Make-a-Wish Mural

A few months ago I saw an ad in the local paper about an 11 year-old boy who had suddenly been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He was having chemo and radiation and his family was asking for donations to help out. I ripped out the info and begged my husband to write a check (he did!). But I wanted to do more. The story struck a chord with me on so many levels. Not only do I have a son of the same age, who also loves Star Wars and Legos, but I had a similar tumor-experience when I was that same age. I was one of only 3 cases, at the time, and all treatments were experimental. I was told I probably wouldn't live past 25 and I wouldn't have children. I turned 39 on Monday (Happy Birthday to me!) and I have two awesome kids! So, I've always wanted to be able to share my good fortune - or maybe pay it back... or pay it forward?- whatever- I wanted to do something!

Then, out of the blue an artist friend asked if I'd help her do a Star Wars mural for a sick kid and I said "yes!" (even though I am supposed to say "no" to everything right now). Guess what? It turned out to be a mural for this same 11 year old!


Make-a-Wish granted his dream of having a movie theatre in his basement - complete with a huge tv screen on the wall, luxurious reclining seats with cupholders, an intimidating stack of electronics, Darth Vader popcorn cart, foosball, lots of legos, and our mural. It was amazing. (sigh) So... here are some pics of our lovely mural. The idea was that the stormtroopers have blasted a hole in his wall and are fighting a big battle in the docking bay. The Naboo fighter is on a different wall. I picked it because it was yellow ("ooo... pretty!") and we got tired of painting gray stormtoopers. Yes, I know, they aren't actually storm troopers, my son corrected me on everything, but that's what I call them. :-) If anyone else wants Jen and me to paint a mural for them, we are even better at fairies and such - or at least the fuzzier Star Wars characters!!

Work of Art

Well, that one Parent Visitation Day came and went. I do think summer months move faster than other months... anyway... we were SO excited to visit the kid. There was a mad rush of parents towards kids and kids towards parents. It resembled some battle scene from the movies, but with smiles and boxes of donuts and gifts instead of weapons. The baby was sitting on her daddy's shoulders and launched forward to hug her brother. She wouldn't let go!! When we finally got the two separated, and set the baby down, she rammed her brother to the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck! 

These two have GOT to be my greatest masterpieces. sniff sniff. I know, it's corny. But so many people told me they were too far apart in age, they would resent each other, I was insane to start again now... blah blah blah!  When I think about it though, in my more confident days, all it really took was someone telling me I couldn't do something to seal the deal. "Oh really? I'll prove you wrong!" So, in my own twisted way, raising two kids (in this very strange world) who really, really enjoy each other and appreciate each other - is my way of saying "oh yah?! Watch me!!"

Where'd it GO?

OK... Did I blink or something and miss the entire month of June!!? Yikes.

I ran off for 5 days to the Foxwoods Casino for a toy store retailer's conference. (It was AWESOME!) I told everyone "I'll deal with IT when I get back." Everything, yes, I'd take care of everything when I returned. When I returned I was deluged. And I took care of nothing. Then my baby got sick (high fever, ER, ear infections, antibiotic reaction, cry cry cry baby - cry mommy too). Somewhere in the midst of this chaos my son went off to camp. For the first time. For four weeks. With only one parent visitation day in the middle of July. I think he left yesterday. Yeh, OK, I miss him a ton.

But before all hell broke loose, I did do a piece of art I really am proud of. In my WCA-NH group we chose a tapestry at the Currier Museum of Art and we all did our own interpretations of it. This is mine. "Tapestry Mosaic" is all polymer clay, except for the glass bits on the edges. I also used colored pencils and watercolor for the tapestry drawings (on polymer clay).

More Art & Soul...

Here are a few more things I made at Art & Soul. Prepared Journals and Metal Mesh collages. When I have a chance to take better photos, I'll add them to my website.

Art & Soul!!

I had such a great time at Art & Soul!!! My classes were: Perching Pixies with Stephanie Rubiano (I perched them on a canvas), Vintage Metal Treasure Deck with Leighanna Light (I turned the cards into a book), Master Metal Mesh with LK Ludwig, Fabric Persona Journal with Keely Barham (I converted the book into a panel) and The Prepared Journal with Traci Bunkers.

Art & Soul - Virginia

I just finished this piece for Art & Soul Virginia. Just. I'm flying out tomorrow. That's cutting it a bit close! Now, I just have to PACK! I need an art retreat so badly. My kids have been a great help in getting me psyched for this. I had been feeling mommy guilt pangs about leaving my kids for a whole week! (Bad mommy!) But little one has been up teething and howling almost every night for the past week or two, so I'm not feeling as guilty. Really. I'm sure her daddy can handle it all just fine. Really. Just fine. :-)

Ooo Baby Baby

I made this "painting" as a gift for a little girl not yet born. My sister-in-law is expecting in May and she got enough baby clothes to start her own store. I wanted to give a gift that would last more than 6 months. This painting has lots of interesting textures to keep the baby's eyes and hands busy. Alex (my kid) and I made a painting like this with his fairy characters for his sister when she was born (over a year ago! yikes!). She talks to the fairies and waves and blows kisses... I have to make her one like this too, with her name on it.