I Feel Honored and Privledged

I was asked by Nina Perrin to be the Featured Artist of the Month on her Blog and Newsletter/Web Site - this is a real honor to me because I feel I am a real Newbie around the block here as a Professional Artist and am standing among GIANTS! I don't know if I can fill the shoes, but I sure am up for trying. I love art so much, with such passion - My oldest sister Mary is also an artist and she inspired me when I was very young. She likes oils on canvas and sketching and her role modeling to me was such a good impression it was easy to find my own path with a love of my own. My other sister Dorothy is an artist with an eye for the camera - she sees things others do not see. I am anxious for her to turn her love of photography into something wonderful too. Would you believe the three of us girls used to sit and play paper dolls and mix and match the clothes and the colors, etc.. for hours on end. I even used to make my own paper dolls out of the Sears Catalog and Penneys Catalog when I was a kid. I'd cut out the kids and the clothes and don't ask me how but I'd MAKE them FIT! One day my mother walked in and found the 3 of us girls ripping up all our paper dolls - she was agahst with horror! We got a tick up our behinds I guess and thought it was funny cause I can tell you as sure as I'm sitting here today, I can remember how we squealed with delight with each rip of the paper until all were gone. Mom came in and sternly announced that was the end of our paper dolls and maybe thats where I learned to make my own... but all three of us have artistic flair in our own ways and express it differently, my sister Mary and I want to work on some things to alter together. I'm looking forward to that. Anyway, wanted to share the news with you all. Nina's website is Purple Faeries Paper Crafts at .http://www.purplefaeriepapercrafts.com/

March Has Almost Moved On Right Off the Calendar!

Well, I don't know where the time has gone, but February vanished before I could blink and March is just about over. I've had a hectic schedule lately. I've had health issues to deal with and an endless supply of doctor appointments and tests and more to come in the next few weeks. Looking at some surgeries to be scheduled soon, so I'm a little bummed about that right now. I have so much I want to do and accomplish and I don't want recoveries holding me back or down. On to the next item - I've been keeping very busy and launching my home business, Designs by Barb. I've had some nice jobs lately, a wonderful order for Baby Announcement/Invitations, a Baby Album, Wedding Album and now a Hawaiian Vacation Album for someone new. I'm going to be working on some larger projects for my ex-boss, making a great deal of cards for their business that they use daily. Some of them are a special design I made up myself with the addition of some special charms. I'm looking forward to getting that order going and on its way. I have a large conference to attend in mid June and need to have many new things made and ready to go to be sold there. I'm a little anxious about it as it will be my first large scale sell possibility. I keep looking at the calendar and thinking of everything I need to do. I have cards I want to make for that event, jewelry pendants, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, charms, cell phone and IPod charms, beaded crystal book markers, and some other items I'm working on. My newest love or passion is wire. All the colored wires to make wonderful jewelry. And Art Dolls. I also bought a soldering iron and am teaching myself how to solder so I can make nice jewelry with a nice finished edge on them with solder. Well I guess thats about it for now. Just plugging away as my health allows me. I hope you are all well and happy and making art to stir your soul. Drop me a note and say hi! Hugs, BarbP.S. Almost forgot - if anyone is into pinups and the beauty of women like in the photos I published here, I have tons of them and I'd be happy to send anyone some of my collection if you want them. Just give me a hollar at my email. :o)

Moving Right Along

Well, we are half way through January already and I've just learned how to add links and pictures to my blog site. This is a learning experience in the making. I haven't had a lot of time for my art the last week or so, recovering from Christmas and then our orthodox christmas celebrations on January 6th in the SF Bay Area - unfortunately with my limitations and health restrictions I only have so much energy and ability to do things so I have to strike when the iron is hot as they say. The picture at left is my beloved Dog Bear, a wonderful Chow who died suddenly in my arms at Christmas. I miss her a great deal as does the cat, our Gizmo. The loss of her presence in the home is really felt quite strongly. She was my loving companion and when the time is right, I will rescue another dog to give quality of life to. I really miss her... Sometimes I push myself too much, too long and then I pay for it later. So, I'm recovering with my neck and back, and shoulders from all the activities,baking, cooking, etc.. Mother's work is never done. Why is it that this great life we lead is so hinged on the very existence of what and where and when the woman will do SOMETHING ~ ANYTHING, IN THE HOME... that could be doing laundry or cooking a meal, listening to one of your children, a most imortant job, or making plans with the family in general, its just crazy cause we're all in such different stations in life, trying to make it work. Sometimes life is tricky. I'm truly blessed, I have a husband who is caring and nurturing and supportive in what I do and actually has had some really good ideas about what I should do for a course of action in launching my home business. One step at a time, that is the hard part, being patient and going through all the steps we must go thru to get us where we are supposed to be. And how truly, does anyone really know they are where they are supposed to be in life. I always feel a gentle nudging of God's spirit guiding me this way or that way, or saying no by closing a door of possible opportunity or by opening a window of grander plans. I think I am especially blessed to have a small group of friends that are honest with me and can hold a mirror up to me to show me my life. Without my sisters I'd be lost, they are my touchstones. As are my children. My husband, well I should say a little about him - his name is Emad and he's much younger than I. But it is he that I go to when I hurt, when I'm in physical pain due to my physical limitations. He's understanding and sympathetic and listens well. He's my sweetheart/. I should inlcude a picture or two of us here as well, after all, he is a big part of my life now. I think that is enough for today, we added pictures, and my favorite links and theres more to come, so stay tuned. Lots in the hopper as they say! Sleep well, may the fairies sprinkle you with angel dust to close your eyes and gently sleep with sugar plums and all the sweet things of life that it can give us ad we can give to each other. Sweet dreams on the wings of Angels... Aaaaaahhhhhhhhh

Wow! I Did It! My New Years Resolution!

I said I would create a blog for myself and my art in progress for 2oo8 and here we are hours into the New Year and I did it! I know this will be a work in progress so bear with me while I learn and grow. Please leave comments for me and any suggestions.