~Wonka Pictures~

Here are a few pictures from "Willy Wonka". In the last picture you can see how large the cast was, I think something like 85 kids ! Ages 6 to 18~
They were amazing, so talented. It was a very exciting show. Brooke Abrahamsen,the director makes all this magic happen with the kids, she really knows her "stuff"~ how she does it~I don't know? But, she is a pleasure to work with, she is also Artistic Director of CYT.
these pictures were taken by Doug Meacham~ my pictures never turn out this good.

:)
amy

~PICTURES !~

~I have pictures !~ For the past few weeks when I would try & post pictures, NOTHING, it was very frustrating. ~ But, this morning, "the puter goddess" smiled on me.~
~I am not going to ask "why", I am just going with it.~
~So, I was going to post about the play, Willy Wonka , that I was working on & the Under the Sea Doll Swap~
~But, I was browsing my pictures & "WOW", so much has happened in the past month or so.~ So much I would have blogged about.~

I will save both of those for the next two days.~ Because, both deserve their own posts.~

~SO~ they say "A PICTURE is WORTH a THOUSAND WORDS"~
my last post had no pictures, this one is all about the pictures.

~Willy Wonka~

~for some reason~i am not able to get any pictures to post~today~So, i must rely on the written word today~

~So~ another 10 days or so have passed since my last post~Must mean I am painting another set~
~I have been~ this one is for the Christian Youth Theatre~"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory"~
~I truly love working with this theatre~all the actors are children, ages 5or6 to 18~And, if you are a parent with a child in the show~you are committed to work on the set in one way or another~building,painting,costumes,promotions,props,set changing during the show~then they have fund raisers, auctions,selling concetions & crafts~& so much more~
~I am completely blown away by these wonderful parents, who happily, mind you~they really do seem to be enjoying themselves~give up like 5 to 6 Saturdays in a row~plus they come in on Thursday & Friday nights from 6-9, to work on these sets.~
~I was hired to guide them in the painting of the sets.~Some have painting skills, most do not~
~But, no worry's, they happily take on any task I give them and are genuinely pleased to learn about the scenic painting process.~And~ they do an amazing job.~Everything is looking fabulous~
~And~this is a BIG,BIG show~designed by Arther(don't know how to spell his last name,I will add it later)~so, a BIG set, with lots of fun stuff~"Very Wonka"~Arther, has been there side-by-side~ working with everyone.~It really is an ultimate in family fun.~Seeing everything come together~Very satistying~& one of the things I love about working in theatre~
~BUT~ these parents~ REALLY AMAZING !!!~
~Willy Wonka, opens this coming Friday~

~Great Way to Start the Day~

~I am posting this video~ because it is just WoNdErFuL !~ i saw it on Gritty Jane's bloggy~
~ take a minute & watch it~
~What a Great way to start the Day~
~How dull our world would be without the arts~
~EnJoY~

~amy~

~HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !~

~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !~
~Blessings on this lovely day~

~amy~

~The Perfect Day~

~I love, love this picture of Rowan & her Daddy~

~this past Sunday~May, 3rd. 2009~ Rowan received her First Holy Communion.~and~ I just wanted to share a few moments of that day with you.~
~It really was a perfect day~and~ I'm not talking about the weather.~Which was one of those sunny rainy days, I like very much.~ I am talking about the feeling of the day~ it was filled with excitement & joy.~
~We had to be at Our Lady of Lourdes, all dressed pretty by 8:00am, for the 8:30 mass.~ I was so, excited that I had troubles falling asleep.~ I had stayed up & finished making Rowan's vial.~By the time I went to bed~ the excitement of the next day, had already set in.~
But, we made it.~just slightly late~
~The mass was beautiful~all the children receiving communion that day~took part in the mass, by bringing the gifts to the alter or giving a reading.~Shari K., who runs the Religious Education Program, did a wonderful job making this mass one that you could never forget.
~And, when Rowan walked up to Father Bob & received her First Communion, I did get very teary & a great feeling of happiness filled my heart.~It was just so very lovely.~
~After a cake & punch celebration at the church, we all met at Strawberry Street Cafe~where we made reservations for brunch.~The celebration continued with family.~
~ It truly was a perfect day~ it was perfect, because it unfolded before us so lovingly.~
~Thank You Jesus~ I Love You~
~amy~

~Lighting~

~I just had to show you how the Mother Mary looked when she was on stage.~ They lit her from behind~ & that just made her look so wonderful~ it is hard to believe that it is just a painting on canvas~it really looked like real stained glass.~
~For me~ this is the magic of theatre~ when everyone & everything comes together like this.~Lots of hard work~ for two nights of opera.
~I felt terrible that I did not have a photo of the set all lit~ lighting makes all the difference~ so, I went very early Monday morning down to V.C.U.~I just realized that I didn't tell you that this was for the V.C.U. Opera Theatre~ anyway~ I went very early Monday morning, hoping to get a least a few pictures.~ And~ the stage was cleared~ I mean empty~ they must have been up all night striking the the set.~ they only had a 2 night run.~ Sunday night was their last show.~ and Bam !~ everything was gone.~the stage is shared withe the VCU orcastra, classes are taught there, ect....~
~I was heartbroken.~ so, I walked into the theatre office & asked if they had taken pictures.~ And, a voice from the secrtaries office~Linda~ seid~ yes, I took the pictures.~
~I love wonderful secretaries like Linda~ they just mezmerize me. So, organized, in her world, there in her office~ she has the answers to all the questions.~
~ Bless Linda's Heart~ she sure made my day~
~So, these are some of the pictures she emailed me.~

~Thank you Linda~
:p
~amy~
~

~11 Days Later~

~the Mother Mary~ painted to look like a stained glass window~

~the actors changing the set~ see the Mary painting peeking out, over the bed.~
~back stage~ before the painting was hung~

~3 of the 6 panels painted~
~Just look at my beautiful new look !~ What a pretty new banner & background~
~And look~ i have 3 columns~ I have had "3 column envy" for sometime now~
~But~ I didn't know how to make it happen.~
~I have the amazing Annette, at Huckleberry Arts to thank for all of it.~~~Annette, is so very talented with computer design~ I was completely amazed by how quickly she put all this together for me.~But~ more than that~ she has incredible instincts about the person she is designing for~ Annette took the time to get the right feeling for my blog.~ All I did was send her pictures of my art.~Told her the colors I loved and she took it from there.~I can't believe how well she read my personality & style.~ When I first saw my new look~ I was "~oh my~ this is so me~" Thank you Annette~ Thank you so much~ you very clever lady!~~~So, if you are looking to have your bloggy revamped & don't know where to start~ I have to tell you~ Go, ask the lovely Annette~at Huckleberry Arts~~~

~I have had my lovely new look for more than a week now~~~and~~~again I was to busy to sit down & make this post~~~I know I promised to be a better blogger~~~But~ "Tis the season of theatre openings~ I have gone from one show to the next~ with no "down time" between.~

~The pictures I have posted are of an Italian opera that opens tonight.~ Actually, two one acts~ The first is a very sad opera, called "Suor Angelica" ~I painted the Mother Mary for that opera~ she was painted to look like a stained glass window~ I didn't get a picture of her up yet~but,I saw her up last night~ they lit her from behind & she looked so pretty~ like real stained glass~
~The second one act opera is called~"Gianni Schicchi"~ a comedy~ so, they make you cry, then make you laugh.~ For that opera I hand stamped the fabric you see here. ~60 feet of it, it is 4' 6" wide.~ the fabric was hung as bed curtains ,around that big canopy bed.~
~the set had to be designed to work for both operas~ w/ a quick switch in the furnishings at intermission.

~the next show will be "Willy Wonka & the Chocolet Factory".~

~But~ oh so thankfully~ I will have the next week to, to do all the other stuff that I do.~ before stating that show~
:)
~amy~

~Normal~

~Here is the set to the musical ~Normal~on stage now at, Stage 1 Theatre Company~ Richmond Va.~
~All white walls~gray floors~windows and these happy family portraits done on plexy glass.~
~A simple set for a very emotional play.~
~The story is about a once "normal happy" family turned dysfunctional~ then their struggle to pull themselves back together, when they learn that their teenage daughter has an eating disorder.~
~Pretty heavy stuff~ and a subject that has touched many lives.~ In the end they do manage to succeed.~~"Normal is a contemporary rock musical that offers ultimate hope in an uncertain world."~~ It has been receiving excellent reviews.~
and if you are in the Richmond area~ you should see it~ But, bring tissues.~

I am ~ hopefully~ adding a clip from the play.(i have never added a video)
~Just showing you the "plain" set without the lights , the music and the actors. ~Well~ dull~
~So, watch this set come to life~ the actors in the play are incredible.~

~Happy Easter~

~Look its my bloggy!~ and where has that Amy Sullivan been ?~ Does she think that this poor little blog can create its own posts all by its self?~Silly Amy~ What were you thinking?~ A blog needs love & attention.~ It can't survive here in bloggyland all by itself.~ Poor, poor bloggy.~ Sad, really.~ Just look at the dust !~ ~ "Who's going to clean up this mess?"~~
~
~I will~ "and who are you ?"~~~ I am Amy Sullivan~~~"Oh, well where have you been?"~~ just look at this blog !~~~you can't just abandone your bloggy like this & exspect your friends to come here~~ what,, your last post was like...March the 27th~~~and, you have dear friends still dropping by and for what??~ Shame on you Amy !~~~
~~~I am sorry~ really I am~~~ can you ever forgive me?~~ I have just had so much going on.....good stuff, not so good stuff.~~ all of it needing my attention.~~~I promise, I will do better !!!~Really, I will !~~~~

~What~ do you think your the only blogger out there with a busy life?~ What~ about all those blogs you love reading?~ they are busy too ~ and yet, they find time for their blogs~ What if all bloggers were like you?~ Then where would bloggyland be?~
~~Well, alright~ we will give you one more chance~ and, you had better come up with some *REAL* nice posts~ or your out of here!!~~~

~~Thank you, thank you ,,I will be a better blogger~ really I will !!~

~so, what are you going to blog about today?~

~Well~ Gabriel(my son), took my camera to the beach w/ him this weekend~
~so, I can't upload any pictures of the set I just finished painting.~ or~ the etching I have been working on~~~
~But~ hey, I can photo shop a cute picture of Rowan that is already on my computer.~~~And~

~Wish Everyone, A Happy & Blessed Easter !!!~~

~well, I guess since it is Easter~ a very Blessed and Beautiful time of year, And a time for New Beginnings~ that would be lovely ~ but, you better be back here on Monday, with some really good stuff~~~~

~A Lovely Visit ~

~Rowan, getting her hair cut~ March 14, 2008
~Rowan's hair cut 2 years ago~

~I can't believe its been 10 days since my last post ! I have been a busy "little nut-burger"~ I don't know where to start.~
~But, I think I will start with the pictures I have posted here of my little Ms. Rowan.~ on March 14, she got her 2nd. real hair cut.~ The first was 2 years ago almost to the day.~ As you can see I documented the hair cut.~ I took pictures of the 1st. time too.~ They look pretty much the same as these.~ Same beautician too.~ Well, the very lovely thing about Rowan cutting her hair is that she donates it to Locks of Love. The 1st. cut harvested 12" of hair and this time she was able to give 11". ~ That's 23" at the age of 8.~ I am so proud of her.~ Look closely at the 3rd. picture & you can see her happy face reflected in the mirror.~ ~ She told me as we were leaving the salon~~
" I'm going to do this every time~you know~ grow my hair~ cut it~ and give it to the children that need it.~again & again.~ :) ~Nadia, Rowan and Hannah~ Maymount Park~

~ This past weekend ~ I had a wonderful visit from Paula, a friend I had not seen in 25 years !!!~ She lives in N.C. and owns a restaurant with her husband, called the 501 Diner. She brought her 13 year old daughter Nadia, my Hannah is 14, so that worked out nicely.~ It was a 2 night sleep over. ~ So, much fun, visiting, remembering, eating.~ Funny , how when you get together with old girlfriends, its like you never were apart.~
~ We drove out to Leslie's house in the country Sat. evening for more yummy food. Leslie, Paula & I were all at V.C.U together studying art.~

~Sunday we visited Maymont Park and fed the baby goats. Just, so cute !~

~These sweet little baby's are a sure sign of "SPRING !" ~ Their little tails wag so happily as they nurse~

~Happy St. Patrick's Day~

~Irish love & Blessings to you & yours~

;0)
~Amy~

~Etchings~

~My mind has just been full of ideals lately~ all of these fun images keep dancing around up there, in my" little ol noggin". And, I am so excited that this last set is done & the show is up & running. I was painting on the set over these past few weeks~Narnia~ it opened on Friday.
~yeah~ so now I am pulling out the etching press that I bought for myself~Oh, about this time last year. I love etchings, but, it has been about 15 years since I have made one. Truth be told, I have all, but forgotten the process. But, I have been reteaching myself. Anyway~ once you are set up & get the necessary materials together, than, well you are good to go. ~I have decided to not use the acid bath process, here at home, for obvious reasons. But, you can still get a very nice print just using dry point~that is when you are actually drawing on a zinc plate with a metal styles(not sure if I spelled that right).
I will be sure to show you the process once I am set up.
The painting here is a water color~ but, the line work, done with pen & ink, are very much like what you will get with an etching.Oh, and the piece that I posted for Valentines Day of my son, is an etching. Actually it was the last etching I made. Time fly's~
~So, I am off to buy my ink & lovely cotton paper.
~have a wonderful Tuesday~
~Amy~