Remembering

Remembering ~ That, I took part in this ~ I sculpted the head of this Goddess of Liberty.
It was summer, 1989~ I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1984, BFA~
I was asked to sculpt her head.~ It really was an amazing moment. I say moment~ because, it was that fast. The V.C.U. Art students & graduates wanted & felt they needed to do something to honor the Art Students that had lost their lives in the Tiananmen Square Tragedy.
It was a very crazy ~ yet very organized two days.(click)
Now~ Please remember~ that I am ~ the Mom who sent her oldest son to China last summer.
And~ the really amazing thing is ~ that I was only weeks , pregnant with Gabriel at the time that I took part in this.
I have my own pictures of this day.The best are the pictures of how this very large & beautiful lady was lifted.
People ~ stopped their cars & got out & helped her get lifted up. She was on long, strong steal
rope and had to be pulled up to standing.

I have to say~ it was~ really beautiful to watch.
I remember how I felt. ~Amy~

Show

I am getting some pieces together to send to Illinois to an art show. I need a few more that will be for sale.~ So, I have been steady working on them. I will also be sending about two portraits, that I don't want to sale, because they are of my children. But, they will serve as examples of my children portraits and hopefully send some commissions my way.
And~ School starts next Tuesday~ I better be able to post @ least two finished pieces by tomorrow evening.~ Boy, I wish I were able to stay up at night & work. But~ I become completely wrecked. I am an "Early Bird". But~ those "Night Owls" seem to be super productive. ~Amy~
p.s.~ and I finally started my pallet knife painting , that I said I would try, while watching Susan Carlin do one of her painting demos. She was doing a portrait with a pallet knife . And~ I am making a fine mess of it. It is 11"x14"~ it actually looks better in this photo, than real life.

~Shelty Sullivan~1994~Aug.24,2008~

I wanted to thank everyone for the loving thoughts & prayers
that were sent to me & our Shelty Boy. I also wanted to share
this puppy picture of our handsome boy.
All I can say is,~ as hard as it was to let go of him~ he,
in his usual loving & watchful style, made it as easy on us as he could.
He died here in our home, he closed his eyes for the last time at
10:15 Sunday night. ~ We buried him in a lovely pine box that my
husband made, on a tree farm that my brother-in-law owns.
~o~
If it seems like this may not have been the best summer for our
family ~ you are so right! ~ I feel worn out. You know things have
been hard, if you are wondering if it is o.k. to be happy again.~
~ I say ENOUGH !~ I am very ready for things to lighten up!~
The last song they sang in mass on Sunday~ as Rowan & I were
leaving was~ City of God~. "He can turn tears into dancing"~
"Night into day."
I took that song home with me. I needed those words.~o~
Then today I wandered over to Pen Hallow Street"s blog &

found this quote~~ "God does not look so much at the magnitude of anything we do as at the love with which we do it."~ St. Teresa of Avila~

I always find something inspiring there.~ I took that quote with me
as I left. In fact I put it in my sidebar. ~ So, I have been going around
collecting what I need to feel better. ~~ My family has been beautiful & so
full of compassion. I am so proud of my children. I have been filling my pockets & heart
with as many wonderful thoughts & prayers as I can. So, I can smile at them & they
will know that everything is O.K.! :) ~Amy~

Best Boy

Well, I had written earlier that our boy Shelty was not doing well. He has not been feeling well this week. And, this morning I took him to the vet and she confirmed what I/we already felt.
Shelty is in his last doggy days.He is 14.~ So, we will be by his side and keeping him comfortable and loving on him. He really is the best boy ever.~Amy~

Day Trips

We did not get to go away for a vacation this summer. So, we took little day-trips.
This is at Lewis Ginter Garden, here in Richmond. 40 acres of beautiful gardens.
It is not a day trip, in fact it is walking distance from my house.
~~~ Doesn't this look fun?~ Rowan you are so lucky!~~~
This sprinkler fun happens in the children' s garden. They are built in sprinklers, coming up from the ground and overhead.




We have been visiting at least twice a week. We walk around, sit and talk. And then, I draw,
Hannah reads & Rowan splashes. These are little minnows nibbling at our toes, they tickled.
Not every time, but, sometimes, we treat ourselves to lunch
in the the Cafe. A very refreshing time. ~Amy~

Summer's End

Look at what I saw when I walked into my kitchen. From our garden & neighbors gardens. I made that plum jam. It is yummy. There was a plum tree across the street from my sisters house, heavy with plums. She made jam, I think everyone on the street collected plums from
that tree. Rowan & I went and returned home with baskets of plums. That is summer. Summer setting on my kitchen counter. Tomato sandwiches. Plum jam. Squash casserole.
I will freeze most of these tomato's for the winter.

Here is a little Angel I just finished. I really enjoyed painting him. I love his little hand in his pocket. I am not sure why I decided to give him a pocket. But, I like it & seems to suit him. He has such a gentle calm about him. He will be on ebay by tonight. Setting & painting these Angels in the evening has made my so happy.
I am also working on a portrait. I don't think I should post it, because it is a gift.I don't want to spoil anything.
~~~Amy~~~

Focus

Well, I sure have been a busy girl lately. I wanted thank everyone for all the sweet comments
on my posts lately. And, especially for the encouraging words on my little Angel paintings.
I am going to keep on doing them. And, still work on my portraits.
I have over the past couple of weeks received very kind emails from my arty, bloggy friends
and....they really have helped me put some thoughts together that have been buzzing around my mind. Thoughts about all things ,Art, that I do. Does that make since? Where to put my focus.
Susan Carlan, has posted a real list of her goals as an artist. And, I looked at it and thought
"Eureka !"....... Please don't laugh. (o.k. laugh) But, I realize that I leave to much of my artist life up to fate. Like a bumble bee, buzzing from one project to another. Working really hard on each one, but, no real direction. I love each thing that I do. But, I often feel scattered.
Susan was kind enough to write me, my very own email. In it she pretty much said, "Amy if it makes you happy, do it." "Eureka" , again.
So, I am busy writing out my goals, but not just goals, but actual ways of reaching them.
I am putting lots of thought into it. So, hopefully in the very near future, I will post them.

And, on that note I say to you all Thank You, again, &
Good Night, Sleep Tight &
May Your Guardian Angels Watch After You!
~Amy~

The Olymics !

~~~~my son, Gabriel in China~~~~







~~~my Gabriel~~~

The Opening Ceremony's for the Olympics are tonight!
So, I thought I would share some of the pictures that my oldest son, Gabriel, took when he went to China last summer. Yes, we sent our 17,( @ the time), year old son to China last summer.
He was part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program. I was very brave, because I wanted him to have this fantastic, once in a life time experience.
And, he loved it! If your child is ever offered this chance, the program goes all over the world, and you can make it happen, do it. I am not sure how, but, we made it happen for Gabriel and I am so happy we did.
I think tonight we will have to have some Chinese food for dinner. Even tho we know that the Chinese we get here is not the real thing. Like I was telling Jack,(he is going in April of next year) I am very proud of my son, because he tried and enjoyed the food that was so beautifully placed before him. A lot of the kids said they lived on fruit & rice during their visit.
I am really looking forward to watching the Olympics. So, I need to get going & get what I need to make those egg rolls. ~~~Enjoy~~~ Amy~~~

~~~~~Sunday Morning~~~~~WOW~ WOW~WOW~~~~~
That was the most amazing show I have ever watched!!!
We ordered our Chinese food. My dear friend Leslie came over and WOW! what a show.
I was so excited, I called friends & family to make sure they were not missing it. I left too many comments on poor Jack's blog, sorry Jack.
How did they do all of this? Just amazing ! My kids were glued to what they were seeing. "That was so cool !" They were completely amazed.
Click here for some high lights of the show. I managed to say AMAZED 3 times in this post, well it was "just amazing"!
~~~~have a lovely Sunday~~~~Amy~~~~

I sold my first piece on ebay! I did, I really did. So, I have just listed this little angel, holding morning glory's.
I needed this little boost.
Anyway, I have also been working on a portrait too, which I will post very soon.

I do have a funny story to share. On my travels up & down the highway last month, I drive past the exit to my old neighborhood. Well, on one return trip, I decided to pull off and drive past my old house. I haven't gone into my old neighborhood in years.My two daughters, Rowan & Hannah were with me. We slowly drove past the little ranch style house where I , "mostly", grew up. Hannah said ,"kinda small, isn't Mom?". Yep, a 3 bedroom ranch, that housed 7 children & my parents. "Girl room" , "boy room". Anyway, as I drove around the corner, it was a corner lot. I could see all the trees we had planted, not much had changed. And, much to my surprise I spotted the shed, over in the corner of the back yard.The surprise was that, it was put up some 19 years ago, and when it was, my mom asked me to paint something on it. Well, I painted this :
And, it is still there! My mom moved away from this little house like, 11 years ago, a few years after my dad died. I think there has been at least two different owners, since the Gethins clan lived there. (Gethins is my maiden name) Anyway, I got out of my car and took pictures of it. Actually, I had forgotten all about this little shed. My mom had a herb and flower garden all around it when she lived there. But, I thought it was funny that no one had decided to paint over it. The house had a fresh coat of paint, but not the little shed. Now, that tickled me. ~~~~~Amy~~~~~

Angels

Where have I been? ~~~~It feels as if all I have done this month is run up & down the highway, driving, not really running. There has been much sadness in our family, as my husbands oldest brother passed away and most diffidently is with our Heavenly Father. He was a most wonderful man. My heart just brakes. His life was beautiful. His wife & two sons and their wives and children, all the most beautiful , kind, Believing people you would ever want to know. As I watched them, as they all comforted the people around them, with hugs and love, I am reminded
how Blessed I have been to be a part of this family.

To comfort myself, I sat down & painted this little angel. I started making them way back when Gabriel was in preschool. I needed a Christmas gift for his teacher & I wanted it to be nice, having come from a long line of teachers, on my mothers side. So, since my husband is a cabinetmaker, lots of wood around, and my sons name is Gabriel, I came up with the ideal to make her an angel. That was the beginning. So, for the past 14 years we have made these angels at Christmas, for all four children's teachers. I also have given them as birthday, baby shower and Christmas gifts. I really have know ideal how many I have made. Nor, did I take pictures of them.
The process was always the same. Usually the night before I needed to paint an angel, for what ever gathering, I would say to my poor husband, "can you cut out an angel for me?" I really have the most wonderful husband. I would then draw out the angel & he would cut it out. Or, he would find me a nice piece of wood to paint one on.
So, on the morning of the gathering, I would wake up early ,still in my jammy's & paint my angel.

I get so much enjoyment from them. Setting there with all the wonderful colors in front of me. Just letting my imagination go and so relaxing in something I love doing.
So, while I was painting this little angel, I thought why not try selling my angels. I don't know how well they will do. But, I made up my mind that I will try.
As , I am growing my portrait business. I really do need extra income. These are the cold hard facts. As an artist, it can be so hard to look facts in the eye.

So, I have asked that my little angel painting business be Blessed.

I have opened my own ebay shop. Wish me luck. :)

Wow, this was a long post. As always " thank you for visiting". And, by all means go check out my
little angel on ebay.
Amy

Belong together

I thought I would post this portrait again, because, the Summer Portrait and this one were commissioned by the same wonderful person. So, now she has a portrait of both of her children.(shame that she does not have 7 children) : )
I don't think they will hang side by side. But I thought it would be fun to post them near each other. Enjoy your weekend ! I have alot of work to get done. And I am going to try & set up an ebay shop for myself. Wish me luck. Amy

Summer Portrait

I just finished this portrait. It was done with pastels and pencil. I like the way he is surrounded with the blue ocean. Very summery.Perfect time to do this painting.... I want to go to the beach.
Anyway, I wish I had gotten better pictures before I had to hand it over. The top photo, I used auto fix, in photo shop. The lower one is just straight up picture. I do not really know how to use photo shop, as you can see. But, the real painting is somewhere between the two in color.
We have alot going on in our family right now. This past week has past by so quickly.
Amy

Pencil

This little drawing was done with pencil & a bit of pastel. I didn't feel the need to add color.
I think the color of the pastel paper gives it an old fashion feeling. Just a nice little drawing, I think. :) ) This is Sophie & Virginia, Two Sweeties ......amy

Chock Full o' Love

The colors are much brighter in person!......This is a painting that was given to my husband by my brother-in-law, Greig Leach, for Christmas last year. Because, we have such a large family, we exchange names at Christmas. And, in the past, when anyone would get Philip's name, they would think "COFFEE", right away. Philip drinks coffee all day, even before bed. So, in the past he has recieved, fancy coffee mugs and fancy flavored coffee. Lovely gifts, but, for one thing. Philip only drinks Chock Full of Nuts and he only drinks out of one mug at home. He is a creature of habit. That one mug, is one I gave him on Valentines Day many years ago. I have to steal it from time to time to wash the flood lines, the dried coffee lines out. He uses the same cup, till it finally brakes. In our 18 years of marriage, he has had no more than 3 mugs. So, this year Philip was given the BESTEST gift he has ever gotten! This painting. Greig, titled it "Chock Full o' Love", isn't that just perfect? Clever titles are very important to his paintings. My sister & he will sit & look at his paintings and together think of the perfect name for it.
Greig is an amazing artist, his work is done with oilsticks on beautiful 100% rag paper . I don't know of any other artist who has become the master of oilsticks like Greig. He has been painting with them for more than 30 years now. He uses no other medium in his painting, from the 1st. sketch to the final piece, with its many rich layers, all oilstick. Beautiful !
My sister & Greig met at V.C.U. in the very early 80's. They were married with-in a year of meeting each other, they were young, but, they knew, they were soul mates.They have two sons, now grown.
From the very start, Greig has supported his family with his art. With the added income, by waiting tables or bar tending. But, selling his paintings has always been his main income. Not an easy task. He has never taken the attitude of, I will just have to wait to do my art. Greig is now and always has been an artist who paints everyday. Just Google his name, it will blow you away.Or, just take a look at his bio. That is alot of years of faith and not at all easy. As I have herd my sister say so many times, " We are Rich & Famous Today!". But, then there comes the days of being not so," rich & famous". The highs & lows of being a full time artist, has never squalshed the passion.
Bridget, my sister, has always been Greig's #1 supporter. Together they make an invincible team, of what to do next.
But, isn't it grand having an artist in the family? The BESTEST gifts ever! Amy

SUMMER

Tomorrow is the 4th of July ! Tomorrow is the 4th of July !!!! What ?...... So, I am going to be taking time away from this lovely computer that likes to suck me into it's world. I have so much wonderful work to do. And, I keep getting stuck here looking at everyone else's wonderful work.
So, away I go, like a little birdy. But, I leave you with a few pictures of the kinda art I will be doing.This is a lithograph print i did, called Family Portrait,it was drawn from family portrait of all 7 of us kids when we were young. The way the hands were knotted together was beautiful to me, but, I won't be doing lithos. I will however be using my etching press, yes, my etching press. It came from Jerry's Artaramma. It is the student press. It is so beautiful, well, to me anyway. I will be working on a few portraits. Yeah, my favorite thing to do.

This a pot that I made, I will be keeping it filled with flowers. I need to enjoy this summer, with little outings with my family. Make sure this summer does not fly away without enjoying it . Scrabble, walks, visits , little fun stuff. You know ! So, away like a birdy I go.
So, to the little summery things in life.
Amy

TEA PARTY !

I have looked forward to this day..... Don't you know ? Today is the "Mad Hatter Tea Party", hosted by the lovely Vanessa at , A Fanciful Twist. Vanessa is a very talented artist and I have always enjoyed visiting her blog. The art she creates becomes part of her enchanting world & life. So much fun. This is my first blogland tea party. So, I wanted to put my best foot forward. So, Welcome to the Party !
My favorite part of any party, is decorating the table. And, since there are going to be so many artists at this tea party, I knew I wanted to use one of my own pieces of pottery for the center piece. My choices were. This coil built pot, I love it.. Please click the picture, for a close up.
these pots are so pretty close up .But it is very tall. ( i'm not sure how or why it stands so well), maybe if I had a really large table. Then there is this coil pot. This pot is one of my faves, But ...
Too Big. Then, this one. The right size. But, I chose this creamy white coil built pot. Then I ran outside & picked my flowers. Roses, hydrangeas and dusty miller. Very pretty!
So, off to the kitchen to make my scones. We made orange, rosemary scones. Then Hannah, said she preferred savory,"well then", says I, so we made our cheese scones. Yummy.
As we worked we added things to our table. Mr. Frog was invited, as were the little gnomes, who usually sit in my kitchen window. A little this & a bit of that ... Oh, almost forgot, my tea pot. I collect them. You have seen my "Little Red Riding Hood" tea pot. (in March posts) This one has mushrooms on top, and you know how Ms. V. feels about pretty little mushrooms.
O.K. we are ready. So, Please have a scone & a "cuppa". And, finally a picture of me dancing around in my red flannel nighty ,( something I still enjoy doing) my "Little Granny Fields" made it for me.
She made one for my big sister ... And one for our dolls too. I loved this nighty. She was my Great Granny.

Thank You for coming, I have enjoyed this so much. Amy

"A Little Give, Take Action"

Last week I taught a scene painting class for a theatre camp. O.K. , now this is the third summer I have taught at this camp. And every summer I try & think of a project for the kids that will 1.teach them something about being a scenic, 2. engage them, 3. needs to be completed in two 50 minute sessions, and 4. most importantly, will be FUN !
So, the camp is split into 3 age groups. The youngest group starting at 5 or 6, the oldest group no more than 12 years old and then the little guys in between.44 kids in all.
Also, I need to keep in mind that the space that we are working in, is really not good for messy painting, thoe I have gotten very messy by putting down drop clothes and plastic, in the past.
O.K. I decide we are going to do a little trompe l' oeil painting. A" little trick the eye" action.
I decide to cut out 44 canves squares to work on.
Then I decide, I am going to tape off the outside of the squares, creating a frame around a picture.
So, the first day, I talk to them about what a scenic is & the part they play in the production of a show.......I then explain what trompe l' oeil is & that we are going to create "what will appear to be a picture in a frame.....So, the 1st. day we are just going to do a little "scumbling, sponging action with 2 or 3 colors to create the background of our picture. Then tomorrow we will do a little stenciling on the background and finally pull the tape off and do a little wood graining or gold paint action to create our fake frame. Sound Good ?......While explaining, the kids did seem to like the ideal. But, a few hands did go up in the air asking if they could paint their own picture & not use the stencil. Of course ! Their minds were already way ahead of mine.
So, after camp, I go to the art store to purchase the stencils. As I stood there in front of the stencil selection, I thought, "Dummy...they don't want to use these boring stencils !...They want to PAINT !" So, thankfully I walked away from the stencils, walked over to the paint brushes and bought a nice selection of them.
The next day, when I announced to each class that they could paint what they wanted for their picture, they were all like, "YES!"
What was I thinking? Once again I learned my lesson. Every year it's the same, I start out saying, "first we will do this, this & then, this". And every year I am so grateful that I am not totally stuck in my perfectionist ways and am smart enough to let loose. So, between the kids & myself,and a little" give, take action." The class went very well.
Now, look at those paintings. They are BEaUtiFul !
While they worked, they hummed, they sang, they talked.
Enjoy your Monday.
Summer is finally here & I have alot of my own art to do. Get loose Amy, get loose ! :D