Expression

This is my set of virgin watercolor brushes. I really like them. I chose them for their long rubber textured grip handles and their soft bristles (and the affordable price.) I used to have a set of pretty yellow-handled brushes. When I bought them several years ago, the lady at the art supply store was excited about the brand name. To me their brand was unimportant. I just needed brushes. At this present time, I don't know the whereabouts of those brushes. My kids would tell me, "They're somewhere, Mom!"

Uh huh!

Do kids really appreciate the difference of a $30 paintbrush? I wonder if I even would at this stage in the game....LOL

I took classes with Wanda several years ago, but life has a funny way of happening, donchaknow? The palette got tucked away in one corner, the tubes of watercolors in another dark place, the brushes claimed by another family artiste, and the passion was even tucked away. I gave up watercolor.

One day this last April, I sifted through some old papers. I stumbled across a greeting card I'd painted for my gramma. Sadly, I'd never sent it to her. She never got to see it; she never got to receive it...or feel that joy of having someone send a hand painted card. Luckily for me, though, I still have it and it was the perfect prompt for me to call my paint instructor and inquire about classes again. I collected all old art tools and headed off to class. I've even already gotten my first commission!

...and at the time of this posting, I have painted with the brushes. They work quite well.

Bumble BEEDS!

While in New Jersey, my cousins took us to Absecon to visit a little shopping village called Smithville. I found a little bead shop where I purchased these brightly colored lampwork beads. I haven't quite decided what to do with them yet, but I do know that each of my daughters and I will have a piece of jewelry of similar design. The orange bead is for Kait, the green bead is for 'Manda and the blue bead is for me.

Today, at the end of a shoot i did here at my house, Q was playing with the beads and was having a bit of fun. I decided to join him.

Anticipation

....yeah, so that word makes me think of Carly Simon's song. In fact, I will probably need to go listen to it before I leave this morning.

I placed an order for some art books last week. Two of them arrived yesterday. Oh!!! They are GREAT. One of them is geared for getting kids creating. "The Creative Family" by Amanda Blake Soule. My girls are both really creative, but the boys just don't seem too interested. Although, sometimes, if I have a "group project" in progress, both Ryan and Alex might join in, but usually, in the conception stages, they have no interest. They just usually don't put much brain power into thinking about being vcreative on their own. There are some fun ideas that I can't wait to try. Oh! and Yes! Quincy ALWAYS loves to jump right in and has no fear of being creative.

The OTHER book that arrived yesterday: "Kaleidoscope" by Suzanne Simanaitis really got my creative gears cranking. I don't know why but even to smell the pages makes me happy. That paper smells soooooooo good! And the cover has a neat matte and glossy mix. So there is even the element of touch there. All the pages are filled with very visually stimulating images. I read most of the book last night before I fell asleep and had a hard time putting it down.

So back the anticipation piece....I eagerly anticipate the arrival of one other book and a periodical. Hopefully they will be here SOON! I can't wait to get my hands on them to devour them, too!