We have been watching a carolina wren nest for the past couple months.  Three little chicks have been patiently waiting for to take flight.

Today they did.

They flew the coup and ventured out into the world.  Mommy and daddy and are chirping around the neighbourhood encouraging the chicks to fly around and check out the neighborhood.  Poor things, I watched them fly into the garage door, the wall and then scramble around the trees.

But I have faith in them.  Every spring a new crop of chicks brave the new world.  They are taught by their parents how to survive.

They hear the danger calls and hide.  They watch and learn how to feed.  It is truly amazing.

God’s nature is a marvel… ever surprising… ever amazing.

Happy Easter everyone

I chose this Virtue for the month of March.  First off, Bob and I are about to begin a massive editing of the comic Weirdsdale.

As many of you know this project has been in the works literally for years.  Bob spends much of his time drawing and coloring the book.  I am writing it.

We have reached a point in the process where we are going to review all that we have and edit it, to make it better, to fix the things that are not working and to make the changes that have come about throughout the process.

Together we are stronger, indeed.  As I said, Bob has been working on drawing the comic and I have been writing it.  To some extent these are lonely and individual pursuits.  Through this editing process we look forward to working together closer than we have in the past and perfecting the project as we move forward.

Secondly, over the next couple of months we are having friends and family coming from home to visit us in Florida.  We miss them all so much and look forward to connecting once again, in person, and not over the phone lines and or through Skype.  Together we are stronger and we can’t wait to renew the bonds, make them even stronger, and share a little unity with the family.

Here are a couple alternate covers Bob has come up with.

I remembered a poem I wrote many years ago.

LOVE

Love like chilled wine

Puts sparkle in the eyes

Intoxicates the tongue

Inebriates the brain

Puts in abeyance all responsibilities

Oh Love, let me love

Yet keep my faculties clear.

Wikipedia says Hope is the belief, with reasonable confidence in a positive outcome, that events will turn out for the best and feeling that something desired may happen.

For me, a new year is about what lies ahead.  What new and wonderful things will I accomplish?

What challenges will I face and will they change the direction of my life?  There is so much to hope for, to plan for, and to dream about.

With reasonable confidence, I see the glass half full. There is always a hope, a chance that it will turn out for the best. I believe that we can enhance the chances of success if we work hard for it, pray for it, and get a little lucky.

The New Year is a re-set button. Time to toss old stale files, clear up some clutter. Begin with a fresh positive hopeful outlook.

Hope is believing that things will work out.  Being hopeful is easy.  Faith is a little more difficult. Faith is knowing things will turn out.

faith is the assurance of things hoped for.

Hebrews 11:1

Here, in no particular order, are a few things I hope for in 2012

I hope to exceed my own expectations and become a better person.

I hope to do more with my photography.

I hope that our book will make a difference in someone’s life.

I hope that my family is healthy.

I hope that 2011 was the start of bigger things.

I hope that Connie has lots and lots of handmade cards to make.

I hope our troops around the worlds come home soon.

I hope for change in the Whitehouse

Happy New Year Every Body!

This year, in particular, Yellow Dog Artistry has much to be grateful for.

We are grateful for the angels who touched our lives this year.  We know that angels are all around us, and yet they go about their business unseen.  This year, two Angels in particular showed themselves to us in a profound and life changing way.

These are not chance encounters.  We know it.  We see it to be true.  And we are grateful.

To those souls who have left us this year and joined the angels, we are thankful that you touched our lives as you have.

To everyone who has bought our book, we thank you for the support.  We are proud of our work and we hope you will learn and grow from the values expressed in Virtues.

To all family and friends, we are grateful that you are in our lives.  We wish we could see more of you.

Garden District Artists Gallery 818 East Lemon Street

863-604-8550 or email gardendistrictartists@NOSPAMyahoo.com

Come shop some of the best local artists, bring a friend & share some holiday fare!

Attending Artists: Punam’s Perfections; Ilene Phelan “Studio Art”; Mary Bassham Jewelry; The Art of Silk; Margaret Conte; Carol Bright ; Yellow Dog Artistry

Jewelry, Pottery, Silk scarves, Artsy Collectables, Glass Art, Photography, Painted Furniture, Holiday Ornaments, and more!!

The book, Virtues, was once again well received as were his paintings.  It was a successful day.  We joined him later in the evening for a wine and cheese reception and had a chance to walk around the museum.   Yellow Dog Artistry has had a great couple months and we hope that the trend continues.

Take a gander at the frames I picked up at an antique market the other day.  They hold four 8×10 photos and are wrapped in brown suede.  Really cool and they work perfect for promoting the book and complement our booth display quite nicely.

I couldn’t believe the price I paid for them as the vendor didn’t want to pack them up and take them home.  (I know that feeling.)  Someday I might sell them for a huge profit, although I think the grand kids would look great in them as well.

Lakeland ‘s First Friday event on Nov 4th was cool.  That’s weather cool.  It is fall in Florida.  We have to start rolling down our sleeves. Once again the event was well travelled although not as busy as previous First Fridays.

We sold a frame and a book and some cards.  Nothing spectacular but it’s always nice to get out and meet the folks.

An early Saturday morning later, Bob and I hit the road for a one day show in Bradenton. I was really pushing the book, but the stream of octogenarians didn’t seem interested.  The one book I sold to an vendor who painted incredible ocean scenes was to be sent to Korea as a gift. 

Both of us have space at Arts on the Park, for the next two months.

My framed prints are on clearance. I need to shed inventory and change strategy. I will also be spending more time on the book and some new projects we are working on.

Next week Bob has a one man show to promote Virtues – The Book.

Gems & Jewels Artist Market

Wednesday, Nov 16 10:00a to 7:00p

at Polk Museum of Art,Lakeland,FL.

Your favorite jewelers and artists are back to dazzle you with their unique creations. It’s a great opportunity to buy a wonderful, hand-crafted present for someone special in your life — or for yourself! Plus, be sure to come by for the wine & cheese reception from 5-7 p.m.

Artists who will be exhibiting at this year’s Gems & Jewels include: Leslie Belcher-Huston, Carol Bright, Angela Dickerson, Mary Bassham, Marilyn Richey, Stefanie von Paleske-Bush, Punam Saxena, Vicky Luffman, Ilene Phelan, Koko Brandao, Bob Smeets, Kathleen Bridges and Kim Womble.

More at ya later.

Please browse around and get a feel for the site and for what we are trying to do.

A good starting point is Virtues, our new discussion book. Please leave us a comment and join the discussion.

The site is currently under development over. Please book mark us and come back often.