Tribute to someone I wish I had known

LIGHTS

Glitter, glitter in the sky,
high above the trees
twinkling, blinking
down at me.

Soft and pleasant moonlight,
across my wall it creeps.
Droopy, heavy eyelids
welcome me to sleep.

Nightlight glowing,
gentle and polite.
I slip into dream
and sail into the night.

JAKE

Jake was my nephew. I met him once when he was about 6 or 7 years old. My brother john was visiting us with his boys. I remember him being very shy. But, fascinated by Smiley our jabbering parrot. Over the years he had grown into a handsome caring and generous man. Only i never knew that Jake. When i heard from john that Jake had died suddenly, my 1st response was intense sadness for john. I can never express myself well when it comes to situations like this. I don't want to say what everyone says. "I'm so sorry for your loss". I Am sorry for his loss but, so much more than that too. I can't even pretend to know what it's like losing your son. I can only imagine. I know now that john is trying find the meaning of all this.

I feel that everyone is put here to do something. Jake was a teacher. He taught kids art and how to express their feelings thru art. He was the sun in every body's day. Just maybe Jake changed someones life. Their life would have taken a different route if they hadn't met him. We will never know. That only happens in "It's a wonderful life." with jimmy Stewart. But, I tend to believe that. Everyone makes an impact on someone . I hope john finds some meaning, with his soul searching. I find a tremendous loss for not getting to know him.

my 1st tile

I finished my 1st tile and it came out so-so. I see alot of boo-boos. But, I'm now on to doing my next project. 6 tiles for a small table. I can see all kinds of possibilities. Tile panels or back splashes, Art Nouveau or American Indian designs. sell on etsy. My wheels are turning. It's also very relaxing to sit still long enough to paint intricate designs. I also just got all my glass for my next stained glass project. More on that later.

All tucked in for the winter

All my hundreds of plants got hauled in again. They get bigger every year and i now need a piano dollie to get them in. All the green makes me feel good. The air is alot fresher too.

The girls making tiles

Zari and parvin and jennifer have been friends of mine for some time, We all have similar interests. It's been fun getting together with so many like-minded friends. check out their website.

Creating art

Here is some of his work.

Pretty gorgeous Huh.

Persian art tiles

Meet Jafar and Lynn Mogadam, he's teaching me and 3 of my friends how to paint our own tiles. What a character he is, to say the least. His energy and sunny disposition about life and his art is very infectious. His art of Persian art tiles is incredible. (please read the article i found on him) He has been SO generous in helping us learn this beautiful art form. Lynn his wife was into belly dancing in her younger days. She is a character in her own right. A women's libber and an Iranian, an unlikely combo. Parvin and Zari are from Iran so it all has special meaning for them. It's been fun learning something new. It's also been fun getting together with friends on Sunday afternoons, Creating and talking, learning.

I'll finally be able to fire up my kiln. I have a large one that I've had for afew years. But, I've never fired it up. So, with getting my studio up and running , hopefully soon. The sky is the limit with what cool stuff i can come up with. I can't wait.

Apartment in our building, Let the renovations begin

The apartment is amazingly in pretty good shape since it hasn't been lived in in 5 years. Here are the before pics and we probably won't get much done up here till spring. It's pretty good size.

Cool graffiti

Bill's work shop is going in back. It has some exposed brick. He's going to try and keep the graffiti. I think it's cool.

art studio before pics

The front room is going to be MY space. I'm moving all my stained glass and mosaic supplies down here when i get this the way i want it. Paint, tin ceiling, new (old salvaged) wood floor. a wood burner. Some ceiling fans, I'll be set. Check out the funky windows put in the back wall. I think it was done to let light into the middle room. I have to get rid of the blue!

It's not as bad as it looks

Well, Bill and i are starting to get it ready to work on. The building that is. The 2 major projects are getting a new roof for the addition on the back. It leaks pretty bad. Then replacing the wood floor in the large center room with cement. Then we'll have a Strong sturdy floor with radiant heat. It will solve a few problems it had. The roof comes off next week, weather permitting. Here are a few pictures. Also the upstairs apartment isn't too bad. Updating and some new windows are the major projects with that phase of the renovation. but, it's high and dry and not going any where so it will wait till we get the down stairs dialed in. On that back wall there was a large garage door. It's going to be replaced with a wide double door. We are also adding a new window. Oh, did i mention, it only cost us 8000.00. A bargin to boot.

A great day

Wow, it started out rainy and crappy. But, i saved the day by grabbing my bag and heading out the door. I went to the amana colony's and to Fairfax to see barb of Simply Iowa. I stopped off to see Sharon of Sweet repose. She has a booth in an antique store called Noe Haus antiques. It was a fantastic shop . I discovered another shop called catiri art gallery.I came upon an artist, her name is Laura lee Junge from the Chicago area. Her paintings blew me away. I was mesmerized. The colors and the free flowing movement. WOW!!! that's all i can say. Oh, did i mention, I WANT, I NEED these 2 paintings. I do, i do, i do. Catiri art oasis is full of beautiful works of art. Check her out also check out Laura lee junge.

Then i stopped off at barbs sale and picked up a gorgeous architectural piece off an old building. What will i do with that you say. Who cares "It's beautiful. Of course i could leave without this Victorian wool work piece. The delicate work involved. It's amazing.

When ever i go to art galleries i get inspired.

This summer has to be the most non creative Artless(is that a word) summers to date. My mind has been so preoccupied with the building we are buying and Other stumbling blocks . Like my art space so filled with stuff i can't work there. hence the reason for the building. It seems like my mind is so full of stuff whirling around, it's been hard to concentrate a 1 piece of art. Well enough,