New Jewelry Set

I have a wonderful aunt named Gerry Hannah, she and my Uncle Dean live in Cove, Arkansas on 30 acres of Arkansas forest. My hubby and I recently spent a couple of days visiting them, which was a much needed break from the city for us.

I created this jewelry set for my aunt. We both share the love of blue as well as journal keeping.

I hope she enjoys this as much as I enjoyed creating it for her.

Playing Catch-Up

I am behind in my blog posts. I have lots of journals to share and the making of art journals. I have also been busy creating jewelry through the techniques of off loom bead weaving and wirewrapping. I made my first sterling silver ring today and I'm fairly pleased with the results. The pics will have to come later. It seems to take so long to take the pic and do the adjustments and then upload them to my blog, that I tend to do several at once. I am enjoying making my own jewelry and especially creating my own designs.

I will be adding some new favorite websites as well, so look for them later too.
Today I am waiting on the AC service repairman to call so we can set up an appointment to have our ac repaired. Yes, it quit doing it's job.
I have heard that many ac's are on strike, because we have had too many 3 digit days of heat. The service repairmen may follow soon with a strike of their own. Hotels and motels are love'n it though, being filled to capacity. I have a cool room to go to tonight, so I will have sweet dreams for sure.

Well, it is back to work for now. Stay cool dear friends.

New Works in Progress

Here are two images of works in progress. The two black and white pictures are of the same image only one is a detail shot. I am enjoying working on these, but it is slow going. I have to rest my hand frequently, so that I don't aggravate the carpal tunnel in my wrist. The black and white measures 12 x 15 inches. The one in color is also an ink stipple, but with watercolor washes. It measures 20 1/2 x 13 1/14 inches. I will post an update on these two in about one week. My photography is not very good on the colored one. Maybe I'll do better next time.

PhotoJournalism: How to prepare and submit a press release to media

Artists are having a very busy spring in our art community. I have already organized two art exhibitions and have another in June. Sometimes as artists we get so busy with last minute framing, sending out post cards, readying contracts, etc. that we forget our most important task and that is to have our press releases ready in advance. What good is an exhibition if the public doesn't know about it. You need to send those press releases with enough lead time for the journalists to write your story. Don't forget the community calendars that local television stations post online.

You are probably saying Ok, I write press releases, but they never get published. Have you ever thought that maybe it is your writing. I just read, and suggest that you do too, a wonderful blog called PhotoJournalism: How to prepare and submit a press release to the media. Here is the link: PhotoJournalism: How to prepare and submit a press release to media
If you really want to further your career and get into print, be serious about writing effective press releases. I really like the advice, that I already use, about calling the papers or other media and finding out to whom and where you should send those press releases. There is nothing like speaking directly with your contact. It is a start in establishing a relationship. The more you call the more you will be remembered. Please, be courteous in respect, with the journalists time, which is very limited. Know what you are going to say before you call and keep your phone calls very short and to the point. I would advise that you find out when their deadline is and submit those releases well in advance and somewhere at the top of the release include the publish date you are writing your press release for. If it is for immediate release say so.

You might consider keeping a notebook for press deadlines, the person you talked to , email addresses, size and format of the submitted photos they prefer. Always ask if there are any restrictions concerning press releases. Your willingness to be cooperative will be looked on favorably and anything that makes the journalists job easier will be in your favor. I also suggest that you keep copies of the press releases you send. You might be able to use them as templates or guides to help you write future press releases.

Keep writing; the more you write the easier it is and the better writer you become. I continue to learn with each press release I write, so that someday I will truly write effective press releases.

"Rejects" Not Rejected

"Rejects"
20" x 16'' framed
watercolor on Windsor and Newton Artistico paper.

I am so honored to be accepted into the Thirty Second National Watercolor Oklahoma Juried Exhibition. 64 entries were accepted from a total of 312 entries and only 6 Oklahoma entries were accepted.

`Rejects`, initially, was to be a depiction of childhood toys, but it seemed to have a path of its own. The painting evolved into a surreal work of discarded, broken, and rusting objects. It seems to ask us, to think beyond what happens to our material castoffs, and to think about people, especially our children. What happens when they are cast aside, overlooked, or taken for granted? The beauty and versatility of transparent watercolor enables me to communicate more eloquently; moods, memories, dreams, and questions."

The exhibition runs from October 31st to November 30th. The reception and awards presentation will be November 2nd from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Edmond Historical Society and Museum. The public is invited.

New Finished Work

This is "Moon Walk" my latest work created this month. This work was one, that left me physically and emotionally exhausted. This one took me almost a month to complete.

I will be having prints made of this one along with several others.

Instead of diving into another work I decided to take a break. I am working in the journal that I made and bound. I am doing a study of my colors, exploring color mixtures and their properties. I don't have a picture of it yet, since

I left my camera in Pauls Valley. Okla. at a family gathering.

When I finish a rather complicated piece I tend to delve back into study instead of starting another painting. I have several studies that are ongoing at the moment. I am learning the software programs Access, Powerpoint, and my new Photoshop Elements 4.0. I am also constantly learning new marketing and business management skills.

I will study a little longer then get a good nights sleep and start again.

Last 3 Journal Pages

This page depicts my dream garden. I have used it to help me plan my garden which will be
accomplished in baby steps. Visualizing motivates me to carry on with my plan.



This is just one of the ways I decorate my pages to add interest to a lot of writing and encourages me to write more. Sometimes I paint the pages after I have written. The words seem to influence what I paint.

Here is my journal in its entireity. I hope I have encouraged someone else to start their own decorated journal.