There is Always an Exception to every Rule

Those of you who know me, know that I am usually marked as a "no tag" zone. Not that I don't appreciate the sentiments- I do.. very much! I just have not mastered time yet - and never seem to have enough of it. But in this instance, I am going to make an exception. Mainly because of the person who has bestowed this honor on me.

She is an amazing person, an talented artist and a kindred spirit of sorts. She hails from my birth state, which automatically makes her a GREAT person (lol. Yeah Texas!) and our similarities are uncanny (even she doesn't know this one - but we actually look somewhat alike!) Beyond all of that, she is a wonder when it comes to supporting fellow artists. Always there to lend an encouraging comment and always with a great big smile! So many, many thanks to Sonia over at the Dark Ravens Nest!! Not just for the award Sonia, though it is lovely- but for all of your support through out the year and for just being you!

Of note: Sonia has started a new "ritual", as it were - Sonia will be showcasing "new" artists every Thursday on her blog. "New" meaning artists that she has sought out, tripped across or in someway have caught her eye in her travels in Bloglandia- all in the promotion and love of the arts and fellow artists. I have to say... Sonia Rocks!

If you haven't been to The Dark Ravens Nest make sure you check it out- http://darkravensnest.blogspot.com/

and with that: here we go::

Seven of my favorite things (in no particular order):

1) My little stone cottage beneath the tall trees;

2) My son- who makes me laugh every day;

3) Conversations with my Pop- who keeps me grounded and focused and supplies endless encouragement;

4) My studio- An "up cycled" delivery truck with a huge open porch, where I can hear the babbling of the stream below;

5) Possibilities and opportunities- and the amazement I have in the amount that are presented to me on a daily basis;

6) That moment the Seasons change; when you step outside and feel the sun on your face and smell the earth thawing, and you can't help but smile because you know what wonders are about to happen;

7) Unexpected encounters- with people, with things, with life.

Now - I am going to break protocol here (like you expected less? I have never met a rule I didn't feel the need to break! :o) )- And as such, I am refusing to list seven blogs and/or artists to pass this on to - instead - I hereby pass it to everyone that visits this blog! I could never make up my mind- you are all so creative and inspiring - So Please- Accept this award, check out Sonia's blog, smile as much as you can, pass it on and have a wonderfully creative life!

Changes, Challenges, Beginnings and a List

Well, it is officially Spring, and as the buds start popping (and the pollen starts blowing) things are starting to go crazy here at the studio and changes are in the wind. It is inevitable (change, that is) and yet when it happens all at once it can be over-whelming, even when you know it is coming. The first big change you will be noticing, is of course the outline of the blog itself. I have found that there is so much going on, in order for me to make any kind of attempt to keep up and keep organised, I needed to do a complete format change- so over the next several weeks, I will be tweaking and adding tons of new stuff- so keep checking back! I have heard tons of feed back from people about elements that I have to keep because they are so loved - and rest assured - they will stay as they are - just adding a bit more of the fun and informative. And since the business end of things are taking off- I will be listing the business end of things here as well - as my web sight is under construction - and this will the main connection site - for now. As for the other changes, I have decided in order to make it quick and painless, I will keep up with bloglandia's obsession with lists. Numbers, subjects only, no vapid gushing or superfluous detail-straight to the point. I like it.

So here goes:

New assignments, challenges, accomplishments, changes and other various things that have otherwise kept me on the verge and out of sight:

1. Studio overhaul (winter to spring)
2. Teenager with a driving permit
3. Grand package from a long "lost" perfect friend (photo-ey goodness supplied later)
4. Paintings to be published in a book (there are loud screams of delight w/ this one) -update in August
5. Same paintings to go on a continental tour (more screams of delight)
6. Paintings aforementioned- yeah - still have to finish some of them- (I think it's the whole publication pressure)
7. Loss of a family member (a blessing that has ended long suffering)
8. Teenager with a driving permit, hormones and a girlfriend (this one deserves mentioning twice)
9. Starting to teach classes- update June
10. Artfire shop- stocked April
11. Etsy shop overhaul- this week
12. No more frozen pipes (yeah!!)
13. Planting garden this week (double yeah!)
14. Show schedule being finalised (anyone who does this knows this deserves a triple yeah!)
15. 2 months 2 weeks till school lets out -Woo Hoo! (vacation starts)
16. Purchased a dive boat
17. Purchased new dive equipment (it is gonna be a great summer!)
18. Almost done working my butt off at a job that is sucking the life out of me
19. Purchased a bunch of fabulous artwork from three amazing artists- update when received
20. Article written for a grand magazine
21. New laptop - just to make sure I have no down time. LOL
22. New 21 inch flat screen- just cause I'm getting old....NOT :0)
23. Planning a 3 week inter coastal waterway sail, from FL to??? (leaving room for Heather to stow-away)
24. Working on two challenge pieces for two fabulous groups (MMMM and Wendy Froud Sculptors)
25. The Nine Modern Day Muses and a Bodyguard
26. Creative Awakenings
27. Kaleidoscope
28. Art Guilds
29. A wedding
30. A divorce
31. A commission for a cake topper (that should be interesting, I mean, fun- definately a new one!)
32. Altered Bits

Ok - I think that will do for now. I thank all of those wonderful friends and bogging buddies that have phoned and emailed -wondering if I were bound and gagged in a closet somewhere. I appreciate the good thoughts and concern - as you can see I am merely going out of my mind- blazing bravely into my new world- armed with nothing but a stock of clay, a paintbrush and a smile. Hang on- it's going to be a wild ride!

We took a look.

We saw a Nook.

On his head he had a hook.

On his hook he had a book.

On his book was "How to Cook."
We saw him sit and try to cook.

He took a look at the book on the hook.
But a Nook can't read, so a Nook can't cook.

SO...

what good to a Nook is hook cook book?

And now good night.

It is time to sleep.

So we will sleep with our pet Zeep.
Today is gone. Today was fun.

Tomorrow is another one.

Every day, from here to there,

funny things are everywhere.

-Dr. Seuss

In the Meantime :0)

OK- so I know that I promised to post a few of the in-process/sneak peak of the "Organics" and, I promise- I will. But some time you just have to break up the monotony of things. So- while the studio was frozen, I had to find other creative outlets- which interesting enough, led me right back to the studio. In an attempt to "warm" things up and boost the inspiration level of my work space.. I took a bunch of these........

And added a bit of this and that. A LOT of that wonderful German Glass Glitter, a few sticks, a bit of wire and a whole lot of ribbon. And now when I look up at my studio sky, it looks like this:

This of course is a "night view"- So I ran back out to the studio the next morning to get a "morning view" And I was not disappointed - the lovely pink goodness that envelopes the inner core of the studio was crowned with shimmery bursts and (since I always have to respect the dark side that rules over my Muse) Long, sharp pointy stuff that looks as though, should you take one step out of line - they will get you! Muah ha ha!

My stock of glass glitter has been severely diminished and the bottles are now under constant surveillance of the Guard:

Along side a constant reminder: A small chip board that I altered a while back

"CHOICES~ For The Cure Of Stuck- Stuck. In A Rut"

When things start to get redundant -it's time to make a few choices and shake things up again!

So there you have it. One more inspirational quick fix for the winter BLAHS... Every little bit helps. For those that live half their lives in temperatures below 25 degrees - you know how important it is to find little things that just make you happy. Looking up to sparkles, music blasting from all corners of the studio, the warm glow from the heater, and the stream of visitors and well-wishers that stop by to lookey-lou on progress made, share a glass of wine or just bask in the warmth of friendship, firelight and creativity. These are the things that get me through these cold months. The days are starting to get longer and brighter- soon they will be getting warmer. And a whole new exciting season starts to breathe at the studio- I just can't wait.

As for my new inspirational glittery goodness - they are staying. I can only imagine how they will sparkle when the sun hits them in the morning. Should be quite a show!

Welcome and Happy 14th~

Greetings and Salutations!

Come on in, have a look around~ and welcome to The Wadsworth~Noll Studio!

We hope that you are enjoying your travels with the blog party! A great big Woo HOO for our hostess!

I will just give you a bit of a background, and then shoosh you out with a hug and best wishes~ and hope to see you again! Please feel free to browse in the gallery or pop on over to The Giggling Goblin at Etsy - I will be updating that shop shortly. Sooner, if the temperature stays above freezing!
I am a mixed media artist with a concentration on my Poppets of Persecution. I have been working with mosaic, acrylic, and re-purposed sculpture for over 20 years, and have been working with clay for the last 10 of those 20. Wadsworth~Noll Studio was created as a dedication to the great women that have gone before me~ Those that have influenced my life, my decisions and are the constant voices in my head :0)

My grandmothers and great aunts: two paternal- two maternal - "Wadsworth" and "Noll". One great aunt is currently still with us, creating and painting in sunny FL at the wonderful age of 92. What a blessed woman!
Don't get me wrong~ the men in my life (meaning my father and grandfathers) have had an incredible influence on me as well just in a different way. They have given me the tenacity and courage to stand on my own. Honor and integrity; an infallible support system, and gardening skills!

I love Valentine's Day because the Gerbera Daisies make their appearance! A brilliant display brought to us, usually from our neighbors to the north (these particular Gerberas were grown in Canada!) Yet, unlike the crocus and grape hyacinths - I don't have to wait until the ground thaws for the prospect of Spring. I LOVE Gerberas!! From February thru November~ I can get these babies to bloom and re-bloom. A perpetual inspiration and reminder of what a simple dabble of color can do- how it can just make your whole day POP!

Now- normally- I am not one for cutsie~cuties little bunnies and such~ However, during a recent road trip across the country, I happened to have had a very substantial birthday and to celebrate this very substantial birthday, we happened upon a Cracker Barrel for a very early breakfast. On our way out, this little guy caught my eye - and it was love at first sight...

I'm not sure what attracts me to this little guy - but I just could not imagine not finishing up the travels without him peering through the back window, teasing the passer-bys . I think maybe it was a moment-hare'y (sorry - could not resist) serendipitous situations when we had both fallen down the same rabbit hole; or perhaps I had fallen down and he was clambering to get out..

Either way he has come into the realms of Wadsworth~Noll and has settled in just beautifully, even if I do hear him muttering now and again about the cold weather!

Long day here at the studio~ Last night, though I had several other things to finish (A Wicked challenge for starters~ my bad - sorry guys!) these little guys just kept popping to the surface- wanting to be seen, waiting to be heard - so not there are more U.F.O.'s to work on - and a time slip that is not expanding!

So, in and out on this glorious, yet very brisk, chilly day . Warm your hands by the fire.
Grab a glass of wine, and enjoy your travels!

Best wishes and warmest regards to you all.

Happy travels - and Happy Valentine's Day!

May your day be filled with joyous bits of delight and wonder!

Just a thought.

One thing I have learned over the years - Do not blog when you are suffering from disappointment AND have made the mistake of watching the news.
Bad things happen and rants take on a life of their own. Next thing you know you are on a soap box tall enough to challenge the Empire State Building. And it's very hard to get down.
Rather than head down that road, I'm making a quick left turn and instead am going to leave a short list. I know next to zero (and it becomes more apparent every day) but what I have figured out is this:

-Tomorrow is another day. Remember to take time. there really isn't enough.
-Show those people that are important to you that they are important to you. If for no other reason - be selfish - think of how horrible you will feel if you don't get another chance.
-Pride will get you nowhere. In fact, it may cost you more than you realise.
-You really need to laugh more often. Act silly. Dance. Sing. Do something outrageous.
-Don't be scared - Change. Everything will be OK. Fighting it is futile.
-Everyday, every second brings another set of choices. Take advantage of them.
-Be kind. To those you know - and those you don't.
-Smile. even if you have to fake it to start - you'll mean it in the end.