English. I have taught from a cart, in a tiny trailer room with no sinks, in a small room with one sink and no storage, and have been told to switch rooms with a few days notice. Right now I am righteously spoiled by an enormous brand new art room with an equally large storage room AND kiln room!!! Except for Tuesdays when I am still on a cart and teach 5 kindergarten classes....

I could probably teach a successful art lesson out of the trunk of my car on a highway median during rush hour if they asked me too! As I update my portfolio with lesson plans and images, I am surprised at how many great projects my students have made. Here are just a few samplings from several different grade levels:

Such creative little brains they have! It always amazes me what they come up with or how they interpret my directions... Never a dull moment here!

New painting projects coming soon!