Art Museum Part 2

Today I thought we should take my niece and nephew to the Delaware Art Museum to see the exhibit of over 60 original Dinotopia works by illustrator James Gurney. I went in knowing about the books and art but I hadn't read the books and dinosaurs, while interesting, aren't really my cup of tea. Well, we were completely blown away by this show - completely. Gurney's imagination and painting skill is absolutely incredible. I felt like the picture frames were windows and I was looking through to another world. His handling of light, shadow and color were brilliant and I really loved the character and personality he gave to the dinosaurs. If you live anywhere near Delaware, please do yourself (and your kids, if you have them) a favor and go see this show which runs through May 16th. I can't wait to read the books now!

After viewing Dinotopia, we walked the rest of the museum and I snapped a few photos of some of my favorite paintings of the day. Click on each painting for a larger image.

This Howard Pyle mermaid painting was a big hit with everyone!

A huge painting made to look like stained glass. Sorry, I don't recall the artist.

A small painting created by an illustrator for a book or magazine.
I love the Pegasus.

The greyhounds are great aren't they? Painting by Thomas Wilmer Dewing.

This George Inness painting, "Early Autumn - Monclair", painted in 1891, really drew me in. I could look at that one all day.

Almost March

I'm so excited, it's almost March, a month with so many possibilities. Will is rain? Will it snow? Is it going to be 50 degrees outside or will it be freezing. Of course it's the month that contains my birthday (and husband's) so it's always been a special time for me.

Any other Pisces out there? I love to meet other artsy fish like me!

So here's what I've been up to this week (I'm really itchin' to paint a horse, maybe next week!):

Working on turning an image that I've painted into a sculpture.
Little bunny in a pumpkin. Nice for Halloween or Easter, right?

Playing around with another rabbit I've sculpted. Not sure what direction this one is going in yet. My husband says this bun freaks him out a little.

Went to Landis Valley today and got to hop on a wagon for a ride.

Too cold and windy to stay long but we had fun on the ride!

Finally finished my Dutch Rabbit in the Jack O' Lantern today!

Signs of Spring

A huge flock of robins has taken over my holly tree this morning.

They've consumed nearly all the berries already!

Watching them tap sugar maples and make syrup at Lancaster Central Park this weekend.

I wish I had some maples in the back yard to make my own.

The maple syrup cotton candy we bought was so yummy!

A sign that spring is coming, primrose for sale at the grocery store.

My husband bought me this one since he knows how much I am longing to work in the garden.

I noticed that the winter aconite is blooming!

I love seeing flowers in the winter!

Hey, how did this get in here?

Snowmen riding snow horses is definately not a sign of spring

but we had fun making him this morning.

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"

~Robin Williams

Garden Slumber

Somewhere,
under all that snow,
sleeps
the most beautiful garden.
This I know.

There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling. ~Mirabel Osler

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns

Happy Valentines Day!

I know, I know, I am one day late but there's nothing wrong with spreading a little love past the 14th. Last night marked the start of the Penny Feather Tree Charity Auction. I hope everyone that reads this goes to the auction this week and checks it out. Even if you don't have the funds to place a bid, please add it to your watch list. The more watchers, the more exposure it will get. I am a member of PFATT, a group of primitive and folk artists, and sadly, one of our members was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. We all came together under the direction of Lori Davis of Vintage Palette Art to create ornaments for this tree. The proceeds will go to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Inc.-Alabama Chapter.
Here's a picture of the tree in all it's glory. Isn't it lovely?



Here's a picture of my ornament.


Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Landis Valley in Winter

With the husband sick in bed and Zoe and I bored out of our minds, we decided to brave the cold weather and snow and head over to one of our favorite places, Landis Valley Museum. They are having their Winter Institute now so there are all sorts of things going on from learning to care for draft animals to blacksmithing. Zoe and I stopped and watched some of the students in the classes. But, we came for the animals and I got some great shots! I also got to cross off an item on my bucket list, scroll to the bottom to see!
Click on pictures for a larger view and don't forget to leave me a comment and let me know which was your favorite!

















I got to go on a sleigh ride!!!!!! Yippeee!!!

Of mice and jack o' lanterns...

You can get a lot accomplished when there's several feet of snow outside your door and the husband is home to watch the wee one. I finished my previously mentioned owl on the pumpkin sculpture and painted two fun welcome signs, one with a black Percheron and some spring flowers and another with a jack o' lantern and a mouse peeking out of the nose. I suppose they shall both make their way over to Ebay sooner or later!

My daughter, who just turned 4, attempted her first horse drawing this week (I am so proud). Thought I would share. This is a large drawing on a piece of oversized construction paper I taped to the wall. She said the horse has a "million legs" (yikes). There are also some fairies around, Tinker Bell is green and Silver Mist is flying by on the top right. Bother fairies are holding flowers and the large horse has a baby horse with it and a rider.




Don't forget! The Penny Tree Auction starts this weekend. Proceeds will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Read more about this wonderful work of art here, on the PFATT BLOG. I donated a glittery unicorn heart ornament for the tree.

Snow, snow and more snow!

Two major snow storms less than a week apart. I'm getting a wee bit tired of the white stuff now. At least the husband gets off work and I have time to create.
Here are some pictures from last Saturday's snow...

View from the front yard.


Icicles on the back porch.


Sunset from the back yard.


And here is what I see out my studio window today...



Dining room window...


Out the front door...


Maybe we should try making snow ice cream. Here's another recipe for snow ice cream.