Musings From the Artroom

Red Ribbon Week was celebrated last week here at school.  I'd often wondered what in the world dressing up nutty for a week has to do with being drug free.  But then this year I got it.  Sometimes you have to figure out creative ways to make things stick in little brains.  We are of course competing with TV, computers, Ipods, game boys...the list grows every year!   Having a week to celebrate making a decision to be drug free definitely had our school in high spirits.  I just hope they remember 10 years from now when they are presented with a decision, they remember the right reason they had "crazy sock day at Arbor Springs".

My role in the week......well the counselor asked if I could have the kids draw feet with their names on them and hang the feet leading to the ballot box.  Very symbolic, right?  Well....ya know I can't do anything 50%.  This 100% project turned out so amazing!!!  Look at all the little feet leading to the ballot box!

400+ feet walking to pledge to be drug free.  It was a great week....dressing up silly and all.  Our hope is that they'll remember these pledges when the time comes.

i-Phone Cases

Whilst in the sweatshop Monday night I also decided to whip up some new i-phone 4/4S cases.  There are white, black and clear cases in the 6 different designs.  Priced at $20, these make fabulous gifts or stocking stuffers! 

I'm obsessed with the new painting above.  It's actually one for the 52 canvases series.  I shouldn't really be using it, but I had to.  The colors are some of the best I've put together in a long time.    Clementine also made a debut in the printed products.  If these all do well I'll be ordering more next week and uploading to Etsy.  I know not everyone lives in Atlanta and can make it Saturday.  You could however, be like my dear friends Rene and Cara and get on a plane to come see me.  Just saying.  They rock!

I plan to display them on this awesome vintage key rack and once purchased they are going in sweet vintage candy bags.  I love details. 

Looking forward to seeing you guys Saturday!  Mailey is very excited.  It's her first time to be a show helper.  I usually do this show alone, but think maybe she's ready.  She's very excited that's for sure!  It think she just wants to go shopping.  I know I do!

i-Pad Cases

Yeah, sometimes I forget that I have this super cool printing system that makes me look real professional.   You see I ordered these i-Pad cases a year ago.  Made one for myself.  And that was it.  I honestly wasn't sure people would pay the $50 I need to charge for them.  But by golly my husband bought one exactly like these but solid black and he paid $55!  So last night in my sweatshop...hahaha....I made these 5 complete with fun vintage trimmed edges.  love...love them. 

These will be available for purchase at Marist Holiday Traditions THIS Saturday.  It's a great show.  So come on out and see me!

Growing Old Together

We took this photo at a family wedding last weekend.  I just love it.  It was taken by our son, William.  Not a professional.  It's not been edited.  And I love that.   I love seeing all our extra creases and wrinkles.  They represent years of courting one another, of parenting together, being a legislator and legislator's wife, teachers to our own children and many others, surviving family ups and downs, it's all there in those deep creases.  Gentle reminders of our past.

I love that there's still a sparkle in each of our blue eyes.  Not just because they are quite blue, but because we still literally have that sparkle.  It's not always pleasant or easy to be married to one another, I'll be honest.  I annoy the stew out of him with my worrying.  He annoys the stew out of me with his calmness.  I guess we balance each other out that way.

Unedited, we are pretty good together.  Growing old together, deepening the creases.   Not worrying too much about the future.  Just living in the day.  Waking and doing it all over again.  A lovely way to be I say.

Joy You Give

Sometimes you meet people along life's path that come in and out of your life for different reasons.  I believe fondly in the theory that there are no happenstances.   I met sweet Dallas Nevins years ago, when she moved to Serenbe and frequented our store, The Vintage Flea.  She and her parents were great customers!  I'll never forget her energy at Camp Serenbe one summer when I took Mailey Grace to several day outings where Dallas was the ring leader.  In fact Dallas, we STILL have our bamboo walking stick with pink tissue mache and glitter.  It's a treasure!  She also is the owner of several of my paintings, including this favorite below.  (Which she tells me hangs in her work cube....I love that!)

So when she called this summer and asked if I'd help with a painting for an auction, I said yes.  Of course.  This is a special auction, for an amazing school....The Atlanta Speech School.    Much like the auction we held at our school in the spring, artists were asked to work with one class to complete a painting.  The paintings will be on auction at their annual gala in November.   Here's our finished painting below:

The quote says, "They will forever leave an imprint on your heart."  I  love the quote and think it fits well with the kindness shared in the school.  By the way, the heart balloons are filled with the classes' fingerprints.  The students helped to finish the sky and the hearts.  Such a sweet finished piece.  I can't wait to hear which family takes the piece home to enjoy for years to come.

Thanks again Dallas for allowing me the opportunity to share my gifts with your sweet children.  I look forward to next year.

An Orange Sparkle in Her Eye

Sometimes I do things that totally embarrass my kids.  Like dancing in the car...singing in the car or other places of public view.  In my defense I danced and sang on stage many times solo the first 18 years of my life.  But I suppose the styles have changes a bit since 1990?  Anyhoo....I loved the orange glasses above found in that awesome chick store Claire's.  Add a little sparkle to my eye and voila!  You've got one jazzed up Momma bear.  Who thinks she's cool, but maybe not to a 10 and 12 year old.  Yeah.  5 years ago they'd have loved Momma in orange glasses.

Things are shifting in the Horne house.  William is as tall as me and his voice has changed.  All his friends are jealous because theirs have not.  He's also skinny as a rail.  And obsessed with 6 pack abs.  Were 12 year olds obsessed with things like 6 pack abs back in our day?   And clothes....lawd that child is so Mr GQ with clothes and socks (not so much about brands thank goodness just about looking good).  We even iron t-shirts.  And socks and tennis shoes must match the outfit for the day.  He also has more of a social life than me.  I dropped him off at a sweet 13 year girl party Friday night.  Yep.  Boy/girl parties are on the rise.  And the fridge has 3 more invites on it for the next 2 weeks.  Geesh.

And Mailey....well she's a little bean pole with sassssssssy eye rolls and more giggly girlfriends than I have toes.  She was the child that I carried on my hip even when her legs touched the ground.  She's the child that never wanted Momma to leave her side.  That was a Momma's girl like none other I've ever known.  Until this weekend.  While on our way to a party she said, "Mom, are you planning on staying at the party?"  Me, "No, I was thinking about hanging at Barnes and Noble while you jumped in the sweat house. Is that okay?"  Mailey replies, "Yeah, I don't want you to stay."  WHAT??????  I mean, I wasn't planning on it, but still.  That was heart wrenching to Momma bear.  Sigh. 

Yeah.  Things are shifting in the Horne house.  My kids are growing into little teenage people.  I can already see the writing on the wall with Mailey.  It's not gonna be an easy road.  The eye's might get stuck in the roll if she doesn't watch it.  Just sayin'.  William on the other hand is so sweet and sensitive.  And although he's getting awfully big, still waits for me to come in at night to say goodnight.  Billy and I joked after watching Modern Family that we are on the 7 year plan.  But honestly, I've a feeling that in 7 years I'll be so happy for these 2 to be making a new life for themselves and scrambling to figure out how to live mine without them.

Puffy Heart Post

I had a lady last week email me in a panic....she'd lost her favorite necklace.  Just like the one above.   It made me realize that this necklace, although it's something I thought had run its course, still means alot to people.  And means alot to me.  So I made her a new one and sent it on its' way to Dunwoody.  I could hear her excitement coming through the email. 

My Heart is Full.......
Friday night I was interviewed by a young lady who is considering a career in the field of art.  I found myself at a loss of words sometimes, and over zealous at answering other questions.  The bottom line is she asked a lot of questions about being an artist...and then specifically about being an art teacher.  I told her that what other job in the world could I paint, use clay, watercolor, crayons and sharpies all in one day?  Or have portraits drawn of me and love note grafiti all over my white board?  My heart is so very full everyday with joy for what I do for a living.  The pay is not good, I was painfully honest about that.  If I was in a certified teaching position it would be better.  But honestly, the money is not what drives me.  I teach in the most amazing school with amazing kids and co-workers.  Seriously, everyday they amaze me with their talents and energy to learn. 

I've had to adjust my entire life as an artist to teach.  Letting go has not been easy, but slowly I'm learning that it's okay.  (Especially after an awesome tax slap in the face.  geeeeeesh....)  I told her you can do both, teach and make art to sell, paint murals, custom paintings, do gallery work.  You just have to find the right balance.  It's taken me a spell but that's just a part of the learning curve.  Keeps me on my toes.  And keeps my brushes more wet than dry.  I hope my words encouraged her to research her options and to make decisions based not only on what the end salary would be but what would truly make her heart full.